Connecting MBP to TV

[lucasc896]

I should probably know this, but I'll ask anyway.

I'm connecting my laptop to my TV via the DVI output of my laptop to one of the HDMI inputs on my TV. Am I right in saying that the reason why the top and bottom of my screen are being cut off is because of the difference in aspect ratio between my laptop and TV?

Is is that one is 16:9 and the other 16:10?

Anyway, how can I change this so that I get the full screen on the TV? Do I have to change settings on my laptop or the TV?

Thanks

Chris

 

[ftaok]

I should probably know this, but I'll ask anyway.

I'm connecting my laptop to my TV via the DVI output of my laptop to one of the HDMI inputs on my TV. Am I right in saying that the reason why the top and bottom of my screen are being cut off is because of the difference in aspect ratio between my laptop and TV?

Is is that one is 16:9 and the other 16:10?

Anyway, how can I change this so that I get the full screen on the TV? Do I have to change settings on my laptop or the TV?

Thanks

Chris

There are several reasons why your top/bottom are getting cut off.

1. If you're mirroring the desktop, then the 16:9 vs 16:10 is most likely the problem.

2. If you're extending desktop, then it could be that the TV has overscan, but you would see cut-off on the sides as well.

3. You may not be outputting the native resolution (or even a fully supported resolution) to the TV.

What kind of TV do you have? Brand and model number will help. Is it 720/768p or 1080p?

ft

 

[lucasc896]

The TV is a 32" Sony V2500.

I get the same effect in both.

Cheers for your help.

Chris

Edit: Oh, and it's 720p

 

[ftaok]

The TV is a 32" Sony V2500.

I get the same effect in both.

Cheers for your help.

Chris

I'd say that the problem is definately that the MBP has a "taller" screen than the Sony. It's well known that the V2500 series works well with Macs.

Try extending the desktop instead and selecting a separate resolution for the Sony.

 

[lucasc896]

But if I'm extending the screen, it's no real problem, because there is nothing set at the top and bottom of the screen. When I'm in clam-mode I have the dock and system bar being visibly cut off.

 

[ftaok]

But if I'm extending the screen, it's no real problem, because there is nothing set at the top and bottom of the screen. When I'm in clam-mode I have the dock and system bar being visibly cut off.

OK, now we're getting somewhere. Your 32" V2500 .. is it 720p or 1080p? That will be a critical piece of info.

Here's how I have my wife's Macbook set up with our 1080p TV.

I initially set up for extended desktop. When connected this way, I have the TV set at 1920x1080 and the MB set at 1280x800. I also set the TV as the main screen, so when both are connected, the menu bar is on the TV.

My TV has a setting called "dot-by-dot", which is Sharp's way of saying no overscan. I make sure my TV is set to dot-by-dot. I also have the overscan button on the Mac checked off (or maybe it's unchecked - can't remember).

When I run in clam-shell mode, the TV retains the settings from before and everthing looks fine. Plus, I have more free VRAM since I'm not driving an extra 1280x800 display.

For you, I would make sure that the Sony's resolution is matched up properly. For example, if the TV has a native 1366x768 resolution, then choose that on the Mac. Then check that you have overscan off on the TV (I'm certain the V2500 has a zero overscan option). Lastly, play with the overscan setting on the Mac (it's in the Display System Pref Window).

Good Luck!

 

[lucasc896]

You've gotta love helpful forums!

I'll give it a try now.

Thanks alot ftaok!

 

[lucasc896]

I just went on preferences for my display, unchecked overscan (Still don't know what it is!) and it sorted it out!

All I've got now is a black border, which I don't really care about. The resolution of the TV is 1366x768, so the nearest I can get to on the mac is 1344x756, so I'll leave it on that.

Thanks alot for your help ftaok.