I use Zorin OS 16.3 Pro with my Asus Vivobook 15 laptop that's about 3 years old. I want to be able to put my laptop screen on my tv screen and use it that way. My tv is a 7 year old Samsung Smart TV.
So far I have searched Brave, searched Zorin tutorials, searched Zorin forum, looked through the guide on Zorin 15 someone wrote but I haven't been able to find out what each of the Display modes offered mean, in particular Join Displays and Mirror Displays. Which one is what I'm trying to do and in general explain how that setup works or how to even do it.
I love my Zorin OS 16.3 Pro but I hate trying to do something new like this when there isn't any clear-cut instruction anywhere. I've chosen many threads to read that look similar to what I'm wanting only to go down a rabbit hole because no two situations can be the same; tv difference (smart vs. not smart), laptop difference, which Zorin os is being used and/or how old the response is.
The first time I tried after connecting the HDMI cable all I saw was my laptop home screen/wallpaper but had no control using the remote or my mouse to do anything. I then opened the Settings and Display and see there are modes.
I want to use my laptop on my tv screen which includes watching podcasts or listening to music.
This mode has the second display become an extension of the first. It is a separate and distinct display that can host its own windowed applications and the mouse cursor can move from one to the other as if they were connected into one wider display.
This mode makes the second display become a mirror image of the one you are using, but not reversed as an actual mirror does. It is not a distinct display that can host its own separate windowed apps but instead relays what you see on your monitor in real time, for example to students or to an audience that is observing and learning from the actions you perform on your primary monitor.
I hope my wording of this helps clarify these two modes.
What you probably want is Join Displays in which you can open and position a video onto the TV screen while keeping your notebook computer screen free and clear to operate controls or perform other tasks.
I chose JOIN DISPLAYS. Nothing changed except I have a number 2 on my tv and a number 1 on my computer.
The Primary Display bar underneath the Display Setup box says 1 Built In Display and can be toggled to 2 Samsung Electric Company 85".
Also, below that box is where I choose orientation etc. for each display. It lists Built in Display and Samsung Electric Company 85".
But now what? I must be missing something. Should it automatically be working now?
My External Device Manager on my tv lists:
Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)
Cable Box IP Remote
HDMI UHD Color
Input Device Manager
Device Connect Manager
Under Device Connect Manager it shows:
Access Notification
Device List
The remote is separate from the connected laptop and still should control the T.V. itself, including volume control, changing channel, etc.
If the remote fully stops working only when your notebook computer is connected to the T.V. - it may show a hardware incompatibility issue.
If the remote functions, but the mouse seems to not be present on the T.V. screen, try grabbing an open window and dragging that sucker all over the place to see if it eventually shows on the T.V. - the issue may be the T.V. resolution or display ratio is different from the Notebook Monitor and you need to adjust that ratio.
Eureka!!!
I dragged the window all the way to the right almost off my computer screen and it appeared on the far left, almost off the screen, on my t.v.
Now what was that you were saying about setting the display ratio and resolution?
I should look up the info on each and make them match would be my next step. Right?
I am not familiar with your T.V., but does it have a setting for Full Format?
Avoid justified or zoom...
Launch Displays and in the Displays Window, click and hold on the T.V. monitor screen and drag and drop it to place it on the other side of the monitor.
Describing this action is tougher than it seems like it would be... but you'll figure it out.
When I click on 1 (computer screen) it says 1920x1080 (16.9). When I click on 2 (tv screen) it says 3840x2160 (16.9). I changed this to match the computer screen at 1920x1080 (16.9) with no change.
I matched the two up (both saying 1920x1080 (16.9) and the 1 and 2 example of the setup became the same size box. Before I made them match the 1 was smaller.
I then moved the 2 box in front of the 1 box but nothing changed.
When I press on the 2 for the tv settings it has choices for scale; 100%, 200%, 300%, 400%. Is there any change to be made here?
Also, when i apply these changes what I'm accepting as a fix will be my tv showing exactly what my computer shows. That's what will happen when it's set right correct?
Correct, assuming we are on the same page as far as "Showing what my computer shows".
It should show real-time actions you take on the computer. If your displays are in Mirror Mode - then it will show the exact same thing as your monitor display, duplicated onto the T.V.
If you are set to Join Display mode, then the T.V. will be its own separate monitor, but act as though it and your notebook monitor are one wide screen.
Both of these modes should allow all the same functionality. One should not be limited as to what you can do on the computer.