mac mini 2012 model & 42 inch HD TV

[raw8725]

Hi All,

I'm thinking about using the 2012 lowest spec mini with a 42 inch Samsung TV via Thunderbolt to HDMI. I'd like to know if anyone is using their mini with a large screen and how they find it?

Is the experience a smooth one or is the resolution choppy? Are the fonts crisp?

Kind regards

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Since the 2012 Mac mini (Mm) can output 2560 x 1600 pixel, putting out 1920 x 1080 pixel, which is only 50.6 % of the 2560 x 1600 pixel it has no problem with, will be no problem.
You can also use the HDMI port on your Mm without using the MDP to HDMI adapter.

 

[Mike Valmike]

Hi All,

I'm thinking about using the 2012 lowest spec mini with a 42 inch Samsung TV via Thunderbolt to HDMI. I'd like to know if anyone is using their mini with a large screen and how they find it?

Is the experience a smooth one or is the resolution choppy? Are the fonts crisp?

Kind regards

I have found that using a TV, the fonts tend to be choppy and the aliasing noticeable. However, my testing was with a 26" Samsung TV. With a larger display placed further from your view, it might not be as noticeable. Also, as simsaladimbamba noted, just use the HDMI output, no need for an adaptor. You can also use both with two displays and it lets you split the desktop appropriately.

 

[raw8725]

Thanks for the replies guys. I had this one in mind:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/3m-DisplayPort-Cablesson®-Adapter-Supports/dp/B00675Q2UY

Any recommendations on TVs by the way?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Thanks for the replies guys. I had this one in mind:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/3m-DisplayPort-Cablesson®-Adapter-Supports/dp/B00675Q2UY

That will work, but why not use the HDMI port on the Mac mini?

Any recommendations on TVs by the way?

Don't you have a TV already, as mentioned in your OP, the 42" Samsung HD TV?

And if you want to use a TV for text or menu laden applications, a computer display might be the better choice, many 23" and 24" displays can be had for 150 to 250 USD nowadays. They have a proper resolution, 1920 x 1080 or 1920 x 1200 pixel, and are much easier to look at.

 

[raw8725]

That will work, but why not use the HDMI port on the Mac mini?

Image​

Don't you have a TV already, as mentioned in your OP, the 42" Samsung HD TV?

And if you want to use a TV for text or menu laden applications, a computer display might be the better choice, many 23" and 24" displays can be had for 150 to 250 USD nowadays. They have a proper resolution, 1920 x 1080 or 1920 x 1200 pixel, and are much easier to look at.

Hiya thank for the reply. Sound does not work from the TV with HDMI apparently? I had my eye on this Samsung 42 inch and was going to purchase it this week but I'm going to take my time and get the mini first. Then probably take it into the shop to try out to see how it looks before I make a purchase.

I've already returned a retina display 13inch because it was just too choppy for me. My 2012 cMBP wiped the floor with it for smoothness. I regret giving it away for free.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Hiya thank for the reply. Sound does not work from the TV with HDMI apparently?

Since HDMI does transfer audio, it will work, though there seem to be some problems with 2012 Mac minis and the HDMI output.

 

[Ice Dragon]

I am using a 2011 base model mini with a Vizio VO320 32" HDTV at 1366x768 and I see no problem with clarity.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

I am using a 2011 base model mini with a Vizio VO320 32" HDTV at 1366x768 and I see no problem with clarity.

Then you are probably used to it or have a different eyesight. I could not stand working with a 32" display with such a low resolution.

 

[poloponies]

Since HDMI does transfer audio, it will work, though there seem to be some problems with 2012 Mac minis and the HDMI output.

Running 3 different Mac Minis on 3 TVs, a 55" Vizio and 47" and 55" Samsungs. All three are using HDMI and no notable problems after several months of use.

 

[Ice Dragon]

Then you are probably used to it or have a different eyesight. I could not stand working with a 32" display with such a low resolution.

Oh believe me, if I could go to a higher resolution I would though I do not have the spare cash at the moment. I definitely would notice a difference though.

 

[Omnius]

I use a 2011 mini with a 32 inch 3d TV at 1080p. It works great.

 

[IslandAndy]

Just made my move to the Mac world with the 2.6, 16GB RAM, Fusion drive Mac Mini. Hoping it's going to run on my Sony Bravia 65" via HDMI with no worries, I didn't buy a monitor to go with it! We'll find out next week when everything arrives

 

[scottw324]

I use 2012 2.6GHz quad core mini on my Vizio 47" 240Hz LED TV and it looks great too. I think the resolution is about 1600x800 or something like that so that I can see everything from the couch. I do use the mini on a dual monitor setup mostly though. I play Xbox on on of the monitors why using the other for computer work and my daughter watches Disney princess movies. There is only so much Snow White a father can take. But when I bought the mini the TV was going to be the only monitor I was going to use.

It also looks good at 1920x1080 as well, just the font is smaller and harder to read which is why I went with the lower resolution for the couch surfing.

 

[raw8725]

Thanks for the replies. I've just gone ahead and bought a mac mini. I'll slap in 16 Gb of RAM and an SSD. I'd like to know which connection is superior please?

Thunderbolt to HDMI or HDMI to HDMI?

 

[Donka]

For the TV connection - just use the direct HDMI connection. You won't gain anything from using the Thunderbolt connection.
I've got my Late 2012 Mac Mini hooked up to my Samsung 55" screen and it is fine even if the fonts don't look the best - this will be the case with any large screen TV in comparison to a proper monitor or a higher than 1080p screen, even if you use Thunderbolt to HDMI.
Yesterday's OSX 10.8.3 release also fixed the crushed whites issue through HDMI so there are now no negatives to using HDMI. Also, sound is passed through to the TV just fine.

 

[Nswinters]

Just made my move to the Mac world with the 2.6, 16GB RAM, Fusion drive Mac Mini. Hoping it's going to run on my Sony Bravia 65" via HDMI with no worries, I didn't buy a monitor to go with it! We'll find out next week when everything arrives

IslandAndy, did your setup work? Did you encounter any issues with font resolution? I have the same TV and really interested to know how your experience was before buying the Mac mini. Thanks!

 

[Donka]

One thing when reading fonts on a large screen TV, it's with tinkering with the TV output settings. On my Samsung, the fonts were never truly sharp and I wasn't overly happy given the mac was outputting the TVs native 1080p. I found sharpening on the TV was up high and causing a halo effect on fonts making them appear blurry. I turned this down and the fonts looked perfect and crystal clear. Sounds wrong to turn down sharpening to make fonts sharper but some TVs have their processing too aggressive by default.