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Level 1

10 points

Screen Automatically Dimming During Movies

I watch a lot of movies on my computer. My screen has been dimming (even though it's on the highest bright setting) after 5-10 minutes of no movement on the trackpad/keyboard. I tried to change some settings, but I'm not sure if I adjusted the right ones.

I've been having this problem with both movies playing from the internet and actual DVDs.

Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on May 19, 2007 9:24 PM

Best reply

monk_eboy

Level 1

29 points

Posted on May 22, 2007 9:59 PM

The ones you need to change are in the battery settings. Depending on if you are running on the battery or power adapter open up "Energy Saver" which can be found under your batter icon. Once there, if you are running on the power adapter change the settings so that the monitor never dims or goes to sleep.
There should be no reason to reset the PRAM by the way. You can also set the battery settings to the same as the adapter but be aware that you will greatly shorten the time between charges. FYI.

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28 replies

morph686

Level 1

0 points

Oct 8, 2007 8:04 PM in response to rudesolo

The other option I use is a small program called 'Caffeine'. It runs in the menu bar and keeps the screen from dimming. Link of program on Version Tracker:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/31941

Oct 24, 2007 1:01 AM in response to morph686

To stop the automatic screen dim, I went to:

- System Prefs
- Displays
- Underneath Brightness, UNcheck box: "Automatically adjust brightness as amient light changes".

It stop the dimming for me...

rudesolo

Level 1

1 points

Oct 24, 2007 6:49 AM in response to JamesLWood

This is the point.... that what you normally would do on some computers does not work. The System Settings may at times work, but as soon as you re-boot the dimming behavior begins again.

Your MacBook must be a newer model if it works properly.

drdomore

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2007 9:07 PM in response to Christine H

Hello
I am trying to figure out how to connect my MacBook Pro to my new LCD HDTV. After reading your post I realise that you have already figured out how to do this connection. I would appreciate if you can email me what cable(s), connector(s) and audio cables you used to make this connection. Do you get a full HD signal on your TV?

Dec 10, 2007 6:54 PM in response to rudesolo

Just found something not mentioned yet.
system preferences/energy saver/ when you select either battery or power adapter you need to choose custom and you will see the settings you are looking for.
Really hope this helps.

Feb 7, 2008 2:06 AM in response to drdomore

you need a vga cable, if you want to be true HD you need a DVI cable. neither of these will work for your sound so you need to hook it up with with either a miniplug to red and white audio or you can use the fiber optic out to your receiver if you have one.

Feb 7, 2008 2:07 AM in response to tomekinc

thank you so much! i just got upgraded to leopard today and that black screen was bugging the heck out of me, this fixed the problem.

AlfieBB

Level 1

20 points

Apr 9, 2008 8:38 AM in response to tomekinc

Hi Tom,
How do I open Terminal? It's in Library >Application Support > Terminal. When I open the folder, nothing is in it. How do I enter the steps you list? Thank!

Jun 20, 2008 8:59 PM in response to JamesLWood

This worked great for me. Thanks.

Seanachai

Level 1

130 points

Jun 21, 2008 11:40 AM in response to Christine H

Christine,

No need for any 3rd party software or going into Terminal.

Open System Preferences/Energy Saver. Under Settings for: select Power Adapter. Click on Options. Uncheck the box that says "Automatically reduce the brightness of the display before display sleep". Then under Settings for: select Battery, and uncheck the box that says "Automatically reduce the brightness of the display before display sleep".

Seanachai

Level 1

130 points

Jun 21, 2008 11:44 AM in response to Seanachai

Christine,

Almost forgot. Under Battery/Options also uncheck "Slightly dim the display when using this power source"

leenuss

Level 1

0 points

Jun 24, 2008 8:32 AM in response to Languh

Yup, that's great software.

one-hoop

Level 1

8 points

Jul 7, 2008 10:22 PM in response to Languh

I'll have to give caffeine a try!

Another program that might provide a fix is Jiggler. (Freeware to boot!)
http://www.sticksoftware.com/software/Jiggler.html

M@

Screen Automatically Dimming During Movies