It can be a little frustrating using the built in tool in Linux Mint/Ubuntu to try and connect to and use the display of your your LCD/Plasma TV. This is a step-by-step guide to using the Nvidia Settings Manager to use your LCD/Plasma with Linux Mint/Ubuntu. Having tried all the interfaces available on my laptop I am putting below what worked for me best.
- Install Nvidia Settings Manager from Synaptic. If you type in “nvidia-settings” you should get it. Sit back and let Synaptic install the packages for you. It should take only about 20 seconds or so.
- Connect your laptop/desktop to your LCD/Plasma with any of the possible cables. I currently use the S-Video port on my laptop to connect to the Video-In port of the Plasma.
- Connect the sound if you wish. I connect my headphone out jack to the Audio-In (L-R) of my home theatre.
- Launch Nvidia Settings Manager from your control panel.
- Select “X Server Display Configuration” from the left list. This should show the display currently setup for use. It would only show CMO which is your computer monitor.
- Click on “Detect Displays” button. Now your TV should also show up as “TV-0″.
- Click on the square that is showing up as “TV-0″ and click on the “Configure” button.
- From the resulting dialogue, choose “Twin View” and click on Okay.
- Now you will be able to change settings for Twin View, like which side of the laptop the TV should be setup and the resolution. I generally leave the settings as is.
- Now click on the “Apply” button. Your computer and your TV screen should flicker and then you should see your laptop background on your TV screen. There wont be any icons or menus as this is an extension of your computer screen to the left or to the right.
You can now launch applications and drag them to the TV area and see them there. The screen will be a seperate one that you can use as an extension of your desktop. There are screen grabs below for easy reference.
The built in application in Mint that never detects the attached TV
Install Nvidia Settings Manager from Synaptic
The TV-0 section showing up after you click on the Detect Displays button
Choose Twin View from the display configuration dialogue
Additional settings for Twin View
After applying the Twin View settings the TV is configured to be used
LinuxL
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Abhilash is a part time blogger and blogs about photography, technology and travel. When not blogging Abhilash is either selling outsourcing solutions to companies or indulging in marathon episodes of various science fiction shows and movies.
Have you tied installing new LED TVs with Linux. I wanted to know if they are supported with Linux. The TV manual says it has the latest input/output features.
Nope. We don't have LED TVs available here yet. But I doubt that display technology will make a difference in how linux will identify the TV…
Ok Abhi, thanks for the valuable feedback.. I will try installing Linux very soon to see if it supports. From your reply it can be understood that Linux should support LED TVs as well.
Sure no problem. I have been able to use my linux laptop with a normal CRT TV, a LCD TV and also with my current LG Plasma TV. I don't think that connection should be a problem as long as the TV supports the same connection methods like HDMI or S-Video. Let me know the results.
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