iMac - Connecting iMac to Samsung LN-T1954H Monitor (Resolution Issue)

Paralex · Paralex #1 (**permalink**)

02-05-2008, 04:09 PM

Hey all,

I just bought a beautiful Samsung 19" HDTV on Saturday and I just received my Mini-DVI to VGA adaptor today. In the specs on my TV, it claims that it has a native resolution of 1440x900, but it's only displaying at a max of 1360x768. It looks very ugly in this off-resolution and I was wondering if there was anyway I can force it to be 1440x900.

Chilbear · Chilbear #2 (**permalink**)

02-05-2008, 05:52 PM

I think you lost the effort with the mini DVI to VGA option. I have a mini to DVI and it handles a 22" just fine. Switch the connector if you can and you should be good to go.

Paralex · Paralex #3 (**permalink**)

02-05-2008, 07:54 PM

Is there a non-Apple branded mini-DVI -> DVI or mini-DVI -> HDMI adaptors?

Chilbear · Chilbear #4 (**permalink**)

02-05-2008, 08:42 PM

I'm sure there is but heck for a $20 cable why get second best to save $5 to $10 dollars. I have not seen a HDMI connection in my travels.

Paralex · Paralex #5 (**permalink**)

02-05-2008, 09:14 PM

I have tried SwitchResX for a custom resolution but I don't know how to properly apply the configuration, maybe you could help me? Here's a screenshot:

bobtomay · bobtomay #6 (**permalink**)

02-05-2008, 09:20 PM

The resolution of the display on HDTV's have basically little to do with what input resolutions they will accept.

The maximum input resolution that particular Samsung will accept for PC is 1360 x 768 and only on the vga (aka dsub15) input.

It will not accept PC input on the HDMI. This is a limitation by Samsung on this port on their TV. Not sure what it means, probably that it does not provide the necessary handshake required by computers to recognize an external display.

Sorry, but bottom line, you're not going to get any better connection than you have now. All of the above is in the users guide for your TV.

I have already experimented at some length using VGA and DVI to HDMI connecting Mac's to HDTV display's. Several of them. I have found no great difference in the quality of the 2 connections. They both bite the bullit compared to connecting an MS or Linux OS to the same display. It has to do with the way OS X displays fonts. It's fine for watching movies from your Mac, but for reading, not happenin'.

And since you have no DVI connection, that's out.

bobtomay · bobtomay #7 (**permalink**)

02-05-2008, 09:26 PM

If you want to try SwitchResX, you will still need to use settings that the display will accept. If you try to much outside the range of those settings, you can damage the display. And if 'they' find out, would not cover it under warranty. SwitchResX is not designed to cause your display to accept resolutions it wasn't designed for, but rather to help you easily set the correct settings, due to the display for one reason or another not passing that info to the OS.

Look at around page 34 in your users manual for the recommended frequecy settings of your display.

Paralex · Paralex #8 (**permalink**)

02-05-2008, 09:27 PM

Ah thank you. The specs were very misleading, I wish that the retailer that I went to would have allowed me to test each VGA port with my laptop so I could have made a wiser buying decision.

bobtomay · bobtomay #9 (**permalink**)

02-05-2008, 09:35 PM

If you want to still try DVI to HDMI, I probably would in your shoes - try this cable, it's good enough and even has at least one reviewer using it with their Mac. Best of all, it's only $12.50 freight included.

Or this one for $12 and free super saver shipping on orders over $25. I have several cables from this company.

Just realize, that particular HDMI port accepts 720p and 1080i. So, using that port on this TV, you would set your output resolution at 720p, which would be 1280 x 720.

