DVI to HDMI - no signal coming though?

Question

Level 2

223 points

DVI to HDMI - no signal coming though?

This one has me stumped.

I'm running:
- Mac mini Core 2 Duo model (10.5.1)
- Sony Rear Projection LCD TV DVI-only up to 1080i
- XtremeMac XTREMEHD HDMI switch box with an HDMI to DVI adapter to the TV

I know the switchbox is handingly the HDMI to DVI OK - I have a TiVo HD and Xbox 360 which both work fine but the Mac mini isn't cooperating. I mean, it's shows me no screen of any kind... this isn't a complaint of quality 🙂

If I hook up the mini to the TV directly via DVI to DVI, it works fine: I like to drive it in 1280x720 but I've had it run all the way to 1080i. It correctly shows that it's a Sony TV and it's happy. When I plug in the DVI-to-HDMI adapter, which runs to the HDMI switch box, I get nothing. If I connect to the mini via VNC, it tells me that it only detects a standard VGA monitor.

I've tried SwitchResX while connected via VNC: it run and it gives me the illusion that I'm changing settings but after a reboot, I get nothing but the "standard" VGA modes.

I've tried DisplayConfigX (and bought it to "export" the settings) - not only does this crash when connected via VNC but the exported settings are ignored on a reboot.

I tried to delete the com.apple.windowserver*.plist files, but I wasn't able to in single user mode - told me it was a system file... even so, I'm not sure how that would help in this scenario.

So, I'm at a loss... it doesn't like there's any way to "lock in" the Sony TV options when I connect it DVI-to-HDMI, or have I missed something?

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Jan 13, 2008 9:15 PM

Reply

Answer 1

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Jan 14, 2008 12:15 PM in response to randyrants

Check and see if the XtremeMac switch requires an HDCP handshake. If that is the case, then it will only be compatible with AppleTV and not a Mac mini. The mini does not support HDCP.

Reply

Answer 2

Jan 16, 2008 7:20 PM in response to randyrants

I am having a similar issue with my Mac Mini (Intel Core Duo running Leopard). I recently bought a LCD HDTV which has a VGA connector and 2 HDMI connectors, but no DVI. I want to connect it with a DVI to HDMI adapter, but when I do, I get no picture at all and the TV says it is receiving a "1P SD" signal (should be 1080P HD). However, the VGA connector works fine, and allows me to run the full 1920x1080 (non-interlaced) resolution. I know the DVI output on the Mac Mini is fine, since that is how I connected it to my old LCD monitor. I tried connecting it to my brother's Mac Mini (PowerPC G4 running Tiger) with the same results.

At this point, I suspect it is some sort of handshaking issue between the HDTV and the Mac Mini, but I have no idea how to fix it. If I get the chance, I'll borrow my parents' MacBook Pro and try to connect that. That should allow me to see any error messages that it is displaying. I may try playing around with VNC tomorrow at work if I get a chance.

Reply

Answer 3

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Jan 16, 2008 8:43 PM in response to Nathan Usher

Some TVs have settings to defeat any need for HDCP on their HDMI ports. Some don't. I would check your TV's manual carefully for information about making PC connections. I like your idea of using a MacBook Pro so that you can see what format is being output to the TV. Good luck.

Reply

Answer 4

randyrants Author

Level 2

223 points

Jan 17, 2008 5:54 PM in response to randyrants

I can answer my own question, strangly enough 🙂

It looks like it was either the HDMI cable (unlikely) or the DVI/HDMI converter (likely) that was the culprit. I made sure the converter said it was DVI-D... maybe it lied, maybe it was a typo, maybe it was defective - either way, I ordered an all in one cable (DVI->HDMI from XtremeMac) and it works fine: I can take it up to 1080i, just as if I had plugged it in directly with DVI.

Of course, now I'll be curious to see if I can stretch the display canvas to go from one edge of the TV to the other - right now there's some dead black space around the actualy desktop (or video that's playing back).

For me, it's a nice alternative to Apple TV - I can still rent/buy via iTunes directly on the box, I still get the Front Row (v2) experience, and I can replace my DVD player if I wanted to.

Thanks for the help!

Reply

Answer 5

Jan 19, 2008 7:27 AM in response to BSteely

By connecting to the Mac Mini via VNC, I was able to find out that it was detecting the HDTV properly and automatically switching to its native resolution (1920x1080). However, the TV is arbitrarily refusing to show anything. If I change the resolution to 1280x1024 or smaller, everything works correctly.

I called up Insignia tech support and they are sending someone out to look at the TV next weekend, so for now I'm back to using the VGA connection.

Reply