2010 Mac Mini and HDMI question

Just bought a new Mac mini and have it hooked up to a Samsung px2370 HDMI to HDMI and as good as the picture looks I'm thinking it could look better ... And I've heard that generally a computer shouldn't be hooked up that way... The Mac mini has another mdp and the Samsung has dvi also, what are my options? All these adaptive have me stumped... Plus like I've heard On another thread the mini is thinking I have a television hooked up... Plus when the monitor was on 16/9 the menu bar was not visible and I changed it to screenfit on the monitor which worked but should I of kept it on 16/9 and adjusted it with underscan? Plz help

It works ok for me, I've got a 2010 mini (base model) and am using it as a server for web, iTunes and VPN. It handles lion fine, the only quibble is that being always on it heats up during the day a lot, more so than when I had Snow leopard installed. It's not to unacceptable levels though. But as dingy and beezelbubba say, Ram is cheap nowadays and if you've got the spare cash it's always worth it.

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2010 Mac Mini and OSX Lion

Hi Everyone,
Hoping I can get some advice.
I have a 2010 Mac Mini and am thinking about upgrading to OSX Lion.
Although I know my Mac meets the system requirments (Intel Core 2 Duo, 2Gb RAM), I was wondering what the performace is like on with these specs.
I mainly use my Mac for iTunes, Safari, Twitter and iPhoto if that makes any difference.
Thanks!

It works ok for me, I've got a 2010 mini (base model) and am using it as a server for web, iTunes and VPN. It handles lion fine, the only quibble is that being always on it heats up during the day a lot, more so than when I had Snow leopard installed. It's not to unacceptable levels though. But as dingy and beezelbubba say, Ram is cheap nowadays and if you've got the spare cash it's always worth it.

Mid-2007 Mac mini and HDMI issues

I have a Mid-2007 Mac Mini with OS X 10.7.3, that, most of the time, will work fine with a DVI->HDMI cable and either of 2 HDMI ports on the TV. The Mini recognizes the display correctly (a Vizio E371VL). The display's native res. is 1080p at 60hz, and the Mini is set to that and looks great. I can switch to lower resolutions and even restart the mini and have the Vizio look and behave correctly.
However, I have an Apple TV (current generation - black brick) hooked up to the other HDMI port on the Vizio. It also looks and acts great.
The problem is when I switch between the inputs on the TV. If I go to the Apple TV (which will be working fine) and then back to the other HDMI input, the Mac mini shows black. The TV does not say "no signal" or indicate any problem. No amount of zapping PRAM, ressetting the SMC or basic restarting helps. In fact, the TV still registers a signal at 1080p. Using Apple Remote Desktop from another Mac (a 2006 Macbook Pro with DVI) shows the Mini is still functioning and still correctly displays the Vizio model and 1080p @ 60hz resolution.
The kicker here is that I can physically disconnect the DVI/HDMI cable from the Mac mini and connect it to the Macbook Pro. The video from the Macbook will pop up immediately. I can switch between the Macbook and Apple TV all day long, switch resolutions, etc. No problem.
Even more bizarre is that this has the effect of "resetting" the Mac mini. If I plug the DVI connector back into the Mini, its video will pop back up. It will work fine as above until the HDMI input is changed again.
Vizio tech support acted as if they'd never heard of Apple, Inc. Useless.
Super frustrating problem.

Opperman,
I went with my gut and got an LG 47LM4600 TV with VGA input in addition to HDMI (seems there are not many--if any--TVs sold with DVI inputs anymore). The 2007 Mac mini is plugged in using my old DVI cable with VGA adaptor. I tested it using the DVI cable with HDMI adaptor, and there was no sound.
I can confirm the same condition that you originally described when I try to switch to the Mac mini on the PC input. The screen is black except for a color bar that flashes on briefly every 2-3 seconds at the bottom of the screen. No amount of switching from one input to the other will make the display come back. The only way I've found to fix it is to unplug the cable from either the TV or the computer and plug it back in.
The annoyance with this is ameliorated by the fact that we'll be using a new Apple TV to watch Netflix from now on, instead of using a Web browser on the mini. Will only have to worry about it when watching DVDs.
Cheers.
Message was edited by: Numenorean

New 2010 Mac Mini and LG 37" Full HD (via HDMI) query..

