Can I use any Flatscreen TV with HDMI as a monitor for my Mac Mini

[BobMcFish]

Hi

I'm thinking of replacing my creaking old hulk of a CRT with a flatscreen monitor and I want it to be a TV too since USB3 has rendered my Equinox Tubestick obsolete. Also, Apple's stupidly priced Lightning/VGA adapter (£30 delivered!) does not behave very well. Sometimes the monitor does not sense a signal and I need to unplug then re-plug to make it see the signal, sometimes it does burst into life when I wake the Mini but the image looks like those cheap effects from Top of the Pops in the 70s, and sometimes it is just fuzzy until I reboot. Enough said

I feel a bit of a dunce asking this but is there anything particular to look out for when choosing a TV/Monitor? I was looking at this one from Currys (UK)
SAMSUNG UE19H4000 19" LED TV
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-dvd...g-ue19h4000-19-led-tv-10005716-pdt.html#cat-0
It looks OK to me but can it function as a monitor if I plug my Mini's HDMI out into it?

I appreciate any advice from you guys out there

Thanks
Bob

 

[theSeb]

This will work, but what are you planning on using the TV for? TVs are not very good as computer monitors and I would not recommend it, unless it's for watching movies only. Considering how cheap small monitors are, I think this is a bad idea.

 

[ColdCase]

The text on the TV will be a little fuzzy, but it may be an improvement over what you are using now. A monitor would be better, but if you want the sharpest text you need to look at an Apple monitor ($$$$).

 

[theSeb]

The text on the TV will be a little fuzzy, but it may be an improvement over what you are using now. A monitor would be better, but if you want the sharpest text you need to look at an Apple monitor ($$$$).

Apple monitors don't have the copyright on sharp text

 

[ColdCase]

Apple monitors don't have the copyright on sharp text

No but the OS seems to be tailored to Apple monitors and don't have the same tailoring for third party stuff, at least on the Macs with build in graphics. Dunno about graphics cards, but the OP is using a mini. The web is full of fuzzy text complaints and patches/bandaids that seem to help. Its not the monitors but how the Mac OS deals with them. ... on the other hand, I may be spoiled by the rMBP retina display

 

[theSeb]

No but the OS seems to be tailored to Apple monitors and don't have the same tailoring for third party stuff, at least on the Macs with build in graphics. Dunno about graphics cards, but the OP is using a mini. The web is full of fuzzy text complaints and patches/bandaids that seem to help. Its not the monitors but how the Mac OS deals with them. ... on the other hand, I may be spoiled by the rMBP retina display

Sure, my rMBP is nice, but I am looking at two externals right now. An Apple ACD and a cheap HP monitor. The text quality is very similar. Colours etc, sure, but not the text. A decent non-Apple external monitor will be even better. Anyway, I think we're diverging off the topic here. We're both agreed that a TV is not the best idea to use as a monitor.

Laggy animations and mouse movement and fuzzy text are a deal breaker for me.

 

[BobMcFish]

Thanks

Thank you for taking the time to reply. That has helped me to decide that I should buy a dedicated monitor. The TV is not as important as my Mac. Despite the fact that I am using the low budget Mini I still want the image to be sharp. I edit and view my photos so that alone makes me want a decent display. I'm with you on the Apple monitors being fabulous both in terms of quality and price ($$$$) and hey...I've got a Mini so I've already compromised to fit my budget
Any recommendations on whether I should try to find one with Thunderbolt capability or is HDMI good enough? I'm guessing Thunderbolt may bump the price up. I'm also wondering if it will be a disappearing technology as was the case with Firewire?

 

[ColdCase]

You don't need thunderbolt or HDMI, look for a monitor with display port. A mini display port monitor cable will will plug right into the mini's thunderbolt port. Depending on the monitor you choose, you may need a display port to mini display port cable. DP will provide better "computer" display for photos, video, graphics.

I'd advise that you swing by a best buy, staples, or whatever retail store in your area that sells monitors and look for one you like. If you are going into color accuracy and calibration, you can easily spend over $600 US, however.

Otherwise Dell is a decent brand name. I have a LG that works well. The 27 inch size is a nice compromise.

The following forum discusses nothing but displays:

http://hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78

 

[BobMcFish]

You don't need thunderbolt or HDMI, look for a monitor with display port. A mini display port monitor cable will will plug right into the mini's thunderbolt port. Depending on the monitor you choose, you may need a display port to mini display port cable. DP will provide better "computer" display for photos, video, graphics.

Brilliant thanks!