Mac Mini Intel and Samsung LCD TV 32-inch question

Question

Mac Mini Intel and Samsung LCD TV 32-inch question

Hi everyone

I posted a few months back about this set up and received great information connecting the two using a DVI-to-HDMI cable.

I finally got the Samsung LN-S3252D (1080i resolution; 1366 x 768 pixel resolution; 2 HDMI inputs; 1 PC input; 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio)

I have it connected to my Mini Core Duo via the DVI-to-HDMI ports. All looks awesome...great picture, clarity and color....especially when you view hi-res photos or download an HD Movie trailer.

My issue is the menus on my screen are all proprotionally larger, so I don't gain any real estate on my 32 inch screen. When I visit the Apple store and try their 30-inch Cinima Display the menus aren't as large, thus you have more room to work with.

My question is, do I need to configure something different in my display panel?

Currently I have it set for 1280x720...millions of colors...60Hz.

I would appreciate any help. Thanks.

Stephan

Powerbook G4 | iPod Nano | Mac Mini Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Jul 31, 2006 10:30 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 31, 2006 11:20 PM in response to Stephan Longo

Please help..

I jumped the gun and installed SwitchResX...set up a custom display and now my Samsung Monitor doesn't not recognize mu Mini....it comes up saying 'not supported". Thank god I didn't trash my older monitor so I can get back online.

I trashed every SwitchResX file and restarted my Mini, but I can't get the Samsung to work again.

Please help...I've never felt so frustrated.

Thanks.

Stephan

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Answer 2

D7

Level 2

300 points

Aug 1, 2006 7:10 AM in response to Stephan Longo

Apple's 30" display has a 2560 x 1600 resolution, which is about 4 x more pixel real estate than your monitor even though the physical size is similar. The resolution of your monitor is roughly typical of most computer monitors so physical size is really all you have gained (and have so stated).

I'm not aware of any settings that allow setting the size of menus and other items. I know in Windows one could load 'Small fonts' or 'Large fonts' but I see no comparible capability under OSX.

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Answer 3

Aug 1, 2006 7:22 AM in response to D7

Thanks D7 for the comparison question on monitors.

Regarding my new problem (Samsung now not recognized after installing SwitchResX), do you know of how to resolve this? I can't even use the monitor now...I'm typing this using my old CRT. Do I need to post a new message?

Thanks again.

Stephan

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Answer 4

D7

Level 2

300 points

Aug 1, 2006 7:23 AM in response to Stephan Longo

One additional note. Your monitor, like mine, is capable of 1080i which is 1920 x 1080 resolution AS INPUT. Displayed resolution remains in the 1360x768 to 1280x768 range. That means the output will be interpolated and will not look so hot for text although you may not notice so much for videos. I suggest you use the native resolution of 1360x768--it will look the best.

As for your monitor settings, you could reinstall the operating system from scratch (wiping the contents)--that would do it. That's a bit brute force, though. You could try booting in 'safe mode' and seeing if the monitor is detected properly and save settings there. It seems that Switchres settings/modifications have left you with grief.

For what it's worth, I reinstalled the OS after goofing around with Switchres after walking the same path you just walked. Couldn't see my display. And I didn't have the help of another monitor--luckly I was able to borrow the wired keyboard and mouse from my iMac since all I had was wireless KBs. Not fun.

If you want to reinstall the OS, insert the first CD and restart. After the apple chime, press and hold 'apple c'. Select to boot from the install CD and go from there.

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Answer 5

Aug 1, 2006 9:45 AM in response to D7

One questions about booting in safe mode. Do I connect my Samsung LCD to my Mini, and then reboot? Or do I connect my old CRT Monitor and reboot, then swtich monitor connections?

Thanks so much. I'll try this as soon as I get home from work today.

See what I get when I try to modify things, especially after it was working fine. I know only enough to be dangerous. My wife told me when it first worked not to do anything....

Thanks again.

Stephan

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Answer 6

D7

Level 2

300 points

Aug 1, 2006 8:47 PM in response to Stephan Longo

Stephan,

Use the safe mode startup by holding down shift while booting. Then go into the display preferences and see if you can select one of the display modes that worked previously. Then reboot. Try again if necessary.

Otherwise, there's the brute force reinstallation of the OS. If you can't get things working via safe mode, this is likely the only option. If you have a lot of data on the machine that is not backed up, go ahead and backup first. If this seems over the top, you may want to repost this new problem so you get the benefit of other's suggestions as well.

Good luck.

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Answer 7

Aug 1, 2006 8:57 PM in response to D7

Thanks D7

I've tried everything up to re-installing OS X.

I tried safe boot....I get the screen back, but then when I restart the LCDTV says "not supported mode"

I tried resetting the PRAM and NVRAM...nothing.

I unplugged the monitor for a while, thinking it may rest...nothing.

What's strange is my old ViewSonic A90 CRT is still working fine....that's what I'm using now. Go figure.

Thank you very much for your time and help...I hope it works after re-intalling.

Stephan

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Answer 8

D7

Level 2

300 points

Aug 1, 2006 8:59 PM in response to Stephan Longo

Good luck to you.

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Answer 9

Aug 1, 2006 10:47 PM in response to D7

Just wanted to let you know I re-installed OS X and all is working fine! I am just updating the software.

D7, thanks again for your help. Much appreciated.

Stephan

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Answer 10

Sniwi

Level 1

0 points

Aug 2, 2006 1:58 AM in response to Stephan Longo

Hi Stephan,

You say : "I have it connected to my Mini Core Duo via the DVI-to-HDMI ports. All looks awesome..."

I have tried to do the same with Samsung LE26R71B but am unable to run it at the screen native resolution of 1360x768. (1280x720 is possible but this results in part of the screen not being visible)

Via VGA no problem to run it at 1360x768, but I would like to use the digital possibilities of both devices ...

Could you explain how you got it to run 1360x768 using HDMI ?

Anybody else experiencing similar problems with DVI->HDMI connection ?

Thx !

Mac Mini (Intel) Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 11

Aug 2, 2006 7:41 AM in response to Sniwi

I have the exact same situation.

You'll need to make sure your make display seeting is at the 1280x720, since the Mini won't support 1360x728.

As for the screen issue, you'll need to go to System Preferences>Displays...then click the tab 'Options'...and unselect the override button.

All should be fine then.

Stephan

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Answer 12

JuhaN

Level 1

0 points

Aug 4, 2006 1:06 AM in response to Sniwi

It's the Samsung LCD-TV being the problem here...

It does support full 1360x768 from PC-input but HDMI is just for HDTV-resolutions 480p,720p,1080i (with horrible overscan). NO 1360x768 from there!!

I have a Samsung LE26R51B myself and Mini certainly supports 1360x768 from DVI if you have a display that supports it. Samsung isn't one of them...

=)juha

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