Xfce Forum

KitchM

Member

Registered: 2009-08-15

Posts: 304

Mirror Display to TV

I have an old laptop and a big television.  I started my Debian 10 Xfce 4.12 on the laptop.  I plugged HDMI cable into laptop and TV.  I changed the TV source to that HDMI input.

I went to Settings>Display.  The app sees both displays.  I can change the displayed resolution on both.

However, regardless of what I try to do, I cannot get the TV to mirror what is on the laptop.  It always appears to be another empty display I cannot use or get to with my mouse.  (It has same wall paper background as laptop.)

Worse yet, if I try to unplug the cable from the laptop and plug it back in, the option to choose mirror is not available, nor is Advanced settings.

I have never had any laptop not immediately mirror to a TV before.  Any ideas out there?

Last edited by KitchM (2020-12-14 00:34:54)

CwF

Member

Registered: 2018-01-28

Posts: 305

Re: Mirror Display to TV

first guess is to set both to the same resolutions, one they both support, so it can mirror.

KitchM

Member

Registered: 2009-08-15

Posts: 304

Re: Mirror Display to TV

That is an interesting concept.  Each display is different so one would naturally expect them to have different resolutions.

Also, that does not seem to address the issue of the lack of mirroring selection or advanced options.  Are you saying that mirroring becomes available if they are the same res?

CwF

Member

Registered: 2018-01-28

Posts: 305

Re: Mirror Display to TV

I want to say I've seen the mirror option disabled, but not sure. I've only used it a few times in multi-gpu multi-head where it helps to have one particular display everywhere a secondary feed is absent. I think from that setup there were restrictions according to the monitor choice, the screen is only rendered once, so the smaller is the better choice and will scale or letterbox on the larger due to the monitor - Or, if rendering the larger the smaller monitor will be panned or disabled due to the monitor display in use.

--if that makes sense.

KitchM

Member

Registered: 2009-08-15

Posts: 304

Re: Mirror Display to TV

Thanks for the info.  It does seem like some trial and error is needed.