mac mini corrupted graphics to hdtv

[sejanus]

hey guys

I just bought a mac mini and want to set it up as a xbmc box. I went for this instead of the atv to run 1080p material.

It's hooked to my yamaha 2700 receiver by the silly displayport->dvi adapter, which then in turn is connected to a dvi->hdmi adapter.

why apple couldnt put a native hdmi port on there is beyond me.

The receiver is hooked up to a 70" sony sxrd.

The mac mini needed a custom display resolution of 1840x1020 set to make it fit on the tv screen properly.

For the most part it works ok however sometimes when you switch the receiver input to watch the mac mini the screen is all garbled with lots of red and green - you can (barely) make out the screen.

You can fix this by either unplugging and replugging in the connector or toggling inputs on the receiver until it clears up.

Any ideas? It happens a fair bit and is a bit of a deal breaker.

It is replacing a popcorn hour.

cheers

[robotartfashion]

silly displayport->dvi adapter, which then in turn is connected to a dvi->hdmi adapter.

why apple couldnt put a native hdmi port on there is beyond me.


that stinks

well, my guess may be faulty cables? any reason why you aren't just using a mini dvi to hdmi cable? its pretty inexpensive at monoprice

other than that could it be an issue with the nvidia, have you tried hooking the mini via dvi to a regular ol' computer monitor?

lastly, just as an aside, we've discussed the HDMI thing many times here, and the plain reason is that Apple does NOT market this as a HTPC, regardless of its usefulness towards it, that role is filled by the Apple TV, and they may have plans for its successor to be able to output 1080p

they have the DVI and DP outs because they are able to output at a higher resolution than native HDMI cables, also they don't have to pay the licensing fees associated with HDMI

Apple so far has also demonstrated that they aren't interested in passing audio through video cables as DP/Mini DP outputs are able to pass audio but Apple as not enabled it

Once they do (if ever) the Mini DP will be your HDMI solution

good luck!

[sejanus]

just an update on this. i don't think it's faulty cables - it's the custom resolution doing it.

If I use a "native" mac resolution i.e. 1920x1200 - the screen doesn't fill the set completely, but I never get corrupted graphics.

maybe graphics driver bug?

[azdunerat]

Have you tried bypassing the reciever and running directly to the tv to see if you can recreat the problem any other way. I have heard that placing a switch in between the monitor and computer can cause the display output to get wacky sometimes.

[sejanus]

thats a good idea, I'll try it. thanks

[DjAmTraX]

Mine is hooked up to Sony 50" LCD TV via Mini-DVI to VGA, soon to be Mini-Display port to HDMI. No problems here.

[roidy]

This type of problem has been discussed before and relates to overscan on your TV:-

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=674822

IF your TVs native resolution is 1920x1080 then thats the resolution you should use on your mac, the problem relates to how your TV is setup. Most TVs have a option like 16:9, Zoom and so on that change the way the image fits the screen. Have a look in you TV options.

[sejanus]

yeah i know about all that. from googling people who use my tv use 1840x1020 - when i use that rez it fits the screen perfectly - looks great.

but then the graphics get corrupted when switching inputs.

[jabbawok]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=5311&seq=1&format=2