07-12-2008, 12:11 AM

I recently decided to go with a Mac-Mini as the central-brain of my HTPC configuration, and I was immediately halted in the process of getting things working by my inability to properly output video from the Mac-Mini such that it's even visible on my 50" Plasma TV (Panasonic TH-50PHW3).

Neither of my A/V Receivers (Denon AVR-3805 & Denon AVR-2805) have HDMI inputs, but both of them have component video inputs for HD content, so I purchased the DVI-to-Component cable linked below to use for outputting video from my Mac-Mini to the Denon:
http://sewelldirect.com/DVI-to-Compo...-Cable-6ft.asp

Needless to say, nothing I've tried has been effective in my Mac-Mini being displayed on my Plasma TV??

Any thoughts?

07-12-2008, 12:42 AM

The mini works with any other monitor? Are you sure the connections are good on the Denon? Does it display anything, even like a No Signal" message?

07-12-2008, 06:43 AM

I just read the footnote at the bottom of the page I linked to in this thread's initial post, in which it points out that this DVI-to-Component cable will not work with a PC or Mac!!

Anyone have any alternate suggestions?

Unfortunately, due to my current A/V system configuration I cannot plug directly into my TV (all of my A/V equipment is located in a rack in the basement of my 3-story apartment, and my TV is located in the living room on the top floor...I would most likely be able to get video by plugging directly into the TV, but there would be no way to hook up the audio, as my speakers run through the receiver in the basement)

Seeing as how I cannot connect my Mini directly to my TV to use VGA, and also the fact that my receiver doesn't provide any HDMI inputs (the only HD input is does provide is 'component'), I need to somehow find a way to go DVI video-out from my Mac-mini to component-in on my receiver...As far as I can tell, this would appear to be the only way to maintain an HD quality output from my Mini to my TV...Any Thoughts?

07-12-2008, 08:51 AM

Do have available DVI or VGA ports to use?

07-12-2008, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by m021478

I just read the footnote at the bottom of the page I linked to in this thread's initial post, in which it points out that this DVI-to-Component cable will not work with a PC or Mac!!

Anyone have any alternate suggestions?

Same problem here. My full-HD-Samsung has two component,but no hdmi input. Any chance that i got my mac mini connected?

Help highly appreciated!!!

07-12-2008, 05:46 PM

Neither of you have DVI or VGA ports you can use? DVI is pretty similar to HDMI, minus the audio. VGA is similar to component minus the audio.
I have an $800 Samsung HD set and it has a VGA port. I use the DVI to HDMI cable to the TV and miniphone to RCA for the receiver for audio.

07-12-2008, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by m021478

Unfortunately, due to my current A/V system configuration I cannot plug directly into my TV (all of my A/V equipment is located in a rack in the basement of my 3-story apartment, and my TV is located in the living room on the top floor...I would most likely be able to get video by plugging directly into the TV, but there would be no way to hook up the audio, as my speakers run through the receiver in the basement)

What's keeping you from plugging the Mini into the TV via VGA and then running the audio cable downstairs to the receiver? You would have to use two cables regardless of how you set up the Mini, and last I checked, audio cables can go quite far.

07-13-2008, 05:27 PM

Would this work at all?

http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9...es&mco=MTUzNTY

Then you can just use a 3.5mm plug to dual RCA plugs and you have it going. At least that is how I hook it up.

07-13-2008, 05:29 PM

Doesn't support HD.

07-13-2008, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by bryphotoguy

Doesn't support HD.

Good point. I retract my statement

07-23-2008, 02:02 AM

Originally Posted by bryphotoguy

Neither of you have DVI or VGA ports you can use? DVI is pretty similar to HDMI, minus the audio. VGA is similar to component minus the audio.
I have an $800 Samsung HD set and it has a VGA port. I use the DVI to HDMI cable to the TV and miniphone to RCA for the receiver for audio.

I just had the chance to check again with my full-HD television. I indeed do not have a DVI or HDMI input. However, I do have a VGA input. If I connect my macmini to the VGA input, will I have the chance to watch full-HD? What cable would I need and is there really no way to connect the macmini over Component.

Help is highly appreciated.

07-23-2008, 02:07 AM

Yes, VGA supports resolutions higher than the 1080p resolution of your TV.