MacBook Air connected to TV but wrong picture

[spicetrader]

I have a MacBook Air end 2011. I have connected a "mini display port to HDMI cable" to my TV.

The TV is recognising the Mac but the TV screen has the generic Apple (milky way) screen wallpaper and only three of my files displayed ...VERY ODD!! My regular desktop is not displayed on the TV?

I suspect there is something in the Mac preferences/settings I have to adjust... but what??

Anyone help???

 

[simsaladimbamba]

System Preferences > Displays >> Arrangement >>> Mirror Displays (but know, that the display with the lowest resolution determines the maximum resolution used on both, thus one display will have a lower than native resolution, except when both displays have the same native resolution)

Or you just drag the windows you want onto the TV. It acts as extension as it is currently set up.

 

[spicetrader]

Gracias!

Great. Thanks!@!! No sound though, any ideas, do I need separate cables?

 

[eric/]

Great. Thanks!@!! No sound though, any ideas, do I need separate cables?

You shouldn't. HDMI refers to high definition media interface (I think) and it's supposed to be one cable to rule them all, taking both audio and high quality video and putting them in one convenient cable.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Great. Thanks!@!! No sound though, any ideas, do I need separate cables?

If you have the correct MDP to HDMI adapter with audio support, no extra cable is needed with 2010 and 2011 Macs.

How to: Connect a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro to a TV

Most common video interfaces on external computer displays and TVs

Common video interfaces on Macs and the appropriate adapters to connect to other display devices

Most common audio interfaces on external computer displays, TVs and the Mac​

 

[spicetrader]

Still no sound

Correct MD 2 HDMI cable with audio support. Perfect picture. No sound on TV. Vol control is visually going up & Dn but no volume????

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Correct MD 2 HDMI cable with audio support. Perfect picture. No sound on TV. Vol control is visually going up & Dn but no volume????

Check System Preferences > Sound > Output or OPTION/Alt click the sound/volume icon in the Menu Bar and tell us, what is listed and checked as Output Device.

 

[spicetrader]

Fixed.

Ok
audio worked through system preferences/sound/output/check (in my case) SONY TV

Thanks everyone for your help. EXCELLENT Forum!

 

[dohare]

awesome help

Thanks for the help, this was really trying my patience.