Mac Mini HDMI to HDTV wrong size

Question

Mac Mini HDMI to HDTV wrong size

So this is odd. When I check system information and look at displays, my Mac mini says that I am connected to a 20.5-inch (1280 x 720) LG TV Display.

But this is a 55-inch TV that is also 1080p.

In preferences I have resolution set to Scaled and 1080p. I had to set the underscan at almost halfway to make the image fit on the TV. I'm wondering if this is because the Mac thinks the display is less than half the size it actually is?

Mac Mini 2.5GHz i5 late 2012 via HDMI

Intel HD Graphics 4000 1024 MB

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Nov 2, 2014 4:38 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Nov 2, 2014 4:58 AM in response to babyaligators

What if you set it for Best for display?

Does the TV have any setting to change?

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Answer 2

Nov 2, 2014 5:04 AM in response to lllaass

Best for display is a low resolution. I think it's doing 1360x768. Which is a rather random (well to me) resolution. I suppose if I wanted to be reading text, that may be the best resolution, but I'm using this as an HTPC, so I'm going for 1080p for movies and such.

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Answer 3

Nov 6, 2014 7:57 PM in response to babyaligators

I have had my late 2009 mini connected to 2 LG HDTVs now, and each time I hook it up I ALWAYS forget the secret sauce. In fact I found this thread tonight in frustration over the scanning being wrong on my recently purchased 55BL5900. Once you have your display resolution set to 1080p/i or 720p, in your LG menu find the aspect ratio. It is probably set to 16:9. Change it to "Just Scan", and enjoy perfect HD resolution from your mini on your fantastic LG TV.

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Answer 4

Nov 6, 2014 8:48 PM in response to halber_mensch

Ah, I was so excited for this answer! But I don't have "Just Scan" on my LG 52LB5. I do have "Set By Program". I don't know if that does the same thing. I'm not sure it does.

Hey, but thank you for the best suggestion so far...

Oh, when you do put your tv on Just Scan, if you look at About This Mac > Displays, do you get the correct TV size and resolution? Thank you again!

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Answer 5

Nov 7, 2014 1:36 AM in response to babyaligators

I wouldn't worry about the display size it detects, I would assume that it's bogus EDID information. In any case, overscan is just a fact of life for TVs. See http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/hd-101-overscan-and-why-all-tvs-do-it for an explanation. I think I found a manual for your TV, and it indicates there is a picture->screen menu where you can twiddle the size. This might help. You probably won't get pixel-for-pixel 1080p with this TV, from the looks of things :/ It just doesn't appear to support it.

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Answer 6

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Nov 7, 2014 5:21 AM in response to babyaligators

Try using one of these apps:

SwitchResX – The Most Versatile Tool For Controlling Screen Resolutions On Your Mac

Display Menu from Mac App Store

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