Macbook resolution on a external Display

[C Nak]

I have the Macbook (2.16ghz) connected to 19" LCD HDTV through the mini-dvi to VGA cable, the external display looks fine when the resolution is 1024x768
but when I increase it to the highest resolution it can support which is 1440x900 it looks condensed. Stretching using the TV remote still makes it look condensed.

I know for a fact it isn't the cable because funny enough the resolution is fine in Windows but not on the mac

I have run out of ideas, any suggestions will be really appreciate :)

[TheStu]

Are you sure that the TV can support that resolution? Most of the HDTVs that I have seen are 720P, so 1366*768, or 1920*1080 (1080P)

So, I would suggest trying one of those two if you can, and not running in Mirrored Mode

[C Nak]

I have tried the resolution you suggested and the same issue occur, I was thinking maybe the default mac display driver is corrupted, does anyone know
how I can replace them.

thanks

[mkrishnan]

First off, what *is* the native resolution of the LCD TV?

[C Nak]

The native resolution is 1440x900

[astray]

I had the same issue as this with my macbook. Are you running the external display in desktop mirroring mode? I found that the image appeared condensed when i set the display mode to mirror at 1368x768, but looked normal at 1024px. However if i set the arrangement to desktop spanning at 1368x768 it utilised the full screen. Hope this helps.

[C Nak]

I am using the monitor on extended monitor mode, today I found out that if connect the mini dvi cable before I switch on the LCD TV i can select any resolution I want except 1440x900. At the moment I can now use 1344x1008 which takes up the whole screen but I would prefer 1440x900 though

[mkrishnan]

Huh...strange. I've never heard of an HDTV having a 1440x900 native resolution. You might be able to get it using SwitchResX (I prefer) or DisplayConfigX (also valid but I find it very difficult to use).