problem with laptop to tv via hdmi

I got a Sharp TV, 32" LC32GP3U-B (1080p full). I connected an hdmi cable from my laptop (also 1080p full) to the TV. My laptop screen dropped to Vista Basic theme in 16bit color mode and I can bring it back up to 32bit. Why is that? Inside my Nvidia control panel I was unable to change color depth. I cannot view on the TV display if I use single or clone mode. Everytime I try to set it to single or clone mode, it reverts to laptop display instead. Why?

A strange problem, when configuring Media Center, I chose TV as output. Now the color, contrast, gamma, etc is perfect on the TV itself and Media Center interface. However, when viewing the test videos to adjust the settings, the video is nearly black, dim, yet the interface to Media Center is perfect, so is viewing regular TV mode (w/o hdmi to the laptop) and even when HDMI is plugged in, quality is superb when using programs displayed on the TV. I did choose hdmi as connection type in MC, but why is the video so dim?

Another issue with Media Center is, no tv output at all. During TV signal scan, it says no signal detected. However, cable is connected and my hdmi > hdmi (laptop > tv) is connected as I'm viewing the MC interface on the TV itself.

Another issue again, I have a digital audio cable (TOSLINK / Fiber Optic) which I'm trying to connect from my TV to the speaker system head. The main problem is the wire does not snap in, very difficult to press in. I do see the red light at the end of the cable when I plug the other end in the TV, literally nearly breaking the back board trying to get it to snap in right. Note: I tried 3 different brands of TOSLINK cables on 3-4 different TV's, same issue with getting it to snap in! Why? I also get no sound at all when I set my speaker system to optical in 1, or even 2. I have Logitech 5.1 Digital 5450 speaker system.

Sony VGN-FZ290 laptop w/ HDMI port.
Nvidia 256MB Video Card (up to 2560x1200 resolution), fully 1080p capable.
Nvidia Driver: 7.15.11.6743
Vista 64 Ultimate
Logitech Digital 5.1 Z-5450

Would appreciate any help I can get on this

Also, anyone know of a possible way to view Blu-Ray on Media Center?

Now the Sharp TV is stuck in 16 bit color even though it says 32 bit in display settings. I have no idea why it suddenly stopped working, I did not change anything at all.

Can someone please help me out here? I even tried various other Nvidia drivers with no available. I switched hdmi cable ends from laptop > TV and vice versa. I tried various inputs on the TV but the issue is clearly within Vista itself.

Updated info:

Sony VGN-FZ290 laptop w/ HDMI port.
4GB Memory
Nvidia 256MB Dedicated 8400M GT (up to 2560x1200 resolution), fully 1080p capable.
Nvidia Driver: 7.15.11.6743
Vista 64 Ultimate
Logitech Digital 5.1 Z-5450

Anyone to help please?

So I guess there is no hope for a response?

i saw your thread while googling this problem. i have the same prob from my gaming machine and my viewsonic 37". everything looks great, except for tv on the media center. even dvd's and divx played in media ceter look fine, just not live tv. i have tried hdmi, component and vga, all with same very dark video. also have tried 2 different hauppauge tuners, hvr 1600 and pvr150mce. so this leads me to believe that its either my video card (will swap that out tomorrow) or one of the windows updates. have you installed all the updates available for vista 64? i have to tell you that i am glad i found someone else with the same prob. i was beginning to think my display was zorched in some way.