Intel mac mini & 46" samsung DLP

Any helpfull info on a new intel mac mini and a DLP? I would like to use it for a media center. What cable to buy? Hows the screen res? Any known problems?
Can anyone help?

iMac G5 20, Mac OS X (10.4.2), Looking to buy a 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo processor

Posted on Mar 14, 2006 7:49 AM

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8 replies

Mar 14, 2006 2:32 PM in response to --NUCCI--

I connected my mac mini core duo (intel) to a Samsung DLP. Works fine with one caveat (not mac specific - in fact, a problem with all TV type displays, I think, but I'm no expert).

When using a DVI cable (inexpensive online, expensive at radio shack, best buy, etc.), the monitor will give you a choice between PC and TV. When you choose "TV", you'll get a perfect dot-for-dot display on the monitor. However, you'll also have an "overscan" problem which I don't really understand but can describe -- the very outer edges of the image spill off the edge of the screen (my uneducated guess is that a portion of the screen is hidden by the frame). Unfortunately, on my screen the cutoff portion includes most of the menu bar. Setting the monitor to "PC" will modestly (5% or so) shrink the image to ensure it fits on the screen. However, this means the monitor is interpolating (no longer dot for dot - which seems to defeat the purpose of DVI) and things get slightly (and I mean very slightly) fuzzy. Not an issue at all with photos or even video. You can tell the difference on text though. I'm using my mini as a media center so don't care and the fuzziness is so slight it doesn't really bother me when I use Safari but you asked. Again, this isn't a mini issue. You'll get it on any set up using the DLP as a monitor (and that's why Samsung gives you the "PC" option).

On screen resolution, the mini identifies the samsung automatically and will set its resolution to match the native resolution. You'll want to go through the screen calibration preference panel (choose the advanced option) to get the colors just right - takes about 10 minutes. I'm happy with this set up, especially with wireless keyboard and mouse. Remote with FrontRow is great.

Finally, I'm considering using the VGA input. Given that DVI is already interpolating, maybe the VGA will actually be a little sharper.

MiniDuo; iBook G4; iMacG3 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

MiniDuo; iBook G4; iMacG3 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

MiniDuo; iBook G4; iMacG3 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Mar 16, 2006 4:53 PM in response to Paul Hong

I also have a Mini G4 hooked up to my 50" Samsung DLP. When I use the default resolution, the image doesn't fill up the screen. when I change the resolution to the next highest resolution, I get the overscan problem. There are programs out there than allow you to create custom resolutions, but I haven't had much luck. When I'm watching TV via the EyeTV 200, I use the default resolution. For DVDs, I kick up the resolution but don't care of the menu and 1/2 the dock is off the screen. Still rocks as a HTPC.

G5 Dual 2.0/iBook G4 1.0

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Intel mac mini & 46" samsung DLP

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