Pixelbox

55 comments

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1. Mike
   Hey sorry for the irrelavant comment but i have been trying to find reviews on this phillips tv for a month. Aside from your mac problems is this tv good quality in terms of HD and games. Please respond im desperate thanks
   Left on March 3, 2007 at 12:46 am
2. Rob
   Yeah mate it seems great, it is the first HD TV i have had but works well with the Wii and Xbox 360 and looks amazing! Rob
   Left on March 4, 2007 at 6:48 pm
3. Tony
   I have the same problem with my Maxent 42" Plasma. I get the initial boot screen then "RESOLUTION NOT SUPPORTED". I read something about having SwitchResX create a custom timing that sets the TMDS to 135MHz or lower....not quite sure about all that, but I'm going to throw it on my G4 Mini and see what I can find out. I've heard that it was mainly a problem with G4 Mini's but have noticed a few people with Intel Minis having similar problems. Have you tried it through Windows on your Mini?
   Left on March 14, 2007 at 1:57 am
4. Rob
   I am in the process of trying to re-format my mini to see if that fixes any problems. Hope so, or I may have to change it for another... Not tried the windows idea, but will look into that if the format does not help!
   Left on March 14, 2007 at 9:17 am
5. Pixelbox » Dust off and nuke from orbit… it’s the only way to be sure!
   [...] Recently I have had a problem with my Mac mini and it’s video card outputting to my HD TV. My last attempt at solving the problem was to, in true Aliens style, format the bastard with a fresh install of OS X. [...]
   Left on March 15, 2007 at 4:06 pm
6. HappySpaceInvdr
   I got a bit further with my Panasonic TV. I get a picture but it's either framed by a thick black border on all sides, (overscan mode) or the same amount is chopped off on all four sides ( a sort of 'zoomed-in' view). I used a VGA cable instead and, although the picture isn't as good, at least it fills the screen. The problem comes when watching DVDs, because my screen res is 1280x768, which is not 16:9 widescreen, so the picture is a bit squashed vertically.
   Left on March 17, 2007 at 12:02 pm
7. Rob
   Thats strange as your hardware must be working (sort of) to get anything at all. My boss way saying he got something like that but with a VGA cable it was much better quality but not as well fitting. Not sure what I am going to do with mine now...
   Left on March 17, 2007 at 12:08 pm
8. Rob
   I think I may have found the problem... My mini! I tried another same spec mini that I got form work and it was fine! Seems like it may be a fault in a batch perhaps?
   Left on April 13, 2007 at 9:46 am
9. Meathead
   I have a huge Hitachi Plasma. I am in the process of trying to configure my new entertainment room. I am having the same problem coupling my new mac mini with my Hitachi plasma. I am using hdmi connection. Initially it worked fine. I then changed some settings on my display (i.e. in the OS X) The plasma blacked out. I then used a small vga moniter to recover the initial mac mini settings. Now the moniter shows the mac mini booting up but then cuts out and I get a "no synchronized signal" error message. After reading this blog I must conclude that I need to re install the OS X (alien style). I bet that I have screwed up a setting and have no idea how to fix it. I hope this works.
   Left on April 20, 2007 at 11:28 am
10. Rob
    I am not sure you have to re install, and hey at least you mini is not broke like mine was. You should try setting the resolution back to 800x600 and then plugging the mac in after it has booted and doing an auto detect. Better still try loggin in through remote desktop or VNC and changing the resolution or choosing auto detect when it is saying "no synchronized signal" Hope that helps
    Left on April 20, 2007 at 11:47 am
11. Aaron Urbain
    when I connect my intel mac mini via vga to my sharp 32" HD tv, it works great. When I use a DVI to HDMI cable, black screen after boot and a message from the display saying bad res values.
