Can you connect unibody MBP to a projector?

[vincenz]

Hey all, I'm looking to get a budget project to play around with for movies at home. Specifically, this one:

http://www.meetgadget.com/gadget/2467/PRO150S/specs

It has a native SVGA resolution of 800x600, but it can support up to 1920x1080.

The question is: if I get a miniDisplayport-VGA adapter to connect my MBP to the projector and run it in clamshell mode, will I be able to change the resolution to 1920x1080 and pretty much use it like an external monitor?

Thanks!

 

[Heb1228]

It may accept a higher resolution input, but the projected image will still only be 800x600 (or 800x something smaller if you want to see it in widescreen mode). It will not serve you well as an external monitor. If you want to use it to watch video or play video games, it will serve you reasonably well.

You can use it in closed-lid mode with the proper adapter, a mouse (or other pointing device) and probably an external keyboard.

 

[vincenz]

It may accept a higher resolution input, but the projected image will still only be 800x600 (or 800x something smaller if you want to see it in widescreen mode). It will not serve you well as an external monitor. If you want to use it to watch video or play video games, it will serve you reasonably well.

You can use it in closed-lid mode with the proper adapter, a mouse (or other pointing device) and probably an external keyboard.

Thanks. I'm a little confused about what "higher resolution input" means though. Why would they list it as supporting up to 1920x1080 if the projected image resolution is only 800x600?

I'm only looking for it to watch the occasional movie, not to use it as a regular monitor. From what I've read, the lamp only lasts 4000 hours, so yikes

 

[chrismacguy]

Thanks. I'm a little confused about what "higher resolution input" means though. Why would they list it as supporting up to 1920x1080 if the projected image resolution is only 800x600?

I'm only looking for it to watch the occasional movie, not to use it as a regular monitor. From what I've read, the lamp only lasts 4000 hours, so yikes

Simple, its because the projectors electronics can downscale 1920*1080 to 800*600 (well with bars at the top and bottom of the image of course) - they probably built that in so they could claim it was an "HD" Projector.

 

[vincenz]

Ah, so my MPB's 1280x800 would be scaled to the projector's native resolution when the image is thrown on the screen, got it.

Now all's I have to do is wait for it. Can't complain, got it for $269 Should be more than enough for all the old movies I have in the library.