I don;t know the vivitek projector, but I have worked with 100s of models overall. This type of message usually comes from a bad selecto=ion of input or signals that are out of range. With a Mac, I'm guessing that you are connecting with either VGA or DVI. Verify that there are no switches that control the input connector first of all. Second, verify the resolutions that the projector will handle and make sure that you are within that range. If neither of those help, try and post the input connectors etc for your specific projector. I'll try and locate info as well.
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks for the update. At this point, I would try to eliminate a few variables. There are too many potential issues here. Try using the projector with a standard PC if you can with the resolution set to 1024x768. While a low resolution, all projectors can handle it. That should eliminate the projector as being the problem. The next step would be to set the MAC to that same resolution and try again.
The fact that the MAC can see the projector doesn't help much. A low level "I'm here" signal is all that is detected and really only tells me that the hardware is present.
Let me know any change. I'll check back later.
Dan
Thanks for the update. At this point I would suspect the adapters. Can you post what adapters are being used. I have used MACs before with projectors without problems, but ddid not need any special adapters. The MACs had DVI connectors and I either connected those directly or used a DVI to VGA adapter.
I'll make a few inquiries today and update this again.
Dan
OK. I did a little more digging on this and Apple does make a cable that will connect from the macbook pro directly to a female VGA connector. This is the method I used at a previous location to connect to projectors. Your current connection method I think attempts to convert DVI variants. The cable runs about $30 or so.
Dan
×
1,823 views
Usually answered in minutes!
The projector has an automatic input search that it does - looking for a source from any of the 3 ways to connect to it - i'm connecting from my mini-display port (i think that's what it's called) to the projectors VGA port - The projector can do this search automatically or manually, i've tried both - it simply doesn't see it. I would consider that i have a faulty projector only my mac sees it fine. I tried a number of resolutions yesterday, thinking that may be an issue but nothing worked. The Vivitek guy told me to try hitting shift F or working with the function keys - but i think those are PC options only - cause when i tried that, my mac just beeped at me. As for the input signals theory, i have no idea what that means.
while i'm explaining myself, you should know that i've done the "detect monitors" thing and mirroring is on - everything seems to be in place - yet my projector is not in the loop.
connected the projector to a pc and everything worked perfectly within seconds. the projector automatically saw the pc without me doing a thing. I honestly have no idea what the resolution is set at, i'll check - but for now, i'm going ahead with the presentation using the pc. However, the pc is a loaner - gotta get this mac thing figured out (dropped nearly 2 grand on this badboy - it needs to work).
Besides the obvious format difference, the only real noticeable difference is that the vga cord needed no adapters for the pc - just plug and play, vga out to vga in - for the mac, i'm using 2 adapters - but i feel that since the mac is seeing the projector fine then the connection must be a good one.
so figure out what resolution the pc is at and change the mac to match? sounds good but i toyed with the resolution yesterday after beating my head against the wall - i tried nearly every setting, and every time i would have the projector relook for the source - and everytime, nothing.
thanks for all your help. i'm going to attempt to return the adaptors i purchased and get the right cord. By the way, i think i told you wrong - it's not a mini dvi port that my macbook has - it's a mini display port (which is a whole different animal). I think this -http://www.meritline.com/mini-displaypor... is just what i need - hopefully i can find one a little longer though.
currently i'm using a mini display port to dvi - AND a dvi to vga - 2 adaptors to get to the vga cord is apparently 2 too many. At least that's the theory. I'll let you know the results once i get the new cable.
Thanks for all your help.
Thanks for your help and research? and patience.
×