Macbook Pro 13' (2011) HDMI poor quality

Question

Level 1

2 points

Macbook Pro 13' (2011) HDMI poor quality

Im crazing with a bizarre issue (i think) on my Macbook Pro 13'' Intel HD 3000 running OSX 1.6.8 updated.

When i connect my mbp on my Samsung TV T240M Full HD (16:10) the image quality is very poor and the screen image dont fits the screen, so i have to downscale the image on settings to see the top bar and bottom bar.

The bizarre thing is that doesnt happes when im using windows 7 on bootcamp.

The issues with miniDP - HDMI adapter on OSX:

- The image is cutted at the top, bottom and side on 1920x1200

- The black quality isnt vivid

- The fonts are very hard to read

- If i set the resolution to 1080p the image looks a worst then 1920 x 1200

What i have tried:

- Change HDMI cable

- Change HDMI adapter

- Tweak color profiles, calibration (on TV and OSX), resolutions with SwitchresX, etc

- PRAM reset

What have worked:

- If i use a DVI cable the image looks normal and fits all the screen

- Use HDMI on bootcamp Windows 7

I hope that anyone or Apple have a aswer to that.

Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Jun 25, 2011 6:09 AM

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Answer 1

K T

Level 7

23,877 points

Jun 25, 2011 6:12 AM in response to madsenfelipe

You might consider walking it and the cable into the nearest Apple Store and asking for an opinion there.

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Answer 2

Jun 25, 2011 11:48 PM in response to madsenfelipe

I guess the obvious question is....why not go ahead and use the DVI cable? Do you need the DVI input on the TV for another component?

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Answer 3

AussieDJ

Level 4

1,445 points

Jun 26, 2011 1:49 AM in response to madsenfelipe

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/899863?start=0&tstart=0

EDIT: Service Menu on the Samsung if your game. But press the wrong button once & your TV is BRICKED forever.

PS: I did it on my Series 5 last night... It now thinks it's a Series 6.

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Answer 4

Jun 26, 2011 3:48 AM in response to madsenfelipe

HDMI does not support 1920x1200 but only 1920x1080

This means that if you map 1:1 pixels you get black bars, if instead it filles vertically you cut the side view to 1728

HDMI is designed for displays that are 16:9 not 16:10

You will get better results with a VGA adapter

The same issue occurs pretty much on all apple products not just the MbPro

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Answer 5

AussieDJ

Level 4

1,445 points

Jun 26, 2011 3:59 AM in response to madsenfelipe

How about cycling through your P.SIZE button on the remote?

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Answer 6

madsenfelipe Author

Level 1

2 points

Jun 26, 2011 4:35 AM in response to JohnBarrett

I use a lot my mbp to watch movies etc. With HDMI i got sound and imagem in high resolution with one cable. Some TV's doesnt have dvi anymore.

Im looking for a solution for this hdmi question. Thank you!

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Answer 7

madsenfelipe Author

Level 1

2 points

Jun 26, 2011 4:38 AM in response to Interceptor121

And how about the perfect image on Windows 7 by bootcamp?

The same output, the same device, differents results on different OS's.

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Answer 8

madsenfelipe Author

Level 1

2 points

Jun 26, 2011 4:38 AM in response to AussieDJ

The P.SIZE dont gave me a "just scan" option when connected to macbook.

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Answer 9

madsenfelipe Author

Level 1

2 points

Jun 26, 2011 4:40 AM in response to AussieDJ

I already have access to service menu on my TV, but i cant see any useful option. Any idea?

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Answer 10

AussieDJ

Level 4

1,445 points

Jun 26, 2011 4:53 AM in response to madsenfelipe

Ok.

Go to your TV's Menu & go to Picture Options. Then select size: 'Screen Fit'. There are a few other options there for HDMI Black Level as well.

Plug it up & go to Display Preferences.

Hit 'Detect Displays'.

A seperate menu will come up on your TV. You can then select 'Display Calibrator Assistant', as well as play with some other settings. You can hit the 'Advanced' button if you wish.

I'm doing the above as we speak.

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Answer 11

madsenfelipe Author

Level 1

2 points

Jun 29, 2011 9:44 AM in response to AussieDJ

I already try that. Its uneffective.

Its cleary a issue with OSX, once on Windows 7 by bootcamp everything is perfect.

Hope apple fix that.

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Answer 12

madsenfelipe Author

Level 1

2 points

Jun 29, 2011 11:04 AM in response to madsenfelipe

After call to Apple, they say to me that i need to call with Intel and ask to make a compatible drive.

What a surprise? After call intel, the aswer is:

Victor: It seems like they misinformed you. Intel® does not support or provide drivers for Mac* operating system. This will only be handled by Apple*.

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Answer 13

Aug 13, 2012 1:06 PM in response to madsenfelipe

Hi,

I recently experienced a similar problem. I have a Samsung television and a Sony sound system.

What I found is that only one of the HDMI ports on my television (the one on the side) produces proper video quality, whether I am using an HDMI connector form my MacBook Pro, or a DVI-to-HDMI cable on my Mac mini. In short: the rear HDMI ports produced the problem, but the side one did not. As such, I route everything through my receiver and then pipe it into my TV's side HDMI port. I'm hoping a similar adjustment can solve your problem, too.

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Answer 14

Imperyal

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2012 5:39 PM in response to madsenfelipe

Hello! I just want to share my experience with that issue. I have a Samsung 46B8000 led TV. After I upgrade my Mac with an SSD (I've done a fresh install of mountain lion) I experience bad quality on the TV (over MDP to DVI adaptor, and a DVI to HDMI cable) , it was working very well on Lion... At the same time I also upgraded my TV firmware. After lots of trial and error I finally found the solution. For my particular case, ML have nothing to do with that. It's an option on the TV, on the Sources menu, it is necessary to edit the name of hdmi1 to PC or PC DVI. Yes, the NAME, not some setting or picture option... How would've thought? And you have to set 1080p 60 Hz on the MAC, otherwise it will not have good quality. Final conclusion is that poorly designed software on the Samsung TV was the main problem! I hope this works for others too...

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Answer 15

Jan 7, 2013 7:21 AM in response to Imperyal

It did actually make some difference!! Its not perfect yet, but I can see it is better tahn before. I'll keep tweaking the regular options to reach something good. Thanks

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