I recently bought an Intel Mac Mini to use as an HTPC, and got very frustrated when I hooked it up and got nothing. I thought maybe the DVI port was broke, but it worked when I used the VGA Adapter and it worked on another DVI monitor. So I tried it again, and for whatever reason I got picture. But it seemed like any time I tried to change the resolution, I'd have to unplug and plug back in the DVI cable, and even that didn't always work.

Then, for no particular reason, I stopped getting picture again. From reading the posts around here, and using my awesome powers of deduction, I've deduced that my TV must not be fully mac-compatible. I have a 32 inch Philips LCD, I believe the model number is 32PF7320A/37 .

Is there anything else I can try to do to get this to work? I've already updated the firmware on the TV, and that didn't help. The TV doesn't (as far as I know) have a 1:1 pixel mode, so that's no help, and I previously had it hooked up to a PC for like 2 years so I know it CAN take a computer signal. What is so different about the DVI signal the Mac mini is putting out to make the TV freak out like this, and what can be done about it?

EDIT: Would trying to connect using a DVI-I -> Component cable possibly fix it? I would just connect with VGA, but my TV has no VGA input, and besides, there's no guarantee that would even work.

Hi, I'm no expert but I just got a Mini and hooked it to my Sony 40XBR1 LCD TV via VGA. works fine. I did have the connector to the Mini come loose and cause me problems, the DVi-VGA adapter is bulky and comes loose when I shift the Mini at all.
Doubt if that is your problem.
Did you go to your TVs thread on this forum?
Wish I could help, love the Mini on my set. Tried via HDMI and I was NOT satisfied at all, VGA is much better on my 720p set.

well, welcome to the wonderful, jumbled but evolving world of the HTPC, OSG; I'm happy to tell you your problem isn't a new one, nor even Mac-specific:

1) it isn't so much a "monitor" that isn't compatible, but an "HDTV;"
2) many HDTVs, not just older and less expensive ones, aren't manufactured with connecting to computers in mind--different input types, specs, ways data are exchanged and sync retained, etc;
3) if you read back you'll also find that 32" LCDs from various manufacturers, with a native res of 1366x768, have caused connections problems. It isn't just Philips, it is often Sony and Sharp as well.

using my awesome powers of deduction, I've deduced that my TV must not be fully mac-compatible.

Not necessarily.

I previously had it hooked up to a PC for like 2 years so I know it CAN take a computer signal. What is so different about the DVI signal the Mac mini is putting out to make the TV freak out like this, and what can be done about it?

Well, assuming your cable and ports are OK, then it's a different OS, with different video & graphics capabilities and different driver options than whatever your Windows PC had. Most Mac folks in your shoes get VNC up and running on their mini and then use SwitchResX or DisplayConfigX to tweak their settings. There are numerous threads and tutorials about this here, so read back. Or, they end up going VGA rather than DVI/HDMI because 1) VGA can be quite good and 2) often works right out of the box at that resolution, whereas HDMI doesn't without the hassle of tweaking via third party software. In some cases, a device like the DVI Detective has to be employed.

Would trying to connect using a DVI-I -> Component cable possibly fix it?

No, usually that requires the use of an expensive transcoder.

I would just connect with VGA, but my TV has no VGA input, and besides, there's no guarantee that would even work.

There are no guarantees in life, but many are glad they chose an HDTV with VGA, in addition to multiple digital and component inputs. If you read around, you'll find a good number of users here, and in forums like 123macmini.com, do go VGA, usually because of connection problem with an HDTV. Something to keep in mind down the road when you upgrade.

Good luck.

You may also want to read the threads discussing DisplayConfigX and SwitchResX. Many if not most HDTVs need display settings that the Mac itself doesn't know about, and these two shareware tools provide custom, optimal settings. Without SwitchResX, I have either underscan or overscan, and/or 4:3 instead of 16:9; with SwitchResX, I'm able to use just about every pixel on my plasma TV.

Doug