Mac Mini on HDTV

Tg716 · Nov 18, 2012, 11:01 PM

Ive been searching for a straightforward answer to this and haven't found one.

Was going to wait for new iMac but news shows its going to be longer wait than expected. Thought is to buy a Mac Mini and HDMI to my insignia 42" plasma as display. Has anyone done this type of display use and is it a liable use of display for use with occasional photoshop and Lightroom but more word processing and basic Internet usage. No gaming.

This option as opposed to refurb may 2011 iMac when available.

Thanks in advance.

Snowcake · Nov 18, 2012, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tg716

Ive been searching for a straightforward answer to this and haven't found one.

Was going to wait for new iMac but news shows its going to be longer wait than expected. Thought is to buy a Mac Mini and HDMI to my insignia 42" plasma as display. Has anyone done this type of display use and is it a liable use of display for use with occasional photoshop and Lightroom but more word processing and basic Internet usage. No gaming.

This option as opposed to refurb may 2011 iMac when available.

Thanks in advance.

HDMI you going to use? Well i tell you something about the problems involving the 2012 Mac Mini when using the hdmi port.

Blinking black screens. Your screen turns black multiple times a day/hour.
It can also be snow and keeps like snow or black, won't go to normal screen.

Washed out colors, very ugly bad image.

You can't see light tints/shades anymore, for example in finder you can't see the light colors in finder anymore on the lines. (photoshop is a non-go with this issue)

Sorry, but there is more...

1 The Intel HD3000 and HD4000 have a 23.976fps and a 23.976HZ bug.

2 A issue with creating/saving/maintaining the correct brightness levels (0-255 vs. 16-235) and or EDID overrides.

3 And of course the biggest new bug introduced in Ivy Bridge is the failure with certain 1080i50 streams (look in the graphics area). Especially the last one makes it currently unusable for users having the appropriate kind of premium content (mostly live-TV).

Some links:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1484169

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1478837

https://discussions.apple.com/message/20323966#20323966

https://discussions.apple.com/message/20322920#20322920

https://discussions.apple.com/message/20322874#20322874

https://discussions.apple.com/message/20322233#20322233

https://discussions.apple.com/message/20321879#20321879

https://discussions.apple.com/message/20325444#20325444

(There are much, much more threads)

Oh, and this problem is known since 7 months...

Tg716 · Nov 18, 2012, 11:38 PM

So, as per this, skip Out on mini and F5 on refurb store to snag 21.5 Fall '11 iMac? My MacBook is on last days and as journalism student I can not afford academically to be with ability to word process for extended period.

Snowcake · 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tg716

So, as per this, skip Out on mini and F5 on refurb store to snag 21.5 Fall '11 iMac? My MacBook is on last days and as journalism student I can not afford academically to be with ability to word process for extended period.

You could use the Thunderbolt port on your Mac Mini, that way you have no issues. The issues are only related to hdmi involvement. Edit: big chance you have no problem using the TB-hdmi adapter but i have read that some people had the hdmi problem when using the TB-hdmi adapter.

Though not everyone has the hdmi issue, you could take a chance.

Or: Windows.

Rhinoevans · Nov 19, 2012, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tg716

So, as per this, skip Out on mini and F5 on refurb store to snag 21.5 Fall '11 iMac? My MacBook is on last days and as journalism student I can not afford academically to be with ability to word process for extended period.

Don't skip out on the 2012, like the post above said, use TB, till Apple fixes the HDMI problem. It is not stopping me from buying a 2012!

Ifti · Nov 19, 2012, 03:45 AM

Im using my server with HDMI to a Samsung 46" HDTV just fine - havent had any problems at all.

anvikapur · Nov 19, 2012, 06:52 AM

I use mac mini's with HDTV's for digital signage, I have no issues with picture quality at all

xyion1 · Nov 19, 2012, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowcake

Washed out colors, very ugly bad image.

You can't see light tints/shades anymore, for example in finder you can't see the light colors in finder anymore on the lines. (photoshop is a non-go with this issue)

I was able to correct the washed out colors using advanced color profiles (and basically cranking the gamma all the way down). The TV is on Dynamic picture mode, and I can confirm that using the HDMI port looks absolutely horrible.

I am using a Mini Diplayport -> HDMI cable to connect to my 46" samsung ($10 shipped on monoprice) and don't have any issues with snow or black screens or things like that.

TravelJunkie · Nov 19, 2012, 07:36 AM

As a further note of encouragement, I'm using a 42" LG LED TV as a monitor for my new i7 2.6 mac mini, upped to 16GB RAM, and connected HDMI to HDMI, and I'm very happy with the result.

No "black screen" issue yet (after 2 weeks use).

The colours were horrible until I set the HDMI port on the TV to "PC" (using the TV menu) - but, with that done, it's fine.

My heaviest task for the new mini is video editing using Premiere Elements 11 and it handles timeline preview of AVCHD 1080i50 with great fluidity. It just flies compared with the elderly PC it has replaced!

