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Q: Help with connecting Mini Display port to TV HDMI

I have a new MacBook Pro 17" computer. I want to play a DVD through the computer to a Toshiba 26" flat screen TV, using a mini port to HDMI.

At first nothing happened, then after much fiddling I got the Apple Spiral Galaxy image on the TV and my usual desktop on the computer. I then discovered that I can move the cursor from my desktop across to the right, where it disappears from my computer screen and appears on the left side of the spiral galaxy on the TV. So it's like I have two side-by-side screens, the Apple galaxy on the left, my computer on the right. In addition, I keep my dock on the right side and it's barely visible on the right side of the galaxy screen.

It's very weird! Any suggestions.

Incidentally if I play the DVD I can drag and drop it to the right so it slides off of my computer and onto the galaxy. But I know that's not the real solution.

I'd really appreciate some help. There's got to be a fix, since the two devices are in fact communicating.

Thanks for oany advice.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Mar 22, 2012 4:26 PM

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Q: Help with connecting Mini Display port to TV HDMI

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  • by Zyriab,Solvedanswer

    Zyriab Zyriab Mar 22, 2012 4:49 PM in response to Fortovia
    Level 4 (3,316 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 22, 2012 4:49 PM in response to Fortovia

    The two screens are operating as a single extended desktop spread across two displays, as you've found out.  At the moment the MacBook's screen is the primary display and the TV is the secondary.  To make the TV the primary display, which is what I think you want to do, open System Preferences -> Display -> Arrangement.  You will see a picture of two screens, one larger and one smaller.  At the top of the smaller screen there is a small bar - this represents the menu bar on the primary display.  Drag that small bar to the top of the larger of the screens in the picture.  Now the menu bar and dock move to the TV screen which becomes the primary display, and the MacBook screen is the secondary screen in the extended desktop.

  • by Fortovia,

    Fortovia Fortovia Mar 24, 2012 12:42 PM in response to Zyriab
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iOS Apps
    Mar 24, 2012 12:42 PM in response to Zyriab

    Thanks very much, it works fine!

    One further question:

    The Apple folks tell me that the mini-display to HDMI should also transmit the audio signal, but no such luck. I'm still listening via the computer - which works OK, but is there a way to get the audio through the cable set-up?

  • by pennbank,Helpful

    pennbank pennbank Mar 24, 2012 1:12 PM in response to Fortovia
    Level 4 (1,688 points)
    Mar 24, 2012 1:12 PM in response to Fortovia

    see

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4214

     

    In System Preferences, select Sound.  Click the Output tab.  Select your HDMI device from the list.

    Sound System Preferences pane


  • by Sparky14,

    Sparky14 Sparky14 Nov 4, 2012 10:15 AM in response to pennbank
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2012 10:15 AM in response to pennbank

    I am having the same problem. Imac9,1 OS10.5.8. but when i get to the Sound window above, and click on output, my TV is not lsted. how will i get sound from my TV instead of built in speakers?