| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Tolken
New Member
Joined: 13 Dec 2005
Posts: 4
Location: Fresno, California
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:54 am Post subject: HDMI to DVI cables with Mac mini. |
 |
|
| I am thinking about ordering a 32" N3250w Viewsonic LCD from Newegg. The display has HDMI and 15-pin mini D-sub (VGA) connectors. Can I hook up this display to the Mac mini with a HDMI male to DVI male cable like this one from Cables To Go? I can always use the VGA connector if it doesn't work out. The display has a native resolution of 1360x768. Will the Mac mini recognize this resolution or will I need to use that DisplayConfigX program? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Ranter
Member
Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 223
Location: Palm Springs, CA USA
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 12:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The cable should work. I used a similar cable last weekend to connect first my PowerBook and then my Mac Mini to a Panasonic 42" Plasma display. In both cases the computer produced visible output on the TV, but only the PowerBook seemed to understand and be able to adjust to the capabilities of the display.
The Mac Mini offered only 3 ridiculous resolution selections, none of which produced a pleasing display.
It may be that DisplayConfigX would allow use of my Mac Mini with our TV, but I do not like the way the author presents the product and demands payment before its viability for any selection useful for my purposes can be determined.
I've abandoned my plans to use my Mac Mini as a home theatre device.
_________________
http://skeptichosting.com/
Weapons are the tools of violence; all decent men detest them.
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tolken
New Member
Joined: 13 Dec 2005
Posts: 4
Location: Fresno, California
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks for the reply. I think the HDMI to DVI cable will work out. I'm still a little scared of using DisplayConfigX. I have no idea what to do in there. Do you think there is a chance that 1360x768 will show up as an option in Displays? I really want to run at the native resolution. I'm sure you know this, but everything looks blurry once you get away from a LCD's native resolution. I don't mind if there are small borders around the screen. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
poisonfist
Member
Joined: 03 Aug 2005
Posts: 176
Location: Chicago-Tokyo-Boston
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Tolken wrote: | | Thanks for the reply. I think the HDMI to DVI cable will work out. I'm still a little scared of using DisplayConfigX. I have no idea what to do in there. Do you think there is a chance that 1360x768 will show up as an option in Displays? I really want to run at the native resolution. I'm sure you know this, but everything looks blurry once you get away from a LCD's native resolution. I don't mind if there are small borders around the screen. |
1360x768 is not listed in the options, you will have to create that profile yourself. I have a 1366x768 LCD tv which I use the 720p profile (1280x720) which is working fine for me. When I have time, I may try to get it running in its native resolution.
_________________
Mac since '86
328i sport package |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ranter
Member
Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 223
Location: Palm Springs, CA USA
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Based on my experience, I think your native resolution will not appear without using DisplayConfigX, and I would not feel comfortable guessing what might happen with it.
When I connected my PowerBook to the same Plasma TV using the same cable, the PowerBook offered all sorts of valid display resolution choices, including 1280 by 720 which seemed to be our sets native resolution, it sure was lovely!
_________________
http://skeptichosting.com/
Weapons are the tools of violence; all decent men detest them.
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SStreet
Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2005
Posts: 77
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Tolken wrote: | | Thanks for the reply. I think the HDMI to DVI cable will work out. I'm still a little scared of using DisplayConfigX. I have no idea what to do in there. Do you think there is a chance that 1360x768 will show up as an option in Displays? I really want to run at the native resolution. I'm sure you know this, but everything looks blurry once you get away from a LCD's native resolution. I don't mind if there are small borders around the screen. |
You will probably find that anything over 1280x720 is overscan lines and not displayed anyway...
On my Sony 36" (CRT) HDTV, 1280x720p is perfect, but 1300x800 is the same resolution with out the top 10 and bottom 10 lines displayed, as well as the 30 on each side... go figure.
_________________
iMac 20" Intel Duo Core, 2G RAM, 250G HDD
Display Extended to 19" Samsung 930B LCD
Mac Mini 1.42GHz, 1G, 80G/4200RPM |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tolken
New Member
Joined: 13 Dec 2005
Posts: 4
Location: Fresno, California
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 6:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| poisonfist wrote: |
1360x768 is not listed in the options, you will have to create that profile yourself. I have a 1366x768 LCD tv which I use the 720p profile (1280x720) which is working fine for me. When I have time, I may try to get it running in its native resolution. |
Ranter, SStreet, and Poisonfist.
Thanks for ALL the info guys. Poisonfist how does text look good with the 720p profile at 1280x720? I have a 17" Dell that has a native resolution of 1280x1024. Icons and text get blurry once you start to lower the resolution. I posted the specs for the Viewsonic display below. The thing that's throwing me off is the specs say 1360x768 (preferred) for the PC and 1280x720 (preferred) the Mac. How can an LCD have two native resolutions without compromising clarity? Do the 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i settings play into this? Any kind of help would be most appreciated.
Viewsonic N3250w
INPUT SIGNAL TV/Video Comp. 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i
COMPATIBILITY PC 1360x768 (preferred), 1024x768, 1280x768
Mac Power Mac G3/G4/G5 up to 1280x1024, 1280x720 (preferred) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
poisonfist
Member
Joined: 03 Aug 2005
Posts: 176
Location: Chicago-Tokyo-Boston
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The texts appear crystal clear in the 720p on my tv. I know what you mean by fuzzy fonts in lower resolution than the monitor's native resolution. The same happens to mine with my 17" LCD (1280x1024) I use in my studio.
_________________
Mac since '86
328i sport package |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
curt
Veteran Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2005
Posts: 1414
Location: Oregon
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: HDMI to DVI cables with Mac mini. |
|
|
I bought the 27" N2750W two months ago for around $750. I've been happy with mine so far. The remote has been the biggest disappointment. The internal speakers and picture are fantastic. The 27" runs at 1280x720 and looks great with the Mac mini. It has a DVI input instead of the HDMI input. I'm sure the 32" will look good because it has better viewing angles and response time. I think you'll be happy.
_________________
1.42GHz Mac mini
1.66GHz Intel Mac mini
2.0GHz 2009 Mac mini
46" Sony LCD
50" Sony KDS-50A2000
EyeTV 250 Plus
My Setup |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ 
Search 
Memberlist 
Photo Gallery
Register
Profile 
Log in to check your private messages 
Log in 