Metsfan7450 · Nov 19, 2012, 07:41 AM

I've been using my mac mini with hdmi connection to an HDTV for a couple of weeks now, as well, with no issues.

k.alexander · Nov 19, 2012, 09:45 AM

I've also posted before, I've had a mini for 20 days now. HDMI to a SONY 46" TV. Upped RAM to 16GB. I have not used it for more than a couple of hours at a time, and not every day, but I've yet to have a black screen/snow issue.

I am convinced that the black screen is an HDCP handshake issue and if that's the case, then judging by my prior experience with Apple TV 2nd gen, Apple will release a software update for it. Also, may explain why some TVs do better than others when it comes to HDCP handshaking.

The colors were washed out via HDMI, I tweaked the built-in ColorSync utility in Expert Mode and they're fine now.

poloponies · Nov 19, 2012, 09:55 AM

As I've posted before I'm running 2 Minis on 2 different HDTVs (one 2012 model, one 2010 model) - both work flawlessly. Have watched various movies ripped from DVD and Blu-Ray and used Photoshop (and numerous other apps) with no issues whatsoever.

On the new TV picked the Mini found an optimal resolution instantly, on the older one I had to set it myself.

pollaxe · Nov 19, 2012, 10:36 AM

I'm encouraged to read that not everyone seems to be having the issue.

I did; I was using mine connected via HDMI to HDMI into a Samsung LED HDTV. I didn't get the issue until I was about ten to eleven days into using the Mini but once they started, they seemed to get much more frequent and eventually needed a complete restart to clear (powering off the TV or swapping inputs didn't always work.)

I too had the issues with the picture but Expert Calibration got it looking gorgeous. I was more than happy with the image quality but the black screens/snow issues got very bad indeed, so I returned my Mini.

I can't prove it, but the issues seemed to occur once I began sleeping and waking the Mini. Prior to that, I'd had it running constantly without seeing any black screens/snow.

iMas70 · Nov 19, 2012, 12:30 PM

I've been using the HDMI-HDMI connection from the Mac Mini to a Dell monitor since last Thursday. No issues at all.

I'm still thinking about going to an HDTV for the later display.

k.alexander · Nov 19, 2012, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pollaxe

I can't prove it, but the issues seemed to occur once I began sleeping and waking the Mini. Prior to that, I'd had it running constantly without seeing any black screens/snow.

That's very interesting. Because it potentially goes a way to prove my theory that this is an HDCP handshake issue, as those usually appear when one of the devices is turned of and then on, or sleeps and then wakes up.

PaulKemp · Nov 20, 2012, 01:06 PM

My mac mini is black until i turn on the tv to the HDMI channel where the mini is connected. So when i use screen sharing, i get a black screen just after a reboot. Not good at all. It seems like the mini isnt outputting anything before it gets the handshake from the hdmi.

Nobody else having this issue? It seems to be worse now than when i installed it (this weekend).

BingClawsby · Nov 20, 2012, 01:20 PM

I bought a cheap pc laptop a few years ago with an HDMI just so I can hook it up to my tv as a media player.

Just mirrored the laptop display and it works, and I'm no geek with this A/V stuff.
Don't know why this tech should be an issue really for apple... or any manufacturer already

Tg716 · Nov 20, 2012, 02:30 PM

Well, I am picking up my mini today. We will see what the display holds once I am home. If it becomes an issue, I'll likely take it back and wait for my turn at a new iMac.

Westyfield2 · Nov 21, 2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.alexander

I am convinced that the black screen is an HDCP handshake issue and if that's the case, then judging by my prior experience with Apple TV 2nd gen, Apple will release a software update for it. Also, may explain why some TVs do better than others when it comes to HDCP handshaking.

That's my guess too, that it's HDCP/EDID handshake. It's a fault with all 2012 Mac Minis, but only some TVs/Screens reveal the problem.

Tg716 · Nov 21, 2012, 09:40 AM

No problems as of yet on the HDTV. I am going to be purchasing a monitor today though because the eye strain to see the screen from my couch is too much.

Nov 18, 2012, 11:01 PM	#1
Tg716 macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	Mac Mini on HDTV Ive been searching for a straightforward answer to this and haven't found one. Was going to wait for new iMac but news shows its going to be longer wait than expected. Thought is to buy a Mac Mini and HDMI to my insignia 42" plasma as display. Has anyone done this type of display use and is it a liable use of display for use with occasional photoshop and Lightroom but more word processing and basic Internet usage. No gaming. This option as opposed to refurb may 2011 iMac when available. Thanks in advance.
	0

Nov 19, 2012, 03:45 AM	#6
Ifti macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: UK	Im using my server with HDMI to a Samsung 46" HDTV just fine - havent had any problems at all. __________________ See my YouTube Channel for reviews & tech tips! Mac Mini Server / 2.6GHz Quad i7 / 8GB RAM / Dual 1TB HDD MacBook Pro 13 / 2.9GHz Dual i7 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD AEBS / iPad2 / iPhone5 / Drobo 5D
	1

