Help with multiple monitor issue

bazzabear · Saturday at 18:08

On a whim, I just connected the lounge TV to my PC via a long HDMI cable. I've had it attached before with no issues, and it worked again this time.

However, I then saw the option in windows display settings to use HDR. Thought I might as well give that a go.

When I selected it, the TV (an LG) said something about enabling instant game response - and then dropped straight into the screensaver it displays when there's no input.

I had also, at this point, made the mistake of telling the PC to use it as the only display, in an attempt to get a game to show on the TV instead of my monitor.

This leaves me rather stuck. I can get the PC working on the monitor fine by unplugging the TV. But the moment I plug in the TV, it remembers the setting of having it as the only display, and I have no working display any more - so I can't select to use both displays, and I can't turn off the HDR!

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

RavenLunatic · Saturday at 18:15

How about uninstalling GFX drivers?

Windows key and P might work too.

bazzabear · Saturday at 18:23

RavenLunatic said:
How about uninstalling GFX drivers?

Windows key and P might work too.

I'm hoping for something less extreme!

I did try Win + P, but no luck.

Thanks for the suggestions though!

bazzabear · Saturday at 18:57

With a bit more perseverance, use of Win+P did work in the end. Had to cycle the options (which of course I couldn't see!) until it reached 'extend displays' - at which point the monitor kicked back in and I could control stuff again.

Switching 'HDR' to off immediately got the TV screen working again.

Very strange - the TV is HDR compatible. Even in the display settings it says it's supported. But the moment you turn HDR on, the TV flicks to screensaver (no input), the moment you turn it off again, the TV detects the input again.

bazzabear · Saturday at 19:10

I guess it might be that the cable isn't HDR compatible?
It's an Amazon Basics HDMI 'with ethernet'. It's donkeys years old, so I guess it might not be!

I also can not work out how to get a game to play on the TV instead of the monitor!
I'm a bit unwilling to try to do it by switching to only the TV as a monitor in case I lose control again!

Gray2233 · Saturday at 19:42

Try switching the resolution to 1080P and then enable HDR, if it works it's probably a bandwidth issue with your cable.

Easiest way to get a game working on the TV is probably just to set the TV as your primary screen if you're having difficulties. If you're planning on using the TV for gaming a fair bit I'd recommend a third party window manager as the Windows O/S handles that sort of thing terribly, give Display Fusion a shot:

DisplayFusion: Multiple Monitors Made Easy by Binary Fortress Software

DisplayFusion will make your multi-monitor life much easier! With powerful features like Multi-Monitor Taskbars, TitleBar Buttons and fully customizable HotKeys, DisplayFusion will make managing your multiple monitors easy.

www.displayfusion.com

darkblade · Sunday at 15:15

bazzabear said:
When I selected it, the TV (an LG) said something about enabling instant game response

I think that might be the cause of the problem - when that overlay message pops up, it interferes with the HDR.
Perhaps see if you can turn off the instant game response and re-try.

bazzabear · Monday at 09:44

I tried turning off Instant Game Response - no difference made.

I also tried dropping the resolution - all the way to 800x600! Still flicks off immediately when you pick HDR. :rolleyes:

It really doesn't matter to be honest, but it's annoying to not know why.