DVI/HDMI No Signal

I'm running:
Mac mini Core 2 Duo model (10.5.2)
I recently bought a 42" Insignia LCD HDTV which has a VGA connector and 2 HDMI connectors, but no DVI. I want to connect it with a DVI to HDMI adapter, but when I do, I get no picture at all and the TV says it is receiving a "1P SD" signal (should be 1080P HD). However, the VGA connector works fine, and allows me to run the full 1920x1080 (non-interlaced) resolution. I know the DVI output on the Mac Mini is fine. I just need a little help with this, I really don't want to use VGA. I want to get the best quality if possible.

Its fortunate this topic came up when it did. I'm having a similar problem...
I'm using an Optiquest Q20wb LCD (sub-par, but a freebie) with a first generation, 1.25 GHz Mac Mini. It has previously been operating off of this display for someone else for a number of years now using a VGA cable and the Apple-included VGA-DVI adaptor. Tonight I hooked it up with a DVI cable for the first time while it was still running - I got a digital signal for a few minutes before the video signal sputtered out during a software update. It has since refused to work with a digital signal, yet the old VGA+adaptor method works. I have hooked up the same display and DVI cable to my MacBook Pro successfully, but nothing has resolved the digital video issue with the Mini.
Hate to ride your coat tails Zion, but does anyone have a suggestion for my issue as well?

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Mac Mini + DVI- HDMI + Toshiba 42RV530U = black screen

Hi all, I have a new Intel Mac Mini 2GHz and a Toshiba 42RV530U REGZA HDTV that I'm trying to connect, with only a black screen so far.
I believe the DVI output on the Mini is working - I can at least get a picture with a DVI-S-Video cable, but it's obviously lower resolution. The DVI-HDMI cable works - I tried it on our cable box.
When the DVI-HDMI cable is hooked up to the HDMI-1 input on the TV, the "No Signal" warning vanishes, but it's replaced by a black screen. No amount of fiddling with SwitchResX has worked so far.
I've tried coming up with values for SwitchResX based on these numbers from the manual (don't know why the H Freq and V Freq give 2 values for each). I couldn't get exact values, but pretty close. I'd ideally like to get 1080p working.
Name Resolution Vert Freq Horizontal Freq Pixel Clock
480i 720 × 480i 59.940/60Hz 15.734/15.750kHz 27.000/27.027MHz
480p 720 × 480p 59.940/60Hz 31.469/31.500kHz 27.000/27.027MHz
720p 1280 × 720p 59.940/60Hz 44.955/45.000kHz 74.176/74.250MHz
1080i 1920 × 1080i 59.940/60Hz 33.716/33.750kHz 74.176/74.250MHz
1080p 1920 × 1080p 23.976/24Hz 26.973/27.000kHz 74.176/74.250MHz
1080p 1920 × 1080p 59.940/60Hz 67.433/67.500kHz 148.352/148.500MHz
I've also tried repairing permissions, rebooting many times, deleting the windowserver.plist files, zapping the PRAM, etc. SwitchResX identifies the TV as "TSB-TV", which sounds the same as other posts with different Toshiba TVs. I'm able to remote into the Mini via Remote Desktop Connection to play with settings, etc.
Any suggestions? Would a DVI to Component cable work? The TV does have an analog RGB in, but this won't support high def. Thanks for any help!
-Frank

An unforeseen twist... I tried hooking up the Mac Mini to a DVI computer monitor, also with no picture. When I hook up my Powerbook to the Toshiba via the DVI->HDMI cable.... Picture! So, looks like my new (refurbed) Mac Mini has a bad digital video output. Seems a little strange though, since the analog video output on it is working fine.
Off to the Mac store tomorrow.

