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Mac mini connected to a HDTV

Flynnstone

Flynnstone

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Feb 25, 2003
1,438
96
Cold beer land
Does anyone have an info on connecting a Mac to a HDTV?
I have a Hitachi that has .. it looks like a DVI connector on the back.
Could I connect a computer to this connector and get a great picture?
If I can, can a Mac mini (or other) drive the TV to 1080i for great display of photos.

An eyeHome looks cool, but I want higher resolution.

Anyone with solutions? ideas? pointers?
 
Flynnstone said:
Does anyone have an info on connecting a Mac to a HDTV?
I have a Hitachi that has .. it looks like a DVI connector on the back.
Could I connect a computer to this connector and get a great picture?
If I can, can a Mac mini (or other) drive the TV to 1080i for great display of photos.

An eyeHome looks cool, but I want higher resolution.

Anyone with solutions? ideas? pointers?
Click to expand...

I see no reason as to why the Mac Mini will not work for what you want to do with it.

Apple does run the 23" ACD HD with the mini via DVI, so I see no reason as to it not being able to drive your HDTV. :)
 
The DVI plug from the mini is different from the DVI plug on most HDTVs (at least the Sony WEGA HDTVs). I tried several combinations and none of them seem to work. New HDTVs now have HDMI plugs, which only serves to confuse us even more.
 
3Memos said:
The DVI plug from the mini is different from the DVI plug on most HDTVs (at least the Sony WEGA HDTVs). I tried several combinations and none of them seem to work. New HDTVs now have HDMI plugs, which only serves to confuse us even more.
Click to expand...

Did you get them to physically connect?
or you got them connected but no picture?
 
3Memos said:
I tried connecting my PB to the WEGA but the connectors don't physical fit.
Click to expand...

I am sure you can get adapters for DVI.

I know there are several different types of DVI:

1. analogue
2. analogue and digital
3. digital

the Mac mini uses the 2nd one analogue and digital. :) <-- marketing to PC users remember. ;) :)
 
maya said:
I know there are several different types of DVI:

1. analogue
2. analogue and digital
3. digital
Click to expand...

<sigh>

To quote an overused line ... that's what I love about standards. There are so many of them to choose from.
 
stcanard said:
<sigh>

To quote an overused line ... that's what I love about standards. There are so many of them to choose from.
Click to expand...

ROTF, DVI is the standard. No one said what type of DVI, its all in the details. ;) :)


most HDTV use DVI analogue and digital, not much to worry.

ACD are DVI digital. <-- that is why I love they displays. :)
 
Flynnstone said:
Does anyone have an info on connecting a Mac to a HDTV?
Click to expand...
Well, if you take a look at Apple's page for the mini , you'll see that they show the mini connected to a Samsung DLP HDTV. So you're probably OK with connecting it to your Hitachi. The only hold up might be the native resolution of your display. The Samsung shown is 1280x720p, so if your Hitachi can accept that, then you're probably OK.

NOTE - I do realized that just because the mini is shown with the Samsung doesn't really mean anything other than the ad people put them there.
 
3Memos said:
Some HDTVs accept FireWire inputs.
Click to expand...
Yes, but not for video (generally). The TV's that have Firewire are for connections to D-VHS decks and maybe camcorders. Besides, I don't think that Macs are able to output it's display video via Firewire.
 
ftaok said:
Yes, but not for video (generally). The TV's that have Firewire are for connections to D-VHS decks and maybe camcorders. Besides, I don't think that Macs are able to output it's display video via Firewire.
Click to expand...

You are indeed correct, the FireWire ports on TV sets are for camcorders to present slid shows and view the movie content, etc. :)
 
You shouldn't have any troubles. Just make sure to use DVI-D Cables. The Connection on the "mini" takes DVI-A and DVI-D, the HDTV will only take DVI-D. The difference is related to the orientation of the straight pin on the one side of the DVI port. One is | the other is -. Go to your local Radio Shack, and pick up the appropriate cable, since they know a lot about TVs.

TEG
 
I connected my PowerMac to my HDTV last night. I used a DVI cable from a Hansol monitor.
It was simple. Simple.
My Mac recognized the TV properly.
I could drive the TV at up to 1900 x1080 interlaced. High res with some flickering. I also tried 1280x720 progressive, worked like a charm.
I can see a Mac mini sitting next to my TV
:D
 
how is text?

How is the text on the hdtv? That is what I've been hearing as the low point of using a tv instead of a computer screen.
David
 
My Sony Wega has a 'DVI - HDTV' port. According to the manual:

"Digital Visual Interface (DVI): Can accomodate a copy-protected digital connection (HDCP) to other devices (such as digital set-top boxes) that have compatible interfaces. The DVI-HDTV input terminal is compliant with the EIA-861 standard and is not intended for used with personal computers."

Two things. 1) I thought DVI stood for Digital Video Interface. 2) "not intended" sounds to me like "allowed (not prohibited) but not recommended".

Anyone tried hooking their personal computer to their Sony Wega via DVI?
 
i'm using the mac mini on my sony 35xbr910 and it looks horrible. there is a lot of flickering and when i lower the resolution, parts of the screen are cut off. what are my options now? :(
 
0s and 1s said:
i'm using the mac mini on my sony 35xbr910 and it looks horrible. there is a lot of flickering and when i lower the resolution, parts of the screen are cut off. what are my options now? :(
Click to expand...

Which connection are you using?
 
dejo said:
Which connection are you using?
Click to expand...

DVI. I really don't know what to do. I was told 3 times by 3 different reps that they confirmed that it was going to look perfect. I told what I was going to use it for and they said that I wouldn't have any problems. I know people have said that they would mainly use this for DVD usage and iPhoto and such, but with this horrible resolution, I'd rather use my XBox as a DVD player and use my camera's memory sticks for a slideshow.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :(
 
The flickering I saw was most notable at 1900x1080. Interlace.
Fixed pictures appeared OK but the window edges flickered a lot.
At the 1280x720 (progressive) the flickering was much less.
Would I use it for small text ... no. A TV is just not crisp like a monitor.
For static pictures and movies, its excellent.
Also you can burn in certain types of TVs, so I wouldn't use it as a computer screen.
 
I'm going to wait until the issue of connections are resolved before I buy the next HDTV set. Too many interfaces makes for some very confused customers.
 
0s and 1s said:
DVI. I really don't know what to do. I was told 3 times by 3 different reps that they confirmed that it was going to look perfect. I told what I was going to use it for and they said that I wouldn't have any problems. I know people have said that they would mainly use this for DVD usage and iPhoto and such, but with this horrible resolution, I'd rather use my XBox as a DVD player and use my camera's memory sticks for a slideshow.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :(
Click to expand...

I vaguely remember an overscan compensation check-box from back when I connected my iBook to TVs. See if you have such a check-box.
 
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