dual displays - put only ONE display to sleep?

[lars666]

Hi everybody,

I have the new LED Apple Cinema Display (no power off button) hooked to my MacBook Pro. Is there any chance to sometimes turn off the Cinema Display (resp. put it to sleep) and continue working only with the Notebook screen WITHOUT plugging the MiniDisplay port cable all the time? I'd really like a software solution and searched a lot, but didn't find anything. If somebody knows a trick, please let me know. (Again: Two displays, only one of them should go to sleep - don't need to have them synchronized at this moment if this helps to find a solution.) Thanks!!!

P.S.: A second question would be: Sometimes when changing only to my ACD (putting the MacBook Pro to clamshell (?) mode, closing the lid) the screen of the ADC has a terrible pink shade. When I start both screens together, it turns back to the normal color profile. Dunno why this happens ...

 

[jtimleck]

This is kind of a solution

http://www.freeverse.com/think/

Think "blacks out" everything else except the current, activated, app. So while it doesn't put the display to sleep if you're working on an app on the laptop it would at least reduce its power consumption by turning it down.

But I am interested in your solution as well - I would think there would be a video management software that could turn off video to one of two running displays (I have a PowerPC G5 Tower that doesn't need both screens running all the time). Anyone?

 

[AdamRock]

i know you want a software solution but unplugging it wouldn't be THAT hard :/

 

[jtimleck]

i know you want a software solution but unplugging it wouldn't be THAT hard :/

yes not "that hard" - only time spent...

1. - crawling under my desk
2. - pulling the G5 out from the wall
3. - digging out the powerstrip from behind said G5 behind said desk
4. - unplugging the power supply from the adapter
5. - unscrewing the DVI attachment from the video card
6. - unplugging the video cable
7. - putting the power strip back
8. - putting the G5 back
9. - crawling out from underneath said desk
10. - wondering why I listened to AdamRock
11. - wondering why I <i>still</i> don't have a software solution

Totally worth it.

Hmmmm. Maybe not.

Santa : Coal for AdamRock's stocking please (jk of course)

 

[Detrius]

Well, the OP said he was using a MacBook Pro, so unplugging it would be the easiest solution.

And to the G5 guy... next time, buy a display with a power button.

 

[jtimleck]

And to the G5 guy... next time, buy a display with a power button.

Gee... sorry the Cinema Display doesn't come with a toggle switch. It's not a Dell. Thanks tho for the idea.....

 

[jtimleck]

Found a **software** solution - Shades for mac

This is a little donationware app called "Shades"

http://www.charcoaldesign.co.uk/shades

I had it on my computer already so I could control the brightness of my old Studio Display (disabled when you use an ADC to DVI convertor). But what I didn't realize is that when you hook up more than one monitor it lets you put separate menu bar (and floating if you want) controls for EACH display you have. So now I can just "dial down" the output to "darkest" which, while not off is a lot less energy than pushing "color" all the time.

It comes in PowerPC, Intel and universal binary flavors as well.

 

[tjb1]

I dont know if this sleeps all monitors or just the current one but you can try it.

Click on the display and press "Control-Shift-Eject"

 

[jtimleck]

Hey thanks for that short cut - didn't know that - it does sleep both - but they come back on, lol, I think it's because they are on DVI to ADC convertors perhaps - I'll tinker with it. Thanks again.