MacMini - LG 27EA63 (1920x1080) - HDMI or USB-C?

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Level 1

13 points

MacMini - LG 27EA63 (1920x1080) - HDMI or USB-C?

Hello! I just replaced my late 2008 MacBook with a new MacMini. I connected the MacMini to my LG 27EA63 (1920x1080) monitor with an HDMI-HDMI cable, but the resolution seems poorer (grainier) than the resolution I used to have when the 2008 MacBook was connected to the same monitor (via Mini Display Port - HDMI). Is this just my imagination or am I supposed to change some settings? Otherwise, should I rather use a USB-C - HDMI cable or would that not lead to any improvements?

Thanks in advance and best wishes,

Alex

Posted on Mar 23, 2020 3:33 PM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,130 points

Mar 25, 2020 5:02 AM in response to Lpost

You might consider calibrating this monitor again for the Mac mini GPU, and adjusting some of the resolution controls on the onscreen display. The LG specs for this monitor also mention a DVI-D input, but do not state that it supports more than the HDMI 1920x1080 resolution.

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Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

158,586 points

Mar 25, 2020 8:51 AM in response to Lpost

Potentially, but it's one of those things you will need to try to find out. I would second VikingOSX comments about trying to calibrate your monitor first.

FWIW. I also have a 2018 mini. In my case I have a Dell 4K monitor which I have connected via a direct HDMI connection. When I first upgraded to macOS Catalina, I found that I couldn't get a signal to the monitor. I resorted to using a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter which resolved it. When Apple released 10.15.1, I found that I could use the direct HDMI connection again. Go figure!

... so, in your case, you may have to try using different adapters if calibrating your monitor doesn't help.

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

158,586 points

Mar 24, 2020 11:53 AM in response to Lpost

By new are you referring to the 2018 or 2020 model that was just released? I'm going to assume it's the 2018 for now.

There are a number of ways that this model supports output at: 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz:

Using a Thunderbolt 3-to-Thunderbolt 2 adapter connected to a Thunderbolt 2 display.
Using a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter
Using a USB-C-to-Single-Link DVI adapter
Using a USB-C-to-VGA adapter
Using a direct HDMI-to-HDMI connection

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Answer 4

QuickPost

Level 10

103,455 points

Mar 23, 2020 10:02 PM in response to Lpost

Hello,

This is a known problem. I ask that you please submit a bug report, using the following link, so Apple can address it in a future system update.

In the meantime I suggest that you look into using a different connection medium to connect your display to your Macintosh.

Apple Product Feedback

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Answer 5

Lpost Author

Level 1

13 points

Mar 25, 2020 4:36 AM in response to Tesserax

Thanks for the replies!

Yes, it is a MacMini 2018. I am using the HDMI-HDMI cable. The issue is simply that the resolution is poorer than with my old (late 2008) MacBook, using the same LG monitor. The resolution is granier, choppier.

And yes, the setting is 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz.

Thanks and best wishes

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