Distance between Mac Mini and an LCD TV: limitations?
I'm in the process of setting up an Intel MacMini to be used in conjunction with an LCD TV (with a DVI input) to be used for a continuously-running Keynote presentation in a public place.
I am currently looking to get a 37" LCD Television (the largest size that will fit in the available space). It has yet to be determined where the Mac Mini will be located in relation to the display.
Are there distance -- or other -- limitations I need to be concerned about?
I am currently looking to get a 37" LCD Television (the largest size that will fit in the available space). It has yet to be determined where the Mac Mini will be located in relation to the display.
Are there distance -- or other -- limitations I need to be concerned about?
Comments
HOW FAR IS THE DVI MAXIMUM LENGTH?
The official DVI specification mandates that all DVI equipment must maintain a signal at 5 meters (16 feet) in length. But many manufacturers are putting out much stronger cards and bigger monitors, so the maximum length possible is never exact.
Although the mandated DVI spec is 5 meters, we do carry cables up to 25 feet, and have succesfully extended them even longer than that (although results do vary depending on hardware). For guaranteed signal quality on long runs, you should consider using a powered DVI signal booster.
Despite common belief, there is such thing as signal loss in digital pictures. When a DVI run is unstable, you may see artifacts and "stuck" pixels on your display; further degredation tends to flicker out or shake, and the ultimate sign of loss is a blank display. In-house tests on varying equipment have produced strong signals up to 9 and 10 meters long. Tests at 12 meters generally resulted in signal loss and an unusuable image on the display, and anything longer rendered no image at all.
Keep in mind that when using DVI-I cables at extensive lengths, you may not be seeing a digitally-clear image on your screen. Because analog has a much longer run, your display may auto-switch once the digital signal is too weak. For this reason, long runs are best done with VGA (for analog) or HDMI (for digital). If you have no option other than DVI, make sure you're getting the best image by using DVI-D cables and verifing that your display is set to digital input.
5 meters is all you'll get for cable length.
Excellent -- thanks!
One more question. I'm looking at the Mac Mini specs regarding video output:
1. DVI video output to support digital resolutions up to 1920 by 1200 pixels; supports 20-inch Apple Cinema Display and 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display; supports coherent digital displays up to 154MHz; supports noncoherent digital displays up to 135MHz
2. VGA video output (using included adapter) to support analog resolutions up to 1920 by 1080 pixels
Based on your post I assume that using using a VGA hookup, I'd get longer cable run possibilities? Given this setup will be used for a Keynote presentation only, is there is real-world difference in the display quality between VGA and DVI?
Thanks again.