Backlit keyboard does not turn off while watching a video

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Backlit keyboard does not turn off while watching a video

So I've noticed that when I play a video on my 13" Alum. MacBook Pro the backlight on my keyboard does not turn off. This happens if I play a video in Safari (youtube, dailymotion, etc...), Quicktime, VLC, and even Quicklook. Is this normal behavior? Or is something wrong with my keyboard or ambient light sensor? It turns off if I'm not playing a video and works fine. Its just when I start to play a vid. Annoying. Thanks in advance.

Running 10.5.7 with all the newest updates.

13" Macbook Pro 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB 5400 RPM HD, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jul 30, 2009 5:04 AM

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Answer 1

reposedx Author

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Jul 30, 2009 5:26 AM in response to reposedx

So an update to my problem. It just gets weirder.

So I had my backlight keyboard to go off when not in use set for 30 seconds. With it set like that, the backlight does doe turn off when sitting idle watching a video like I said in the above post.

Adjusted my backlight settings to turn off after 10 seconds. Played a video and sure enough it turns off. Weird right? Well, the backlight turns off, but it does not turn off in 10 seconds. It takes 30 seconds to turn off. Counted it myself. Stop playing a video and it turns off in 10 seconds like its set to.

Adjust the settings back to 30 seconds. This time I play a video and wait a few MINUTES to see if maybe it just doubles the time it takes to turn off when you play a video. Not the case, having it set to 30 again makes it so the backlight turns off.

Can anyone else back me up on this? What can I do to fix this?

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Answer 2

reposedx Author

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Jul 30, 2009 6:18 AM in response to reposedx

Yet another update...

So I actually just got off the phone with Applecare. They where not aware of this issue at all until I called. The rep I spoke with told me that a fix may come with 10.6. But for now just keep my settings at 10 seconds or less to get the result I want. I just have to live with it. Its not a hardware issue, just software.

Still curious as if anyone else has noticed this or not though.

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Answer 3

Jul 30, 2009 7:38 AM in response to reposedx

I've noticed it but because it was only happening while playing a video, I thought it was normal. As long as the backlight turned off like it should when not playing a video, I wasn't that concerned. I have mine set to 30 seconds but I think I will set it down to 10 seconds so that it does turn off even when playing any video. Thanks!

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Answer 4

Jul 30, 2009 10:41 AM in response to Tenacious MC

just to the left of the camera is the light sensor... try shinning a light on it and see if the keyboard light goes out.

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Answer 5

Mac-Medic

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Jul 30, 2009 10:55 AM in response to andrews1200

Try using Lab Tick.

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'
Note: I receive no compensation for product endorsements.

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Answer 6

reposedx Author

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Jul 30, 2009 11:49 AM in response to Mac-Medic

Yeah, Lab Tick does not work. I tried installing it yesterday to see if maybe it would make a difference and work like it was suppose to. It doesn't, Lab Tick doesn't make a difference at all. It still doesn't turn off if its set to 30 seconds or more in Lab Tick and watching a video.

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Answer 7

Jul 30, 2009 11:51 AM in response to reposedx

did you try shinning a light on the sensor?

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Answer 8

Jul 30, 2009 11:57 AM in response to andrews1200

andrews1200 wrote:
did you try shinning a light on the sensor?

So, the OP is supposed to hold a flashlight pointed at the top of the display for the duration of the 2 hour movie, or what? Jury rig a clamp? Get a USB gooseneck lamp just for this? Not to mention the fact that shining a light on the display would not make for a pleasing entertainment experience. Just my 2¢.

reposedx - LabTick would probably work if you just drag the slider to the bottom and leave it there, rather than using the timer settings in the advanced preferences (which just use the same underlying code that System Preferences does).

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Answer 9

Jul 30, 2009 11:58 AM in response to neuroanatomist

i guess you have never heard of trouble shooting. oh well, i tried to help

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Answer 10

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Jul 30, 2009 1:37 PM in response to neuroanatomist

reposedx - LabTick would probably work if you just drag the slider to the bottom and leave it there, rather than using the timer settings in the advanced preferences (which just use the same underlying code that System Preferences does).

Correct. Just adjust the light manually with Lab Tick. To H with the light sensor.

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'

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Answer 11

reposedx Author

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Sep 13, 2009 4:03 PM in response to Mac-Medic

10.6 did not fix this problem. Neither did 10.6.1 I tried using LabTick, but I don't like how it overrides Apple's settings. I just want the thing to work like it's suppose to. I've learned to live with it though with the setting of 10 seconds. Oh well....

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Answer 12

markked

Level 1

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Sep 30, 2009 2:33 AM in response to reposedx

I just noticed this too. Whats weird is that when its set to 5 seconds, I play a movie on VLC player or Quicktime full screes, the keyboard turns off on cue. But anything higher (10 seconds, 1 minute, etc) the keyboard does not turn off.

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