Using your LCD/Plasma TV with your Linux Box

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Connect the sound if you wish. I connect my headphone out jack to the Audio-In (L-R) of my home theatre.
4. Launch Nvidia Settings Manager from your control panel.
5. 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.
6. Click on “Detect Displays” button. Now your TV should also show up as “TV-0″.
7. Click on the square that is showing up as “TV-0″ and click on the “Configure” button.
8. From the resulting dialogue, choose “Twin View” and click on Okay.
9. 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.
10. 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.

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