Z2: HDMI output when laptop lid closed

Hello folks,

I have this weird issue with Z2 while connected to TV via HDMI cable, monitor settings - Extended, closing lid set to " do nothing", connection via Intel HD 3000 (but same behavior with PMD as well) :

whenever I close laptop lid content from desktop is ported to TV, like TV is taking role of primary display. Re-opening lid reverts situation, desktop content goes back on laptop screen, while only desktop background/wallpaper is displayed on TV.

I don't know if this is normal, but it's definitely not the way old VGN-Z behaved and not the way I want to. Closing/opening lid would not affect external display (TV would always show background only, no flickering, nothing). - This is what I'm trying to get.

To be clear what I want to achieve: start movie on laptop, drag movie window over right/left screen edge of laptop to TV (as set to extended display), double click for full screen, close laptop lid and continue watching movie on TV. If I want to pause the movie, I would simply open lid and press "space", and then "space" again to continue movie, close lid.... you get the idea

I have reinstalled ATI/Intel drivers today (complete remove/restart/reinstall), as that might resolve this issue (I know it did with VGN-Z once), however simple driver update/overwrite (from SirRobin) didn't help.

I'm with OEM version, but that shouldn't be a problem (I guess).

Any idea where to look, am I missing some settings?



Cheers,
Miki

 

After reading what you want to achieve, why not just duplicate the display from your computer's screen to the TV? If you're watching a movie in full screen it doesn't really matter what programs are running on your "monitor 1" space anyways since the movie is on the whole screen.

(This is what I do on my Z1 and have no issues with it. BTW if I want to pause I use a Logitech Wifi App on my iPhone so I can control the cursor and use basic keyboard functions that way. This really helps out the "lazy factor" as I don't have to go to the computer if I need to pause or adjust something.)

 

I cannot thank you enough!
I was stubbornly trying to duplicate settings (that worked) with VGN-Z to Z2, never occurred to me to use different approach.

Problem solved, now I can close laptop lid and enjoy movie on TV. Upon lid closure, screen would flick for a split second but I can live with that.

Great advice, +1 rep added.

Clean reinstall of latest ATI/Intel drivers (for 2390x, even though they suppose to be SAME as those provided by SirRobin) also resolved issue with gone Intel graphic properties from context menu.


Cheers,
Miki

 

Glad you got it working!

 

Actually, I had this question ever since I modded my VGN-Z to play blu-rays.

I connect up my machine to a 1080p TV via HDMI. I usually use PROJECTOR ONLY on my VAIO. I start playing the movie, and close the lid. And when I open the lid, like Miki's original problem the TV output is cancelled and everything starts coming out of the laptop's screen again.

And everything goes buggy from there (to the point I need to reboot my Z); it won't output on PROJECT ONLY again until I do so. I might try DUPLICATE when I get home though.