Comments on: Why can’t you turn off the iMac screen?

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:47:52 +0000

@ Weird: Thanks for the tips. Maybe someone can try out the first tip?

By: Weird

Weird — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:06:56 +0000

Another partial solution so that, at least, the light is not that bright. This works with the iMac. In System Preference, Universal Access, you have the option to chose Black on White Background, or (negative) White on Black Background. This reduces the screen light A LOT. You pick a totally white desktop, and invert colors.

By: Weird

Weird — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:03:46 +0000

Alright, here’s a weird and cumbersome suggestion: Have you tried to plug in only a video CABLE in the video-out connection (not second monitor attached)? Perhaps the iMac detects (believes) there’s a second monitor and allows you to choose the main one from the System Preferences panel. I have an iMac, but I haven’t tried it yet.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:59:05 +0000

@Hudson: I guess the best bet would be to send feedback to Apple: http://www.apple.com/feedback/imac.html

@Konrad: That sounds like it might help. Thanks for the suggestion.

By: Konrad

Konrad — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:02:25 +0000

Download VLC 1.1 there latest version turns off the inactive display that way when I play to my LCD it just automatically dims it saves a little bit of stuffing around

not sure if this is what people are after

By: Hudson

Hudson — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:27:36 +0000

I just wanted to say thanks for all the great info. I too have a 24in, bedroom imac. I usually put it to sleep at night, but sometimes I want to listen to music. What really sucks is that when you use your iremote to try to change the song or lower the volume… vola! Bright white screen! At least with shades it’s not so darn bright, I will definitely be checking back on this post. Maybe it’s worth forwarding on to Apple if anyone knows how you could go about getting it noticed?

By: Joakim

Joakim — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:59:59 +0000

Having browsed the thread I´ve got plenty of good tips, but I’m still having a hazzle. Most of the video players like EyeTV, VLC. DVD player has some kind of black/dim the other screen but all are set in prefs. What we find that we do is that e.g. the kids wants EyeTV on in the living room (HDLCDTV) and myself use the iMac for work. But when I’m done I just want to turn off the iMac screen. ctrl+shift+eject or the corners work but also shut the other screen off.

Any ideas on this. I also would like to save some energy

By: j3n

j3n — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:09:09 +0000

Oh Also, I learned that the remote can be used to play the DVD after the screen saver has stopped it, and the screen saver will keep going.

By: j3n

j3n — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:05:47 +0000

Hey Lewis- Great post!

DVD Player has it too, “Dim Other Displays While Playing.”

It was right there in front of my face too.

Unfortunately, original problem not yet solved completely…

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:48:41 +0000

@Robin: That’s a nice trick for those with external monitors. Thanks for posting! I don’t think the option is available for iMacs (though of course you can press Shift-Control-Eject to do it these days).