Macbook mini-DVI - DVI - HDMI not working with My 32" Vizio

Okay so my Macbook mini-DVI - DVI - HDMI is not working with My 32" Vizio. I've connected an 18 pin plus one slot DVI to HDMI cable to my 32" Vizio HDTV, this cable is connected to my macbook via a Mini-DVI to DVI cable, this one has 24 pins plus one slot on the DVI side. My Vizio display is blue, no signal, it reads. I'm wondering if the reason it's not picking up the display is the lack of pins on the DVI to HDMI or because I dont have any display options aside from screen size and color on my display menu. BTW I hit the detect display button and nothing happened.... I know I just wrote alot here but hopefully someone will read it and come to the rescue. thanks

Oops, I guess all I had to do was restart my macbook. I feel like an idiot.....all is well.

Connecting MacBook to Sony Bravia via DVI-HDMI!

Hi I am having major issues with my Macbook connecting to my Sony Bravia KDL-32V4000 I now have 2 different DVI-HDMI leads as well as the Apple Mini-DVI-DVI and still have absolutely no luck.
The Macbook is picking up the Television absolutely no bother at all but there is just nothing at all coming up on the Television its self it doesn't even recognise that I have the computer in the HDMI slot nothing at all just blank!
Any help would be greatly appreciated as it will save me buying more and more cables if this fails to work will have to go with the DVI-VGA I guess would rather fix this though!
Thanks!

I bought a mini-DVI to HDMI and an HDMI to HDMI cable. Once I went into settings for the display, I found that the TV was acting as a second monitor and that it was off to the right of the macbooks own screen. Thus if i moved the mouse to the right it could control the second monitor. You are able to move the screens so that they have the same data on each or use them as two screen with different info on each. Each screen is clearly visible in Spaces and it works a treat.
It is also possible to use the TV as the only screen. The way to do this is to connect up and close the lid on the mac. Once the light on the front starts blinking you can wake it up by using your mighty mouse or external keyboard. once awake, assuming you have chosen the correct HDMI connection from the TV the TV will act as the only monitor at full resolution.
The problem I have, is that I have not been able to get the sound to work. I have used the earphone socket and connected that to external speakers as I cannot seem to get the analogue signal on the TV on anything but an AV channel (not an HDMI channel). Thus the sound works on one channel and the image on another. My TV is a Sony KDL40w5710 - thus if anyone know the solution to getting the sound running through an HDMI channel on my TV it would be appreciated if you could contribute.
Cheers

Mac Mini on Toshiba Regza Z3030 42" via DVI- HDMI

Hello,
I'm trying to connect a Core2Duo Mac Mini (running 10.4.11) to a 42" Toshiba Regza Z3030 Full-HD TV via a DVI-HDMI cable. The TV does 1920x1080 (both i and p), but when I select 1920x1080 (interlaced) from the display resolution menu in System Preferences, I get a black frame around the image that is twice as large on the right side of the picture than it is on the left or top/bottom sides (so even if I enable overscan, the picture is not acceptable, as it's missing a strip of the desktop on the left, top and bottom sides then).
I'm running the TV on "Exact Scan" mode, which (according to the manual), should display a 1080 signal exactly the way it is received from the source, no stretching or scaling at all.
Incidentally, the grey screen with the Apple logo and the spinning progress indicator fills the screen completely in 1080i, but as soon as the login panel comes up, the picture gets the black bars, so I think it's a MacOS X issue. Can I somehow tell the Mac not to switch the display settings after the booting process is finished, as the image during the boot process is perfect?
Any hints on what I could try?
Thanks in advance,
Georg

Ok, I decided to take some more time and googled for how SwitchResX actually works and what all the settings in the "custom resolution" view mean. I stumbled across a very useful tutorial in this forum thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=751713
Following these instructions (basically, I just had to play with the "front porch" and "back porch" parameters until the image was perfectly centered), I ended up with a custom resolution in which the image is centered, but still has black bars around it.
Next, I simply turned on "Overscan" in the Display preferences while setting the TV's HDMI port input to "Exact Scan", meaning it will display the image exactly the way it comes over the HDMI port, without extra scaling.
With this combination, I now ended up with a picture that fills the whole screen and has (according to a test image) a "1 to 1" pixel mapping. Also, for some reason, this new resolution that I made myself rather than taking the values off the internet "sticks" between sleep and wake cycles as well!
For some reason, though, the TV only reported that it supports 50Hz vertical sync in 1080p when I used the "Export DDC" function in SwitchResX, even though according to the manual it also does 60Hz (and the default 1920x1080, 60Hz resolution from the Display preferences works as well). Therefore, I was only able to make my custom resolution for 50Hz, as I need the values from the DDC export as a starting point.
I only want to use this Mac Mini/TV combination as a media center for movies and music streaming via iTunes, so I guess it won't make any difference wether I'm running it at 50Hz or 60Hz?
Anyways, I hope this thread might help other people with the same TV who are having similar problems with their Mac Minis.

