MBP C2D --> Sharp LC-37SH20U

[IAMCANADIAN2]

I have tried to setup my new MBP with my new Sharp 37" LCD by using SwitchResX and DisplayConfigX but have not been able to figure it out. Furthermore, now that the trial version of SwitchResX has expired I can't do anything with it. I am using a DVI-HDMI cable to connect to the TV. Is there an easier or free utility to configure custom resolutions for OSX? I just recently switched to Mac and am finding it difficult to resolve this issue. On my PC it would simply be a matter of opening the ATI or nVidia panel and tweaking the appropriate setting but my MBP doesn't even allow me that option. If anyone has the same TV or has found a solution to this issue it would be much appreciated.

[ftaok]

I have tried to setup my new MBP with my new Sharp 37" LCD by using SwitchResX and DisplayConfigX but have not been able to figure it out. Furthermore, now that the trial version of SwitchResX has expired I can't do anything with it. I am using a DVI-HDMI cable to connect to the TV. Is there an easier or free utility to configure custom resolutions for OSX? I just recently switched to Mac and am finding it difficult to resolve this issue. On my PC it would simply be a matter of opening the ATI or nVidia panel and tweaking the appropriate setting but my MBP doesn't even allow me that option. If anyone has the same TV or has found a solution to this issue it would be much appreciated.
What resolution are you trying to get? A C2D Macbook Pro should be able to easily display many resolutions through an HDMI connection. I'm guessing that the Sharp is a 720p TV with a native resolution of 1366x768.

Your best bet would be to try 1280x720 and let the TV upconvert it to the native resolution. I don't think there is an easy way to display 1366x768 via HDMI.

Make sure you turn off "mirroring". When you do, you'll get separate display system pref boxes for each screen.

ft

[IAMCANADIAN2]

What resolution are you trying to get? A C2D Macbook Pro should be able to easily display many resolutions through an HDMI connection. I'm guessing that the Sharp is a 720p TV with a native resolution of 1366x768.

Your best bet would be to try 1280x720 and let the TV upconvert it to the native resolution. I don't think there is an easy way to display 1366x768 via HDMI.

Make sure you turn off "mirroring". When you do, you'll get separate display system pref boxes for each screen.

ft

I am trying to display 1280x720p because it's the closest to my LCDs native resolution but once it's initialized I either have 2" of underscan (black border around the entire screen) or too much overscan (Menu Bar and Dock are out of viewable area). I've tried turning Mirroring ON and OFF with no effect; My Sharp 37" LCD does accept both of the standard HD resolutions (720p,1080i) but both exhibit the same behavior as mentioned above. I've tried using both SwitchResX and DisplayConfigX but could not understand the complicated setup procedure (Horiz-Freq., front porch, back porch, pixel Freq., etc.) As I mentioned in my original post, I'm new to Mac and was drawn in by the simplicity and reliability of OSX but am finding it incredibly annoying that it has already taken 3 weeks to try and find a solution to a simple problem that would have taken me 30sec to fix in XP on a PC via driver settings. The gfx chip in my MBP is made by ATI (X1600); Does ATI not make drivers for OSX that would allow for such adjustments? Anybody, with a solution or helpful hints would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

[BSteely]

I am trying to display 1280x720p because it's the closest to my LCDs native resolution but once it's initialized I either have 2" of underscan (black border around the entire screen) or too much overscan (Menu Bar and Dock are out of viewable area). I've tried turning Mirroring ON and OFF with no effect; My Sharp 37" LCD does accept both of the standard HD resolutions (720p,1080i) but both exhibit the same behavior as mentioned above. I've tried using both SwitchResX and DisplayConfigX but could not understand the complicated setup procedure (Horiz-Freq., front porch, back porch, pixel Freq., etc.) As I mentioned in my original post, I'm new to Mac and was drawn in by the simplicity and reliability of OSX but am finding it incredibly annoying that it has already taken 3 weeks to try and find a solution to a simple problem that would have taken me 30sec to fix in XP on a PC via driver settings. The gfx chip in my MBP is made by ATI (X1600); Does ATI not make drivers for OSX that would allow for such adjustments? Anybody, with a solution or helpful hints would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Why don't you hook up your PC and get the settings optimized? Then record them on a piece of paper and hook up the Mac. By matching the settings on the PC, the Mac should drive the TV just the same.

I looked at the manual for your TV and noticed no mention of a computer connection. That's not a good sign. Usually Sharp makes specific mention of how to make PC connections for their models that support this.

Since the TV is forcing overscan and it probably can't be turned off, have you tried using the underscanned setting on the Mac (the one that is causing 2" borders all around the screen) combined with the TV's zoom function? That may be the closest you get to a working setup. Alternately, you could also use Mac OS Xs built-in zoom function to fine tune the amount of overscan. That's not a perfect solution because pan-and-scan will be active depending on the cursor position, but again, it may the best you can do with this TV.

[IAMCANADIAN2]

Why don't you hook up your PC and get the settings optimized? Then record them on a piece of paper and hook up the Mac. By matching the settings on the PC, the Mac should drive the TV just the same.

I looked at the manual for your TV and noticed no mention of a computer connection. That's not a good sign. Usually Sharp makes specific mention of how to make PC connections for their models that support this.

Since the TV is forcing overscan and it probably can't be turned off, have you tried using the underscanned setting on the Mac (the one that is causing 2" borders all around the screen) combined with the TV's zoom function? That may be the closest you get to a working setup. Alternately, you could also use Mac OS Xs built-in zoom function to fine tune the amount of overscan. That's not a perfect solution because pan-and-scan will be active depending on the cursor position, but again, it may the best you can do with this TV.

BSteely,

Thanks for the suggestions, a friend at work also mentioned trying the OS X zoom function. I am in the process of packing for a move but once I get the living room setup in my new house next weekend I will try the things you suggested.

Thanks,