    Left on April 23, 2007 at 9:28 pm
12. Rob
    Hey Aaron, welcome to the debate. Assuming that your cables are OK you should try downloading SwitchResX or DisplayConfig X
    Left on April 23, 2007 at 9:45 pm
13. David Brookes
    Hi Rob, I have the exact same Philips 32 inch LCD TV. I was planning on getting a Mac Mini that would be connected to the LCD full time, but then I noticed in the TV's manual that the max "PC" resolution is 1024 x 768. That is, not widescreen, not the full resolution of the TV or the Mac Mini. My question is, what resolution were ou finally able to get when connecting your Mac Mini to that Philips LCD using the DVI -> HDMI cable?? This has been really bugging me because I relly want to get a Mac Mini for watching DVDs, DivX etc on this great TV. Thanks for any help! Daver
    Left on May 10, 2007 at 6:21 pm
14. Rob
    Hi Dave, Mine seems to work with anything up to 1080, and it should be the same for you. Perhaps the manual is talking about through VGA input or perhaps it's talking about the highest standard PC resolution. I would try it with another computer (mac if you can), or if not take a risk and just get it. I expect it will all be fine :)
    Left on May 11, 2007 at 10:09 am
15. David Brookes
    I'd say you're right Rob, I suspect the manual means max PC resolution of 1024 x 768 if you're using VGA or S-Video or composite. I have an upscaling DVD player that connects via HDMI and it gets full resolution, so I don't see why the Mac Mini or any other DVI / HDMI device wouldn't be able to. Might need to use SwitchResX or one of those utilities to get it absolutely perfect, but that should be manageable. Cheers!
    Left on May 11, 2007 at 2:15 pm
16. David Brookes
    Hey Rob, I did a bit more digging on the net and it looks like the Philips 32PF5321 doesn't officially support proper HD from a PC or a Mac. By default, it only displays at 1024 x 768, with black borders on the sides. Can I be really really annoying and ask you how you got the Mac Mini to display in full resolution? By which I mean 1280 x 720 or 1366 x 768 (proper widescreen). Does SwitchResX allow you to output the proper resolution that works with the Philips LCD? Would be a major bummer if the Mac Mini could only work with the basic resolution and the black borders on the sides.... Thanks a lot Rob! Much appreciated.
    Left on May 13, 2007 at 4:49 pm
17. Sam Critchley
    Hi, I have the same sort of problem on my Macbook with an Acer AL2216W external flat screen, connected using the VGA cable and a VGA-to-mini-DVI adaptor. Sometimes the Macbook detects the monitor correctly, in which case the image is sharp, but other times it detects it as just "Display, 1680 x 1050" with a fuzzy image. My Macbook has the same graphics as the Mini: Chipset Model: GMA 950 Type: Display Bus: Built-In VRAM (Total): 64 MB of shared system memory Vendor: Intel (0x8086) Device ID: 0x27a2 Revision ID: 0x0003
    Left on May 23, 2007 at 10:46 am
18. Rob
    Not sure on that mate, may have to just re connect the macbook to the monitor again. Perhaps select the detect displays option if that helps Rob
    Left on May 23, 2007 at 1:12 pm
19. Robert
    i have the new macbook and tried to connect it to my philips hd plasma (model #42PF7321D/37). with a mini dv to dv cable connected to a dv to hdmi converter, i cannot get a signal. when i go to settings and click on displays i then get the pop up window (on the plasma) showing my options for resolution settings, etc...but no cursor. and if i change the resolution my plasma will adjust accordingly. outside of that, i cannot get a signal on my plasma. i can't really tell by reading here if this is the same problem, but perhaps you might know how to resolve this. is it a macbook issue or does my tv simply not support the connectivity i'm using?
    Left on May 29, 2007 at 3:55 pm
20. Rob
    If you can see the pop up window on your plasma, then isn't it working... bar seeing the cursor. Which may just be because your resolution is too fuzzy? Don't think this is the same issue I had, but hope there is something helpful in the comments :)
    Left on May 29, 2007 at 3:59 pm
21. ah
    hi, i tried hooking my intel mac mini to my 42" panasonic ED plasma. I bought switchResX and displyconfigX - those programs are rubbish and very user unfriendly. don't waste your money anyone! so now i just want to buy an lcd tv for the bedroom it has to be 26, 27 or 32 " max. my only requirement is i can plug in my mac mini and get native widescreen resolution, i don't want to fuff about with this anymore. anyone out there, please tell me if they had carefree success hooking a mac mini to their lcd tv.
