Macbook Pro Mini Displayport to HDMI problem Please Help!

[sanctionone]

I just bought a new Macbook Pro Core i7 15" and have it connected to a Samsung P2370HD via a Kanex Mini Displayport to HDMI cable. I'm running Snow Leopard 10.6.3 and have the resolution @ 1080p via system preferences and the "underscan" feathered a bit... (which I do not understand why I have to do this since I'm outputting at 1080p and the monitor accepts full 1080p as well. Can someone explain this?) however, small text is grainy, some larger bold text has a white wash behind it. Most things seem to have a slight blur as if there is a screen zoom happening just slightly. As described in this similar post I found.

My old setup was a late 2007 Macbook Pro 15" 10.6.3 connected to the same monitor I have now via Dual-Link DVI and it was crystal clear... It's hard to believe that the issue lies with Samsung, I've tried the same setup on my Sony Bravia in the living room, being that it's a much larger tv...I can't notice the artifacts as much but they are still present. Something is off.

My only other option I feel is to try a Mini Displayport to Dual-Link DVI but I chose the HDMI route for it's standardization and when I go to meetings/projections it's convenient to have one cable. Yes, I've checked cables, restarted everything ect... I have attached a screenshot. Can anyone help me troubleshoot this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bobtomay]

Sorry, but I don't see much out of the ordinary there.

Font smoothing, anti-aliasing, and sub-pixel rendering - Joel on Software

 

[sanctionone]

Yes, I know...sorry for that. I mocked up that screen shot using the monitor that was effected... forgetting that the image would not actually show what i'm describing.. As for the aliasing article...I appreciate it but I'm positive that the monitor IS capable of displaying everything correctly, as it did work with my previous setup. Here are a few pix of the issue.

 

[bobtomay]

That looks to me like it's not 1920x1080 or it is not at 60Hz.
If you have the option of selecting 1920x1080 or 1080p, try the other one.

I'd also try the Auto Adjust function in the Tools menu of the TV.
Then try the Coarse/Fine adjustment in Tools - Screen.

As a last course, I'd also try the Picture Reset, then try the above again.

 

[sanctionone]

Display under system preferences only gives me the option of 1080p or 1600 x 900 or less. The monitor and the laptop both say 1920 x 1080 @ 60hz. Unfortunately there is no auto adjust that I can find in the monitor. I'm not sure where the coarse/fine adjustments is located, or the equivalent. Already, tried the picture reset. (didn't have do do anything with the previous setup)

 

[bobtomay]

Look again for the auto adjust - pull out the owners manual if you need to.

Next things to try are going to be connecting it to another TV and trying a different cable.

 

[sanctionone]

Bought a mini displayport to dvi cable from monoprice....works flawlessly. Still no idea why the hdmi cable doesn't work properly.

 

[bobtomay]

I'd say a bad cable, it does happen. They probably won't refund though without verifying it with another computer - don't know how good Kanex support is, but it'd be worth a call and see if they'll replace it.

Glad you got it working though.

For anyone else that happens along this thread, I'd recommend DVI over HDMI for connecting a computer if you have the option with your particular monitor/TV.