Mini to Samsung PN42B450

[mattfunk]

Anybody have any experience or advice regarding the compatibility of this plasma screen TV as a monitor and/or simply using the mini as a media hub for this TV?

The resolution is: 1024 x 768

And the specs are located here:

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/...B1DXZA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=spec

Thanks!

 

[tac22]

no experience, but personally i would find one with a resolution of 1080p

 

[nando2323]

no experience, but personally i would find one with a resolution of 1080p

ditto

 

[mattfunk]

Thanks!

ditto

Both replies much appreciated -- I'm already committed to going the low-end route here (the TV actually gets great reviews), but I was just trying to figure out if I might be able to use the mini as a DVD player and, from time to time, a media server (for photos, youtube videos, etc), but it sounds like I should just stick with a simple DVD player or a PS3.

Thanks again for the input!

Cheers!

 

[spacepower7]

Both replies much appreciated

Don't know if your response was sarcasm or not but those were the two least helpful answers that I have seen all week.

Back to your question....

I've used the mini with several Samsung HDTVs but not the model you mention.

Regarding using as a media hub, check out plex, boxee, or frontrow. Look in the AppleTV section.

As far as connecting the Mac mini, I have had various results. I use the Apple mini-DVI to DVI adaptor connected to a DVI to HDMI cable. Concerning media center use, it worked fine on all the Samsungs that I have used.

When using the MacOS and the TV as a monitor, an older model Samsung could not scale pixel by pixel but many of the newer models can. Check out AVSforums dot com for many details about using HDTVs for computers.

The two key terms to look for are overscanning which means you lose part of the menu bar on top and part of the dock on the bottom.

What you want, if using as a monitor is pixel by pixel mapping or some tech phrase similar which means that everything fits the HDTV like a normal computer monitor. NOT overscanning.

For a media center, overscanning is usually not a big concern since it is usually only between 3-5% and you won't miss that when watching your movies.

 

[mattfunk]

Wow!

Don't know if your response was sarcasm or not but those were the two least helpful answers that I have seen all week.

Back to your question....

I've used the mini with several Samsung HDTVs but not the model you mention.

Regarding using as a media hub, check out plex, boxee, or frontrow. Look in the AppleTV section.

As far as connecting the Mac mini, I have had various results. I use the Apple mini-DVI to DVI adaptor connected to a DVI to HDMI cable. Concerning media center use, it worked fine on all the Samsungs that I have used.

When using the MacOS and the TV as a monitor, an older model Samsung could not scale pixel by pixel but many of the newer models can. Check out AVSforums dot com for many details about using HDTVs for computers.

The two key terms to look for are overscanning which means you lose part of the menu bar on top and part of the dock on the bottom.

What you want, if using as a monitor is pixel by pixel mapping or some tech phrase similar which means that everything fits the HDTV like a normal computer monitor. NOT overscanning.

For a media center, overscanning is usually not a big concern since it is usually only between 3-5% and you won't miss that when watching your movies.

Hey, thanks, that's really great info! It's amazing (though not entirely surprising) that Apple offers up so little intel insofar as non-Apple display compatibility is concerned. You've taken a lot of time to point me in some good directions and I appreciate it! Thanks! I'll begin by heading off to AVSforums dot com. Cheers!