    Left on June 3, 2007 at 7:59 pm
22. Rob
    I have to agree with you on those programs for usability, so may options and things grayed out without explanation... My TV is very good if not a little jaggie, but fine for films. I think most TVs will be OK, for me it was the Mini which was the problem
    Left on June 4, 2007 at 9:01 am
23. ah
    Hey rob, the mac mini wasn't really designed to be a media center. i think it was after thought to play catch up with windows. however, i would have hoped by now that one of the LCD TV manufacturers (Sharp, LG, Samsung, Song, Philips, JVC) would have copped on and added a PC Mode resolution as more and more people are hooking up the PCs in the Living Room. If Apple TV had a 3.5 inch drive slot or 2 for large 750 GB or 1TB drives and it had a DVD player I would have opted for that. I think I might try to find someone who will upgrade the video card in the Mac Mini? Oh wait, i think i read it's integrated into the motherboard?
    Left on June 13, 2007 at 1:12 pm
24. Marko
    the signal gets lost using the hdmi/dvi cable to the HDTV. I got mine working by using the VGA cable. It will detect the mac mini then and default it to 800 x 600 or something like that at 60 mhz. I had success up to 1280x1024 with the vga cable and it looks good. I will keep playing with it to see if i can get that damn hdmi cable working.
    Left on June 20, 2007 at 12:34 pm
25. Rob
    You should make sure you are not pumping the refresh rate too high, if you do then it will just go black and say no signal. Make sure when you up the res you keep the refresh rate at between 50-60htz Hope that helps you!
    Left on June 20, 2007 at 12:37 pm
26. Tim Halberg
    Anyone ever get the hdmi cable working off a mini?? I'm having this problem... can't find a single solution that works so far!!!
    Left on August 1, 2007 at 4:38 am
27. Rich
    I am trying to use a 42" Toshiba REGZA with my Mini. When I use the DVI to HDMI cable the picture shows up... for a while. Then it goes away. VERY annoying. Using VGA works, but I can't get widescreen. Anything over 1024x768 I get "Unsupported Video Signal". I should have just gotten another AppleTV. I hope some solution comes out soon.
    Left on August 5, 2007 at 7:14 am
28. Max
    Got the solution! I fought with my LCD TV (PANASONIC TX-32LXD70F) for 2 days... same problem, all black and cannot move between setup. U have to delete preference files for your TV that's all. Delete /libreria/preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist and home/libreria/preferences/byhost/com.apple.windowserver.000393c0fd48.plist Restart and connect your cable to your TV now... u should see something. Repeat this step every time u assign a not valid resolution. I know its lame... but at least it works. I choose VGA connector not HDMI, cause of overscan. My TV gives me possibility to move the image only with VGA input, so i can center it. About the resolution, 1360x768 @ 75Hz worked fine for me. Sorry for 6 pixel... but really dunno... Guys... FINALLY WE DID IT!
    Left on September 7, 2007 at 7:55 am
29. Jon
    Thanks Max, I had a similar issue with a Sharp LCD. Deleted those files and restarted and got the video to display, The numbers and letters following windowserver in the second filename will be different each time the file is created. As for the overscan problem, you may want to unselect the overscan option in the "options" menu in the display system preferences window.
    Left on September 24, 2007 at 5:48 am
30. Colin Smith
    I'm struggling with a similar problem. Sharp LC-32D43U LCD TV. It works beautifully at 1360x768 with my Powerbook but I get the Unsupported Signal on my Mac Mini at that resolution. Oddly, 1280 x 720 works and so does 1920x1080(interlaced). I've tried SwitchRes X and DisplayConfigX but have yet to find a satisfactory resolution and all the rebooting is killing me. Incidentally, DVI->VGA works fine at 1360 x 768 (you need to change the input resolution on the TV menu - mine was defaulted to 1024x768 and doesn't auto-detect) but after tasting the all digital DVI->HDMI I am reluctant to stop trying now. Any help would be apreciated.
