You can make all of your displays mirror each other, or extend your workspace with different apps and windows on each display. If you use an external display with your Mac notebook, you can also use closed-display mode.
Hi, I recently decided to go with a Samsung Smart TV as my main monitor. I'm having allot of issues getting the correct size ratio and refresh rates set up for it.
Check your requirements
Check the ports on your Mac to find out whether you need an adapter.
Check how many displays your Mac supports: Choose Apple menu > About This Mac, click Support, then click Specifications. On the webpage that appears, the number of displays your Mac supports appears under Video Support.
Use extended desktop mode
Maximize your workspace with extended desktop mode, which lets you enjoy full-screen apps and windows on each monitor. Then, use Mission Control to organize apps and windows across your displays. If your Dock is on the bottom of your screen, it appears on any of your displays when you move your pointer to the bottom edge of your display.
Turn on extended desktop mode
Make sure that your external display is turned on and connected to your Mac.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Displays.
Click the Arrangement tab.
Make sure that the Mirror Displays checkbox isn’t selected.
Arrange your displays or change your primary display
So that you can move apps and windows across your displays in one continuous motion, arrange your displays to match the setup on your desk. You can also change your primary display, which is where your desktop icons and app windows first appear.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Displays.
Click the Arrangement tab.
To change the position of a display, drag it to the desired position. A red border appears around the display as it's moved.
To set a different display as the primary display, drag the menu bar to the other display.
Use video mirroring
With video mirroring, all of your displays show the same apps and windows.
Turn on video mirroring
Make sure that your external display is turned on and connected to your Mac.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Displays, then click the Arrangement tab.
Make sure that the Mirror Displays checkbox is selected.
Use AirPlay
With Apple TV, you can mirror the entire display of your Mac to your TV, or use your TV as a separate display. To turn on AirPlay, follow these steps:
Make sure that your TV is turned on.
Choose in the menu bar, then choose your Apple TV. If an AirPlay passcode appears on your TV screen, enter the passcode on your Mac.
Mirror your display or use your TV as a separate display:
To mirror your display, choose , then choose Mirror Built-in Display.
To use your TV as a separate display, choose , then choose Use As Separate Display.
To turn off AirPlay, choose , then choose Turn AirPlay Off.
If you don't see in the menu bar, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Displays, then select the 'Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available' checkbox.
Learm more about how to AirPlay video from your Mac.
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Apple MacBook computers contain video outputs that make it easy to connect them to Samsung flat-screen TVs that have High Definition Multimedia Interface ports, letting you watch copyrighted high-definition content through the connection. While MacBook Pro computers have HDMI ports built in, MacBook Air computers have only Thunderbolt ports that include Mini DisplayPort functionality. They will need an additional third-party Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter.
1.
Press your Samsung flat screen TV's 'Power' button to turn it off.
2.
Unplug your TV from the wall outlet or switch off the power strip to which it is connected, if you have one.
3.
Insert one end of your HDMI cable into an open HDMI port on your Samsung HDTV. Remember which port you used.
4.
Insert the plug on the Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter into your MacBook Air's Thunderbolt port. You can omit this step if you have a MacBook Pro with an HDMI port.
5.
Insert the other end of the HDMI cable into your MacBook Pro's HDMI port or into the HDMI port on the Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.
7.
Plug your Samsung television set back into the wall or turn the power switch on its power strip to the 'On' position.
8.
Press the 'Power' button on your Samsung TV or its remote control to turn it on.
9.
Press the 'Source' button on your TV or its remote until you have selected the input to which you connected your MacBook. You may need to press the 'Source' button a few times.
Things Needed
HDMI cable
Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter for MacBook Air computers
References (3)
About the Author
Steve Lander has been a writer since 1996, with experience in the fields of financial services, real estate and technology. His work has appeared in trade publications such as the 'Minnesota Real Estate Journal' and 'Minnesota Multi-Housing Association Advocate.' Lander holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Columbia University.
Photo Credits
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Lander, Steve. 'How to Connect a Samsung Flat Screen HDTV LCD to a MacBook.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/connect-samsung-flat-screen-hdtv-lcd-macbook-56587.html. Accessed 26 December 2019.
Lander, Steve. (n.d.). How to Connect a Samsung Flat Screen HDTV LCD to a MacBook. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/connect-samsung-flat-screen-hdtv-lcd-macbook-56587.html
Lander, Steve. 'How to Connect a Samsung Flat Screen HDTV LCD to a MacBook' accessed December 26, 2019. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/connect-samsung-flat-screen-hdtv-lcd-macbook-56587.html
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