Tech Tip of the Week: How to Set Up an HDMI Connection

You may notice as you receive your updated MacBook laptop, one of the new features included is an HDMI port on the side. This is an easy way to connect your laptop to a TV monitor or a projector without the need for a dongle. Here are a couple things to keep in mind if you connect your laptop to a TV or projector.

Resolution
One bonus of using HDMI (versus using a dongle and VGA cable) is that you’ll get a clean digital HD signal to the screen. Sometimes, however, that great HD resolution means the items on your computer screen will shrink to match what the much larger TV/projector can show.

To change your resolution back to a more optimal setting, go to the Apple menu in the top left-hand corner of your screen > System Preferences > Displays > Scaled. Typically by picking the 720p (or 1280 x 720) option will give the best results.

Audio
HDMI cables not only pass through HD video from your computer, they also carry audio with them, saving the hassle of using more cables to connect to a speaker.

To check and make sure the audio is connected correctly, go to the Apple menu in the top left-hand corner of your screen > System Preferences > Sound > Output and select the HDMI option. Now your sound will play on the TV or projector. Note: since this is a digital signal, you won’t be able to adjust the volume from the keys on your keyboard - you’ll have to use the TV or projector remote to control volume.

If you have any questions about hooking up an HDMI connection, contact David Hammer, Multimedia Specialist, at ext. 14342.