Apple MA464LL User Guide - Page 18

Technology Overview 18 MacBook Pro Switching modes To toggle between extended desktop and video mirroring modes, simply press the F7 function key. Alternatively, you can select the mode using the Displays pane in System Preferences. External Display Support Featuring a compact footprint and an elegant aluminum design, an Apple Cinema Display is the ideal match for MacBook Pro. The DVI video interface transfers pure digital signals from computer to display. Dual-link DVI functionality in MacBook Pro e∂ectively doubles the bandwidth of the video signal from the notebook to an external display, increasing both speed and signal quality. Increased transmission power combines with up to 256MB of dedicated graphics memory to enable you to connect higher-resolution displays such as the 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display (with 2560-by-1600-pixel resolution) directly to MacBook Pro. Video output options In addition to the latest DVI displays, MacBook Pro connects to virtually any external display you may have, thanks to its comprehensive video support. • DVI. This port provides the highest image quality for video output. With a pure digital connection from the graphics processor to a DVI-equipped display or projector, it eliminates the degradation inherent in converting a digital signal to analog. Hot-plug capability allows MacBook Pro to recognize and begin displaying content on an external monitor as soon as it is connected to the DVI port. • VGA. Use the included DVI to VGA adapter to connect analog monitors and projectors or analog-based flat panels. Hot-plugging is also supported with VGA devices. • ADC. Use the Apple DVI to ADC Adapter (sold separately) to connect Apple flat-panel displays that have an ADC connector. • S-video or composite video. Connect to many standard televisions, VCRs, or projectors using the Apple DVI to Video Adapter (sold separately). This gives teachers and students the ability to present reports, projects, and even websites to an entire class on a television screen. At home, you can attach MacBook Pro to a TV to watch DVD movies. The computer can instantly detect the TV without the need to restart; press the Command key along with the Brightness Up (F2) function key, and the system sends the video to the external monitor. Viewing modes MacBook Pro supports an external display in three display modes. Any of these modes can be used with any of the video output options. • Extended desktop. Extended desktop mode lets you distribute work across two displays, providing more room for viewing rich content and using complex applications that have floating palettes and long timelines-or for keeping many applications open at once. • Video mirroring. Video mirroring mode outputs the same information on both displays. This allows you to control a presentation from the MacBook Pro display while your audience watches it on a second display or projected image, and you can face your audience during the presentation. With hardware-based mirroring in MacBook Pro, video content such as QuickTime movies can play on an external monitor with performance equal to that of the built-in display. • Lid-closed operation. You can also opt to use MacBook Pro with its full video memory applied to an external display. To activate this feature, put MacBook Pro to sleep by closing the lid, and wake it through an external keyboard such as the Apple Wireless Keyboard. Lid-closed operation is ideal when you want to achieve maximum performance on a high-quality external display or to keep your workspace neat and organized.