Mac Mini Doesn't Display through Philips Tube HDTV

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Mac Mini Doesn't Display through Philips Tube HDTV

I have a Philips tube HDTV with a VGA connector in the back, and used the DVI-VGA connector that came with my new Mac Mini to connect. I don't have a computer monitor at home. The TV doesn't display anything.

So then I took the Mac Mini over to a friend's. He has a VGA monitor, and so he ran the Mac Mini through setup and set it to the lowest possible display settings. I came back here, rebooted and plugged it back in; still no display.

Then I tried this:

"First thing to try is to boot the mini into safe mode by holding down the shift key as it boots up. This should allow it to boot, and then give you access to the display preference pane to adjust the settings back to those that worked.

If that doesn't work, try disconnecting the TV, and rebooting the Mac with no display attached. Once it has fully booted and enough time has passed to allow the desktop to be displayed, reconnected the TV. This should force the mini to boot into a low-res mode that works with just about anything, then when you reconnect the display, either cause it to auto-sense the correct resolutions, or give you access to display preferences."

This didn't work either. Any suggestions?

Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Jun 12, 2007 5:28 AM

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Answer 1

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Jun 12, 2007 7:15 PM in response to Alan Mo

Are you sure you are properly selecting the VGA input on the Philips TV? I doubt it automatically switches to that input just because there is an active signal on it. You need to use the TVs remote and switch to that input.

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Answer 2

Aug 13, 2007 9:13 PM in response to BSteely

I have a similar issue with Philipps 30PF9975/12. It works as monitor for my Powerbook G4 but not for the new mac mini - it says picture format not available. the mac mini works with other TVs with VGA input or with different monitors.

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Answer 3

Sep 26, 2007 7:47 PM in response to Darthvaderic

Similar issue with an Akai. My Macbook works fine (once I set the res on the laptop correctly). Mini will not run TV after the initial grey boot screen.

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Answer 4

Sep 26, 2007 8:36 PM in response to Alan Mo

Hi Alan,

Check your TV manual to see what resolutions your VGA/RGB connector on your TV will accept. Being a HDTV it is likely to be from 480p to at least 1080i.

You then set the resolution in your Display preference pane to 640x480 and you should get a picture on your TV. The trick is to set it when you can't see anything! Attaching to another device may not help because the Mac detects that device when you set the Display and will know its not that when attached again to your TV. When attached to your TV it is setting another resolution it thinks will work. It is clearly guessing the wrong screen resolution when you do connect it.

I overcame this situation myself using a VNC client. That requires you to have another computer you can use to control your Mac Mini via VNC. You can then access the Display pane via VNC and set the 640x480 resolution which will work.

For setting 1080i (and the VNC process) please see:

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20060319073027371&query=1080i%2BMac %2BMini

I am guessing you can also use an S Video adapter - available from Apple - to connect to an S Video port your TV may also have. That won't help with the VGA connection though.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 5

Greg.S

Level 1

0 points

Sep 28, 2007 1:05 AM in response to Alan Mo

It is possible your TV is seeing the Mac Mini as a "data" input rather than a "video" input. If there is an option for this on your TV menu check there first.

If that doesn't work try creating a monitor profile that is 640 X 480 (interlaced) and using the "Generic RGB" or "NTSC/PAL" profile. One or the other should work.

Worst case scenario: you need to get a VGA > Component cable ($15-$50 depending on length and quality) or a DVI > HDMI adapter to connect to one of the other inputs on your TV.

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