hdmi or dvi?

[solidsponge]

So I just got a mac mini i5, (awaiting ram upgrade) and so far so good apart from not massively impressed with the fonts on my samsung 2333hd monitor (lcd), some are a bit blurry (compared to my pc laptop but that is led).

Im just wondering is the hdmi to dvi better to use? As im not sure using the HDMI its getting the best settings from the monitor. I need to get a DVI cable though as lost mine. Any thoughts?

I also had a funny moment of going to install something on disc and then standing there with two cds in hand thinking what am I doing...

 

[palmharbor]

HDMI v DVI

One carries audio the other does not. That is the only dif between DVI and HDMI

 

[solidsponge]

cool, good to know, cheers bud

 

[GreatDrok]

So I just got a mac mini i5, (awaiting ram upgrade) and so far so good apart from not massively impressed with the fonts on my samsung 2333hd monitor (lcd), some are a bit blurry (compared to my pc laptop but that is led).

Im just wondering is the hdmi to dvi better to use? As im not sure using the HDMI its getting the best settings from the monitor. I need to get a DVI cable though as lost mine. Any thoughts?

I also had a funny moment of going to install something on disc and then standing there with two cds in hand thinking what am I doing...

Windows does font rendering differently to OS X. Windows uses cleartype which aims to make the fonts look sharp via the use of subpixel rendering. OS X aims for font accuracy and this can make them look soft by comparison with Windows' version. I prefer OS X's approach because they don't have the odd little coloured edges that cleartype leaves and the font shape is the same as you would see in print. It takes a little while to get used to it but it sounds like what you're seeing is normal because both HDMI and DVI are the same signal.

 

[Consultant]

hdmi and dvi both produce same quality images.

As to "blurry" it could be the font anti-alias which the Mac has.

PC desktop has it off be default, but gamers pay a lot for graphic cards that can produce better anti-alias.

 

[solidsponge]

Windows does font rendering differently to OS X. Windows uses cleartype which aims to make the fonts look sharp via the use of subpixel rendering. OS X aims for font accuracy and this can make them look soft by comparison with Windows' version. I prefer OS X's approach because they don't have the odd little coloured edges that cleartype leaves and the font shape is the same as you would see in print. It takes a little while to get used to it but it sounds like what you're seeing is normal because both HDMI and DVI are the same signal.

Thanks yes I think that would make sense. Im also having trouble calibrating the general colour in the calibration as not sure how bright/constrasted it should be really, seems a bit washed out at the moment, or too contrasted. Strange

*update. I think I just about have it sorted now, maybe bit too much constrast. I was thinking the DVI might work better with the monitor as it wont allow you to change the brightness etc like it does with hdmi.

 

[GreatDrok]

Thanks yes I think that would make sense. Im also having trouble calibrating the general colour in the calibration as not sure how bright/constrasted it should be really, seems a bit washed out at the moment, or too contrasted. Strange

*update. I think I just about have it sorted now, maybe bit too much constrast. I was thinking the DVI might work better with the monitor as it wont allow you to change the brightness etc like it does with hdmi.

SuperCal is quite good for calibrating your monitor.

http://www.bergdesign.com/supercal/

 

[solidsponge]

SuperCal is quite good for calibrating your monitor.

http://www.bergdesign.com/supercal/

Thanks,

I just came back because I tried a DVI cable and it looks much better now after calibration. I think the samsung 2333hd 23" is a tv and monitor the hdmi is a bit flakey on pc/mac input. For instance when I swap to dvi the backlight setting is gone, the brightness does not go insane (hdmi brightness goes to almost white on full) so I think its more suited to dvi because the monitor seems to change settings.

Think I will also use that supercal, but overall much better now, screen brighter and more colourful.

 

[KrisLord]

You can also tinker with font smoothing via terminal.

I found the white bold text used on macrumors headlines to be particularly different in OS X vs Windows.

http://tonymacx86.blogspot.pt/2011/03/improve-font-smoothing-in-mac-os-x.html?m=1