Mac-mini connections

tokyofan · New Member Joined: 16 May 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Tokyo

I'll soon be upgrading from a Powermac G5 to a Mac-mini. I'd like to know what cables/adapters I'll need to connect an Apple cinema display 23" flat panel....and also my television via HDML (for mirroring).

Thanks!

Smithcraft · Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 2:08 am Post subject:

If it's an ADC display, then you will need something like this adapter. If it's a regular DVI display, then just a mini DVI to DVI adapter should do it.

To go with the HDMI, then you will need something like this cable.

As far as I know, the mini Displayport does not provide audio, so you would need something like this adapter to get 5.1 out to a receiver. Or a regular stereo mini jack to get stereo out to speakers.

As for the mirroring - I'm not sure, about that.
SC
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tokyofan · New Member Joined: 16 May 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Tokyo

Thanks! I did some checking and my Apple cinema display is DVI...

So, with the Mac-mini, I believe I would need a mini DVI to DVI adapter to connect the display. (DVI port)

And for the HD TV, I would need a Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter...I already have a long DVI to HDMI cable. (Mini Display port)

For audio with the TV, I would be using an AD-DA converter that I'll be connecting to the Mac-mini via Mini-Toslink and will have a stereo plugged into the converter's phone jack.

Does this all make sense?

Thanks again!

macmini2010 · Member Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 51 Location: Ontario

The Mini DV to DVI connector comes with the Mac Mini, one caveat it's just pressure-fit so make sure the DVI connector is supported on a flat surface not and not dangled off the desk/shelf if it's in a house where it's in danger of a pet/child running into it.

It seems to make sense but I haven't connected mine to a TV (My HTPC is a windows based computer). I have read on other message boards some TV's just don't like the adapter (I forget which one but it wasn't the major brands ie Panasonic/Samsung/Sony/LG).

Good luck and enjoy your Mac Mini.
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Smithcraft · Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 2:48 pm Post subject:

I don't think you need a dual link adapter unless you have one of those fancy 21 by 9 HDTVs. Everything else you mentioned looks good.

Like macmini2010 said, not all displays play nicely with the mini. You may need to use SwitchResX to get it to cooperate.

SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.

[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8

[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)

Make sure it has pins!

tokyofan · New Member Joined: 16 May 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Tokyo

Thanks, guys!

I just ordered a Mac-mini from Apple Store in Japan (where I live).
2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo.
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2
500GB Serial ATADrive

Added an Apple Mini DisplayPort - DVA adapter, Apple Remote, Apple Care...

Should get here within a few days! Will plan on using 'Migration Assistant' to transfer data from the old G5.
Thanks!

MacDSmith2 · Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 8:33 pm Post subject:

I agree with Smithcraft that the dual link DVI adapter is not the proper connector for any HD TV that I know of so I would check the TV connector options carefully. Only a select few high res monitors use a dual link DVI cable, and I can only think of two, with one being Apple's ridiculously over-priced monitor.

edit: Good choice on the high end Mac Mini! Can't ever go wrong with the maximum horses for any particular model you buy.
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decaturnc · Member Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 51 Location: Raleigh, NC

Smithcraft · Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 2:40 pm Post subject:

With my recent order, I picked up a six foot TOSlink cable for under three bucks, while Frys in town wants something around twenty bucks!

Gotta love the monoprice!

SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.

[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8

[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)

Make sure it has pins!

joe1946 · New Member Joined: 20 Nov 2009 Posts: 7

I use a DVI-HDMI cable from Monoprice to connect my Mac Mini to my 1080p HDTV and Mini Display port -HDMI adapter also from Monoprice to connect to my 26" Samsung T260HD monitor/TV using a HDMI cable. I view 1900x1080 on my HDTV and 1920x1200 on my T260HD in dual monitor mode and it works great.
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