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HELP: Mac Mini can't display through Integra DTC-9.8 / Onkyo 875

post #1 of 17
12/31/09 at 4:44pm
Thread Starter 
I can't get my Mac Mini to display via my Integra DTC-9.8 processor (same internals as the Onkyo 875 but without the amplification).

DOES NOT WORK:
  1. Mac Mini --> MiniDP-to-HDMI-Cable --> Integra DTC-9.8 --> Sharp LC-65D64U
  2. Mac Mini --> MiniDP-to-HDMI-Adapter --> HDMI-Cable --> Integra DTC-9.8 --> Sharp LC-65D64U
DOES WORK (direct connection to the TV):
  1. Mac Mini --> MiniDP-to-HDMI-Cable --> Sharp LC-65D64U
  2. Mac Mini --> MiniDP-to-HDMI-Adapter --> HDMI-Cable --> Sharp LC-65D64U

I purchased both the MiniDP-to-HDMI cable and adapter from MonoPrice. When I connect the Mac Mini (brand new 2009 model) directly to my Sharp TV, I get video at 1080p, so the cable and adapter both work; but through my DTC-9.8, I get "an incompatible video signal has been received" message from my Sharp TV.

I tried SwitchResX, all sorts of settings, no luck. I took the EDID when connected directly to the Sharp TV and recreated a custom resolution for use when connected to my Integra, it still doesn't work.

BTW, my Integra and TV are both upgraded to latest available firmware. And also, my AppleTV works fine through my Integra.

Any suggestions? Any other Onkyo/Integra owners here that have solved this?
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post #2 of 17
1/1/10 at 9:11am
Hate to say it, but you probably need another scaler or a dvi detective-like device to massage the mini's video so the Onkyo will accept it, or use the THROUGH mode for video if your Onkyo has one.

I've owned lots of Onkyos and lots of minis, and those two methods are the only ways I've ever gotten them to play nicely together. I'll dig up some old posts about this.
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post #3 of 17
1/1/10 at 9:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nathan_R View Post

Hate to say it, but you probably need another scaler or a dvi detective-like device to massage the mini's video so the Onkyo will accept it, or use the THROUGH mode for video if your Onkyo has one.

I've owned lots of Onkyos and lots of minis, and those two methods are the only ways I've ever gotten them to play nicely together. I'll dig up some old posts about this.

Thanks for the reply, I suspected that this would be the only route. I did try the THROUGH mode and every other mode (Auto, 720p, etc), it didn't work.

If you can dig out some posts/info, that would be great. I did a search and only found a few references to this but no solutions.
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post #4 of 17
1/1/10 at 6:42pm
I no longer have a mini, but I did pass it through my DHC 9.9 (to a Samsung plasma) when I had it. I believe that my macbook pro also works through the 9.9. The 9.9 is slightly updated but not in any manner that should make a difference.
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post #5 of 17
1/1/10 at 9:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew67 View Post

I no longer have a mini, but I did pass it through my DHC 9.9 (to a Samsung plasma) when I had it. I believe that my macbook pro also works through the 9.9. The 9.9 is slightly updated but not in any manner that should make a difference.

Thanks for the info. However, I do suspect the 9.9 has a newer firmware than the 9.8. That might explain the differences.
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post #6 of 17
1/1/10 at 11:34pm
See this thread with a similar Mac Mini <-> Onkyo incompatibility.
Likely a similar solution (Gefen HDMI Detective Plus).
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post #7 of 17
1/2/10 at 10:29am
I couldn't connect my old 1.66GHz mini to my Onkyo 805 using a DVI-HDMI adaptor, had to go directly to the LCD. I don't know about cost of your method plus adding the DVI Detective vrs the Kanex Mini DisplayPort to HDMI 1080p Video with Digital Audio Adapter, but I have one connected to my new 2.66GHz mini, then to a 3-in/1-out HDMI switch, then to my 805 and I get connections as expected (video & audio).
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post #8 of 17
1/2/10 at 12:01pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys. I ended up ordering an HDMI Detective Plus. I had considered the Kanex, but I was concerned about spending that money only to find it has the same issue. I feel the HDMI Detective has a better chance at success.

I'm really surprised that I couldn't get this working with SwitchResX. It seems to me that if I create a custom resolution with the exact timings from the EDID of my TV, it should work. This is essentially what HDMI Detective is going to do anyway! So why does SwitchResX not work??
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post #9 of 17
1/2/10 at 7:37pm
Well, I'm a little late, but this is the last thread I participated in where I was still looking for a solution to my Onkyo woes: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1135094

For what it's worth, my Onkyo 886 is playing nicely enough with my Mac mini (thanks to that Monoprice EDID thingie), unlike the 875 that it replaced. As much as I liked that receiver's features, the pc-signal compatibility issues ultimately drove me to the newer product line. While I have no proof for this at all, I want to say that the Onkyo line has a problem with positive or negative sync from pc signals. I remember doing some early testing with the Anthem AVM-50 and finding similar problems with its compatibility with mac minis. After doing some chatting with the Anthem programmers, I think they pushed out a firmware to address PC sync issues Again, though, I don't have anything to back up that statement other than a hunch, and really it's been a loooooooong time since I was in the Anthem situation.