Hello all! I have just bought the new Mac Mini which I want to use along with my LG 37" (LH5000) full HD LCD TV.I have hooked them both up together via HDMI. When I first turned the Mac Mini on it detected various resolutions and choose 1080p. However, on this resolution the menu bar, dock finder windows etc all look too small when im sitting on the couch. Im only around 3 metres away from the TV.
Ive changed various resolutions, in fact the 720p resolution looks bigger and better....but surely I should be using 1080p? I was wondering if any one else out there has a similar setup and what res you would recommend I should use? There are other resolutions but I assume the other ones are all Mac (computer LCD) base.
Thanks in advance
Ben

Yes, this is a significant issue. And since Apple doesn't allow adjustment of type sizes throughout the OS, it can be very problematic.
One solution is to do as you have done and run the display at a lower resolution.
Another solution is to use the magnification tools that are provided in the Universal Access control panel (system preferences).
Screen zoom works with any scroll mouse (you do not need to buy the MS mouse that was mentioned). Just hold the Control key on the keyboard and turn the mouse's scroll wheel. I use this a lot on my Mini connected to an HDTV.
I also have the size of the mouse pointer arrow increased twofold using the universal access controls.
In the Finder, you can set the Finder preferences so that file names are listed as 16 point type (and click on the set default button). Of course the menus and sidebars are still small and Apple really needs to start offering more versatile adjustments for these other interface areas (like, dare I say it… Windows allows for).
When web browsing, you can magnify the web page in question using the COMMAND key with the + key. You can zoom back again using COMMAND and - . I use that a lot. And yes this shortcut key combo works in both Safari and Firefox.
Lastly, make sure that the sharpness adjustment on your TV isn't turned up significantly, as this will hurt the legibility of type on the screen. The lower the sharpness is set, the more readable the text will be. You'll have to strike a balance that you're happy with between text sharpness and a satisfying sharpness for the video content you watch. On my sony tv, I have the sharpness set at about 25%.
I should also mention that the type on the screen being to small to read is a sign that your screen size to seating distance ratio is outside of the ideal range. In other words, you're sitting too far from your current TV, or you could stand to have a bigger TV for the room in question. To better understand viewing distance versus HD display size, read this:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-L3GoEoljGNL/learn/learningcenter/home/TV_placement. html

"mid 2010" mac mini firewire port question

Hi all:
I have a mac mini "mid 2010" version with internal optical drive and small firewire port in between the hdmi and ethernet port...
I want to connect a firewire device via this port, but my device & existing cable are of the older style size. I see different "pin numbers" being thrown around now in terms of port size & cable types etc. so that it looks like the 'old style' port on my device is a "6 pin."
What is it that I have on my mini? I would need a ?__ pin to 6 pin cable....
tm

I've used this firewire adapter with my mini.

Does Final Cut Express 4 work with mac mini and other questions...?

I have a few questions I need help in answering... I would appreciate opinions on the following:
I am about to make a purchase of a new mac. I already have a mac mini PPC, but it is too slow...
Here is what I am thinking.
Mac mini, 2GB mem, 160GB hard drive. Will this new mac mini work with Final Cut Express 4?
Or should I go with the more powerful iMac?
I like to make movies on my mac but I hate iMovie 08 so I constantly use iMovie HD 06. Should I go to Final Cut Express 4 or just stick with iMovie HD 06?

