Simple MBP DVI-VGA question

[wtfandyno]

I just got an LCD 1080p HD tv with a spot to run my MBP through as a monitor. Plugged it in through VGA and everything looks great. The only problem is that it recognizes the tv as being a second and separate monitor. When I want to watch videos, the full screen runs on my computer while the tv acts as my blank desktop.

How do I switch that around?
Or, at the least, get them to display the same thing? Is that what is called mirroring?

I don't think this is that hard, but I'm getting pretty frustrated trying to figure it out. Thanks a lot!

 

[robbieduncan]

Mirroring will run the two screens at the same resolution (exactly the same) which is probably not what you want.

To make the external screen the main screen drag the little menu bar in the displays preferences in System Preferences.

If you are using QuickTime you can choose which screen to use for full screen...

 

[swiftaw]

I just got an LCD 1080p HD tv with a spot to run my MBP through as a monitor. Plugged it in through VGA and everything looks great. The only problem is that it recognizes the tv as being a second and separate monitor. When I want to watch videos, the full screen runs on my computer while the tv acts as my blank desktop.

How do I switch that around?
Or, at the least, get them to display the same thing? Is that what is called mirroring?

I don't think this is that hard, but I'm getting pretty frustrated trying to figure it out. Thanks a lot!

System Preferences->Displays->Arrangement
Check "Mirror Displays"

 

[e12a]

if you're using VLC, go to the top menu and press Video>Video Device> [select your monitor]