Mac mini: Problems with NTSC Composite/S-Video output

MacFixIt reader Bruce Hamilton reports an issue with the Mac mini's NTSC Composite/S-Video output -- a similar issue has plagued PowerBooks for several years.

"There is a problem with the NTSC Composite/S-Video output of the Mac mini when using the DVI to Video Out adapter. Black lines appear near the bottom of the video image in every other frame. This is the same problem that still exists with the PowerBook's Composite/S-Video output. Depending on the overscan of the monitor/projector you are using you may or may not see it but it is there.

"To see the problem, record analog video from this output to a DV camera and then bring this footage into Final Cut. You can also see it without recording if you have a professional monitor which has an underscan mode. I have details on this problem at http://internet.cybermesa.com/~hamilton/PB/ when I first reported this to Apple in April 2001 almost 4 years ago. I guess not enough people have complained to Apple for them to consider fixing it.

"ATI has software which fixes the problem on their retail Mac Radeon cards but the Mac mini is currently an 'Unknown' card."

If you are having similar issue, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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