DVI HDMI Poor picture quality, grainy / combing

Hi Guys,
Have just purchased a 26" Samsung LCD and have it connected to my G5 via a DVI-HDMI cable. However, full-screen playback on the monitor from FCP looks really poor- very grainy, with lots of combing (Note: the LCD autodetected a 50hz/1920x1080 interlace setting).
I know FCP has this setup as a CINEMA DISPLAY PREVIEW so its not really full-quality, but even still- it looks worse than when i was using a tv attached via S-Video!
Would anyone be kind enough to share what i might try to address the problem? i have already tried the obvious altering resolutions etc- but to no avail...it has me confused!
Many thanks,
Adam

I know FCP has this setup as a CINEMA DISPLAY PREVIEW so its not really full-quality
Yup...that's it. It isn't full quality, it is a lower resolution to ensure that no skipping of footage occurs (dropped frames).
even still- it looks worse than when i was using a tv attached via S-Video!
That was via firewire to a DV device, correct? Because that IS a proper FULL RES signal, so yes, it will look better. DVI out means that it is sending a COMPUTER signal, not a VIDEO signal...so the quality is worse.
Would anyone be kind enough to share what i might try to address the problem?
Yup...get a capture card. With a G5 your options are limited. NO Decklink Intensity with HDMI out...no Matrox MXO with HDMI out. The MXO will do DVI to a computer monitor and clean up the signal, but you can't convert that DVI to HDMI I don't think...messes up the signal. BUT, you could use the MXO and go COMPONENT to that monitor. That would be a good signal. Otherwise you are looking at Decklink HD cards or Kona LH...the Decklink might be comparable in price to the MXO.
Shane

MacBook to HDTV via Mini-DVI to DVI-HDMI.

Okay guys, here's specific question about color calibration / resolution with DVI-HDMI output from my MacBook (or maybe any machine) to my LNT-4665. I've been trolling the forums for an answer. If you know of a thread, let me know.
The TV:
Samsung LNT-4665
It's a 46" with resolutions up to 1080p.
The MacBook:
MacBook C2D, 2GHz, 2 GB RAM, Leopard
Outputting through to a DVI-d to HDMI cable to my HDMI2 port on the Sammy.
The PC
PC with Windows XP, ATI X800 GTO graphics card. The PC is not available to me and was only used for this test.
Outputting through VGA to VGA input on the Sammy.
Images!
I took a bunch of photos in RAW format and converted them to .PNG. Alt-tabbing through New Windows gives you a better comparison.
LNT-4665 via PC using VGA - Color Bars
LNT-4665 via PC using VGA - Desktop
LNT-4665 via MacBook using DVI - Color Bars
LNT-4665 via MacBook using DVI - Desktop
LNT-4665 via MacBook using DVI - Desktop with Dock
MacBook Display - Color Bars
MacBook Display - Desktop
Baja 1000 Image - Original Res
Color Bars Image - Fit for Alt-Tabbing
Color Bars Image - Original Res
Using Photoshop and a template I found online, I created this image. It is pixel perfect. The colors are exact RGB colors.
Combined Comparison Image - Color Bars
Combined Comparison Image - Desktop
So, first of all, the resolution changes between DVI and VGA due to overscan(?). Maybe the Start Menu distorts the background image? I never fully understood how this works. Why would the picture look any different? How can I make it look the same? However, this is not my top priority.
The big issue, as you can see, are the colors. The color difference between VGA and DVI is laughable! The MacBook Display colors look better than the TVs. The DVI colors are totally washed out.
Am I outputting the wrong signal? Anyone know how to check that? Or.. fix it? I'd appreciate a crash course on any of this.
On the MacBook I played with the System Preferences>Displays>Color>Calibrate settings (I've created 5 different color profiles) to no avail.