    Left on September 25, 2007 at 2:11 am
31. Zach M
    Hi guys. I have some tips for y'all from my own experience as a HT enthusiast and manager of an Apple specialist: HDMI is a tough way to try to do this. My own experience with HDMI adaptation, along with use of SwitchResX and DisplayConfigX is that even when you get it working, it doesn't tend to work like you want -- for instance, even if you manage to send a 1366x768 signal (or 1360 or whatever the true native res of the TV is) TVs tend to scale the image for unknown reasons -- this results in a slightly fuzzy picture. I think this is due to the fact that HDMI, while compatible with computers, is generally not intended to be hooked up with computers. It is more intended for DVD players, cable boxes, etc, that are sending a very standard 480/720/1080 signal. Instead I prefer to use VGA. This is intended to work with computers, and as such tends to be easier to set up properly... usually you can send the native resolution (say 1366x768) to the TV and get a crisp picture. Many TVs have an option for scaling of 1:1. This means that it displays every pixel sent and does not scale the image. This results in an optimal picture. Usually this option (if available) is only seen for settings via the VGA input, and not under HDMI/Component/Etc inputs which are not intended to be used with PCs. In practice, even with a (good quality, shileded) 50' VGA cable, the picture looks very good. I am not arguing that DVI/HDMI would not theoretically provide a better picture, as I know the advantages of digital connections, I am only arguing that in practice it doesn't work like you'd want and you'll get better results from VGA.
    Left on October 4, 2007 at 8:29 pm
32. Dave D
    I'm using a 2.0Ghz Mac Mini with a DVI-HDMI cable going to a 32" Sharp LCD TV. I was trying to get the native 1360x768 working with OS X and was sure it was a problem with my TV... Until I loaded Boot camp/Vista. The Intel drivers for Vista displays beautifully at 1360x768, so it has to be a an issue with OS X. I'll be taking a look to see if dropping the refresh with SRX or DCX will get it working. I may just have to stick with Vista for my media PC needs.
    Left on October 9, 2007 at 7:21 am
33. Gerard
    People, I've had the same problem as the original poster with almost the same setup, ie; Mac Mini LCD TV. "If I reboot with the HDMI cable pluged in I get an inital boot screen but then it will go black and I am unable to get anything...". And ""RESOLUTION NOT SUPPORTED" etc.. In my case The Mini, Samsung TV and Cable were all brand new. I did all the things suggested remove the plist file, use VNC etc to no avail. I could even get a good reception using the VGA and there lay the answer. SOLUTION: The new $40 DVI-HDMI cable was faulty. But bugger me the symptoms looked almost exactly like a graphics card problem with the shaky screen on startup then dispearing into blackness..
    Left on October 18, 2007 at 4:14 pm
34. Rob
    Good to hear you got it sorted Gerrard! I was going to say it sounds like you need a new mini. I had tested my cable with my powerbook so knew it can't have been that. Lucky for you cables are cheep :)
    Left on October 18, 2007 at 4:19 pm
35. Ilker Uyanik
    Rob, I am thinking about mac mini as a media server, but my problem is the web sites like jumptv.com, which provides broadcast service for some tv channels from europe. Almost every website like this one supports only Windows Media Player as browser plug-in. Without sacrificing good OS X, how can I get this displayed on my big screen tv using mac mini? Is virtualiztion like Parallels a good solution? Would parallels support resolutions like full 1080p on mac mini?
    Left on December 6, 2007 at 4:16 am
36. Rob
    Hi Llker, I tend to you an external TV device to watch TV through the mini, but it looks like you will have to use windows to look at jumptv. Virtulisation may be the answer, I have used it before at work, but not sure about how it would cope on a mini. There is a coherence mode which allows you to open applications as though they were in OSX which is very cool!
