TV as monitor for Mac Mini

Oneness · Jul 29, 2008, 10:30 AM

I have a Mini that I am going to be using as an HTPC. I would also like to use it just to surf and check E's and general stuff like that. My question is that if I am sitting 6-8 ft. away from a 46" TV will the font be viewable or will it be to small (or fuzzy) to be a practical surfing set up.
Anyone have any experience with this type of set-up?
BTW - the TV I am looking at getting is a Samsung Touch of Color LCD.

iGrant · Jul 29, 2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oneness

I have a Mini that I am going to be using as an HTPC. I would also like to use it just to surf and check E's and general stuff like that. My question is that if I am sitting 6-8 ft. away from a 46" TV will the font be viewable or will it be to small (or fuzzy) to be a practical surfing set up.
Anyone have any experience with this type of set-up?
BTW - the TV I am looking at getting is a Samsung Touch of Color LCD.

It should be fine, the resolution will not be that good, it will be like 1200x800 or a little smaller, and stuff will seem really big but it will work.

-iGrant

Vaphoron · Jul 30, 2008, 03:04 PM

I hookup my MacBook Pro to my 32" LCD all the time and its still very usable for tasks other than watching video. I'll be upgrading to a 42" very soon though and I'm really looking forward to that.

muldul · Jul 30, 2008, 03:10 PM

It will be fine, other than looking at pictures and video

iGrant · Jul 30, 2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muldul

It will be fine, other than looking at pictures and video

Pics yes I will agree with but video should be fine. I have a Power Mac Dual G5 connected to a tv through a S-Video cable running 800x600 resolutions. I use it as my MacTivo unit. It does great for that purpose.

As long as the Mac Mini can do the resolution that the TV does native, it will be fine.

-iGrant

bplein · Jul 30, 2008, 11:44 PM

My 52" DLP only does 1080i (not p), and doesn't do 720p. The fonts are too small, and things are generally small and not crisp. It's great with Front Row as an HTPC but less that great as a living room Mac browser.

naid · Jul 31, 2008, 06:03 AM

You may want to look into 1080p displays, they are becoming popular for combo tv/monitor use. Worth the extra expense IMO.

iGrant · Jul 31, 2008, 08:16 AM

A little of topic but related, whats the difference between like 720i and 720p or 1080i or 1080p?

-iGrant

fa8362 · Jul 31, 2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iGrant

A little of topic but related, whats the difference between like 720i and 720p or 1080i or 1080p?

-iGrant

You should do a Google search, but the differences are resolution and how the image is displayed (progressive or interlaced).

iGrant · Jul 31, 2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fa8362

You should do a Google search, but the differences are resolution and how the image is displayed (progressive or interlaced).

OK gotcha, I didn't realize the that i and p stood for progressive and interlaced!

Thanks!!!
iGrant

Jul 29, 2008, 10:30 AM	#1
Oneness macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cowtown	TV as monitor for Mac Mini I have a Mini that I am going to be using as an HTPC. I would also like to use it just to surf and check E's and general stuff like that. My question is that if I am sitting 6-8 ft. away from a 46" TV will the font be viewable or will it be to small (or fuzzy) to be a practical surfing set up. Anyone have any experience with this type of set-up? BTW - the TV I am looking at getting is a Samsung Touch of Color LCD. __________________ Wii=0661 8841 3605 0331 'Do you believe in God?' 'Yes, and He believes in me'
	0

Jul 30, 2008, 03:10 PM	#4
muldul macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: West Sussex, England, UK	It will be fine, other than looking at pictures and video __________________ Black Macbook 2.4 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB HD, Snow Leopard iPhone 4 16 GB - Naked iPod shuffle 4GB (3rd Gen) iPod Nano 16GB (5th Gen)
	0

Jul 30, 2008, 11:44 PM	#6
bplein macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Austin, TX USA	My 52" DLP only does 1080i (not p), and doesn't do 720p. The fonts are too small, and things are generally small and not crisp. It's great with Front Row as an HTPC but less that great as a living room Mac browser. __________________ Family Macs: late 2012 iMac 27, MBP 13 and 15 Unibody, MB Air, and a couple of Mac minis.
	0

Jul 31, 2008, 08:16 AM	#8
iGrant macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Abingdon	A little of topic but related, whats the difference between like 720i and 720p or 1080i or 1080p? -iGrant __________________ Once you use a Mac, you never going back! Macbook Air C2D 1.6, Mac Mini CD 1.6Ghz; iPod Touch 32gb
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Jul 30, 2008, 03:04 PM	#3
Vaphoron macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Maryland	I hookup my MacBook Pro to my 32" LCD all the time and its still very usable for tasks other than watching video. I'll be upgrading to a 42" very soon though and I'm really looking forward to that.
	0

Jul 31, 2008, 06:03 AM	#7
naid macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2008	You may want to look into 1080p displays, they are becoming popular for combo tv/monitor use. Worth the extra expense IMO.
	0

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