Using External LCD as Camera Viewfinder?

Has anyone else been wanting this function? I have not seen one thread complaining about how inept the external LCD is. I know that some people consider this a low priority, but it sure would be nice to see yoruself when taking a pic with friends and family

I'd like to second this feature request. My old V3 Razr had it. Taking pictures of yourself (with friends etc) is clumsy when you cannot see what the camera is point at. If the original Razr model could do it (back in 2004?), why not the 8220? Seems like a very basic flip phone feature. I'm pretty sure this is just a software change.
~J

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Busted LCD display, how to use external LCD?

My wife's old Titanium powerbook fell off a half wall in our house and the display is TOTALLY shattered (looks almost like album cover artwork). Anyway, I'm trying to set it up to work on an external display. I plug it in and it reconizes the display and shows her desktop background, but its just an extension of her desktop. I tried following the mirroring directions using the F7 (or fn F7) keys listed here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1313413

Hi, David. have you tried this?
Another poster in this forum recently had a similar problem: his internal display didn't work at all, and the F7 key wouldn't toggle his display modes for some reason. Working blindly, he was eventually able to drag the Displays pane of System Preferences onto the external display somehow and select that as his main display, which made his PB usable again. See this thread.

External LCD monitors stopped working

I have used external LCD displays connected to my MacBook2 for a few years. Recently it stopped sending a picture to external monitors (I've tried a couple.) The ColorSync utility can not repair a damaged profile: Adobe RGB 1998 I think. There is something wrong with the 'desc' tag. I will upload its log later, when I can connect the LCD screen again (away now.)
I am pretty sure it is just a file or a setting somewhere that needs to be changed, with Adobe probably. Can I delete the profile? The displays work with my Nintendo Wii.
Running 10.5.8 on white MacBook
Any ideas??

Thanks for the reply...
I cannot see the drive in windows disk management, it sounds like its running because i can hear it whirring.... but its not spinning up and down.
Stupidly i haven't got other copies of the files, however i didnt expect an almost new hardrive to give up the ghost so soon !
Is there any other ways i could retrieve the files ?... 5 years of holidays photo's with the missus lost, im not going to be popular !
Thanks

Can you use a webcam as an external iPhone 5 camera?

Reason I ask is because it would help me out at my job, and might be helpful to someone else.
I work a resident manager at a storage facility (live on site) and we have to mirror check units to make sure people aren't storing what they are not suppose to and sometimes I have pull out the bulky 8 foot ladder. Or to see if they move out of the unit and left their lock on the unit.
I was wondering if there was a camera/device you can plug into the lightning connector and use your iphone5 as a view finder like a borscope/endoscope.
Because the camera on the back if you reach over a storage unit you can not see the screen, and then if i flip it around to use the face camera i cant use the LED light... also taking a photo using the flash on the back camera does not get a clear picture at all
I don't have wifi in the building that I can use to do an IP camera.
I was looking at Bluetooth cameras like the "Contour" but its out of my price range.
Is there a way I can use a webcam as an external iPhone 5 camera? with an app?
I think if someone can invent this they could make some Big money
Is there any cheaper Bluetooth cameras out there so I can point the camera over the unit with one hand and use my iPhone 5 as a view finder in the other?

I have an external HDD that I use for backups once in a while, BUT to be honest with you I last backed up my iTunes stuff (around 30K songs) over a year ago. Maybe it is time for another backup.
In all fairness, the whole time I have been using Mac's (since 2001) I have never had a major crash (knock on wood) so it has not been high on my priority list tbh. This said, how Apple have been acting lately I feel they have become a little too big for them selves and I have started to notice errors here and there, something that was unheard of earlier
Anyway, in most cases it is never the HDD that causes problems and extracting data from these are not a major hinder so I'm good...
EDIT: Oh, maybe I misunderstood the question

I had Leopard on may Mac. I upgraded to Mountain Lion using Snow Leopard. I can't use my video with Mountain Lion. Can I load Snow Leopard on an external hard drive so I can use it with my camera?

I had Leopard on may Mac. I upgraded to Mountain Lion using Snow Leopard. I can't use my video with Mountain Lion. Can I load Snow Leopard on an external hard drive so I can use it with my camera?

