Mac mini display problem?

[matthewmc1]

I had purchased new mac mini a couple days ago and I am using my 2008 samsung tv as a display monitor and I used a hdmi to hdmi cord and the the display on my mac mini is horrible(the color is all over the place,the icons are blurry) the resolution is horrible ive tried to calibrate the mac mini and the tv numerous times but nothings making a difference. It came with a dvi to hdmi cord but my tvs is not compatible with that type of dvi cord what should I do??

 

[plinden]

Explain "horrible" in more detail.

What size and resolution is the TV?

What resolution does the Mini report in the System Preferences -> Display setting?

Remember, TVs have lower pixel density than monitors, so if you sit in front of a TV at the distance you would when using a monitor of the same size, you'll see pixelation.

 

[mangrove]

I had purchased new mac mini a couple days ago and I am using my 2008 samsung tv as a display monitor and I used a hdmi to hdmi cord and the the display on my mac mini is horrible(the color is all over the place,the icons are blurry) the resolution is horrible ive tried to calibrate the mac mini and the tv numerous times but nothings making a difference. It came with a dvi to hdmi cord but my tvs is not compatible with that type of dvi cord what should I do??

My 2010 Mini recognized my Pioneer right away. I use the overscan/underscan slider to adjust it to the size I wanted. That's underSysPref>displays>see the slider under the list of display options you have as far as resolution is concerned.

Then play with your TV's settings like zoom or wide screen or auto, etc.

Just remembered you must pick on the Mini's display settings either 1080i or 1080p depending on your TV, but if your TV maxs out at 720p or 720i then you must set resolution on Mini to that number.

 

[plinden]

You still haven't answered two of my questions.

What size and resolution is the TV?

What resolution does the Mini report in the System Preferences -> Display setting?

 

[matthewmc1]

You still haven't answered two of my questions.

19in and i couldnt find it

on the mac mini 1920x1200

 

[plinden]

19in and i couldnt find it

on the mac mini 1920x1200

Well, that doesn't tell us much, except that no 19 inch TV (or any TV for that matter) would have a 1920x1200 resolution. You need to find out the resolution of your TV and set the Mini to match. What's the TV model number? If it's 19" and has HDMI, then it's likely to be 720p, but I'm sure someone could find out given the model.

 

[matthewmc1]

Well, that doesn't tell us much, except that no 19 inch TV (or any TV for that matter) would have a 1920x1200 resolution. You need to find out the resolution of your TV and set the Mini to match. What's the TV model number? If it's 19" and has HDMI, then it's likely to be 720p, but I'm sure someone could find out given the model.

samusung tv

model number ln-t1953h

model code ln-t1953hx/aa

 

[plinden]

Ok, so it's a 720p TV - http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LNT1953H-19-Inch-LCD-HDTV/dp/B000N5220I (remarkable how well Google works for getting this information)

Set the Mini's resolution to 720p and set the TV's video settings to "Native" or "dot by dot" or whatever the TV menu uses for pixel-by-pixel resolution. See if that makes it any better.

 

[Kwozzii]

Must say I agree with the OP - got a Mini on monday and through HDMI on my Samsung tv (LE40A656) it looks terrible.
Mini is set to 1080p and done all the adjustments I can on the telly but no joy.
Plug my early 2009 MacBook in through mini DVI to VGA adapter and it looks great.
Going down the mini displayport route I think...

Kwozzii