Paralex · Paralex #10 (**permalink**)

02-05-2008, 10:06 PM

Thanks for the advice, but if this is the best I can get then I have no choice but to use it. Thanks for all the help.

bobtomay #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,786 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	02-05-2008, 09:20 PM The resolution of the display on HDTV's have basically little to do with what input resolutions they will accept. The maximum input resolution that particular Samsung will accept for PC is 1360 x 768 and only on the vga (aka dsub15) input. It will not accept PC input on the HDMI. This is a limitation by Samsung on this port on their TV. Not sure what it means, probably that it does not provide the necessary handshake required by computers to recognize an external display. Sorry, but bottom line, you're not going to get any better connection than you have now. All of the above is in the users guide for your TV. I have already experimented at some length using VGA and DVI to HDMI connecting Mac's to HDTV display's. Several of them. I have found no great difference in the quality of the 2 connections. They both bite the bullit compared to connecting an MS or Linux OS to the same display. It has to do with the way OS X displays fonts. It's fine for watching movies from your Mac, but for reading, not happenin'. And since you have no DVI connection, that's out. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month Last edited by bobtomay; 02-05-2008 at 09:43 PM.
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,786 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	02-05-2008, 09:26 PM If you want to try SwitchResX, you will still need to use settings that the display will accept. If you try to much outside the range of those settings, you can damage the display. And if 'they' find out, would not cover it under warranty. SwitchResX is not designed to cause your display to accept resolutions it wasn't designed for, but rather to help you easily set the correct settings, due to the display for one reason or another not passing that info to the OS. Look at around page 34 in your users manual for the recommended frequecy settings of your display. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,786 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	02-05-2008, 09:35 PM If you want to still try DVI to HDMI, I probably would in your shoes - try this cable, it's good enough and even has at least one reviewer using it with their Mac. Best of all, it's only $12.50 freight included. Or this one for $12 and free super saver shipping on orders over $25. I have several cables from this company. Just realize, that particular HDMI port accepts 720p and 1080i. So, using that port on this TV, you would set your output resolution at 720p, which would be 1280 x 720. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month Last edited by bobtomay; 02-05-2008 at 09:42 PM.
	QUOTE Thanks

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iMac - Connecting iMac to Samsung LN-T1954H Monitor (Resolution Issue)

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Paralex #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 25, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 241 Mac Specs: iMac 20", Intel Core Duo 2.0Ghz, 2GB RAM, 500GB HD, ATI Radeon X1600/256MB VRAM	02-05-2008, 04:09 PM Hey all, I just bought a beautiful Samsung 19" HDTV on Saturday and I just received my Mini-DVI to VGA adaptor today. In the specs on my TV, it claims that it has a native resolution of 1440x900, but it's only displaying at a max of 1360x768. It looks very ugly in this off-resolution and I was wondering if there was anyway I can force it to be 1440x900.
	QUOTE Thanks

Chilbear #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 14, 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 574 Mac Specs: 2xiMac24 w Parallels 6 (1x White, 1x Aluminum), iPhone 3GS with iOS5	02-05-2008, 05:52 PM I think you lost the effort with the mini DVI to VGA option. I have a mini to DVI and it handles a 22" just fine. Switch the connector if you can and you should be good to go.
	QUOTE Thanks

Chilbear #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 14, 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 574 Mac Specs: 2xiMac24 w Parallels 6 (1x White, 1x Aluminum), iPhone 3GS with iOS5	02-05-2008, 08:42 PM I'm sure there is but heck for a $20 cable why get second best to save $5 to $10 dollars. I have not seen a HDMI connection in my travels.
	QUOTE Thanks

Paralex #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 25, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 241 Mac Specs: iMac 20", Intel Core Duo 2.0Ghz, 2GB RAM, 500GB HD, ATI Radeon X1600/256MB VRAM	02-05-2008, 09:14 PM I have tried SwitchResX for a custom resolution but I don't know how to properly apply the configuration, maybe you could help me? Here's a screenshot:
	QUOTE Thanks

Paralex #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 25, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 241 Mac Specs: iMac 20", Intel Core Duo 2.0Ghz, 2GB RAM, 500GB HD, ATI Radeon X1600/256MB VRAM	02-05-2008, 09:27 PM Ah thank you. The specs were very misleading, I wish that the retailer that I went to would have allowed me to test each VGA port with my laptop so I could have made a wiser buying decision.
	QUOTE Thanks

Paralex #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 25, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 241 Mac Specs: iMac 20", Intel Core Duo 2.0Ghz, 2GB RAM, 500GB HD, ATI Radeon X1600/256MB VRAM	02-05-2008, 10:06 PM Thanks for the advice, but if this is the best I can get then I have no choice but to use it. Thanks for all the help.
	QUOTE Thanks

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