Getting crisp text on Samsung 32" LED 1080p HDTV with new Mac Mini (late 2012)

Question

Level 1

0 points

Getting crisp text on Samsung 32" LED 1080p HDTV with new Mac Mini (late 2012)

Hi,

I just bought the base model of the new Mac Mini (late 2012) and a Samsung 32" LED 1080p HDTV 5000 series (UN32EH5000).

I have them connected by a Monster brand HDMI-HDMI cable, 8'. Having done a lot of research on these forums already, I have it connected in the HDMI-1 port, I have the source set to PC.

I have a pretty good picture but the text just isn't quite there. I have played with the "sharpness" settings, but the lower I set it the more blurry it gets.

What can I do?

Should I try a different kind of cable?

Thanks

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Oct 29, 2012 6:40 AM

Reply

Answer 1

bobwild

Level 4

1,640 points

Oct 29, 2012 7:03 AM in response to humblpirate

HDTVs are not great as a computer monitor. The large size of the screen and low resolution means text is not sharp. Should be good for gaming though.

24" LCD computer monitors are typically 1920x1080. The 32" HDTV is the same resolution shown on a much larger screen.

new 27" computer moitors are using 2560x1440 resolution. There is no way a 32" HDTV at 1920x1080 will show text as well.

Reply

Answer 2

humblpirate Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 29, 2012 7:07 AM in response to bobwild

I've seen answers on this and other forums that solve the problem for other people's TVs, so I have to believe that there are settings and cables that I can change for my TV that will help.

Reply

Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,154 points

Oct 29, 2012 11:47 AM in response to humblpirate

I believe that the PC source setting on your Samsung 32" TV may be internally calibrated for HDMI input from Windows 7, and not a Mac. Different graphic drivers, color calibration, and font display handling. Can't picture Samsung testing this with a Mac these days.

Try toggling the LCD font smoothing selection in System Preferences > General. It may be counter-intuitive to your goal. Also, try changing your Display Profile to sRGB.

Do either of these make any visual difference on your TV?

Reply

Answer 4

humblpirate Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 29, 2012 1:00 PM in response to VikingOSX

Turning of the LCD font smoothing seems to have helped a tiny bit. It was only noticeable in 720p (which I switched to just to see if I could see a difference). I don't know how to change my display profile to sRGB. I did the color calibration and that seemed to help as well. But who really knows at this point, considering the amount I have fiddled with these settings.

The text looks fine blown up in Chrome, but the tab titles, iTunes, and the settings dialog boxed are weird looking.

Reply

Answer 5

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,154 points

Oct 29, 2012 1:43 PM in response to humblpirate

The sRGB* option should be listed under your Displays > Color tab. Don't have a TV connected to check this for an HDMI connection.

Hopefully, something will help.

Did you get 3D glasses with that TV .... 😉

Reply

Answer 6

WagnerLD

Level 1

0 points

Dec 18, 2013 8:40 AM in response to humblpirate

if you haven't figure it out, this might be of help:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4635408

Reply

Answer 7

Dec 18, 2013 8:45 AM in response to WagnerLD

WagnerLD wrote:

if you haven't figure it out, this might be of help:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4635408

The OP already tried that:

I have them connected by a Monster brand HDMI-HDMI cable, 8'. Having done a lot of research on these forums already, I have it connected in the HDMI-1 port, I have the source set to PC.

Reply