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jklumpp Author

Level 1

0 points

MacBook air and projector connection.

Hi everybody

I am having some issues with the new Macbook air (mid-2011) and connecting a data projector. I got the adapter to VGA and everything seems to work fine most of the times when booting MacOS Lion. However, sometimes the Macbook would not recognize the beamer resolution and switch to 648x480. This can then be adjusted manually and works.

Booting into Windows 7 (Bootcamp installation) gives different issues. 2 out of 3 projectors tested refused to recognize the signal from the Macbook. The third did everything automatically with the correct resolution. Putting the baby to sleep and waking up did not help. Connecting the adapter before/after beamer was ready did not help. Manually setting resolution as well as using Win plus P shortcut did not help. The graphics card driver seems to be the newest available.

Any ideas what I could try?

Thanks.

Jochen

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Aug 15, 2011 1:01 AM

Top-ranking reply

KeanuReeves

Level 3

570 points

Posted on Aug 15, 2011 5:41 AM

Regarding your windows problem:

Some projectors don't work properly if the broadcast resolution is not supported by the projector. If you know the supported resolution, try setting it to that in your macbook prior to connecting to the projector.

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73 replies

cahw

Level 1

15 points

Aug 24, 2011 8:53 AM in response to jklumpp

Hi,

My problem is the same:

Mackbook Air 2011 wirh Apple original Vga Adapter.

In Lion everything works. In boot camp Windows 7 Professional 32-bit i can't get any picture on our projectors. An external monitor works thougt.

I will now contqact Apple Care.

/Anders

sookk

Level 1

0 points

Aug 24, 2011 9:03 AM in response to cahw

Apple is just going to tell you that they won't support Windows .... you will need to talk to Microsoft

Aug 24, 2011 2:36 PM in response to jklumpp

I run Win7 Professional SP1 64-bit. The MBA is a 13" maxed out with 256Gb SSD and 4Gb RAM.

sookk

Level 1

0 points

Aug 24, 2011 8:16 PM in response to jklumpp

Ok ... here's my findings so far:

Connecting from Macbook Air to my projector (Sanyo) doesn't work
Connecting to my external monitor (Lenovo) works fine.
My friend tested with Toshiba and Panasonic projector ... works (don't know the length of the VGA cable there)

I suspect it is because of the VGA cable being too long (for the projector) or the brand of the projector itself. The Mini Display port DOES work .... but very very inconsistent. My suggestion .. get a USB - VGA cable instead.

sookk

Level 1

0 points

Aug 25, 2011 2:22 AM in response to Alister from Melbourne

Btw ... anyone tried this and see if it works:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1443

Sep 7, 2011 1:00 AM in response to jklumpp

I've got a very similar issue with a bunch of Macbook Pro 13" (Mid-2011). I've found using long (5-10m) cables will not work in Windows with all levels of Bootcamp 3.2 -> 4.0 (Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit).

2m cables seems to work fine for me for all monitors/projectors.

rchawla

Level 1

0 points

Sep 8, 2011 11:04 AM in response to GreenHornet

I just got the new MBA and am having the same issues with Windows 7 x64. This is really bad for me as I cannot work any more with my laptop, someone from APPLE please respond with a solution.

I went to the Genius bar and they just plugged in a normal old PC and it worked. Will a USB > VGA work?

Thanks

Sep 8, 2011 1:22 PM in response to rchawla

Under Intel Graphics (in the shortcut toolbar bottom right corner) go to graphics properties/multiple displays. Set it the way you want it there.

I am finding that it's flakey though and sometimes you need to reboot windows with the projector connected to get success. luckily that is a very quick process with these laptops.

cahw

Level 1

15 points

Sep 21, 2011 1:44 PM in response to cahw

I have now find out that it does work on some projectors but not at all on Sanyo or Epson. I have checked that I am using the latest driver software for the intel graphics chip. I have tried different resolutions. In Lion mode or with normal PC laptop it all works.

I must now try to return my air, which I like but that I can't trust in a customer situation.

Sep 21, 2011 2:15 PM in response to cahw

If it helps I find I get best results by making sure everything is powered up fully and then connecting the projector to the MBA. That works every time for me now.

If either the MBA or projector is not fully powered up and awake the results are variable. Sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.

Jengill

Level 1

0 points

Sep 25, 2011 1:06 PM in response to jklumpp

Hi purposely spent the extra to get a Mac for the incredible graphics as I do very ornate Powerpoint/Keynote presentations.

The Mac connects perfectly to my external monitor and my home Epson projector, but not even remotely to various other projectors - Optima, 3M or Benq. This is VERY frustrating.

What's even more frustrating is the lack of answers. Surely Apple should be providing the fix?

I have to copy my presentations onto some 1/2 price other machine.

Come on Apple - do something about this!

Jengill

Johannesburg

Oct 3, 2011 6:59 PM in response to Jengill

I just ran into this issue when presenting at Java One. My first session had an A/V switch with DVI input. That one worked perfectly with my DVI adapter. The other session room had an A/V switch with only VGA inputs. That one did not work at all. I ended up having to do my presentation sitting next to one of the projectors, hooked up to it directly over DVI. This means my session could not be recorded. Not funny. At all. I love my brand new Core i7 MBA, but this is a deal breaker.

Oct 3, 2011 9:06 PM in response to marcushirt

I had the problem again last week at a client site. Couldn't get the output working on their conference video system. Luckily we had a Dell laptop as well which (of course) worked fine. But if not.........

Oct 21, 2011 1:40 PM in response to jklumpp

This worked!!

I have Windows 7 (64 bit) on Bootcamp.

I use Apple mini Display port to VGA cable

After installing all Windows 7 update from Microsoft, I found these 2 optional updates and installed them. It worked on my VGA display.

Intel - Other hardware - Intel(R) Management Engine Interface

Intel Corporation - Display - Intel(R) HD Graphics Family

Nov 8, 2011 2:46 AM in response to badrishns

Hey guys,

I recently got MacBook Air 13''. I bought the VGA cable also.

Yesterday I had a presentation and had connected my MBA to Epson projector.

You could see everything, but when I wanted to start the presentation in keynote, it would only start on my computer but would not be visible on the projector. So, I had to go through ppt....

Any solutions?

tnx

MacBook air and projector connection.