mac mini screen

[retrospects]

can i use any screen with my mac mini. could i use my hdtv?

 

[manchild]

Yes! the following ways.

1) If you get a cable that has an HDMI plug on one end and DVI plug on the other - Audio will not be carried through HDMI. Alternatively you can get a DVI to HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable.

2) If your TV has a DVI jack.

3) If your TV has a VGA jack. Requires DVI to VGA adapter which probably came with the mac mini.

If the above is not available on your TV then the answer is yes... but...

I currently hook my PowerBook to my 1080i HD TV via VGA and is very usable. In a week I will have it connected via DVI to HDMI. If/When new mac minis appear I will get one and it will be used with the TV.

 

[retrospects]

thank you!!! I have a 42" sanyo with some hdmi ports and a s video as well. That's good to know I will be getting a wireless keyboard and mouse soon!!! Then I get me a mini!! How can i get the audio to run thru my tv?

 

[manchild]

thank you!!! I have a 42" sanyo with some hdmi ports and a s video as well. That's good to know I will be getting a wireless keyboard and mouse soon!!! Then I get me a mini!! How can i get the audio to run thru my tv?

It depends on the TV. Some TVs allow you to reroute an audio channel from other video channels. You would have to experiment or look at the user manual. Gefen makes a device that will pipe other audio sources through HDMI for a mere $300. I would just get a new home theater receiver in that case because $300 is almost half way to a decent receiver that supports HDMI.

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=3939

I actually use my home stereo for all of my audio. This allows me to route any audio and video channel however I want.

If easy is what you want - assuming your TV has a VGA jack it probably also has audio for it as well. My TV does. No doubt the less you want to spend the more creative you need to be.

Hope this helps.

 

[retrospects]

thanks man!! i think it would just be cheaper to get a home theater system, just 2 front 2 back center and bass and run the audio thru that. and go hdmi from the mac mini. i need some audio anyway so kill 2 birds with 1 stone.