Display Questions:

Question

Level 1

66 points

Display Questions:

I have a 24" iMac connected to my HD TV via the mini DVI to HDMI.
I use VLC to watch movies on my Mac but want to darken the iMac screen and view only the TV. How can I do that?
Next, for some reason I lose the mouse pointer at the top of my iMac. Only at the top does it go off-screen and it's kinda frustrating to lose the darn thing.
Finally, how can I use my TV as the primary monitor that would perfectly mimic my desktop? It seems that I lose much real estate when switching to the mirror mode of the displays. I've tried everything I can think of
Thank you.

iMac 24 2.4GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.6), 4GB RAM

Posted on Jan 22, 2011 10:02 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 22, 2011 5:33 PM in response to GiantsFan

I use VLC to watch movies on my Mac but want to darken the iMac screen and view only the TV. How can I do that?

In VLC's "Video" preference, check "Black screens in Fullscreen mode". Select your TV with "Fullscreen Video Device" in the "Video" menu.

Next, for some reason I lose the mouse pointer at the top of my iMac. Only at the top does it go off-screen and it's kinda frustrating to lose the darn thing.

You may have Zoom enabled in the "Seeing" tab of "Universal Access" system preference. Try ⌘⌥-
(Command-Option-Minus).

Finally, how can I use my TV as the primary monitor that would perfectly mimic my desktop? It seems that I lose much real estate when switching to the mirror mode of the displays. I've tried everything I can think of

If the TV and iMac don't have the same number of pixels, there is no way to mirror them and fill both displays. If mirroring is off, you can make the TV the primary display by dragging the menu bar to the other screen picture in the "Arrangement" tab of "Displays" system preference. (Aim carefully so you get just the menu bar.) With Mirroring off, both displays will be filled.

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Answer 2

GiantsFan Author

Level 1

66 points

Jan 30, 2011 9:39 AM in response to GiantsFan

Fantastic, Malcolm.
Everything worked perfectly. You are right about all my issues.
Thank you so much!
GiantsFan.

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Answer 3

rbergen

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2011 5:45 PM in response to GiantsFan

You can also use the function (at least I can on my 27" iMac) ctrl+shift+eject. This will put the display to sleep. I like to do this when I hook up my computer to the stereo.

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Answer 4

rawsaxy

Level 1

126 points

Oct 12, 2011 7:18 PM in response to rbergen

ctrl+shift+ejectwill turn off both the iMac and the external monitors.

As to losing sight of the cursor or menu, adjust the underscan/overscan.

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