Panasonic TH-50PX80U as Computer Monitor...

[Chopin_Guy]

I haven't really been able to find anything too definitive in regard to using this display as a monitor...

I am considering getting a MacMini to use wirelessly and this display (with a DVI to HDMI cable) for the monitor....anyone have any suggestions or experience with this...

 

[krzywica]

My dad has the 42" version and it is a PITA in comparison to comparable sets from LG and Samsung that I have used. It just doesn't get along well with scaling custom resolutions that PC's put out over HDMI to DVI. Especially as this is only a 720p TV. By "Monitor" I assume you are going to be using it as an actual desktop monitor.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well the MacMini will be in the entertainment system in the living room and would use wireless keyboard and mouse...will I have issues with this or should I be considering other routes...??? It was just an idea that I had for an extra computer and music library resource....

 

[krzywica]

Well the MacMini will be in the entertainment system in the living room and would use wireless keyboard and mouse...will I have issues with this or should I be considering other routes...??? It was just an idea that I had for an extra computer and music library resource....

I would look at getting one of these if your music is in digital format and shared on your network. But these also support internal hard drives of both 2.5" (laptop), and 3.5" (desktop) so they can act as standalone units as well.

These units are amazing and are a lot less clumsy than a PC in your living room. Trust me I have an HTPC (see sig) and if I didn't play all my video games from the couch I would get rid of it in a heartbeat for the Popcorn Hour.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well I need to have computer function with the bonus of having it as a music server....so will connecting the Mini to the Panny have issues???

 

[krzywica]

Well I need to have computer function with the bonus of having it as a music server....so will connecting the Mini to the Panny have issues???

So you need to run actual applications? IS that what you are saying? What computer function are you referring to?

Yes you will likely have resolution issues, IE clarity of text.

 

[bandphan]

You will have to play with the output settings and system fonts. What are your output options? IIRC macs were less problematic.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Yes....sorry....I meant as in apllication use as you said. Well if thats the case then I am not sure. I just stumbled upon the fact that apple support has a forum and I posted over there....saw a couple screen shots from other users that use Minis with a televison with good results....just not sure about with my display or not...

 

[Chopin_Guy]

You will have to play with the output settings and system fonts. What are your output options? IIRC macs were less problematic.

From what I have read so far, it seems the Mini has quite a bit of output options....

I took this from a user on the MacSupport forum....and these are some of the output options that the new Mini can do:

"my new Mini (with Nvidia 9400) can output 1080i50, 1080i60 or 1080p24"

I know my set can accept the 1080p24 so would that work for me then....???

 

[bandphan]

1080i @ 60hz would be what imo should work with the display. Your Mac has hdcp support, so give'er a try cant hurt.

 

[krzywica]

I know there are a myriad of video options for both PC's and the Macmini you are referring to.

However, in my experience getting any resolution that is output via Mac, Linux, or Windows will have issues displaying on this TV no matter what the signal. You might like it just fine, but for my tastes I could not get it to look as it should. Even if I set a custom resolution and specified the exact vertical and horizontal resolution and refresh rate specified to be the manual it still did not look very good IMO. But you have to take into account my extreme anality.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well fair enough....so it should work with tweaking and some time messing with different output options...thats all I needed to know for the time being...otherwise I was just going to get an iMac instead...but like this option better...

 

[Chopin_Guy]

1080i @ 60hz would be what imo should work with the display. Your Mac has hdcp support, so give'er a try cant hurt.

What is 'hdcp support'??? Sorry don't have a clue on that one...

 

[krzywica]

What is 'hdcp support'??? Sorry don't have a clue on that one...

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