It seems I'm not alone in noticing the very dark video output of the Mac Mini as compared to other Macs or PCs. Very obvious on my mini setup here at the office. This phenomenon seem primarily (only?) to be connected with use of the mini with VGA output, typically with a CRT display. Note this thread in Apple's forums:
http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?128@246.W1FDaDqiQ6c.7@.68a64fff
I did some digging and found articles about the issue:
-- http://www.appleturns.com/ ("It Had To Be Something" story)
-- http://www.macintouch.com/macmini07.html#feb14
The last link, above, includes testing details that reveal a low-voltage to the mini's video output:
I called Apple to get a complaint on-file with my mini as soon as possible. The tech I spoke to indicates there is no known issue of this type in Apple's database, but promised to point out that Apple Discussion thread to technicians.
Hopefully a service arrangement will be worked out from Apple sooner rather than later...
blakespot
http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?128@246.W1FDaDqiQ6c.7@.68a64fff
I did some digging and found articles about the issue:
-- http://www.appleturns.com/ ("It Had To Be Something" story)
-- http://www.macintouch.com/macmini07.html#feb14
The last link, above, includes testing details that reveal a low-voltage to the mini's video output:
"During our measurements of the analog signal quality of the VGA adapter another weakness (besides low 3D frame rates ed.) came to light: the peak voltage measurements stayed below 530 mV and therefore outside of the VESA norm. This leads to washed out pictures on many displays, especially when using higher resolutions. Good analog monitors with high contrast ratio's can compensate for this to a large extent, but using the digital connection will lead to much better picture quality."
I called Apple to get a complaint on-file with my mini as soon as possible. The tech I spoke to indicates there is no known issue of this type in Apple's database, but promised to point out that Apple Discussion thread to technicians.
Hopefully a service arrangement will be worked out from Apple sooner rather than later...
blakespot