Nov 19, 2012, 12:30 PM	#14
iMas70 macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2012	I've been using the HDMI-HDMI connection from the Mac Mini to a Dell monitor since last Thursday. No issues at all. I'm still thinking about going to an HDTV for the later display. __________________ iPhone 5 (32GB), iPad 4 (32GB), Apple TV, 2.3 GHz i7 Mac Mini - 16 MB RAM! Apple... it's not just a brand... it's a lifestyle!
	0

Nov 20, 2012, 01:06 PM	#16
PaulKemp macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Norway	My mac mini is black until i turn on the tv to the HDMI channel where the mini is connected. So when i use screen sharing, i get a black screen just after a reboot. Not good at all. It seems like the mini isnt outputting anything before it gets the handshake from the hdmi. Nobody else having this issue? It seems to be worse now than when i installed it (this weekend). __________________ iMac i7 3.4 GHz, 24 GB Ram, 256 SSD \| MBA 2011 i5 1.7 GHz, 4 GB Ram \| Mini i7 2.0 GHz, 4 GB Ram, RAID 0 \| iPad 2 16 GB \| iPhone 5 16 GB \| ATV 3 Remember to quote orignal post.
	0

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Nov 18, 2012, 11:38 PM	#3
Tg716 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	So, as per this, skip Out on mini and F5 on refurb store to snag 21.5 Fall '11 iMac? My MacBook is on last days and as journalism student I can not afford academically to be with ability to word process for extended period.
	0

Nov 19, 2012, 06:52 AM	#7
anvikapur macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2012	I use mac mini's with HDTV's for digital signage, I have no issues with picture quality at all
	0

Nov 19, 2012, 07:36 AM	#9
TravelJunkie macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2012	As a further note of encouragement, I'm using a 42" LG LED TV as a monitor for my new i7 2.6 mac mini, upped to 16GB RAM, and connected HDMI to HDMI, and I'm very happy with the result. No "black screen" issue yet (after 2 weeks use). The colours were horrible until I set the HDMI port on the TV to "PC" (using the TV menu) - but, with that done, it's fine. My heaviest task for the new mini is video editing using Premiere Elements 11 and it handles timeline preview of AVCHD 1080i50 with great fluidity. It just flies compared with the elderly PC it has replaced!
	0

Nov 19, 2012, 07:41 AM	#10
Metsfan7450 macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2008	I've been using my mac mini with hdmi connection to an HDTV for a couple of weeks now, as well, with no issues.
	0

Nov 19, 2012, 09:45 AM	#11
k.alexander macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2010	I've also posted before, I've had a mini for 20 days now. HDMI to a SONY 46" TV. Upped RAM to 16GB. I have not used it for more than a couple of hours at a time, and not every day, but I've yet to have a black screen/snow issue. I am convinced that the black screen is an HDCP handshake issue and if that's the case, then judging by my prior experience with Apple TV 2nd gen, Apple will release a software update for it. Also, may explain why some TVs do better than others when it comes to HDCP handshaking. The colors were washed out via HDMI, I tweaked the built-in ColorSync utility in Expert Mode and they're fine now.
	0

Nov 19, 2012, 09:55 AM	#12
poloponies macrumors 68030 Join Date: May 2010	As I've posted before I'm running 2 Minis on 2 different HDTVs (one 2012 model, one 2010 model) - both work flawlessly. Have watched various movies ripped from DVD and Blu-Ray and used Photoshop (and numerous other apps) with no issues whatsoever. On the new TV picked the Mini found an optimal resolution instantly, on the older one I had to set it myself.
	0

Nov 19, 2012, 10:36 AM	#13
pollaxe macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West of England	I'm encouraged to read that not everyone seems to be having the issue. I did; I was using mine connected via HDMI to HDMI into a Samsung LED HDTV. I didn't get the issue until I was about ten to eleven days into using the Mini but once they started, they seemed to get much more frequent and eventually needed a complete restart to clear (powering off the TV or swapping inputs didn't always work.) I too had the issues with the picture but Expert Calibration got it looking gorgeous. I was more than happy with the image quality but the black screens/snow issues got very bad indeed, so I returned my Mini. I can't prove it, but the issues seemed to occur once I began sleeping and waking the Mini. Prior to that, I'd had it running constantly without seeing any black screens/snow.
	0

Nov 20, 2012, 01:20 PM	#17
BingClawsby macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2010	I bought a cheap pc laptop a few years ago with an HDMI just so I can hook it up to my tv as a media player. Just mirrored the laptop display and it works, and I'm no geek with this A/V stuff. Don't know why this tech should be an issue really for apple... or any manufacturer already
	0

Nov 20, 2012, 02:30 PM	#18
Tg716 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	Well, I am picking up my mini today. We will see what the display holds once I am home. If it becomes an issue, I'll likely take it back and wait for my turn at a new iMac.
	0

Nov 21, 2012, 09:40 AM	#20
Tg716 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	No problems as of yet on the HDTV. I am going to be purchasing a monitor today though because the eye strain to see the screen from my couch is too much.
	0