Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

FunnyMoney · May 29, 2008, 11:01 AM

Is there anyway i can successfully connect the IMAC to any HDTV bigger then 30"? I called APPLE they say the video card does no support anything bigger then a 30". ANY HELP?

mduell · May 29, 2008, 01:21 PM

You can connect the iMac to just about any HDTV on the market; physical size is completely irrelevant.

For HDTVs with DVI connectors, you need the miniDVI-DVI adapter for the iMac and a DVI cable.
For HDTVs with HDMI connectors, you need the miniDVI-DVI adapter for the iMac and a DVI-HDMI cable.
For HDTVs with VGA connectors, you need the miniDVI-VGA adapter for the iMac and a VGA cable.
For HDTVs with component connectors, you need the miniDVI-VGA adapter for the iMac and a VGA-component able.

Was AppleDoesn'tCare trying to up-sell you to a Mac Pro? I can't see any other reason to spread that kind of misinformation.

Mac User #001 · May 29, 2008, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

AppleDoesn'tCare

Really? That sucks. I was expecting more from them. I've never had it, but was hoping. Lately I've been extremely impressed with Microsoft support (will I get stoned for this?), and wanted to be able to say that Apple's was better.

mduell · May 29, 2008, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Mac User #001

Really? That sucks. I was expecting more from them. I've never had it, but was hoping. Lately I've been extremely impressed with Microsoft support (will I get stoned for this?), and wanted to be able to say that Apple's was better.

Their lack of knowledge (both technical and organizational) is a huge disappointment to me.

FunnyMoney · May 29, 2008, 05:25 PM

mduell

I have the miniDVI-DVI adapter for the iMac and a male dvi-Female HDMI video adapter plus the monster HDMI cable that connects HDTV with the dvi adapter

No apple wasn't trying to sell me a mac pro. They simply said that i had no choice.

FunnyMoney · May 29, 2008, 05:26 PM

mduell

I have the miniDVI-DVI adapter for the iMac and a male dvi-Female HDMI video adapter plus the monster HDMI cable that connects HDTV with the dvi adapter

No apple wasn't trying to sell me a mac pro. They simply said that i had no choice.

Luca Rescigno · May 29, 2008, 05:38 PM

The guy you spoke to was confused an living in some sort of a strange make-believe world where there's no such thing as an HDTV and all screens are made by Apple. When he said that you can only go up to 30", he meant that the Apple 30" display is the largest monitor that works on the iMac. What he failed to realize is that HDTV monitors operate at much lower resolutions than 30" monitors do. A 32" HDTV has a native resolution of 1366x768 (most likely). You may have to set the monitor to 1280x720, though, to avoid overscan issues.

mduell · May 29, 2008, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by FunnyMoney

I have the miniDVI-DVI adapter for the iMac and a male dvi-Female HDMI video adapter plus the monster HDMI cable that connects HDTV with the dvi adapter

Two notes on cables: you can buy a DVI-HDMI cable, so you'd have one less adapter, and monster cable is a waste of money.

You may need something like switchresx to get the right resolution for your TV. Also turn off overscan on your TV if you can.

Simon · May 29, 2008, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by Luca Rescigno

When he said that you can only go up to 30", he meant that the Apple 30" display is the largest monitor that works on the iMac. What he failed to realize is that HDTV monitors operate at much lower resolutions than 30" monitors do.

Yep, there's your solution. Either he didn't know better or he thought you were talking about computer displays rather than HDTVs.

mduell · May 30, 2008, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by Luca Rescigno

he meant that the Apple 30" display is the largest monitor that works on the iMac.

Except it doesn't... the graphics card could support a dual-link DVI output (required for the 30" ACD at native res), but Apple has crippled it with a single-link DVI output.

Also, inches don't relate to resolutions even for computer monitors; there are 22" LCD displays with more pixels than the Apple 30".

Luca Rescigno · May 30, 2008, 05:11 AM

Originally Posted by mduell

Except it doesn't... the graphics card could support a dual-link DVI output (required for the 30" ACD at native res), but Apple has crippled it with a single-link DVI output.

Really? That sucks. Don't most video cards have dual-link DVI now?

Originally Posted by mduell

Also, inches don't relate to resolutions even for computer monitors; there are 22" LCD displays with more pixels than the Apple 30".

I know. I was pointing out that the Apple support guy he spoke to must not have made that connection.

I didn't know there were 22" LCDs with more than 2560x1600 pixels though. That's pretty nuts.

mduell · May 30, 2008, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Luca Rescigno

Really? That sucks. Don't most video cards have dual-link DVI now?

For video cards you would buy off the shelf, yes. For Macs (aside from the Mac Pro), it's up to Apple to decide if they want to use a single or dual link port.

Originally Posted by Luca Rescigno

I didn't know there were 22" LCDs with more than 2560x1600 pixels though. That's pretty nuts.

IBM and Viewsonic (just a rebadge of the IBM) had 22" LCDs at 3840x2400 (quad HD) before Apple released the 30" ACD. One limitation is that the refresh rate is only 48Hz instead of the usual 60Hz.

FunnyMoney · May 30, 2008, 02:34 PM

Hey thanks,
I got home and did the resolution thing, IT WORKS JUST FINE...i appreciate it....

FunnyMoney · May 30, 2008, 02:40 PM

Hey,
Thank, It is official, the guy i spoke to "was confused and living in some sort of a strange make-believe world where there's no such thing as an HDTV "
It works just fine after the i set the monitor. Thanks again