Just to continue documenting my progress here.
From my TV's forum thread:
jinqui242 wrote:
When you hook up the Macbook to the TV, it is acting as an extended desktop. I used to do this and wondered why I kept getting dropped frames and slowdown even on DVDs and DivX video. It did not fill the screen at 1080p even though Windows filled it.
To get it to fill up the entire screen, you have to close the Macbook ("clamshell mode"), wait until it goes to sleep, then plug an external USB keyboard or mouse in to wake it up. Then it will be working in 1080p mode and should fill up the entire LCD screen. Some people don't like this because they worry about the MB overheating.
I prefer to boot up in Windows XP on my Macbook. You can right-click on the desktop and it gives you an option to "Output to Digital Television." Then it blanks out the Macbook screen and outputs on the TV in full 1080p. The MB shell can stay open. High quality video usually runs better this way IMO. The Core Media Player is pretty good with most video files.
This is pretty strange/frustrating. I successfully booted the computer in clamshell mode but it still doesn't fill the screen. However, I rebooted the machine in clamshell and the BOOT SCREEN filled the screen! Then it reverts back to the little screen when the desktop opens up. Ugh!
Windows is my Plan B. Unfortunately, it requires backing up and reformatting.
Plus, why do I have to install Windows on my MacBook in order for this to work? Totally unacceptable. Why is this so difficult?! If Apple wants to get into the home theater market this MUST be worked out. I have no interest in buying an Apple TV if I already own a MacBook that SHOULD work fine. Why would I buy an Apple TV if it turns out I have to install WINDOWS on my MacBook for it to work?!
I hope you guys are listening.

MacBook Pro and Sony HDTV- DVI-HDMI connection problem

Hi, I am trying to connect my HDTV and MacBook Pro eith retina display by DVI-HDMI cable but there is no signal. My TV is Sony HDTV rear projection model# KDP-65WS550
I am not really good at Mac so please help me!

Hi egemenavsar!
I have two articles for you here that may help you resolve this issue:
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1573
OS X: Using multiple displays in Mavericks
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5891
Thanks for being a part of the Apple Support Communities!
Regards,
Braden

Using DVI - HDMI cable output to Samsung LCD TV

For some reason, i have been using the DVI -> VGA Adapter with a VGA cable outputted to my new Samsung LCD TV, with resolution 1920x1080. I purchased a DVI -> HDMI Cable, but the quality/resolution is subpar to using the VGA Cable, it seems as if the resolution is upscaling itself, but according to Display Preferences, it is outputting at 1920x1080i, When i'm using the VGA cable it just says 1920x1080, without i or p.
Anyone know why?

I've been trying to communicate with a Samsung LE40A656 via a DVI-HDMI cable.
I think there must be issues with HDMI on that model because the TV can't detect a signal on the HDMI port and the MPB can't see a monitor.
But I have managed to get full screen via the Apple DVI-VGA adaptor and the D-sub port on the Samsung using the specification in this archive thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6400626&#6400626
Before I upgraded my TV I had a cheap(ish) Hyundai Vuon with a DVI port which worked fine with my MBP.
Would still like to know why HDMI doesn't work on the Samsung.
Adrian

Mini Displayport - DVI - HDMI 5V?

I kind of have an odd setup desire for an external display. I want to send video and audio to my entertainment unit from my MBP across the room. I already have audio sorted out (mini optical -> 30ft optical cable), but the video is a bit more difficult.
What I would like to do is have the Mini Displayport from my MBP go into my Mini DP -> DVI adapter (http://bit.ly/do7McJ). From there, a DVI to HDMI cable would take me to a HDMI over CAT5e/6 wall plate (http://bit.ly/C0bJg). This extender would then go to the TV.
The problem here is that the HDMI over Cat5e/6 extender needs the HDMI's 5V power source. Now, I have followed the pins all the way from HDMI (http://bit.ly/P2wWx - Pin 18) to DVI (http://bit.ly/TNJv5 - Pin 14?) to Mini Displayport (http://bit.ly/BCpof - Possibly pin 20)
Now I guess my real question is does anyone know if this will pass through 5V power: Mini DP -> DVI -> HDMI?
Thanx in advance.
EDIT: My other option would be this (http://amzn.to/gV9PKH), however it is much more expensive and the single Cat5e/6 cable would probably reduce quality.
Message was edited by: austinhab

