On your Mac, there are two ways to set up the HDMI output to your Roland video switcher's input: Mirror and Extend.
- Mirror creates a copy of your Desktop, including your Dock. Your mouse will appear on both screens.
- Extend creates a clean desktop, and you can move your mouse between the two.
- These can be further customized in your System Preferences.
When you connect the computer's HDMI output to an input on your switcher, the computer will treat the switcher as an additional display, and it may require additional configuration.
MacOS will remember your display settings across multiple configurations, so when you connect a different video input or display, it will use the settings previously used with it.
You can set up Extend mode in System Preferences > Displays > Arrangement (tab) > and uncheck the Mirror Displays option.
Each display has a window in MacOS with its settings. If you do not see the window for your video switcher, click the Gather Windows button and it will appear.
Note that you do not want to change the settings for your primary display. In the case of a Macbook, this is usually listed as "Built-in Retina Display".
You can customize the resolution of the extended display, and have it match the output resolution of your switcher.
You will see two options for Resolution: Default for Display and Scaled. Click on scaled, and choose the option that matches your switcher's configuration.
For example:
- If your switcher outputs 1080P or 1080i, set the Extended display's resolution to 1080P or 1080i.
- If your switcher outputs 720P, set the Extended display's resolution to 720p.
Additionally, if you use an HDMI splitter to duplicate your signal, your computer will see the splitter as an additional display, and not the switcher's input. And if this is your first time connecting that computer's HDMI output to a splitter or switcher input, you may need to adjust the resolution setting as mentioned above.
These articles will help you setup the switcher or splitter as an additional display:
- Use external monitors with your Mac - Apple Support
- Change your Mac display’s resolution - Apple Support
If you still have issues, you might have Spaces enabled, which are additional virtual desktops.
If you regularly change your monitor configurations for different workflows, consider disabling Spaces, as this can complicate things or recall the wrong virtual desktop.