View Full Version : iMac DVI output - anybody tried/using it?
The Dude
26-02-2007, 1:16 PM
I'll be ordering myself a top-spec 24" iMac just as soon as Leopard comes out, to replace my current PC/HTPC setup with a single box solution..
My question concerns the DVI-out for a secondary monitor, does it all work OK? Has anybody connected an iMac -- ideally the 24" with the 7600GT -- up to their 720P TV?
How did it go? Any Issues?
How 'good' is the secondary monitor output, how does it work?
Clone Mode? Extended Desktop? Flexible resolutions/Refresh rates?
How does it all compare to Windows?
Any feedback is greatly welcomed. :)
I'll be buying one anyway, so will post back myself when the time comes...(mid-March according to rumour!) but it would be great to hear from anybody who's running their iMac into their HT setup via the DVI-output. :thumbsup:
SeedyR
26-02-2007, 1:40 PM
...My question concerns the DVI-out for a secondary monitor, does it all work OK? Has anybody connected an iMac -- ideally the 24" with the 7600GT -- up to their 720P TV?
How did it go? Any Issues?
How 'good' is the secondary monitor output, how does it work?
Clone Mode? Extended Desktop? Flexible resolutions/Refresh rates?
How does it all compare to Windows?
Any feedback is greatly welcomed. :)
I haven't got an iMac, but think the output will work the same as my MacBook Pro when connected via DVI, basically flawless.
You can clone or have two destops. You can choose which is the main one (this is good, so front row can then go on your big screen, and you control it with your apple remote) and change the resolution and refresh rate to the screen you are connecting to, while keeping your original resolution on your mac screen.
As soon as I plug the DVI cable in my MacBook Pro it remembers my settings, so once you set it up to how you want (took me less than 5 minutes) then it really is very simple.
The picture looks absolutely amazing on my 32" inch LCD. I can happily surf the internet and do other tasks from a good 8-10 feet back.
As I said, I don't have an iMac,but can't imagine it being much different.
Craig
p.s How does it compare to Windows? Do you even need to ask? :rotfl:
timmillwood
26-02-2007, 1:42 PM
i use my Macbook pro with TV and Projector all the time, its great, so thinking of somthing more permanent like Mac mini as HTPC
love my mac mini as my htpc with my phd6 and my z4 - dvi looks crisp and sharp with good colour rendition ...
Jon
BenchyUK
26-02-2007, 9:24 PM
I want to connect my 20'' imac to my 32'' LCD when it arrives.
My TV only accepts VGA, so i assume i need a mini DVI-VGA cable?
Will there be issues with it going to VGA the other end?
SeedyR
27-02-2007, 12:46 AM
I want to connect my 20'' imac to my 32'' LCD when it arrives.
My TV only accepts VGA, so i assume i need a mini DVI-VGA cable?
Will there be issues with it going to VGA the other end?
I do this too sometimes, no issues at all. I've just got a dvi - vga apple adaptor and it works fine.
Although I'm not using an iMac, my old laptop (PowerBook G4 with a damaged screen) is my "HTPC" and can be seen on top of my rack in "My Set Up". I use it on my 32" LCD and my 720p projector, I have it coming out of the laptop DVI-HDMI into a HDMI switcher with zero problems.
ahin4114
27-02-2007, 12:15 PM
20" iMac runs up into my 40" Bravia with no problems at all. Only issue I have is that the TV overscan's by about 5%. I'm trying to knock that out with DisplayConfigX, but I've not succeeded yet, picture is fine regardless of overscan.
I've had the 2.13Ghz core 2 duo running 1080 material on the Bravia whilst I surfed on the iMac monitor, no slowdown at all.
glynhughes
28-02-2007, 12:30 AM
The 24" iMac has a very bright screen and you can't take the brightness down by much and can't turn the screen off. This makes it unsuitable as a feed for a projector.
I'm now using a basic macbook into a JVC HD1 (mini-DVI to DVI to HDMI). Gives me total control over the laptop screen plus (as with any current/recent mac) the screen adapts itself automatically according to whether the projector is attached or not.
ahin4114
28-02-2007, 10:30 AM
The 24" iMac has a very bright screen and you can't take the brightness down by much and can't turn the screen off. This makes it unsuitable as a feed for a projector.
I'm now using a basic macbook into a JVC HD1 (mini-DVI to DVI to HDMI). Gives me total control over the laptop screen plus (as with any current/recent mac) the screen adapts itself automatically according to whether the projector is attached or not.
Surely you could just set the screen saver to black the screen, define a hotspot to activate it, and then move the mouse over the hotspot once your source material is fired up?
glynhughes
28-02-2007, 10:58 AM
Surely you could just set the screen saver to black the screen, define a hotspot to activate it, and then move the mouse over the hotspot once your source material is fired up?
Maybe that would have worked - might also have blacked out the projector's image too though so if anyone's tempted by this workaround, suggest you check it out first.
ahin4114
01-03-2007, 9:46 AM
Maybe that would have worked - might also have blacked out the projector's image too though so if anyone's tempted by this workaround, suggest you check it out first.
I think if you're mirroring the desktop you're right, not sure about extended desktop though. Will try it out later.
SeedyR
01-03-2007, 10:02 AM
If you mirror desktop it will go black, but if you extend it then it is fine. You can happily have a screensaver on one side of the screen (so in this case black) , while the other side plays a video or something.
flugger
01-03-2007, 10:14 AM
maybe try that isolator program that I mentioned in the apps thread... when turned on it blacks out all other apps...