Mac Mini HDMI output gives bad resolution on external 1920x1200 external monitor

A brand new Mac Mini gives blurry picture with HDMI HDMI connection to an external 1920x1200 HDMI monitor.
very bad start

Hi tlaci60.
I'm experiencing the very same issue you had with your monitor. Mine is a different brand (Westinghouse24" L2410NM), but the issue is the same. Not surprisingly, the resolution of this monitor is exactly the same as yours:1920x1200. Interesting…
Basically,I connect my brand new Mac Mini to my 24" monitor, and it results in a fuzzy and grainy image, with washed-out colors, and text so blurry it's difficult
to read. I'm sure you are familiar with what I describe.
Anyway: I’m kind of desperate, because nothing seems to work .I have tried your suggestion, but it doesn't work for me. I tried other suggestions from other threads and forums... and nothing works either. I just get the same awful look,even though the Mac recognizes the monitor and applies the correct resolution(1920x1200). Nevertheless, it looks just horrible.
Any suggestions? Any ideas? I'm just losing my mind with this, and I already bought every adapter and cable combination I could think of.
Thank you

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Mac Mini HDMI Output Problem w/ LG L246WP

NOTE: This appears to be unrelated to the "screen flickering" that has been noted previously.
I'm using a fresh new Mac Mini 2012 with an LG L246WP LCD monitor. The monitor has HDMI, VGA and Component video inputs.
When I attach the monitor to the Mini DisplayPort output, using a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter connected to a DVI to HDMI cable, the display functions properly at all resolutions - including the native 1920 x 1200 resolution that I use it at normally. All resolutions are clearly displayed in the "Displays" System Preferences pane. The display looks perfect, functions properly.
When I attach the monitor to the HDMI port using an HDMI cable, the display does not fucntion properly. The display is shifted about 80-100 pixels to the left and about 20 pixels up, creating black bars on the bottom and right sides. Because of this, a large portion of the display is not visible including the menu bar and most of the left side. Additionally, the settings are reduced to "Best for Display" or "Scaled", with resolution options under "Scaled".
This is not acceptable. I had planned on simply using the Mini DisplayPort output as a workaround, since I already have the DVI adapter from an old setup, but I need to use Thunderbolt to access external hard drives for rapid data transfer. One of my Thunderbolt accessories does not have two ports, so I can't simply add the Mini DisplayPort adapter to a chain. The HDMI port needs to function properly with my monitor.
It's important to note that this monitor has functioned properly with many other comptuers running OS X, Windows and various Linux flavors and it hasn't ever done this before. I've tried several different HDMI cables, ruling that out as a problem. I've tried the HDMI to DVI adapter that ships with the Mac Mini 2012 along with two different DVI to HDMI adapters, ruling that out as a problem. I tried attaching several HDMI devices (game consoles, DVD players, etc) and they all function properly, ruling out an HDMI issue as a problem. The monitor functions properly when attached through the Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter, so it's not a problem with the monitor. I've reset the PRAM already and the installation of OS X 10.8.1 is stock with no modifications or migrated data. I've tried the suggestions on the HDMI FAQ (although there's no "underscan" option available in Displays)
I tried to call AppleCare and after describing the problem I got disconnected with no callback. I started another ticket, described the problem, discussed the previous disconnection, was assured that I'd be called back if disconnected, and haven't heard back in two hours. So I started to dig into the problem in earnest.
This gets pretty technical.
After substantial research, it appears that this issue is related to the EDID that the monitor sends to the computer and, crucially, the way that the driver responds to it. For some reason, the HDMI port is recognizing the monitor as a CEA device instead of a monitor. As a result, it's restricting the monitor's available resolution to the native resolution that the CEA 681 Series Extension describes ("Best for Display") and all other resolutions (including 1920 x 1200) are only available as "scaled". For some reason that I can't discern, all resolutions (even the 1080i and 1080p options) have similar deformities.
I've attempted to fix this by placing an appropriate override file in /System/Library/Displays/Overrides with an edied EDID removing the CEA-enable flag from byte 127 but, even after a reboot, the OS still insists that it's a CEA device and it won't allow me to force it to recognize the monitor as a 1920 x 1200 LCD Monitor.
How did I come to this conclusion and develop the fix? A nearly identical problem description showed up on the following website, with details on how this user fixed the issue:
http://byuu.org/articles/computing/edid
They used a convoluted process that involved dismantling the monitor and flashing the EDID on the monitor itself. It fixed their problem. I'd prefer not to go through that process just because one computer has a problem with it. Frankly, I'd prefer if the new Mac Mini performed properly in the first place.
TL;DR: The Mac Mini 2012 doesn't work right with the LG L246WP through the HDMI output. Everything else works fine with it. This is very uncool. It's most likely to be an issue with the driver for the Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU that are bundled with OS X 10.8.1. The Mac Mini 2012 won't update to 10.8.2 (yet), so I can't test it.
Anyone have any other ideas? Anyone else using a Mac Mini 2012 (or 2011) with an LG L246WP monitor? Anything simple I've missed?

