Right, enough of the metablogging, time for some actual content around here.
\nI got a MacBook a few weeks ago and I\u2019ve been using it connected to my TV with Apple\u2019s mini-DVI to video adapter to watch movies. Having the laptop open next to the TV, with display mirroring turned on (so I can use Front Row) can get a little annoying. The movie you\u2019re watching appears both on the MacBook\u2019s screen and on the TV. Distracting.
\nYes, there are a few ways around this. You can turn down the brightness on the MacBook\u2019s display all the way to the bottom, so the display turns off. But that\u2019s a bit fiddly. You could just turn the MacBook around so the screen is facing away from you, but then the remote doesn\u2019t work very well. What would be really nice is if you could simply close the MacBook and carry on watching your movie on the TV.<\/p>\n
The MacBook is quite capable of running in lid-closed mode. But according to Apple, you\u2019ll need a keyboard and mouse \u2013 either USB or Bluetooth. Well, it turns out Apple are dirty stinkin\u2019 liars.
\nDon\u2019t forget your MacBook will need to be connected to mains power for this to work. You can\u2019t run in lid-closed mode on battery power.
\n1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plug in your mini-DVI to video adapter and connect it up to your TV. Set your TV to the correct channel (if necessary).
\n2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If it\u2019s in extended-desktop mode, set your MacBook to video-mirroring mode (using either F7 or Fn-F7 depending on your settings). The resolution will change on your main display to match the maximum resolution of your TV and you\u2019ll see the same image on both displays.
\n3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Close your MacBook. It will enter Sleep mode, and the picture on your TV will disappear.
\n4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Here\u2019s the clever part. Press any button on your Apple Remote. Hey presto, your MacBook will wake up and the image on your TV will re-appear. Press your Menu button to bring up Front Row and start watching movies!
\nI would imagine this works just as well with the MacBook Pro too.
\n[UPDATE] Once you\u2019ve set the MacBook to the correct display mirroring settings, you don\u2019t even need to have it open (and awake) to connect up the cables. Just plug in the display connector cable with the lid closed, then hit a button on your remote.
\n[UPDATE 2] I now have a new TV with a DVI port, so I bought a Mini-DVI to DVI adapter.\u00a0 I can confirm that all these tips work just as well with that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Right, enough of the metablogging, time for some actual content around here. I got a MacBook a few weeks ago and I\u2019ve been using it connected to my TV with Apple\u2019s mini-DVI to video adapter to watch movies. Having the … Continue reading