HDMI Display: Make the TV always show the current video playing

Question

When I connect my laptop to my TV via a HDMI cable it shows the laptop screen. This allows me to play videos on my laptop and view them on my TV screen.

But if I open another window, say an internet browser, then that window gets shown on the TV and the video gets covered up. Is it possible to make the TV always show the current video playing even if I open up another window?

This way I can still use my laptop whilst my kids are watching a video via the laptop and TV.

Solution

Sounds like your cloning the main laptop screen to the TV.

I'm assuming you're running Windows Vista/7/8 here. If not, let me know :)

• Right click desktop -> Screen resolutions
• Multiple displays: This should be "Extend these displays"

Important: Click on your laptop screen above (press Identify if you're not sure which screen is which number) and tick "Make this my primary display". This ensures the task bar shows on your laptop screen.

Click apply.

You should now be able to drag your media player application across to the TV (usually the right, but check how they are arranged in the Screen resolutions form), whilst having your web browser on your laptop. You won't see the video at all on the laptop.

I have this as a permanent set-up for my desktop PC. Main monitor on my desk for doing stuff, and a TV on HDMI for watching videos.

You should also set the default sound output to your main speakers and not TV HDMI, then in your video application set that to output to your TV HDMI. Then you can have your TV just playing sound from the video. If you're not sure how to do this let me know too :)

Edit: Once you have dragged over the media player to your TV it may save its' position there. Media Player Classic certainly does this, and is ideal for your situation. (it can remember the monitor to use, where to be on the monitor i.e. full screen from ALT+TAB, and the sound output) Not sure if Windows Media Player or VLC behave like this.

Comments

[Dracs]

I believe the shortcut key for this Win+P, then you just need to select "Extend"

[Adambean]

^ Nice shortcut, didn't know about that particular Win+letter :)

[dreamer]

Any solutions for Mac as well?

[Adambean]

@dreamer this question was for Windows. You should post a new question for your Mac as they work very differently.