Early 2009 MacMini & 47" HDTV

[GoCubsGo]

I've tried to search the forums for this but couldn't find my exact question.

I have a 2009 MacMini C2D 2.0 with the GMA950 GPU. It was purchased to be used only as a HTPC and I use the MDP to HDMI adapter. I was running Snow Leopard and was able to use the Mini's native resolution of 1920x 1200 before. This was connected to a 47" HDTV. Upon upgrading to Lion I noticed my resolution choices on the mini changed from standard computer display choices to more "tv-like" choices such as 720p and 1080i. I am running at 720p right now but I'd like to get back to 1920x1200 if possible.

I don't quite get what changed and I wanted to know if this is just how it will be or am I supposed to do something else? The Mini experiences this when connected straight to the TV versus being connected to a stereo receiver via HDMI.

 

[philipma1957]

you will not like the answer you have to go back to snow to get what you want.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I'm ok with that answer, frankly. I did want to know if something changed in Lion or did I botch something up completely. It was frustrating before because all resolutions looked bad, like an early 80's computer bad. The colors were wrong and the icons looked like crap.

So this is a "feature" of Lion?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Just out of curiosity, are you sure, that you TV connected to your Mac mini had 1920 x 1200 pixel as resolution? Because that is a 16:10 aspect ratio only found in computer displays, not in TVs, as TVs use a 16:9 aspect ratio, thus the resolution you should get is only 1920 x 1080, which will probably the maximum and native resolution of the TV.

Also know, that that Mac mini can output up to 2560 x 1600 pixel onto a 30" display.

What exact TV model do you have?

 

[GoCubsGo]

Just out of curiosity, are you sure, that you TV connected to your Mac mini had 1920 x 1200 pixel as resolution? Because that is a 16:10 aspect ratio only found in computer displays, not in TVs, as TVs use a 16:9 aspect ratio, thus the resolution you should get is only 1920 x 1080, which will probably the maximum and native resolution of the TV.

Also know, that that Mac mini can output up to 2560 x 1600 pixel onto a 30" display.

What exact TV model do you have?

Yes, you are right as it was my typo. My resolution should be 1920 x 1080 and had been before I upgraded to Lion. I'd have to check the model #. I know the mini's output but like I said, this happened when I upgraded to Lion.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Yes, you are right as it was my typo. My resolution should be 1920 x 1080 and had been before I upgraded to Lion. I'd have to check the model #. I know the mini's output but like I said, this happened when I upgraded to Lion.

That is really strange, but have you tried 1080i yet?

 

[rcp27]

I have a similar vintage mini that I use as a HTPC in a similar way using a MDP to HDMI adaptor. Since day 1 (with Snow Leopard) it gave screen resolution options in "TV" format (720p, 1080p) in the settings panel. Given that "1080p" and "1920 x 1080" mean exactly the same thing in terms of graphics output, what exactly is it that you object to? The whole point of an HTPC, after all, is to provide the cinematic experience, and using terminology that is standard in the home cinema industry seems eminently reasonable to me.

 

[paulrbeers]

Given that "1080p" and "1920 x 1080" mean exactly the same thing in terms of graphics output, what exactly is it that you object to? .

Well if you read closer he said he is getting 1080i and not 1080p, but then again I didn't know mini's could do 1080i.

Also, if you have an MDP port then it does not have GMA950 graphics but rather the much preferred Nvidia 9400. Any of the Intel GMA950 Mac mini's only had a full DVI out (unlike the 2009's which had a mini-DVI and MDP port).

 

[fa8362]

Well if you read closer he said he is getting 1080i and not 1080p, but then again I didn't know mini's could do 1080i.

Also, if you have an MDP port then it does not have GMA950 graphics but rather the much preferred Nvidia 9400. Any of the Intel GMA950 Mac mini's only had a full DVI out (unlike the 2009's which had a mini-DVI and MDP port).

He can't be using 1080i, because LCD monitors are progressive displays and can't display an interlaced signal.

 

[vader_slri]

First, your early 2009 Mac Mini has integrated Nvidia 9400m graphics, not Intel GMA950.

Second, have you tried rebooting your Mini with the TV powered on? I find that the Mini is able determine what display (ie. exact model number) it's connected to and provide the appropriate resolution options. However, this only seems to work when the TV is powered on prior to the Mini being powered on.

 

[paulrbeers]

He can't be using 1080i, because LCD monitors are progressive displays and can't display an interlaced signal.

While they can't natively display 1080i they can accept a 1080i signal and convert it especially since th OP is using a television.