First, you cannot do this if you have a Boot Camp partition.
Second: Create a new partition.
1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
After the main menu appears select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the hard drive's main entry then click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
2. You should see the graphical sizing window showing the existing partitions. A portion may appear as a blue rectangle representing the used space on a partition.
3. In the lower right corner of the sizing rectangle for each partition is a resizing gadget. Select it with the mouse and move the bottom of the rectangle upwards until you have reduced the existing partition enough to create the desired new volume's size. The space below the resized partition will appear gray. Click on the Apply button and wait until the process has completed. (Note: You can only make a partition smaller in order to create new free space.)
4. Click on the [+] button below the sizing window to add a new partition in the gray space you freed up. Give the new volume a name, if you wish, then click on the Apply button. Wait until the process has completed.
You should now have a new volume on the drive.
It would be wise to have a backup of your current system as resizing is not necessarily free of risk for data loss. Your drive must have sufficient contiguous free space for this process to work.
Third: Install Snow Leopard.
Boot from your Snow Leopard DVD. Follow instructions for installation being sure that before you actually install Snow Leopard you have selected the new partition as your target destination.
Booting From An OS X Installer Disc
1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple logo
appears.
5. Wait for installer to finish loading.

Switching screen off on Tecra and using external monitor/LCD TV

I recently bought an LCD TV and was looking forward to using it as the monitor for my Toshiba Tecra M2V. I have run into problems.
I seem unable to "turn off" the laptop screen and ONLY use the LCD TV screen to cary out work, play games etc. Rather I seem only to beable to COMBINE the LCD screen with my LCD, effectively creating a "two screen monitor". I have followed all the online help and still I am unable to have only one screen.
I just want the LCD TV as my screen!
Any ideas on how to do this? It is really a pain!!
TIA

Hello
Usually you should be able to do it using FN+F5 key combination. As far as I know if the unit is connected to the TV you have three possibilities (maybe depends on notebook model) LCD only, LCD and external device and just TV.
You can also try to switch it using GeForce properties:
Display properties > Settings > Advanced > GeForce tab > Device Settings > Select output device.

Huge problems using external iSight or DV video camera on my MPB DCD...

Ok, so I am developing some applications that make use of a video camera for motion tracking, and I have run into a huge problem when trying to use any external video camera. I have both an external iSight in great working order (I have tested it on my tower, which is also brand new, but on 10.4 for reasons of other applications not yet supported on 10.5.1) and also a Sony DCR-TRV520 NTSC Digital Handycam. (Once again, works perfectly when plugged in to the tower.) But if I plug either of them in to my MBP, no programs recognize their existence at all, be it iChat, iMovie, or my application. Nothing shows up in system profiler either. I try reboots, I get nothing... the internal iSight constantly takes over or is my only choice in applications.
And before you even ask, yes, my firewire port works, as I can plug my external firewire solo audio interface into it no problems, and no, I don't have any other firewire devices plugged in when trying to get the computer to recognize they are there.
Quick response would be awesome, as I am on a timeline to finish the program development and it is very important that I get this to work, preferably the Sony.

I just read this in their Forum mate ...
Cycling 74 has not yet finished evaluating Mac OS 10.5, aka Leopard.
As with any new OS, you are advised to tread cautiously if you are
considering updating. We are interested in hearing any and all reports
from users, and at some later date we shall publish full details of
our compatibility. Until that time use of our software on Leopard is unsupported.
If you wish to make reports of your experience with Leopard, please send them to support at cycling74 dot com

X61 on ultrabase using Vista - problem displaying on external LCD

We have a Thinkpad X61 docking on an Ultrabase. It worked well for months. The problem exists since two months ago, and I don't know if it was due to some updates to the system. It is running Vista:
When the notebook first boot up, everything okay, even showing the logon screen. After the user logging on, and the Vista desktop shown. All of a sudden, the external LCD blank, and a message on it says we need to set it to 1280x1024 for best performance. Now, if I open the notebook's LCD, the external LCD gets back to live as well. Next, we close the notebook's LCD, the external LCD still working.
I tried to replace the LCD monitor with a Sony, and the same problem persists. The message on the external LCD said something like "cannot support 99MHz frequency...."
I tried another Ultrabase with the same notebook, same result.
It seems that the notebook is trying to adjust to a very high frequency for the external monitor after it logon to Vista.
May I ask if anybody have the same problem or can give me some hints to solve the problem?
Thanks in advance
Raymond

