What monitor should I get to accompany my freshly acquired 2012 i5 Mac Mini? It comes with the HDMI to VGA connector so should I just go with a computer monitor? Will that give me the best display? Or should I get the HDMI to HDMI cable and go with a TV screen? Your advice is greatly appreciated. I am very new to the Mac Mini scene. Lived in the land of MBP for the last 6 years and didn't need to worry about the monitor, so I need help here. Thanks!
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TV Monitor or Computer Monitor for my Mac Mini?
- Thread starter GlobalRaymond
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What it comes with is HDMI to DVI. You want a monitor with either HDMI, DVI, or DisplayPort inputs (the Mac also has a Thunderbolt/DisplayPort output).
VGA is something you want to avoid.
VGA is something you want to avoid.
And just grab a black HDMI-DVI cable. They are only 6 bucks or so. The included adapter looks **** (and white, which is very curious looking on the mini).
As far the screen is concerned: what do you want to do: use it as computer or media-player? Opposite to what expected, I found out it is easier to get a computer monitor with true 24p playback than a TV with native 24p support. So even for looking movies the best possible way, a monitor might win!
Most TV's do some fancy upscaling to their fixed 100 or 200Hz or even higher.
There does not fit a multiple of 23.976 in those refresh rates! With the 500 Hz or higher ones you probably won't tell the difference, but only if it does frame duplication, and not interpolation.
As far the screen is concerned: what do you want to do: use it as computer or media-player? Opposite to what expected, I found out it is easier to get a computer monitor with true 24p playback than a TV with native 24p support. So even for looking movies the best possible way, a monitor might win!
Most TV's do some fancy upscaling to their fixed 100 or 200Hz or even higher.
There does not fit a multiple of 23.976 in those refresh rates! With the 500 Hz or higher ones you probably won't tell the difference, but only if it does frame duplication, and not interpolation.
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FWIW I have dual Vizio 24" HD TV's, One HDMI-HDMI, the second Mini Display Port to HDMI.
It works very well. I also add, when necessary a 16" AOC USB monitor, otherwise the 16" monitor is for when I travel with my Mini.
Good Luck!
It works very well. I also add, when necessary a 16" AOC USB monitor, otherwise the 16" monitor is for when I travel with my Mini.
Good Luck!
Computer monitor is definitely better?
Is that the general consensus? A computer monitor is generally better than going with a tv?
We will be using our Mac mini as our DVD player and watching tv and movies on it. Even so, go with a computer monitor?
Thanks!
Is that the general consensus? A computer monitor is generally better than going with a tv?
We will be using our Mac mini as our DVD player and watching tv and movies on it. Even so, go with a computer monitor?
Thanks!
I have two 27" LG's (E2742) both over HDMI (one DP to HDMI adapter). Did the math the other day for giggles, it's well over 4 sq ft of screen real estate!
I also use two GT30 Panasonic plasma's on occasion over AirPlay Mirroring....pretty awesome.
Then my buddy has his hooked up in his AV system with a 70" [*cough* Sharp *cough*] Elite.
The mini's look great on pretty much anything, just make sure you turn overscan off on all of your gear
I also use two GT30 Panasonic plasma's on occasion over AirPlay Mirroring....pretty awesome.
Then my buddy has his hooked up in his AV system with a 70" [*cough* Sharp *cough*] Elite.
The mini's look great on pretty much anything, just make sure you turn overscan off on all of your gear
I think it's personal preference.
That said... I'm happy with my HDTV (using the Mini via HDMI currently).
I watch a helluva lotta movies and do "graphics-related" things, no problem at all.
I basically never bothered to look at the current (rather small) offerings in my country when I wanted to grab the TV (that is, I never cared to search for a HD computer monitor), so I just picked that couple years ago and it has worked well (I also connect some other devices beside the Mac to it).
TV and DVD are 60fps in the US and 50 in the EU. TV's are still made for those frequencies, so they are for example 100 or 120Hz, nice multiples of 50 or 60.
But if you are a purist, and interested in BluRay 24p movies, a TV might not be the best to watch it on.