G4 Mac Mini with Toshiba CRT HDTV

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Level 1

9 points

G4 Mac Mini with Toshiba CRT HDTV

Hello all. I'm trying to hook up my Mac Mini (original G4 model) to my Toshiba HDTV (30HF85) using a Dvi to HDMI cable (DVI-D; a basic cable purchased from amazon). Unfortunately, I'm not getting any picture at all - just a black screen. I'm sure that neither the cable nor the hdmi port are faulty; I ran another mac (2005-6 G4 Powerbook) through the cable to the TV, and got a very clear picture. Likewise, the mac mini is still in working order, and connects with no problem to an any VGA monitor via the included DVI-VGA adapter. I have a suspicion that it has to do with the cable I purchased - it's Dual link. I've read in some places that this shouldn't matter, but in others, that this is a problem for older mac minis. Any ideas about what's going on here?

Mac Mini G4 (Original Model), Mac OS X (10.3.x)

Posted on Jul 14, 2010 12:22 PM

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Answer 1

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Jul 14, 2010 9:16 PM in response to jss13

Since you have two Macs, I recommend you try the following:

• Hook up the G4 PowerBook to the TV and open Displays preferences on the PB and make note of the resolution in use that is giving a very clear picture.
• Enable screen sharing on the mini (using a computer monitor if you have to)
• With the mini connected to the TV, share its screen to the PB and from the PB you should be able to set the mini to the exact same setting that is working so well from the PB.

About your dual-link question, I doubt that's the problem. HDMI to dual-link doesn't even make sense because and HDMI connector doesn't have enough pins to hook up to a dual-link DVI connector.

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Answer 2

jss13 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 15, 2010 1:52 PM in response to BSteely

That worked, more or less - the Mini isn't supporting the same 1080i that the Powerbook did, but I don't really care. Thank you for your help!

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Answer 3

lxb

Level 1

0 points

Jul 25, 2010 11:08 AM in response to jss13

I am looking at purchasing a Mac Mini G4 used and face the same problem. My TV guys (Mitsubishi) said I should use a DVI(mac) to HDMI (TV), but I would need a separate "plug" for audio. Can you recommend the best?? Are some of these cables one way only??? At Complete loss ...they all look the same from $5 to $99!!!

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Answer 4

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Jul 31, 2010 5:16 AM in response to lxb

If you are talking about a DVI to HDMI cable, just get the cheap one. Digital signals are fairly immutable. When a company tries to tell you that gold plating makes their cable better, run the other way. You don't need to spend $100.

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Answer 5

Aug 2, 2010 9:00 AM in response to BSteely

So I want to buy a 32" full HD flatscreen tv to hook up to my mac mini, do I just need a DVI to HDMI cable, or are there compatability issues? I do want to get 1920x1080 resolution out of the tv screen, otherwise it'll be no better than my current cheapo 19" monitor - right?

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Answer 6

Mr.C UK

Level 2

410 points

Aug 2, 2010 11:59 AM in response to artfennell

I have a 32" Sony Bravia full HD TV connected to my late 2009 Mac Mini. The connection goes from mini DVI to DVI adapter then a DVI/HDMI adapter which is then connected to the TV using an HDMI cable. I get 1920 x 1080 or actually 1080p. I did try a mini display to HDMI adapter along with an HDMI cable to reduce the number of connections but ran into a couple of issues so I went back to my original connection setup.

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