    Left on December 6, 2007 at 11:01 am
37. ok_
    Hi all, First, apologies for my English. I am in the same trouble, perhaps the steps I have followed give an idea to someone. Mac mini 2GHz Philips 32PF9967D Connect with DVI-D – DVI-D cable The TV allows PC max resolution 1024x768, 60Hz XGA, that is great for a PC, but it has not 16:9 aspect ratio for movies. The TV is HDready then it supports 720p and 1080i, I have been changing the resolution with SwicthResX and DisplayConfigX with no luck. The best resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio that I have found are: 1280x720, without overscan (Display/options/Overscan unchecked) 1920x1080, without overscan. But in both modes some little border appears in black and the images are a bit fuzzy. If I check the overscan option some píxel are out of the TV image. I have found a tool from google developers that change the resolution from a console in any Mac, it is simple and easy but it does not show special resolution, it show only the nominal ones. If you want to try is in: http://code.google.com/p/displayutil/ I have tried also to connect with a VGA cable in this scheme: DVI-VGA converter VGA-VGA cable VGA-DVI converter, but a black screen is showed. After search some time in Internet, I have learned that there are two different management situations for signal received, from a PC and from other sources, it seems that PC signal are more accurate and the TV sellers do not spend much effort in handle this signals, probably due to the TV final price. If we pass the PC signal like a HD, the result could be enough for see a movie but not for a normal PC use. I afraid there no solution for this, I am going to throw in the towel. Regards.
    Left on December 7, 2007 at 8:59 pm
38. Nikki
    I am having same problems with my Sony LCD KDL46X Black screen with DVI to HDMI With PC connection, it boots nd starts and then you can see the resolution is changing by itself to 1024x724 (I think) and a massage comes: out of range. Anybody knows how to reset the Mac Mini's ports? Something is wrong there. Did someone succeed to connect the MAC Mini to the Sony with HDMI? Nikki
    Left on December 24, 2007 at 3:18 pm
39. Clive
    Well am I a happy bunny…. I now have 1290 x 1080 from my mac mini to Philips LCD 42PFL9632D/10 and thanks to the ability to turn overscan off within the TV settings it fits exactly to the screen. Previously I had an older Phillips LCD and the most I could get was 1024 x 762 but it had black lines down the edges. Now viewing HD on the MAC Mini is breathtaking. Wish I had a larger hard disc!!! �
    Left on January 3, 2008 at 8:33 pm
40. Rob
    I know what you mean about the hard drive Clive. I found some Planet Earth's uncompressed in HD and they are amazing, but about 1.5GB each! Some of the movie trailers on the Apple site are good too, but most of the time the colours are a bit shabby!
    Left on January 3, 2008 at 10:12 pm
41. Nic
    Just wanted to thank Max about which .plist files to delete. After much frustration searching the net for a solution, I found that this was the way to fix my 'black screen' problem on my 27" HD RCA. THANKS!
    Left on January 6, 2008 at 3:38 am
42. Alexey
    Something completely different: I plan to purchase cables to hook up my MacBook to my 32inch Samsung display through HDMI - mostly to watch movies. But... Where does the sound come from? Will that be squeezed through the MiniDVI as well? BR, Alexey
    Left on March 12, 2008 at 11:00 pm
43. Rob
    alexi: you will need a headphone to composite or to another headphone jack depending on the input options of your tv. DVI does not carry audio, so you'll need to use the headphone socket on your laptop. Hope that helps
    Left on March 12, 2008 at 11:15 pm
44. John
    My mac mini is amazingly running perfectly on any screen including my 42 inch HD TV. At the maximum resolution 1680X1050. So it's probably your HDTV who doesn't support it. And it's perfectly compatible with my widescreen display as well. So I don't know what I could tell ou except to check with your HDTV for compatibility. But for everyone Mac mini is great using almost any display art high reolution s well.
    Left on March 30, 2008 at 1:29 pm
45. Ste
    I've had the same problem with an Intel Mac Mini and a cheap lcd tv (17" widescreen). Tried all the resolution changes to no avail. However, if I leave the TV switched off until the Mac has run up it works fine. The resoltion is set to 1280x768 60Hz. Everytime I switch the Mac on the TV must be off. I presume the TV cannot hadle whatever the Mac does whilst it detects the display on switch on.
    Left on April 3, 2008 at 1:58 pm
46. Sher Shah
    I've got exactly the same HDMI out problem - difference is I got Windows XP on my Mac Mini so my guess is either the TV aint up to the refresh rate or the OS needs to be told to 'see' a low refresh rate monitor.