Thanks.
Apparently my problem was I needed to unplug the TV and then let it recognize the Mac.
Now it works, but not perfectly.
The TV wants a 1920 x 1080 resolution, while the Mac is sending over 1920 x 1200. That's not working as each screen has different issues.
The iMac screen has about an inch of horizontal black space on the top and bottom of the screen, while the Samsung's screen is "full", but it's a little off. Meaning, it's cropped part of the image all the way around.
I was told by Apple that I can only display 800 x 600 if I want the screens to match, which is unacceptable.
Anyone know how to trick a Mac into displaying 1900 x 1080?
Message was edited by: Artie5438

Blackmagic Intensity Pro problem plackback on external LCD TV

Hi there,
Recently installed Intensity Pro card on my Mac Pro and trying to work on FCP6. I use a 1280x720 9 sec footage for testing but there's a problem to playback on a external LCD TV via HDMI cable. The playback on FCP canvas plays fine but the LCD TV just showing a still image. I've tried to test on a SD 720x480 footage which works fine both on FCP canvas and LCD TV even a general CRT 4:3 TV. Sure I have select the Video Playback under View to "Intensity HDTV 720p 60". Are there any other settings need. Will anyone knows what happen or need any settings? Please advice.
Many Thanks.
Kory

Kory - the BlackMagic card is temperamental.
With FCP, I've found that if I capture using the card, for a few seconds, that the output to the HDMI monitor gets 'fixed'.
Or, sometimes it will just start working on its own. Maybe after I stop and re-start FCP.
I even returned my card for replacement. Unsure why they have such issues. But once you figure, by trial an error, a technique for getting the display to work, it does basically work. It's just quirky.
With Motion output, sometimes I have to use the wrong output rate to see the output, and - then suddenly it will decide it wants the correct output rate.
But, I'm going out at 1920 x 1080 - and haven't tried other resolutions.
Good luck. Try complaining to BlackMagic and see if you can escalate the problem up the food chain. Maybe if enough complain they will fix it (they were telling me that it wasn't supposed to display 1080p, but it certainly does - well, somehow converted to 1080i by the card or by FCP).
One other thing you might try, is an HDMI switch from monoprice. Might help with locking on the hdmi output. I use one of those for monitoring from hdmi input of camera, and I seem to remember playing with it while dealing with the no picture, or still picture issues of HDMI output to my monitor.

Using and LCD TV as a monitor for HDV editing

I'm editing in FCP studio 2 and shooting with the new Sony HVR-S270u cameras. I'm trying to figure out the best way to use my LCD TV as a monitor for HD. I know FCP will not playback through my camera in HDV but print to tape with it. I looked into the Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro with HDMI. The problem is the camera doesn't have HDMI it SDI outputs so I'm capturing through firewire. I've been told that the Blackmagic card requires you to capture with it in order to playback with it. I know there is Matrox MXO but are there other options out there.
Can I use the LCD TV as a second monitor and do playback as Cinema Desktop Preview to second monitor? I've also seen a DVI - HDMI cable. Will that work? Any help would be great!
Thanks,
Mike

