MacBook Pro on 32 inch LCD TV

[craigc_]

I wanted to know if by connecting my MacBook Pro to a 32 inch LCD TV will look alright. Will the picture be as clear as it is on my MacBook's display right now? I know it will be a lower resolution because the native resolution of the TV is 1366 x 768. Also is there a big difference in using the HDMI port vs the VGA port on the TV to do this? I know I will need an DVI to HDMI adapter.

 

[thefamousgrouse]

I wanted to know if by connecting my MacBook Pro to a 32 inch LCD TV will look alright. Will the picture be as clear as it is on my MacBook's display right now? I know it will be a lower resolution because the native resolution of the TV is 1366 x 768. Also is there a big difference in using the HDMI port vs the VGA port on the TV to do this? I know I will need an DVI to HDMI adapter.

I think you'll find text to be fuzzy at 1366 x 768. IMHO, HDMI vs VGA won't look very different at this resolution. A 1080p 32" starts to look pretty good, but there aren't many 1080p sets at 32", and obviously they are much more expensive. Sharp makes a 32" 1080p, and I know Sony and Samsung also plan to add models within the next several months in this resolution at that size.

If you're only running front row in a living room type setup, however, you'll be happy with a 1366 x 768 32".

 

[craigc_]

I think you'll find text to be fuzzy at 1366 x 768. IMHO, HDMI vs VGA won't look very different at this resolution. A 1080p 32" starts to look pretty good, but there aren't many 1080p sets at 32", and obviously they are much more expensive. Sharp makes a 32" 1080p, and I know Sony and Samsung also plan to add models within the next several months in this resolution at that size.

If you're only running front row in a living room type setup, however, you'll be happy with a 1366 x 768 32".

So is it no good for day to day tasks? I want to use it as a monitor as well thats why I'm asking.

 

[Spievy]

It depends on how close to you are to the TV. I have iMac attached to a 37" LCD TV, running at 1280x720, connected via VGA. Looks spectacular at 5 to 10 feet. I use it for a Media center and internet and of course games. The only problem is resolution real estate (Lots of scrolling).

 

[thefamousgrouse]

Based on my experience, that resolution won't be adequate for day to day monitor usage. Imagine taking your existing MBP, cutting its resolution by about 20%, and then stretching it onto a 32" screen. As a means of comparison, 30" computer monitors such as the cinema display are 2560 x 1600 - that resolution is almost four times the resolution of a 1366 x 768 screen. A 1080p screen is approximately half the resolution of the 2560 x 1600 30 inch cinema displays, but still high enough of a resolution that a 32" 1080p (1920 x 1080) monitor could be usable if you're sitting about 2' to 3' back.

 

[Spievy]

A lot of people seem to be negative to the idea of LCD TV + Mac. I don't think these people have even tried it properly.

And of course there are draw backs, I would not want to use it for prolonged Photoshop work (again resolution real estate). And of course the further away you are to the TV the more fuzzy text will look. It all depends on what you are going to use it for. I absolutely love my set up and no one can convince me that it is a bad set up for what I use it for.

 

[craigc_]

Well I am going to be using it for gaming and internet usage, also the occasional word processing. Typical stuff... although I may do some photo editing in which case I will just use my MBP display. I was hoping I would get a nice crisp image through day to day computing but I guess that depends how far back I am.

 

[Spievy]

Also is there a big difference in using the HDMI port vs the VGA port on the TV to do this? I know I will need an DVI to HDMI adapter.

I have tried both of these. I find with my LCD TV, the VGA connection is much sharper than HDMI. Which of course doesn't make sense because HDMI is digital and VGA analog. If you do go with the a TV set up try both connections, then return the connector you don't want

 

[craigc_]

I have tried both of these. I find with my LCD TV, the VGA connection is much sharper than HDMI. Which of course doesn't make sense because HDMI is digital and VGA analog. If you do go with the a TV set up try both connections, then return the connector you don't want

Thats what I plan on doing, I only have to buy the DVI to HDMI adapter since the MBP comes with a VGA adapter. Just a quick question, what if I am watching a Hi-Def movie on the display through my laptop, would I get a better result from the HDMI input vs the VGA?

 

[Spievy]

Thats what I plan on doing, I only have to buy the DVI to HDMI adapter since the MBP comes with a VGA adapter. Just a quick question, what if I am watching a Hi-Def movie on the display through my laptop, would I get a better result from the HDMI input vs the VGA?

To be honest, I have not tried any HD content. I would experiment with both types of connections. I just know my "Olevia Brand" TV is much sharper with VGA. But like I said before this doesn't make sense.

 

[ptjh]

I'm not sure whether or not I making a mistake with my current plans to buy a 32 inch LCD 1080p to use as a tv, with xbox 360, and as my main big monitor for my macbook pro for producing music, internet etc. (probably at a distance of less than 1m). I saw the 27" imac and it looks stunning, perhaps because it's resolution to size is so high? I don't know whether I should get a 26" 1080p instead? I love the current picture I get on my mbp screen so if I could replicate that quality in big that would be immense. So I have 2 questions really;

32" or 26"

1080p or less?

 

[Mr Dobey]

32" 1080p

I have a 32" 1080p Toshiba attached to my MBP and everyone comments on how nice the picture looks! (including me)

Warning: With the factory TV screen presets (Sports, Movie, Standard . . .) the picture will look TERRIBLE. I would suggest starting with the "Adobe RGB (1998) display profile and than start tweaking the brightness/contrast setting on your TV. I'm serious, it makes the difference between a beautiful screen and a fully unusable one.

 

[finiteyoda]

To be honest, I have not tried any HD content. I would experiment with both types of connections. I just know my "Olevia Brand" TV is much sharper with VGA. But like I said before this doesn't make sense.

You may have a different sharpness setting on the VGA input, you can check this in your TV's controls menu. Also, I would double-check that the output resolution is the same (1366 x 768) for both HDMI and VGA (you can verify this by going to System Prefs -> Displays, once the computer is connected to the TV.

I connect my macbook pro to 60" 1080p via HDMI, and it looks amazing. For movies/games its awesome, for web browsing, it's doable, but really need a wireless keyboard/mouse so I could sit a distance. Trying to read anything on a screen that big up close is dizzying...

 

[robj]

I usually use a 27'' LCD display with 1080p resolution and, if you are close to the display, it's very nice.

But the most annoying issue is to shutdown the MBP display while using the external one. AFAIK, you have to run the MBP with the lid closed or some trick like connecting external USB devices.

Why isn't a straightforward method to shutdown the MBP display without doing that tricks?