@Lambstechie - Now that I read into it, if the signal is converted, it can pass over 1 cat6 cable. What I was referring to is a cheaper converter, where an HDMI channel is connected straight to a Cat5/6 channel. And since HDMI 1.3 can work 100% perfect on 16 channels (just no ethernet, audio return, etc.) it seems like 16 channels over two 8-channel Cat5e/6 cables seems fit.
Also, I did not specify this earlier, but the total HDMI (not Cat5e/6) running distance will be under 10 feet, probably around 6 feet. Now when you say the loss of signal strength will happen around 15 ft of HDMI, does that include the distance running Cat5e/6 (approx. 30 ft), or just the HDMI length (6 ft).
@Eww - I see where you are coming from, and I did not see the price of those cables until now. That seems like a great deal. Thank you.
Message was edited by: austinhab

DVI/HDMI connection for Thinkpad R61 (with IBM 2504 Docking station) and Samsung LNT4665F LCD TV

I am trying to connect my laptop (Thinkpad R61) with my TV (Samsung LNT4665F) using a DVI/HDMI cable. Because the R61 doesn't have a DVI port, I am using it in the IBM 2504 Docking station. I have docked the computer, connected the DVI/HDMI cord (using HDMI in 1 on the TV, which I believe is the only DVI accepted HDMI on the TV). I followed the Samsung instructions to then hit "Fn-F7" on the laptop. Unfortunately, nothing is happening. It doesn't appear that any signal is pushing out to the TV.
I am not very tech savvy. Can someone please tell me what I need to do?
Thanks for your help.
Brian

lead_org wrote:
if your R61 uses an intel GPU, then it won't support the dvi passthrough port on the dock.
The 14" models with intel GMA have DVI pass through.
@ bweisy, welcome to the forum,
Which model R61 do you have? Could post the Type and Model Number Please do NOT post your s/n.
Thanks
Andy ______________________________________
Please remember to come back and mark the post that you feel solved your question as the solution, it earns the member + points
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VGA vs DVI/HDMI

So I just got a new monitor and it has options for HDIM and VGA input. I already have a VGA cable and would only need a MiniDVI -> VGA adapter to hook up my macbook that way. But I could also get the MiniDVI -> DVI and then get DVI -> HDMI to hook it up that way.
I hear DVI allows me to have better quality since the signal is purely digital whereas the VGA loses some quality. My question is which do you think I should do? Is it worth buying more cables to get the HDMI input? I'm just going to be using the monitor to work on excel sheets, word docs, and to watch movies.
Thanks!

I have a 24 inch full 1080P HD external monitor that I am using with my Macbook Pro. I"m not really a gamer, so I have a question.
1st. What is the difference if I use the HDMI connection or the DVI connection to my monitor? Is there a difference?
HDMI and DVI use the same digital video signals, so should give the same image quality.
2.nd - what about just using VGA
It may not be as sharp as DVI or HDMI since the signal may not be sampled at exactly the correct pixel positions, and it cannot handle sharp vertical edges as well as digital.
Would the normal user, who isn't a gamer notice the difference in any of the 3 options?
A gamer is less likely to notice the difference because of fast moving images.
Also- I am only using this set up to have a bigger monitor. I'm not doing the extended desktop.
Unless you have a 1920 x 1200 display on the MacBook, you won't be able to use the full resolution of the 1080p display in mirroring mode, since it is a pixel-to-pixel mirroring. You can get full resolution by running with the MacBook closed if you use exteernal keyboard and mouse.
<http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131>
Note: some 1080p (1920x1080) don't work properly with computers at 1920x1080. They may have overscan, which will blur the picture and put the menu bar and dock off the screen, or they may tell the computer to run in 1080i mode, which makes thin horizontal lines flicker. Sometimes this can be fixed with software, such as switchResX
<http://www.madrau.com/html/SRX/About.html>
or DisplayConfigX
<http://www.3dexpress.de/>

