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khurtwilliams · Dec 9, 2006, 01:53 PM

I want to connect my mac mini to my HDTV. The HDTV has a HDMI input. Can I use the Belkin PureAV HDMI Interface-to-DVI Video Cable to connect the mac mini to this TV?

mduell · Dec 9, 2006, 09:15 PM

I don't even want to think about how much a "Belkin PureAV" cable would cost.

This $10 cable will do the job well: Newegg.com - SYBA 6FT, DVI-D Male to HDMI Male Cable, Gold Plated Connector, RoHS - Retail

edit: Ok, curiosity got the best of me and I looked up the 4' Belkin PureAV HDMI Interface-to-DVI Video Cable... $100! Wow, what a rip!

khurtwilliams · Dec 10, 2006, 10:18 AM

I took your advice and ordered the SYBA 6FT, DVI-D Male to HDMI Male Cable from NewEgg. I can't wait to connect my mac mini to my 34inch HDTV. I have an Apple wireless keyboard and Apple wireless mighty mouse to complete the outfit.

macboy · Dec 10, 2006, 01:25 PM

khurtwilliams, did you get that cable? I've never used an HDMI interface before, and I'd like to with my new Samsung LCD.

Does this thing transfer audio as well? Or just the video signal?

mduell · Dec 10, 2006, 05:15 PM

While HDMI can transfer audio, the cable I linked to is just for video (the audio pins on the HDMI end aren't connected to anything).
For audio you should connect the analog or optical output on your Mac mini to the analog or optical input on your TV or receiver/sound system.

macboy · Dec 10, 2006, 07:24 PM

so if ideally a MBP or a Mini had an HDMI port, I'd be able to transfer optimal quality sound and video with just one cable - just like the iTV?

mduell · Dec 10, 2006, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by macboy

so if ideally a MBP or a Mini had an HDMI port, I'd be able to transfer optimal quality sound and video with just one cable - just like the iTV?

Yes.

khurtwilliams · Dec 11, 2006, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by macboy

khurtwilliams, did you get that cable? I've never used an HDMI interface before, and I'd like to with my new Samsung LCD.

Does this thing transfer audio as well? Or just the video signal?

As soon as it comes in I'll let everyone know.

m_young · Dec 12, 2006, 12:01 AM

FWIW, I've used a DVI-HDMI cable to connect my MacBook to my 32" HDTV and it's worked exceptionally well. You just have to figure out what resolution is right for the TV

iDriveX · Dec 17, 2006, 11:56 PM

Speaking of Resolutions....

I hooked up my Mac Mini (Core Solo) to my 46" HDTV and the available resolutions in NTSC are:

720x480
800x600
1024x768

I am only using this for Front Row. The best resolution I could find was 720x480. The others don't look too fantastic on my TV. But interestingly enough I was reading the Engadget "HOW-TO: Turn Your Mac Mini Into a Media Server" and they were saying if you connect your Mac Mini up to your HDTV via DVI on both ends you would achieve "the holy grail of 1920x1200 HDTV resolution". Why is that resolution not available to me? It would make these shows I'm watching look a lot nicer without a black frame around them.

khurtwilliams · 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by macboy

khurtwilliams, did you get that cable? I've never used an HDMI interface before, and I'd like to with my new Samsung LCD.

Does this thing transfer audio as well? Or just the video signal?

HDMI is for audio and video
I did get the cable but I am disappointed. The Sony HD TV has resolutions of 1080i, 720p, and 480p but I could get the mac mini to work with only one of those in 1920x1024 mode. The resolution sucked. I could hardly read the text. The other modes led to either under scanning or over scanning of the HDTV signal.

What resolutions are others using?

stevesnj · Dec 18, 2006, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by khurtwilliams

HDMI is just for audio.

No HDMI carries audio/video, video only, or audio only.

rclay6612 · Dec 21, 2006, 06:26 PM

I'm using one of the cheaper cables from newegg for DVI to HDMI and my mini is driving my 42" Samsung plasma without a hitch. Looks great. The audio from the analog to RCA plugs isn't great but works until I upgrade my receiver for digital audio in. Yes, my receiver is that old.