Configuring LG TV as external monitor

Question

Level 1

0 points

Configuring LG TV as external monitor

I'm trying to configure an LG TV (22LG30R) as external monitor for my MacBook (second generation). I've tried two different setups:

1) *RGB connection* (using a mini-DVI to VGA adapter and a VGA to VGA cable)
In this mode, the maximum resolution is 1680x1050. However, the image is blurry, specially in texts and window borders.

2) *HDMI connection* (using a mini-DVI to DVI adapter and an HDMI to DVI-D single link cable)
In this mode, the maximum resolution is 1920x1080 (interlaced or progressive). However, the output image is not full screen, even though this is the maximum resolution for the external monitor. There are black borders on the four sides of the screen. If I tick the zooming/scaling checkbox under the TV output options, the external image becomes bigger than the TV, making the upper and lower menus disappear.

In all cases, I'm using the extended monitor configuration (different resolutions for the external monitor and the MacBook screen). I've tried to configure the external monitor in both Mac OS X 10.5 and Windows Vista, but the result was the same.

Is there any way to configure the external monitor properly? Why are there black borders even though I'm using the TV's maximum resolution?

Thanks a lot,
Tiago

MacBook (second generation), Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on May 22, 2009 9:55 PM

Reply

Answer 1

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

May 24, 2009 8:23 AM in response to tiagobt

I was able to find a link to the English version of the user manual for your TV and noted a few things from doing so. First off, I don't think HDMI is going to work for a computer connection. In order to get rid of overscan over that interface, you are going to need to set the TV to its Just Scan setting. Unfortunately, the manual, under the PICTURE SIZE (ASPECT RATIO) CONTROL section on p. 64 says, "Just Scan (Except 22LG3 *)." So it seems your TV lacks having the Just Scan setting, meaning there will be no way to get rid of overscan on the HDMI input.

As for VGA, you say it is blurry. Have you tried going through the adjustment settings as outlined on pages 36 through 38? Those settings can strongly influence the appearance of the picture, so I would recommend you go through them and see if that can help with picture quality. Good luck.

Reply

Answer 2

tiagobt Author

Level 1

0 points

May 24, 2009 11:45 AM in response to BSteely

Thanks for the reply. Could you post the link to the English manual? The TV came with a manual (in Portuguese), but I don't think it is as complete as the one you found.

Tiago

Reply

Answer 3

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

May 25, 2009 9:54 AM in response to tiagobt

The way LG's website works, I can't give you a direct link. But if you go to their Hong Kong support website through this link:

http://hk.lgservice.com/index_b2c.jsp

...then click on the Owner's Manual icon and then enter in the presented fields:

Product Group: TV
Product: LCD TV
Language: English
Model No.: 22LG30R

It should link you to the manual I referenced.

Reply

Answer 4

tiagobt Author

Level 1

0 points

May 25, 2009 7:32 PM in response to BSteely

Thanks again, BSteely. I've read the pages you mentioned now.

Using the RGB connection, I tried to auto-configure the image (as described in page 36). However, the blurry images and black shadows are still very noticeable. I also tried to adjust the phase and clock sliders manually, as per page 37, but I saw no improvement.

I took a few pictures of the TV screen to to show what I'm trying to say:

http://img36.imageshack.us/my.php?image=53107017.jpg
http://img35.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lg2t.jpg

In the first picture, you can notice a black shadow around the letter "L" and the LG logo (specially on the right side). In the second picture, all the letters are a bit blurry and the unpleasant shadow is still there. When the font is smaller, the effect becomes even worse, making it hard to even read the texts.

Do you think my TV is faulty or am I being too critical?

Tiago

Reply

Answer 5

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

May 25, 2009 10:07 PM in response to tiagobt

That looks like the kind of thing that will happen if a cheap video cable is used. Is it the one that came with the TV? Did one come with the TV? A better quality cable should improve what you see.

Reply

Answer 6

tiagobt Author

Level 1

0 points

May 30, 2009 3:41 PM in response to BSteely

You're right. I tried a different cable and the image looks much better. The dark shadows are gone too.

Thanks!

Reply