2008 MBP -- DVI out -- DVI/HDMI converter -- HDTV ?

Hi guys,
I'm gonna go ahead and apologize in advance if this has been asked before, I'm having a bit of an emergency.
The backlight on my 2008 MBP (model A1260) has gone out -- I can still somewhat see the screen but it's extremely dim. I'm wondering if I can buy a DVI/HDMI converter and run the video out to my HDTV. Are there any extra supplies I'll need?
Also, any instructions for enabling the HDTV as my external display would be greatly appreciated as I'm barely able to read anything on the screen in its current state.
Thanks so much!

From Apple's website:
These Apple computers supply multichannel audio (up to 8 channels) and video signals over Mini DisplayPort:
iMac (Late 2009) and later
Mac mini (Mid 2010) and later1
Mac Pro (Mid 2010)
MacBook (Mid 2010) and later
MacBook Pro (Mid 2010) and later
MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)1
MacBook Air (Late 2010) and later
1No additional adapter is necessary if you are connecting directly to the HDMI port on your Mac mini (Mid 2010) and later or your MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012).
These Apple computers supply only video signals over Mini DisplayPort:
iMac (Early 2009) and (Mid 2009)
Mac Mini (Early 2009) and (Late 2009)
Mac Pro (Early 2009)
MacBook (Late 2009)
MacBook (13-inch Aluminum Late 2008)
MacBook Pro (late 2008), (Mid 2009), and (Early 2009)
To connect your television or other HDMI devices to your Mac, use select third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters that conform to the VESA DisplayPort Dual-Mode Standard. The following adapters are are known to adhere to this standard:

Mini late 2006 DVI HDMI Samsung LE26A457

A couple of people on other forums, like me, are having trouble connecting our Mac Mini DVI to HDMI on Samsung screens.
Is there a known issue? Is there a fix of some kind. It seems like the Mac Mini is very very picky about handshaking, whereas all other sources to the TV are not.
The samsung has an HDMI that is recommends using for DVI-HDMI and it still gives me a black screen.

Alan, you did get success at some point when you saw Snow Leopard on the TV. That was when your computer's System Preferences/Display preferences where likely set to "mirror.' You likely should not be using the 'mirror' setting so uncheck that option.
Turn on the HDTV, plug in the HDMI connector from your computer.
In the Display preferences, make sure your display on the computer is 1920x1200. The set the relationship of the two screens, your computer screen and your HDTV. For example drag the little display representing the TV to the right of the little display representing the computer.
Make sure the menu bar is on the little screen representing your computer. You can drag the little menu bar to the correct screen.
Go to the controls on the HDTV to select your desired video source, such as HDMI 1. You should have some signal detected.
Start a HD movie running in a window on your computer screen and then drag the window to the right off the computer screen. It should appear on the HDTV. From your computer, select the option to run the movie "full screen". Voila!
At least we hope so...

Sound over DVI- HDMI

So, until yesterday, I actually believed that this was not possible, but I updated BootCamp to 4.0 and I noticed that when I was using my external display with a MDP -> DVI -> HDMI, there was sound and video coming through it.
My question is, how do I send audio and video using the same combination using Mac OS X Lion ? Apparantly it only works in Windows.
Thanks!

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/301410-15-does-hdmi-carry-audio
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/257301-15-hdmi-adapter-audio-conundrum
And from Wikipedia:
"Features specific to HDMI, such as remote-control, audio transport, xvYCC, and deep-color, are not usable in devices that only support DVI signalling. However, many devices can output HDMI over a DVI output (examples: ATI 3000-series and NVIDIA GTX 200-series video cards),[7] and some multimedia displays accept HDMI (including audio) over a DVI input. Exact capabilities vary from product to product."

DVI/HDMI No Signal

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