T-41 and TV out

[level]

I've had a T41 for a few weeks now, and I am trying to use the s-video to play avi files on my hd but can't seem to find the right approach.

After connecting the cables and turning the computer on the desktop is displayed on the tv, but when I play the avi file with media player classic, it doesn't play on the tv screen.

I've tried pressing Fn+F7 to bring up the Presentation Director, then choosing the Dual Display with Analog output; but I get an error message that it is not supported - choose another option.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[Zeitgeist]

I had in the beginning the same problem. If I remember correctly you must define the TV as primary display monitor, the notebook display should be black.

The test function of the presentation director helps to find the correct resolution.

[siut]

I had the same problem with my work T41p a couple month back. I tried opening the video with DivX player and it was working fine for one or two clips. Then the video plays black again (same as before in Windows Media Player).

I didn't know what I did to make it work for a few clips.

[boardmonger]

I think this is more a problem with how media player handles dual monitors. I have run into similar problems media player.

Sometimes Media Player will play if you are running two monitors and mirroring the desktop, but sometimes I have seen it not play on both with mirroring. (With the second monitor only showing up with a black box or no video on both screens)

I have never been able to get it to display on a secondary monitor attached to the first. You might want to try some other media players like video LAN (http://www.videolan.org/) and see if you have the same problems.

I don't think very many media players were built to work well with dual display systems and I don't want to start a flame war, but I think media player does a perticularly poor job of handling dual displays and MPG4 formats altogether. (Although at points I still use it )

[level]

Zeitgeist

Your suggestion to define the TV as primary display got me digging around in the Display Properties box; however, no matter what I did I could not get the "Use this device as primary monitor" to become active. It just stayed greyed out. But I did find on the display tab under Scheme, a box with 2 options: "Default" and "Switch amongst displays". Switching amongst displays does the trick, but I suspect that since it is such a clumsy way to do it, there must a better method.

Thanks to all.

[Zeitgeist]

Switching amongst displays does the trick, but I suspect that since it is such a clumsy way to do it, there must a better method.

Thanks to all.

I am glad you found at least one way.

[pastrami]

Zeitgeist

Your suggestion to define the TV as primary display got me digging around in the Display Properties box; however, no matter what I did I could not get the "Use this device as primary monitor" to become active. It just stayed greyed out. But I did find on the display tab under Scheme, a box with 2 options: "Default" and "Switch amongst displays". Switching amongst displays does the trick, but I suspect that since it is such a clumsy way to do it, there must a better method.

Thanks to all.

I'm having a similar problem, can you tell me where you found the option to switch the display? I've search everywhere but couldn't find it ...

[level]

My unit has the ATI Radeon 7500 - if you have the same , do the following:

Display Properties --> Settings --> Advanced --> Displays

On the Displays tab there's a box labelled "Schemes". In the dropdown box select 'Switch amongst displays'.

You have to do the same procedure to get back to your computer screen. I hope someone finds a better way.

[leesiulung]

I had that problem with my gf's T40. Just set your display to the primary as someone above suggested and it should be fixed. If not you can always call the helpful guys at IBM tech support...

[astpaul]

I have a t42 with Radeon 9600. So as long as it applies to your case, here are my solutions:

I just attached a TV to my T42 through the SVHS port. I declared it as a secondary analog monitor through the presentation app in two configs:
1/ one as extended desktop
2/ the other one as duplicating the LCD screen

I use Media Player Classic.
Usually i choose the 1st setup and just open a movie with it and put on the TV screen. I maximise it and it works fine.

However, when i need the subtitles for perfomance reasons, i must select the 2nd setup. And it works fine also.

NOTE: if you get B&W image on your TV and live in Europe, i learned the hard way that you must have a plain SVHS cable because SVHS/Peritel cable don't do the trick!