What format is the media in when you capture it?
Whatever you choose to capture it. You can capture it as HDV via firewire, or ProRes via firewire. Or you can use this card and choose one of the options it gives you...such as ProRes, DVCPRO HD, uncompressed HD...whatever you want, and your hardware can support.
I'm assuming it's no longer HDV.
Only if you don't capture it as HDV. You can still do that and then output via this card to some other format. Or you can capture as HDV, render to ProRes (in the sequence settings under RENDER CONTROL).
Is it uncompressed HD?
If you choose that.
Is there an Easy Setup for this?
Yup.
What codec does it use?
Whatever it lists in the Easy Setups...the ones I listed above.
They also state that you can use it for DV. I'm guessing that means if you have DV material and a device that outputs HDMI you have uncompressed SD?
First off, HDMI is an HD signal, not SD. BUT, you can use the card to output your DV timeline to your HDTV. You cannot output to an SD deck, as no SD decks have HDMI.
If you can import HDV via HDMI and you bypass the HDV codec and get full 1920 (as they say on their website)
Yup..you can capture as ProRes or Uncompressed, and get full 1080. BUT, this doesn't increase the resolution of your footage. It just means that it will render to a better codec with more color space...better manipulation of the image that HDV.
then I'm also guessing that you cannot go back to HDV.
Not via firewire. But if the deck had Component inputs, or HDMI...maybe.
Shane

How to switch off laptop screen when you connect external LCD?

Hello, being new to Mac I'd like to ask if it is possible to completely switch off the laptop screen when you connect an external LCD screen and use it as your main desktop. My MacBook Pro does that automatically when I launch a full screen game, say World of Warcraft, but I would like to be able to do it manually.

If you have it connected to a keyboard and mouse, you just shut the lid and use it that way. Of course, I'd be curious why you wouldn't want to use the screen. Having two screens can be extremely useful. The only problem with it is that then you may miss it when you are away from your second screen!

I just had a new hard drive installed. After loading everything back on my computer from external drive, i came to the "select wireless network screen. I've misplaced the WEP password for my internet. Is there anyway to find it on another computer?

i just had a new hard drive installed. After loading everything back on my computer from external drive, i came to the "select wireless network screen. I've misplaced the WEP password for my internet. Is there anyway to find it on another computer?

Maybe. What kind of other computer are you talking about? What operating system is it running? What kind of wireless router are you using?
Your best bet may be to just reset the router and set it up again.
Just so you know, WEP is a very old security system for wireless and is considered insecure. If you have it available, use WPA2.

My New External LCD is blurry with the Macbook but not my PC

So I recently bought a widescreen 19" LCD (1440 x 900 native). When I'm using my PC through the monitor's VGA connection, the image is nice and crisp. When I use my Macbook through the DVI port, the image is significantly blurry. Both are running at the monitor's native resolution.
Any ideas what might be going on here? It's usable but very annoying and disappointing.

I believe the max resolution for macbook is 1280 x 800 (internal/built in), which is lower than external lcd native resolution. But here is said :
Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
taken from the macbook specs table.
Do check the system preference of what resolution displayed on the external one, and change the resolution back and forth and see which is the best resolution for it.
Good Luck

Brand new macbook pro 15" when connected to external LCD display in high resolution ,flickers often

Hi,
I have brand new macbook pro 15" with retina display.
I have connected external LCD display (Samsung B2230) using Apple VGA adaptor & thunderbolt port. But LCD display flickers quite oftenly. I read community blogs where many macbook pro users like me are facing similiar issue.
There is no problem with LCD display as it works fine with Lenova laptops.
Can anybody please provide me the solution to this problem.?
Regards,
Sam

Hello there, Sam.
The following Knowledge Base article provides some great steps for troubleshooting your issue:
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1573
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro.

Can't take screenshots when using external monitor

I used to take screenshots of areas of my screen all the time using Cmd-Shift-4 but, on my new Macbook Pro, if I have my external LCD screen connected, then any screenshot I take comes out as just a bunch of diagonal shading. It doesn't make a difference whether I take a whole or partial screenshot, and it's the same if I use the Grab utility or the shortcut keys.
If I disconnect the external monitor, screenshots work fine.
This is really frustrating, because I use the Cmd-Shift-4 all the time to collaborate with colleagues on designs.
Any idea if it's possible to fix this?
David

OK, this problem has vanished. The only thing I think it might be is that, when I check the colour profiles for each display, they're set to a combination I didn't try when I was trying to fix this issue ("Color LCD" for the laptop and "HW191D" for the external screen).
Anyway, it's working fine now, so I'm happy!

Using External LCD as Camera Viewfinder​?

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Using External LCD as Camera Viewfinder?