There is no doubt that FCE 4 will run on an Intel mini - the GMA graphics processor is compatible. There is also no doubt that an iMac would give you somewhat better overall performance, though it's important perhaps to note that as complex as FCE is, it is actually a little less demanding on hardware than iMovie has traditionally been, so the difference between a mini with 2Gb RAM and a similarly equipped iMac will not be all that great in FCE, though it will become a little more noticeable if you continue to use iMovie 6.
The main reason for the performance difference between iMovie and FCE is that in order to provide a reasonably sophisticated video editing package that will run on very basic hardware, Apple relied heavily on caching techniques, meaning that while FCE basically spools from video and relies on CPU power, iMovie constantly moves data to and from the hard drive. The mini's hard drive is a (relatively) slow device in comparison to the iMac's - thus the iMac runs iMovie rather more seamlessly. In FCE, the difference is, as said, rather less clear unless you were to go for the top-end model.
If your budget can stretch to an iMac it makes sense to go that route simply because the extra power and overall performance (and the better graphics processor) will give you greater flexibility down the road. On the other hand, if funds are tight and you need to spend as little as reasonably possible, a mini will do fine, and is sufficient;y inexpensive that in a couple of years could be sold off and replaced without severe financial implications.
In terms of the choice between FCE or iMovie, beware that if you haven't used FCE before, the transition is not easy, and the learning curve for it is pretty steep. That said, it has far greater power and flexibility in terms of what you can achieve with it than has ever been possible with iMovie.
That said, for casual and home use, iMovie (version 6 at least) has plenty of power and tools for the majority of projects. iMovie 8 is, in many ways, deeply flawed for those who want that sort of power and workflow tools, being that it is designed for quick and easy creation of movies, not creative and considered productions. It has it's uses, but if you have experience with iMovie already, v8 is really not intended for you at all.
All that said, I've used iMovie 6 on systems will a lot less power than the current Intel minis, and have found it stable and workable, so I have no doubt it would work well on any current Mac.

Getting 1080p on Proscan 40" HDTV with 2010 Mac Mini via HDMI

So I have been trying many things to try and get some sort of good resolution on my HDTV (Proscan 40") with the new Mac Mini, HDMI to HDMI. So far, no luck at all. Although the television says that it is full 1080p at when 1080p is selected in display the text is so jagged it is unreadable. I know very little about this type of thing so I am feeling out of my element.
I realize that the issue could be with the scaler on the tv (?) but since the menu is limited I cannot change it. I have downloaded SwitchresX and tried some things but really don't know what I am doing so if anyone has any pointers I would love to be looking at a beautiful 1920x1080 picture....

This is probably due to how your TV is handling the signal. On my Samsung if I label the HDMI port the Mac Mini is connected to as "PC" it handles the image differently to improve the picture quality from a PC. Fonts appear smooth as I would expect when viewing PC content on a monitor. The down side is I lose a lot of the settings that are normally available to different devices like a DVD/Bluray player.
I do not have it set this way and have the same issue as you where fonts are jagged. My reason for doing this is the color is actually better utilizing the connection as a device source than a PC source.
I didn't have a chance to look at the manual for your TV but I would check to see if you have an option like this.

Pb screen fuzzy plugged with mac mini and hdmi cable

Hi all, I bought my first mac yesterday and I plugged it it this morning on my tv screen with an hdmi cable. I saw that the screen at the bottom where all the icones are is fuzzy. We set it up at the apple store and it was working well. Could you please help me.
Thanks a lot for your answer

Well, here's to a happy conclusion.
After bugging the local electronics store for two days in a row, I've found a working Full-HD TV.
Lessons learned:
a) Be thankful for stores where you can bring in your own computer and hook it up to the TVs on display.
b) Don't just glance at the manual.
After trying several TVs and not getting any good picture by either connecting by VGA (consistently showed slight ghosting with high-contrast colors) or HDMI (all TVs did cut off Dock and menu bar), neither the salespeople nor I had any idea what else to do.
The next day, it hit me: We had tried all kinds of setup/config selections from the TV's setup menu.
What we did NOT do was to simply try it with the "Zoom/Aspect" button on the remote - partially because that didn't work with the first model I bought.
So, Mac mini back into the suitcase, back to the store, "Ah, you again...", hook up the first TV set, press "Zoom", pick "Truescan", press "OK" -
Problem solved. Pixel-perfect alignment. => TV bought.
Just for those looking for a "known to work" answer: It was the Toshiba, XV 500 series, older model. It's running on "1920x1080 @ 60 Hz (interlace)", but since I'm using it as a monitor, the "interlace-only" doesn't bother me too much. No problem even when watching DVDs via the mini.
Image is stable, text is crisp and readable at 5-6 ft. distance, dimmed-down lamp is more than adequate even at minimum brightness since the room faces north. Low-power setting of the lamp makes for only 70 watts consumption instead of the rated 180+ watts.
Happy user here now

No QE/CI on Mid 2010 Mac Mini

I recently purchased a Mid 2010 Mac Mini and have it connected to a 32" Insignia NS-L32X 1080p television via HDMI. I've upgraded it to Lion and noticed that QE/CI are not enabled. In fact they aren't listed at all under Graphics/Displays in System Information. Unfortunately I didn't check the setting before the upgrade so I don't know if they were enabled under Snow Leopard. Has anyone else experienced this?

