I'm about to pull the trigger on a new Mac Mini as a HTPC, but I have a few issues still holding me back.

I have a Samsung LN52A650 LCD.
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/spec.do?group=televisions&type=televisions&subtype=lcdtv&model_cd=LN52A650A1FXZA&fullspec=F

1. Does anyone have a New Mac Mini and the same TV?
How's the Picture Quality?
Do you and overscan issues?
What resolution did you set the Mini?
Are you getting 1920 X 1080 on the TV

2. What is the method do you use to connect the mini to the LCD
Mini-DVI -> HDMI
Mini-DVI -> VGA
Mini-Display -> HDMI
Mini-Display -> VGA

3. How do I configure the LCD TV for best results with the Mini? Are that specific settings I need to get the best picture and least overscan?


4. Do you connect the Mac Mini directly to the LCD or do you connect to a receiver with video switching?

The receiver I have is the Denon AVR-2309CI.
http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4527.asp



Thanks.

Well I have a LN40A750 and the new mac mini. And I use DVI to HDMI yes I do get 1920x1080 at 60 and 24hrz. And the connection is direct to the TV. For everyday use my res is 1280x720 makes it easier to read the screen. Do not try and use DVI to VGA it does not work at any res other than 640x480. Also I am using the mini DVI not the display port so can't tell you what will happen if you use it. But what I can tell you this is looks and runs great just be sure and add plex on top of front row and set back and enjoy.

tomlog,

Thanks for taking the time to post.

That's great news regarding the Samsung /New Mac Mini combination working well. I was a little concerned as I have read the older Mac Mini took some work to get the resolution to work with the TV without overscan and other issues.

BTW, How much RAM do you have in your Mini?

I am also interested in this same solution. How do DVD's look on your TV from the Mac Mini? I am looking at the 40650 or 40750. Why can't you use 1080P for your everyday setting?

Would you mind posting some pictures? Lets keep this thread alive.

Thanks.

I was wondering the same thing and found this while doing some research. Have you guys seen this?

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/Reviews/AH0017-New-Mac-Mini-and-Plex.html

Well up until tonight I had 1Gb of ram but I got the 4Gb upgrade from cruical and installed it and yes it does help alot. As for how DVD's look well I have not played a stright DVD as I have ripped all my DVD's as orignal MPEG's and they look great. The one thing I will tell you is first thing get Plex it rocks not only for your ripped movies and music but the streaming is great revision 3 and cnet oth look great and TWIT Live is also a must have. I did try Boxee and did not really like it and the same for the orignal XBMC I think Plex is just a much better version of it. Sorry no screen shots I will work on that. The Mac Mini as a HTPC is great and I have thru the loop on this from DLNA extenders to PS3 to XBOX 360 to the built in DLNA extender in my 750 the mac beats them all by a mile best money I have spent.

tomlog,

Thanks for taking the time to post.

That's great news regarding the Samsung /New Mac Mini combination working well. I was a little concerned as I have read the older Mac Mini took some work to get the resolution to work with the TV without overscan and other issues.

BTW, How much RAM do you have in your Mini?

One more thing be sure and set your TV to just scan on the input you use for your mini and there are no overscan issues at all if you leave it on 16x9 you will have overscan.

Does it still fill the screen? Are you using a program to burn your DVD's to play them? How do they look?

Yes it does fill the screen as long as the computer res is set to 1280x720 or 1920x1080. As for ripping on the mac I use mac the ripper and on windows I use magic dvd. I do also use Handbreak.

I am comparing a 40 inch Samsung 1080P 120Hz and a Sony Bravia Z-Series 1080P 120Hz. Does anyone know if any problems will exist if I go the Sony route? The Z-Series gets great reviews and is about $100 cheaper than the Samsung.