Problem Resolved. But it was complicated. And a huge pain in the rear.
TL;DR: I flashed the EDID as described here. This is not recommended for the weary. Ideally, Apple should release an update OS X that will include the updated Intel HD Graphics 4000 drivers that utilize the CEA flag properly.
Here's the detailed version. As mentioned above, this isn't recommended for the weary. An improper (or interrupted) EDID flash can have seriously unpredictable effects on a monitor's performance.
Step 1: Get a Windows PC set up with a floppy drive and find a floppy disk. Use this system to format the floppy as a MS-DOS Boot Disk and copy over the "ddcw" program described at the aformentioned link.
This took awhile, but I was able to cobble together a temporary frankensystem with parts I had laying around. In installed XP and formatted the disk with XP's format tool.
Step 2: Grab EDID data from the monitor, modify it to disable CEA mode at bit 127 and make sure bit 128, the checksum, is appropriate.
This also took awhile. Several graphics cards I tried could not read or write EDID data. I ended up swapping AGP cards in my frankenstein box until I found one that worked - a generic GeForce4 4200.
Once the EDID data was written to the floppy, I edited the text file containing the EDID data to change the last two hex octets from "01 33" to "00 34" (00, to disable bit 127, and 34 is 33 + 1, which satisfies the checksum) and formatted the text file to match the sample included in the EDID_Write.zip file. Your mileage may vary - make sure the checks.
Step 3: Write EDID data to the monitor.
The link above mentioned three options: Easy (monitor's EDID is unprotected - write away!), Hard (monitor's EDID is protected - use service mode to attempt a fix), and Very Hard (monitor's EDID is protected, hardware modification is required).
Luckily my LG246WP simply needed to be put into service mode as described at the link above (menu + power) and once started up in service mode, I simply enabled "Aging Mode" (whatever that means) and attempted a DDCW write of the updated data.
Step 4: Profit!
After doing this, I powered off the monitor and powered it back on with the Mac Mini attached. The display functions PERFECTLY with HDMI out, just as it does using the Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter.

Mac mini hdmi video output blurry

I have an Aug 2011 mac mini plugged into an AV receiver en route to a sony bravia 32" and the resolution is pretty bad, especially text and photos. PS3 and HD cable box output look great. I've tried working with the picture resolution on the tv but that does little to help the fuzzy mac mini video output. I have an earlier vintage mac mini that used a monitor cable to the tv and the resolution was fine -- do I have to go back to that? It seems from the message boards that windows 7 on mac mini works fine and looks great but that OSX is failing to deliver a sharp image. Suggestions? Or is there some software fix available?

I just bought a mac mini(2010) and had the same issue as coaster - mini to samsung P2270HD via HDMI gives a very bad picture quality. Took the mini back to the store and they reproduced the problem on the same monitor. Then the guy took a dvi cable and via HDMI-DVI adaptor connected it to the same monitor but on DVI input. Picture quality was fantastic.
Now why did that happen? Same HDMI port but different input to Monitor

Mac mini hdmi to VGA

On my Mac mini, I have been using thunderbolt to VGA for a monitor & it works fine. I would like to add a second monitor. I bought a hdmi to VGA but when plugged in, there is no picture on the second display and the first display blinks off & on. Am I wrong in thinking this should work? How else would I get the second display?

From:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4214
Can the HDMI port drive analog displays (VGA displays for example) using adapters?
No. The HDMI port will drive digital connections—such as DVI—using the adapter that came with the Mac mini, but cannot be used for analog displays such as VGA. You can purchase a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter separately to drive analog displays.
If yo really need ton use two VGA monitors yo willneed a UBS video adopter
http://www.kensington.com/kensington/us/us/p/1505/K33974AM/universal-multi-displ ay-adapter.aspx#.UxSD9_mwKBo
or
http://www.kensington.com/kensington/us/us/p/1505/K33974AM/universal-multi-displ ay-adapter.aspx#.UxSD9_mwKBo

I just connected my Mac Mini running OS 10.6.8 to a IG 32' monitor. What resolution should I select from the menu?