OK, I've got my Firewire connection working again! Yay!
It turns out that I'm an idiot. A smaller man would not own up to his stupidity, but I'm not that guy.
Here's how I solved my problem.
I did a Google search on "mac min 2010 owners manual". I found the PDF file for the manual and started looking through it:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Mac_mini_Mid2010_User_Guide.pdf
On page 11, there is a drawing of the *BACK* of the Mac Mini. This is important because I had been plugging in the cables blindly, while facing the *FRONT* of the box. :facepalm:
Turns out that I was jamming the Firewire plug into the Ethernet port! The port is big enough to accomodate the male end of the Firewire plug, and it seemed to fit snugly.
Once I saw the drawing in the manual, I realized what was up. I spun the Mac Mini around, turned the Firewire plug sideways, and inserted it where it belongs: right between the Ethernet and HDMI ports! Voila! Everything worked as expected.
I wish there were a lesson in here somewhere, other than the fact that I am an idiot. "But when in doubt, try asking yourself: 'Did I plug everything in the right way?'"
:facepalm:

Install Windows 7 on a Mid 2010 Mac mini using USB or SD media?

Is is possible to install Windows 7 on a Mid 2010 Mac mini using USB or SD media? I have not figured this out. Here's what I have observed:
I can install OS X Lion using USB or SD media. Both are detected in the boot menu, and will boot.
An SD card with Windows 7 installation files formatted MBR/FAT32 using diskpart appears (with an SD card icon) in the boot menu but when selected as a boot device, the boot fails and the existing OS X instance on the Macintosh HD starts. A USB stick formatted as described does not appear in th boot menu at all.
An SD card or a USB stick formatted as described will boot on a Mid 2011 MacBook Air, and can be used to install Windows 7.
Is this due to EFI differences between a Mid 2010 Mac mini and a Mid 2011 MacBook Air?
Thanks.

The Mac Mini Mid 2010 has a DVD player built in, you can startup and install from a Windows 7 DVD. The Mac Mini Mid 2011 does not have a DVD player built in. I am happy that in new computers I can make use of an USB-stick to install Windows 7. Windows 7 uses MBR and Mac OS X uses EFI and that is why it was not possible on a Mac Mini Mid 2010. I think the EFI on a Mac Mini Mid 2011 is different.
I should like a firmware update on my Mac Mini Mid 2010 if possible. In that case I could choose between DVD or USB stick if I want to install Windows 7.
I also have a FireWire CF Card Reader. I think it is not possible to install Windows 7 via FireWire too.
I do have an external USB HD with 2 partitions: Mac OS X 10.6.8 and Windows 7, but is is not possible to start up Windows 7 from the external HD. It is possible to start up Mac OS X 10.6.8 from the external HD on a Mac Mini Mid 2010.

2010 mac mini RAM error

I have a 2010 mac mini and it is displaying that I only have 1gb of ram, but it should display that I have 2gb. Please help!!

Do a proper shut down from the apple menu
Then flip the mini upside down and open the bottom cover
check and see if there are 2 ram DIMMs installed
if there are, I would take them out and swap their positions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5uvIBpTSaQ
Then do a pram zap by holding down these keys on power on:
COMMAND OPTION P R

DVD-R stuck in my 2010 Mac Mini

Today I got an unformatted DVD-R disk stuck in my 2010 Mac Mini and nothing I do will eject the disk. I'm using OS X Mavericks 10.9.4. I tried F12, command - E without results.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
-Joe