Also, I've tried the Monoprice miniDP->HDMI adapter with my 886 and I have had the same signal lock problems as with the 885 (no EDID devices in this chain). I could remote into the mini and see it was pushing out 1080p/60, 1080p24, and whatever else I wanted with no problem, but the Onkyo just didn't know what to do with it and it never displayed a picture. I honestly haven't cared enough to look into this any further since the DVI Detective in the theater (and the Gefen scaler in my upstairs setup) has given me a great work-around.
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post #10 of 17
1/2/10 at 10:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ixion View Post

I'm really surprised that I couldn't get this working with SwitchResX. It seems to me that if I create a custom resolution with the exact timings from the EDID of my TV, it should work. This is essentially what HDMI Detective is going to do anyway! So why does SwitchResX not work??

SwitchResX forces the Mac software to IGNORE the EDID it gets, and go for an other one. But on top of that, I believe the Mac video output signal is disabled when the hardware does not detect any valid display connected. The Gefen HDMI/DVI Detective solves both issues.
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post #11 of 17
1/3/10 at 12:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nathan_R View Post

Well, I'm a little late, but this is the last thread I participated in where I was still looking for a solution to my Onkyo woes: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1135094

For what it's worth, my Onkyo 886 is playing nicely enough with my Mac mini (thanks to that Monoprice EDID thingie), unlike the 875 that it replaced. As much as I liked that receiver's features, the pc-signal compatibility issues ultimately drove me to the newer product line. While I have no proof for this at all, I want to say that the Onkyo line has a problem with positive or negative sync from pc signals. I remember doing some early testing with the Anthem AVM-50 and finding similar problems with its compatibility with mac minis. After doing some chatting with the Anthem programmers, I think they pushed out a firmware to address PC sync issues Again, though, I don't have anything to back up that statement other than a hunch, and really it's been a loooooooong time since I was in the Anthem situation.

Also, I've tried the Monoprice miniDP->HDMI adapter with my 886 and I have had the same signal lock problems as with the 885 (no EDID devices in this chain). I could remote into the mini and see it was pushing out 1080p/60, 1080p24, and whatever else I wanted with no problem, but the Onkyo just didn't know what to do with it and it never displayed a picture. I honestly haven't cared enough to look into this any further since the DVI Detective in the theater (and the Gefen scaler in my upstairs setup) has given me a great work-around.

Thanks, this confirms what I'm experiencing. My HDMI Detective Plus is ordered and should be here on Tuesday. I hope it solves it.
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post #12 of 17
1/3/10 at 12:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by geeji View Post

SwitchResX forces the Mac software to IGNORE the EDID it gets, and go for an other one. But on top of that, I believe the Mac video output signal is disabled when the hardware does not detect any valid display connected. The Gefen HDMI/DVI Detective solves both issues.

Yes, that's exactly what I meant... I connected the Mac Mini directly to the TV and snooped the EDID timings that I know work with my display. Then I connect the Mac Mini to the Integra and I'm telling the Mac Mini to ignore what it gets and output the EXACT timing that I re-created that I know works with my TV. Shouldn't this work? Isn't this exactly what the HDMI Detective is going to do? But somehow, my Integra does something to the signal because the display then shows "incompatible signal has been received".
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post #13 of 17
1/16/10 at 9:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ixion View Post

I can't get my Mac Mini to display via my Integra DTC-9.8 processor (same internals as the Onkyo 875 but without the amplification).

DOES NOT WORK:
  1. Mac Mini --> MiniDP-to-HDMI-Cable --> Integra DTC-9.8 --> Sharp LC-65D64U
  2. Mac Mini --> MiniDP-to-HDMI-Adapter --> HDMI-Cable --> Integra DTC-9.8 --> Sharp LC-65D64U

UPDATE:

I purchased the Gefen HDMI Detective Plus, programmed the EDID per instructions, plugged it at the output of my Mac Mini, and it still DOES NOT WORK. My TV still says that an incompatible signal has been received. Clearly my Integra DTC-9.8 does something to the signal/EDID.

So SwitchResX and HDMI Detective don't work. Any other options I should try?
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post #14 of 17
1/16/10 at 10:53am
Quote:


Any other options I should try?

Use the mini-DVI port instead of mini-DP?
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post #15 of 17
4/6/10 at 10:21pm
I banged my head against this wall earlier tonight trying to connect a macbook to my 9.8. Silly me, I thought a DVI-HDMI adapter would be all that's needed. Ha!

But would love to know how to solve this. Was planning to use a macbook to test the setup them get a mac mini as a permanent component. Glad I tested first!

If someone does figure this out, please share.... Thanks!
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post #16 of 17
4/12/10 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nexxxoid View Post

I banged my head against this wall earlier tonight trying to connect a macbook to my 9.8. Silly me, I thought a DVI-HDMI adapter would be all that's needed. Ha!

But would love to know how to solve this. Was planning to use a macbook to test the setup them get a mac mini as a permanent component. Glad I tested first!

If someone does figure this out, please share.... Thanks!

I was NOT able to solve this. I tried all of the combinations including HDMI Detective, nothing worked. I ended up having to connect my Mini directly to the TV with HDMI and then optical out to my DTC-9.8, and use a macro in my remote to do the input selection. I lose my On Screen Display from the 9.8 using this, it's far from optimal.

Let me know if you find a solution, and please post it here!!
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post #17 of 17
6/18/10 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
FYI... an update to this old thread:

I just purchased the new Mac Mini with HDMI out (June 2010 model) and it works!! It works perfectly with my DTC-9.8. Finally!
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