27" iMac, HDMI/DisplayPort adaptor, External output monitor

[ironsceptor]

I'd like to know few things before I dive into the world of FCP/FCE.

Is it possible to set your Samsung 52" Hi-def LCD TV to act as your output monitor (or secondary screen however you call it) from the DisplayPort on the 27" iMac? If so, how do you set it up?

Basically I'd like to view what I'm working on the FCP out to the 52" TV as if I'm watching the HD cable TV.

I already bought the HDMI/DisplayPort adaptor (1080p) made by Kanex. It's also designed to carry digital audio through the USB.

I did manage to duplicate the Mac's desktop on the TV but the image quality wasn't what I'd expect from the 1080p HD. I am using the hackable Panasonic GH1 camera.
Anyway I did try to set it up for the iMovie but couldn't.

I went to a few Apple Stores nearby but no one could answer my question.
I'd appreciate your expertise.

Thanks.

 

[nyvideo]

I don't have your set-up, but I may have some thoughts for you. I use a 3-year-old Mac Pro with two displays (24" LCDs). It's simple enough in FCP to take your Canvas (the window where you view your sequence), drag it to the second display, and resize it.

As far as the picture quality, first, how far away from the TV are you sitting? TVs, even though they have the same input source (HDMI) as a computer monitor might, are not made for sitting close to like a computer monitor. I don't know why. Do you have setting adjustments on the TV? Perhaps you can play with those. Some TVs have generic settings (like "game" or "movie") that change a broad range of things to make the picture appear differently. Or, you could try to use the contrast, saturation, brightness, etc. to see what those changes look like.

If your Mac is relatively new, the folks at Apple support may have some ideas or can forward you some links to documents for connecting a large TV to the DisplayPort. You might also ask the question at the Apple Support Site for FCP.

One last thing: You say that the Kanex adapter is "also designed to carry digital audio through the USB" and that's confusing. Are you intending to send the audio output separately to an audio system (preamp, receiver, etc.)? I ask because the HDMI cable should carry both the video and audio to the Samsung.

Good luck.