I just connected my wife's Mac Mini running OS 10.6.8 to an IG 32' monitor. What resolution should I select from the menu in order to provide maximum screen appearance? My wife has AMD and a visual acuity of 20/400 with central scotonata.

In System Preferences:Displays you have an option to show
Displays Prefs in the title bar above the screen - where she can
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2011 Mac Mini HDMI only 2Ch Stereo

Wow is this frustrating. I've had my Mac Mini for about a week, and for the life of me, cannot get surround sound working via HDMI. I've read so many posts about people with this problem but I can't find a definitive answer for a fix. All I want is for the Mac Mini to passthrough the audio so that my Pioneer Receiver can handle all of the Dolby stuff.
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Problem switcing Mac Mini HDMI via an Onkyo 606 Receiver

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John.

Do you have a second computer at your disposal? In cases like this, the best debugging method is to use a second computer and create a screen sharing setup under OS X Leopard, or a VNC set up if the second computer is not a Mac running Leopard. That way you will be able to see exactly what the mini is doing, even though the TV is blank.
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I'm trying Facetime with my Mac Mini with OS 10.7.5 and an Acer H243HX monitor (w/ HDMI, USB). I can get the webcam-in , but even with settings in Sounds set to have the input come through the Acer monitor, I still cannot get any sound input into the Mac.

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My mac mini late 2012 is having resolution problems?

My mac mini late 2012 is having resolution problems?
Tried resetting PRAM and SMC but still nothing works.
Sometimes is goes back to normal. But then suddenly when I startup or wake up from sleep it changes to resolution 800x600 and stays there..
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Hmmm, not sure on the startup, but on the sleep angle...
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See if it's related to this...
The 2012 macs (and later apparently) not waking normally from sleep after hours being in sleep. (noted here ...
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/archives/feb13/022813.html#2012macswontwake
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http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1529750
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Mac Mini HDMI - Stuck CD

Hello,
I have a CD stuck in my new Mac Mini HDMI.
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Or is anyone aware of a simple fix?
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See > TS4113 Mac mini looses audio output...: Apple Support Communities and others like it, just to the right in More Like This

2010 mac mini hdmi sound output

Hi,
i have following audio setup via hdmi of my mac mini:
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I am trying to get my Mac Mini (2010) to use the speakers I have connected for my Samsung 40" TV through my Yamaha receiver as well. I connected to the TV to my Mini via HDMI thinking it would take care of video AND audio, but I cannot get the audio to function. Do I need to connect from the headset port to my receiver? If so, into which port?
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The Mac Mini 2010 has a HDMI port but it appears that it will not pass through Dolby encoded sound.
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I recently purchased a Panasonic TH-50PZ81B. This is a UK model with a built-in satellite ("Freesat") receiver, and displays full 1080p and uses a 1920 x 1080 native panel. I used to connect my Mac mini HTPC to a Sony 42" plasma by VGA, and the Panasonic has a VGA input which displays 1,368 x 768 out of the box - no SwitchResX. It's decent. But, I wanted the "full" 1080p so bought the Belkin DVI-HDMI cable. Like a lot of people I got the choice of either the big black bars all around, or enabling "overscan" in Displays which would fill the screen, but, well, overscan! I spent all morning playing with SwitchResX and it just wasn't working (and the instructions at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=751713 bothered me in that it seems to suggest you need to increase the resolution so it wouldn't be 1:1 pixel mapping). I tried to look at the service menu but it wasn't obvious what to do so I left it alone, and there is no manual picture adjustment like there was on my old Sony. Urgh.
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On the TV settings go Menu -> Settings -> Picture Overscan and make sure it's OFF. Done!
I don't know if other Panasonic screens are similar but I can tell from the frustration on other posts - which I shared, believe me - that there are a lot of people with this issue wondering why SwitchResX is so non-intuitive etc. so I am hoping that for all those people who know how to use Google, this will show up in their searches.

I decided to post in the display forum because it was fine outputing via DVI-HDMI to a 1368*768 TV, and also fine via D-sub to the Full HD TV (although at 1368*768, but that's the limitation of the TV)
But thanks for your advice. I'll post there as well

Mac Mini HDMI output gives bad resolution on external 1920x1200 external monitor

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