I have a MacMini 2.0Ghz Core 2 duo, 4gb ram and Nvidia 9400 driving 2 displays - Apple 20" Cinema Display and 50" Fujitsu Plasma. The displays are "mirrored" at 1360x768 and look beautiful except for one thing. When playing video from Apple DVD Player or streaming (Hulu/Netflix) there are occasional horizontal choppy lines that move from top to bottom on the Fujitsu but not the Apple. Any suggestions? Thanks!

How are you connected to the plasma and what happens to the horizontal choppy lines on it when you disconnect the 20" and don't mirror?

What power grid is Plasma on? Make sure it is has clean power. I know that is a semi analogous statement, but lines are usually caused by interference from electronic components. Power transformers, the box that plugs into the wall, also power cables, the possibilities are endless. HDMI cables are not bullet proof that are actually very fragile, I would recommend trying an alternate after you clean up the a/v lines and separate power lines. Unplug any high voltage equipment on the same circuit as the plasma.

I have a MacMini 2.0Ghz Core 2 duo, 4gb ram and Nvidia 9400 driving 2 displays - Apple 20" Cinema Display and 50" Fujitsu Plasma. The displays are "mirrored" at 1360x768 and look beautiful except for one thing. When playing video from Apple DVD Player or streaming (Hulu/Netflix) there are occasional horizontal choppy lines that move from top to bottom on the Fujitsu but not the Apple. Any suggestions? Thanks!

By any chance, is your Fujitsu plasma using a 1080i ALis panel? If so, perhaps it's having difficulty displaying the progressive desktop on an interlaced display.

How are you connected to the plasma and what happens to the horizontal choppy lines on it when you disconnect the 20" and don't mirror?

The Fujitsu is connected via the mini DVI - DVI adapter. I haven't tried disconnecting the 20" I will tonite.
Thanks

What power grid is Plasma on? Make sure it is has clean power. I know that is a semi analogous statement, but lines are usually caused by interference from electronic components. Power transformers, the box that plugs into the wall, also power cables, the possibilities are endless. HDMI cables are not bullet proof that are actually very fragile, I would recommend trying an alternate after you clean up the a/v lines and separate power lines. Unplug any high voltage equipment on the same circuit as the plasma.

It has runs through a "Monster" plasma power conditioner. The lines only appear when playing content through the Mini not DirecTv or Blu-Ray.
Thanks

By any chance, is your Fujitsu plasma using a 1080i ALis panel? If so, perhaps it's having difficulty displaying the progressive desktop on an interlaced display.

I believe it is 1080i - it's about 6 years old. I don't see the lines from when displaying the MacMini except when playing videos. I wonder if there are scan settings in DVDPlayer??

How are you connected to the plasma and what happens to the horizontal choppy lines on it when you disconnect the 20" and don't mirror?

Chefklc,

I did some more testing and found as you may have suspected - the Fujitsu is fine with the 20" disconnected. I also determined the problem only occurs when viewing scenes with lots of movement. Oddly the problem persists even if the 20" is off but plugged in. 9400 just not enough to drive both adequately??

Chefklc,

I did some more testing and found as you may have suspected - the Fujitsu is fine with the 20" disconnected. I also determined the problem only occurs when viewing scenes with lots of movement. Oddly the problem persists even if the 20" is off but plugged in. 9400 just not enough to drive both adequately??

I believe it is 1080i - it's about 6 years old. I don't see the lines from when displaying the MacMini except when playing videos. I wonder if there are scan settings in DVDPlayer??

Sounds like you have your answer, but perhaps you can check one last thing. If you have VLC, you could try playing a movie DVD (must be 24 fps) and try adjusting the options that are available on VLC. VLC has tons of deinterlacing type options.

Sounds like you have your answer, but perhaps you can check one last thing. If you have VLC, you could try playing a movie DVD (must be 24 fps) and try adjusting the options that are available on VLC. VLC has tons of deinterlacing type options.
Thanks, tried VLC and all options - no luck. How can I be sure my movies are 24fps??

Thanks, tried VLC and all options - no luck. How can I be sure my movies are 24fps??

Well, if it's any sort of hollywood feature film, it'll be 24fps. I think even the animated movies are 24 fps. Some of the direct to video DVDs might not be.

I think that if you play the movie in VLC, you can bring up a info box that displays the framerate.