    Left on April 6, 2008 at 10:45 am
47. james
    CLIVE how did you do it??? Please email me! ilovedrums@gmail.com. i've got a philips 47" 47PFL9732D and a g4 mac mini. no matter what i try i get "unsupported video format" on the tv using dvi to hdmi. i've done EVERYTHING there is to do. do i need to return the tv? is the mac the problem? HELP!
    Left on April 11, 2008 at 7:19 pm
48. Mike Lee
    Hi, I have been using my mac mini (intel) with a Polaroid 27" HD TV using the VGA port. The resolution of 1280x1024 is fine for my work and surfing, but less so for downloaded films. By setting display preferences to 'show displays in menu bar' I select 1280 by 720 to play the films. This seems to do the trick for me and I can easily switch between resolutions from the taskbar.
    Left on April 17, 2008 at 12:28 pm
49. Peter
    Is there anyone can find the cable Mini DV to HDMI cable? I saw this cable from one of the Mac shop but they said it run out. If anyone can find the place to get this I am sure you guy will solve this problem. Thank you
    Left on April 20, 2008 at 9:12 am
50. Annabelle Kelly
    HELP! I am about to have a nervous breakdown with my mac mini! I hooked up the mac to my Philips LCD via DVI. No problem at all. But because the screen is only 15" I wanted to play around with the display settings a bit. To my HORROR, I now can't get any picture at all - it says "VIDEO MODE NOT SUPPORTED". I have tried everything I can think of. I have rest the P-RAM, I have unplugged all cables, plugged the back in again, I bought the mac into work and hooked it up to my monitor and changed the resolution back to 1024x768 which is what it was on originally and that STILL didn;t work. I can see the Apple logo and then it goes black and comes up with the error message. HELP! What am I doing wrong - I can't believe one click of a mouse button has rendered my display useless!!!
    Left on June 20, 2008 at 11:33 am
51. Rob
    That sounds odd Annabelle, however it may be that the refresh rate is the problem, rather than the resolution. Try lowering that as wall as the resolution and it may work. Fingers crossed!
    Left on June 27, 2008 at 3:18 pm
52. Fabio
    Hi, I am having problems with getting my Intel Mac mini to work with a projector using DVI-HDMI cable. Using a 2 meter DVI-D (single link) - HDMI cable it works without problems. Now I bought a 15 meter DVI-D (Dual link) cable and it does not work with the intel mac mini. The same 15 meter cable does work with all my other macs though! (g4 powerbook, intel macbook and old G4 Mac mini!!!!!!!!!!). The intel mac mini simply see's no display attached to it so I dont even have a button to click "detect displays". Out of all the macs the intel mac mini is the only one with a built in graphics so I can only think that this is the problem. I am running out of ideas, any help / comments to this problem would help. Thanks
    Left on July 6, 2008 at 6:07 pm
53. Patrick
    Connecting my Macbook to my Samsung 40" HD TV for the first time I got the message: "resolution not supported" when connected to the VGA input. However, I was able to switch the output to a lower refresh rate and after that it has all been working perfectly on 1080p. Very nice to see photos on 40" with that resolution. The default refresh rate was 60, and now 59.99 Hard to believe that this 0.01Hz actually makes a difference, but it works for me, maybe also for you...
    Left on August 22, 2008 at 2:09 pm
54. Rich
    Mac Mini OS X 10.4 into Pioneer Kuro 60" Plasma via DVI to HDMI works like a charm. No settings changes required on either Mac Mini or Pioneer. Now if I could just get the TIVO remote "Input" button to toggle between HDMI inputs 5 and 6.
    Left on October 10, 2008 at 4:47 am
55. Reinier
    We just bought a Philips 26PFL3403/10 LCD an d tried to connect to our brandnew minimac via DVI tot VGA cable. Same problems as stated above. Resolution not supported, only black screens, etc. After deleting the two .plist-files and rebooting the mac, it worked!. Time and time again. Be sure tot turn the TV on AFTER the minimac has booted. Res we use: 1280 x 768 @ 60 Hz.
    Left on October 31, 2008 at 7:41 pm

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