Sometimes there is a little pin-hole on the front of the drive. If it has one, straighten a paperclip and push it into the hole. You'll feel a little resistance, but it should pop the disk out manually. However, there doesn't appear to be that hole on the pictures I've found.
Other than that, I have no idea.
Give some of these a try: http://guides.macrumors.com/Force_Eject_a_Stuck_CD_or_DVD
http://macs.about.com/od/usingyourmac/qt/eject-stuck-media-boot-manager.htm

2010 mac mini Home cinema sound and Home cinema headphones

Hello
im waiting for my 2010 mac mini to arrive,
ive experience with home cinema setups in the past.
Im looking to use my mac mini as a home cinema set up.
Im fine with the visual side ( projectors and hdtv).
The audio.
How on earth do i get home cinema sound into headphones.
due to where i live, headphones are the only option i have ( neighbours dont like noise.)
ive tried :-
sony mdr-drs7100
Pioneer SE-DRS3000c
pioneer dir-8000c.
the three above are ok as they have home cinema audio processing built in and worked with the optical digital output fine.
bass on the above 3 is weak.
i aso will prefer a wired set of headphones ( had enough of wireless)
im now looking at another route.
1) a decent headphone amplifier capable of playing DTS and Dolby digital 5.1
2) decent set of headphones to handle the above.
anyone any setups they can share that work
many thanks

Hey David,
My issue was resolved by ensuring that I was using a PAL resolution and frequency (720p @ 50 Hz or 1080p @ 50 Hz) for my PAL TV. Anything else causes audio stuttering through my HDMI cable.
Don't ask me why. Try this on your setup by using only the one of your TV's native resolutions and frequencies (Should say NTSC Television on every native TV resolution if you are in the US, PAL Television in Europe). If you do have an NTSC TV, then you might be able to use all of the 60 Hz frequency resolutions without HDMI audio out problems, but I wouldn't count on it.
From what I've researched on the issue, it is only TV's that have this problem, and it is a strange one, as it is actually a display setting problem with an audio error symptom.

2010 Mac Mini, Front Row and 5.1 Audio

I recently bought one of the new 2010 Mac mini's for my home theater. I have video going to my TV through HDMI. (I do not use the TV for audio.) I'm feeding audio to my receiver via optical. The problem I'm having is with 5.1 audio through Front Row. I've installed Perian and enabled AC3 passthrough. 5.1 audio works great when I play a video in iTunes (it also works with eyeTV). When I try to play the same movies through Front Row, I'm stuck with stereo audio and see no way to change it. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!

I too have the latest mini, hooked up to a Denon receiver via pass-through HDMI.
I am not an audiophile in terms of setting up this stuff and just want to know what I need to do to get the optimum performance out of this mini, audio wise.
When I go to Audio MIDI Setup app, my receiver (DENON-AVAMP) is listed next to the "source" button. I have no clue about channels, bits, etc. When I click on the "Configure Speakers" button I am presented with different configurations so I selected "Multichannel" versus "Stereo". And I can see where you can test all 5 speakers and subwoofer, but I just don't know which "format" I am supposed to select.
The 5.1 mapping is shown when I select 8 channel/16 bit, 8 channel/20 bit, or 8 channel 24 bit. I can click on each speaker in this map and it tests properly no matter which one of the above combinations I select. Just not sure which one I am supposed to be using.
All I know is my Denon is a 5.1 system and all this works perfectly (getting 5.1 sound) with my Playstation 3 hooked up the same way to the Denon.
Does anybody know the correct settings to output 5.1 sound from this Mac Mini?
Thanks guys!

2010 Mac Mini display and network issues after Mountain Lion installation

I just installed Mountain Lion on my 2010 Mac Mini, but now the display won't work and it isn't showing up on my network. I have it hooked up to my TV (I don't have another screen for it) via HDMI. Also, I've mainly used this computer by using the share screen function with my laptop, so I don't have a keyboard or mouse for it either. The Mini is no longer showing up on my laptop's network list... Any suggestions?

I would see if you borrow a USB keyboard and mouse
from some one, because otherwise trouble shooting the
problem will be next to impossible as sometimes the fixes
and diagnostics require the keyboard (PRAM reset, Hardware
Test, etc.).

2010 Mac Mini and HDMI question

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