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    Choppy graphics when mirroring the display with M11x r3?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by CZroe, Jul 8, 2011.

  1. CZroe

    CZroe Notebook Evangelist

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    I recently connected my R3 to a TV and it defaulted to mirrored output. I did it to watch SD content, so I didn't feel the need to change that and set it to the TV's native resolution (1080p). I launched Windows Media Center and the interface and video playback was choppy at full screen. When I took it out of full screen it looked fine. In full-screen, a DVD seemed to stutter and lurch and play at a choppy frame rate.

    The system indicated that I was running nVidia graphics, so it wasn't simply poor IGP performance. Anyway, when I disabled the notebook's display and only output to the TV, it worked perfectly.

    Why can't I mirror the display without getting choppy and stuttering video? I don't think my old R1 ever had this problem.
     
    CZroe, Jul 8, 2011
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  2. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    If I recall correctly, Optimus only works on the main monitor. Other than that, is there any difference if you disable or enable Aero?
     
    namaiki, Jul 8, 2011
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  3. Handgun Hollis

    Handgun Hollis Notebook Enthusiast

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    I run dual monitors and I can only play games and HD movies on the monitor connected via displayport. the other via hdmi is laggy as i believe it runs from the intel chip and not straight from the nvidia card like the displayport.

    if you have an r3 I suggest getting a displayport to hdmi adapter for conecting to your tv and you will see much better performance.
     
    Handgun Hollis, Jul 8, 2011
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  4. dredd1893

    dredd1893 Notebook Consultant

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    Just confirmed this with my r2. displayport is better compared to HDMI (dunno why yet, will do this homework later).

    And, if I connect to 2 monitors at the same time using both HDMI and display port, I found that the performance is even more degraded..
     
    dredd1893, Jul 8, 2011
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  5. Handgun Hollis

    Handgun Hollis Notebook Enthusiast

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    I found this out the hardway... Showing off how cool my new laptop is by watching avatar on the tv.

    and its sucked balls over hdmi.

    luckily i figured out the display port trick
     
    Handgun Hollis, Jul 8, 2011
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  6. CZroe

    CZroe Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, HDMI worked well when it was the only display (not mirrored; notebook's display blank).
     
    CZroe, Jul 8, 2011
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  7. dredd1893

    dredd1893 Notebook Consultant

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    gah.. never crossed my mind before. any luck about two displays setting?
     
    dredd1893, Jul 9, 2011
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  8. CZroe

    CZroe Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, my other computer died so I was hurriedly setting up the M11x to watch a DVD but the next time I have reason I will see how dual-display works for other situations. :)

    I was connecting it in another room (HDMI goes through the wall) so disabling the built-in display made things a bit inconvenient but most people would be next to the display and it wouldn't be a problem.
     
    CZroe, Jul 9, 2011
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