I borrowed a new Mini from work and it's connected to a Vizio L32 via VGA. The picture is pretty good and I ran the calibration routine through the Displays panel and it's nice n neutral. I can even read stuff on it clearly from the couch which was a nice surprise (one of several, the others being how good iTunes TV shows looked and how well VIDEO_TS streamed over Ethernet from my G5).

The resolution is 1366x768 and goes edge-to-edge (not sure what else I expected!). When playing DVD, though, there's a small gap on each side. The same DVD through my Sony player and HDMI goes to the edge, but other that that I really can't see any difference between VGA and HDMI, at least with that DVD.

I have decided to buy a Mini* to use as a HTMac based on my experiments this weekend, but wanted to know if there was any benefit to using HDMI vs. VGA, or if it is even possible. I ordered a cheap cable off Amazon just to have. If the display would be sharper then it is worth the trouble.

* after NAB in case there's new ones :)

I have decided to buy a Mini* to use as a HTMac based on my experiments this weekend, but wanted to know if there was any benefit to using HDMI vs. VGA, or if it is even possible. I ordered a cheap cable off Amazon just to have. If the display would be sharper then it is worth the trouble.

Actually, there is a serious disadvantage to using the HDMI. Assuming the 32" is the same as the 37" I have (and I'm pretty sure it is), then the HDMI is limited to 640 x 480 when using a computer.

Actually, there is a serious disadvantage to using the HDMI. Assuming the 32" is the same as the 37" I have (and I'm pretty sure it is), then the HDMI is limited to 640 x 480 when using a computer.
Then VGA it is.

640x480? Wait, what year is it again? Ugh. Oh well, the cable I ordered was only about $10 w/shipping so no big whup. I can save it for when I get a better TV set :)

Actually, there is a serious disadvantage to using the HDMI. Assuming the 32" is the same as the 37" I have (and I'm pretty sure it is), then the HDMI is limited to 640 x 480 when using a computer.

what? I don't buy that for a second. In fact (I know a different model but) I just got done testing my brother's new 47" Vizio, the new 1080P LCD with his Mini and my Macbook. Using DVI to HDMI cable we were able to get a beautiful 1920x1080 resolution. I even tried other resolutions and the monitor was filled edge to edge with the computer display.

Even the OP stated that he tested this out with a Mini on his L32!

what? I don't buy that for a second. In fact (I know a different model but) I just got done testing my brother's new 47" Vizio, the new 1080P LCD with his Mini and my Macbook. Using DVI to HDMI cable we were able to get a beautiful 1920x1080 resolution. I even tried other resolutions and the monitor was filled edge to edge with the computer display.

I don't know what to say other than that this is what is on the Vizio site for every one of their LCDs:

Computer: 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1360 x 768 thru VGA or 640x480 thru HDMI (emphasis added)
I tried HDMI on my 37" and I could only get 640 x 480. Maybe the 47" 1080p display is different and Vizio just didn't update their site.

Yep, the new GV47LF 1080P LCD says the same thing int he specs. But it is definitely not the case. I wonder if the new 32 (VX32L) and 37 (VX37L) models allow full res through HDMI. The OP is using the older L32 and you are using the L37, correct? And you tried it on your 37 with a DVI > HDMI cable?

Yep, the new GV47LF 1080P LCD says the same thing int he specs. But it is definitely not the case. I wonder if the new 32 (VX32L) and 37 (VX37L) models allow full res through HDMI. The OP is using the older L32 and you are using the L37, correct? And you tried it on your 37 with a DVI > HDMI cable?

I have a VX37, and I did try it with no success. I also have one of the original PPC based minis though (which has a different video card), so that could be confounding the issue. I decided it wasn't worth the hassle just to try and get a "pure" digital signal when the VGA output looked fine for what I'm doing.

what? I don't buy that for a second. In fact (I know a different model but) I just got done testing my brother's new 47" Vizio, the new 1080P LCD with his Mini and my Macbook. Using DVI to HDMI cable we were able to get a beautiful 1920x1080 resolution. I even tried other resolutions and the monitor was filled edge to edge with the computer display.

Even the OP stated that he tested this out with a Mini on his L32!
um, no, I tested it through VGA. my question to the cohort had to do with trying DVI->HDMI which I couldn't try because I didn't want to pay $30 for an adapter to see. I ended up ordering a $5 DVI->HDMI cable from Amazon anyway.

your Vizio is a much more expensive and newer model. mine is the original cheap-o Vizio model they sold at Costco for $699. so I will save my new cable for when I can afford your Vizio :)

Yes i beg to disagree that you should choose VGA over HDMI.

Its like choosing Stereo over DTS. Always go with the better technology. Digital (HDMI) > Analogue (VGA). HDMI cable are cheaper nowadays. I saw one in Walmart for $12.

I also started with the VGA cable and the image was pretty good. But once i switched to DVI, WOW it was a BIG! difference. Its just more pristine and sharp!

In case of your resolution issue, of course the HDMI will only play 620x480 if the source is 620x480. But if you make your player play Full Screen, i dont see no reason why it cannot reach the edge of your screen. Your mini must be able to stretch the video, albeit the source video would still be 620x480, hence the lower picture resolution when full screen.

Believe me, time will soon come when HD content will become cheaper and more accessible in the internet, and you will be glad that you have bought HDMI cable.