Hooking up an external projector (Proxima desktop projector)

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Level 1

25 points

Hooking up an external projector (Proxima desktop projector)

Greetings all you helpful folks.
Bought an adaptor (mini VGA video output) to connect my iMac to an external projector; so i can show an iMovie to lots of people at once.

The projector does not detect any input. Tried several settings. After reading one posting that sounded helpful, (set display to "mirror") the iMac does not offer this option. (I do see it on my PowerMac, but maybe that's just a 10.4 bonus)

Any thoughts? or better yet, experience?
Zep

Posted on Sep 21, 2005 12:30 PM

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Answer 1

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Sep 21, 2005 2:21 PM in response to ZEP SYLVIS

After reading one posting that sounded helpful, (set display to "mirror") the iMac does not offer this option.

You won't see that option because the iMac only mirrors. The Power Mac allows you to mirror or extend.

This projector must match one of these exactly:

640 x 480 at 60Hz
800 x 600 at 75Hz
1024 x 768 at 75Hz

Frequency AND resolution. That is the only options supported by your iMac.

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Answer 2

Dec 4, 2005 12:26 PM in response to Duane

I have the same problem - is this true with newer Macs as well? I would think Apple would make computers so that you could use most projectors.

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Answer 3

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Dec 5, 2005 2:07 PM in response to Tim Wierenga

ALL iMacs, eMacs, and iBooks only mirror the main display to an external display. This means that they only work with projectors or displays that has the exact same resolutions supported by the main screen.

PowerBooks and Power Macs have capabilities to work at a larger variety of resolutions.

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Answer 4

Dec 19, 2005 3:02 PM in response to Duane

Apple puts in the mirroring limitation in the i/e/mini Macs/books to encourage sales of the 'Power' Macs/Books which don't have the limitation.

A nice German chap has posted a fix: Screen Spanning Doctor... it simply opens up the functionality that is already there. However, like the author - I can't take responsibility if it messes you system up (there have been no reports of that though - only good!).

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Answer 5

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Dec 20, 2005 10:45 AM in response to Adam Coates

Unsupported Firmware hacks like that can void any remaining warranty you have on your Mac.

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