09/29, 2:00am
Fixes intermittent display flickering
Apple has added a firmware update specific to the 24-inch LED Cinema Display that addresses an issue that can cause intermittent flickering when connected to a Thunderbolt-enabled Mac. The update, which does not yet have the normal accompanying technote, may not resolve a flickering issue if a Mini DisplayPort extender cable is used, according to the company. Users on Apple's support forums have been complaining about the flickering problem for months.
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07/08, 4:05pm
HDMI says many HDMI to Mini DP cables unlicensed
The HDMI Org group has been calling for a crackdown on many forms of HDMI to Mini DisplayPort cables. The company spoke on Friday saying that any cable which had both a male Mini DP jack and a male HDMI connector wasn't properly licensed and shouldn't be on sale. They can't be tested under the current terms, the HDMI team explained to TechRadar, and sit outside of the spec even if they work properly.
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05/17, 4:10pm
Sony ultraportable to get Thunderbolt
An upcoming Sony Vaio ultraportable notebook may implement Intel's 10Gbps Thunderbolt technology in the form of a Type-A USB jack, rather than Apple's Mini DisplayPort connector for the same interface. This is not official, but comes from a 'trusted source,' according to Engadget. The so-called Ultimate Mobile PC that hosts Thunderbolt is likely the same one seen in the past.
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02/03, 10:00am
DisplayPort compatibility would allow HDMI video
The third iOS 4.3 beta suggests some different specifications for the second-generation iPad than previously hinted, a report observes. Included in the code is said to be a reference to a 3 megapixel camera connected to a device known as the N88. The model number first surfaced, however, in a 2009 rumor connected to the iPhone 3GS, which is equipped with a 3.2 megapixel camera.
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01/03, 6:50pm
Kanex prize package giveaway
The holidays may be over, but to kick off the new year right Electronista is giving away not one, but two gift sets from Kanex. One gift set features the Kanex iAdapt V2 Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter with audio support. The other gift set includes the Kanex C247d Apple Cinema Display adapter. Each gift set also has Kanex pens and a Kanex tote bag.
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12/10, 10:35pm
Up to three external monitors via MiniDisplayPort
Matrox's existing DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go DP Edition graphics expansion modules (GXMs) now include a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, making it easier for Mac users of Apple's latest notebooks and desktops and other computer owners with DisplayPort technology to hook up to three additional monitors or projectors to their machines. The DVI version of the boxes will also get a boost in an upcoming firmware upgrade, allowing dual 1600x900 resolution.
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07/15, 5:55pm
Kanex intros iAdapt HDMI V2 adapter
Kanex has unveiled its latest product, the iAdapt HDMI V2, which lets newer Macs and other recent Mini DisplayPort device users output both audio and video to an HDMI device. The adapter will also pass through up to 1080p HD video on devices that support it. The original iAdapt HDMI adapter from Kanex only supported video pass-through on Macs.
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05/19, 1:05pm
Joins current MacBook Pros, iMacs
The updated plastic MacBook is compatible with audio-out via Mini DisplayPort, Apple support documents note. The feature can greatly simplify playing video through an HDTV, since it allows the use of just one HDMI connection, instead of separate audio and video cables. A Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter is nevertheless required.
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04/28, 12:05am
Converts HD video and digital audio
NewerTech has launched the Mini DisplayPort with 5.1-Channel Digital Audio to HDMI Adapter. The new device allows users to connect HD monitors or televisions to a wide range of Mac computers via the Mini DisplayPort. It offers support for full 1080p resolution, along with uncompressed 5.1-channel audio. User’s can power the adapter through the computer’s USB port, and are given over three feet of cable to manage. Features include support for bandwidth speeds up to 2.25Gbps per-channel, and a dedicated TOSLINK audio cable for receiving an audio signal from the Mac’s headphone jack.
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04/26, 6:45pm
New ATI FirePro promises four displays, one card
AMD signaled a new direction for its workstation-class cards today by unveiling the ATI FirePro 2460 Multi-View. The card is unique in the pro world in carrying four Mini DisplayPort connectors and can use all four at once depending on the configuration, including merged into one or two displays using Eyefinity. It only has 512MB of display memory but can still drive up to three 30-inch displays at once.
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04/23, 6:00pm
Display provides 1920x1080 resolution
CinemaView has begun shipping its 24-inch LCD display, the CV24in, designed for Mini DisplayPort attachment to Macs. The monitor mimics the design of Apple's 24-inch Cinema Display, including an aluminum housing and black bezel, although the CV24's 1920x1080 resolution falls short of the Apple device which integrates a 1920x1200 panel. The LCD also lists a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 300 cd/m2 brightness.
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04/15, 3:30pm
Dr. Bott delivers HDMI adapter with audio support
After Apple released new MacBook Pro notebooks Tuesday the company announced the new portables feature Audio out over the Mini DisplayPort connection. While may not have plans for its own branded adapters to provide HDMI with audio, Dr. Bott has announced its Mini Display Port to HDMI Adapter II. The adapter supports the new audio-out capabilities of 2010 MacBook Pros and supports HDCP copy protection, allowing a MacBook Pro to connect to an HDTV via its HDMI port. the adapter is plug-and-play -- it does not require use of a driver and does not require a restart.
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04/13, 5:10pm
Apple MBP first notebook to push audio out
The Mini DisplayPort jack on the new MacBook Pro can relay audio out, Apple said today. While all previous MacBooks have so far put out video only, the new version as part of the official DisplayPort spec also carries sound. Ars Technica was told it should work with third-party miniDP to HDMI adapters, although it's not known how many of these recognize audio through the single connector.
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04/13, 1:45pm
All MacBooks may get HDMI connector soon
(Updated with Apple stance) Apple in its launch of the new MacBook Pro today put out hints that it will more officially support HDMI soon. The video options in its specs list show the option of HDMI output using an official "Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter" despite Apple having made no mention of such an adapter itself. A search of the online Apple store doesn't show any adapters of the kind, whether made by Apple or anyone else.
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03/31, 11:45am
Creates extended Mac desktop
CinemaView has announced a new Mac display adapter, the Duo. Claimed to be the first of its kind for Macs, the peripheral combines a single Mini DisplayPort input with two outputs of the same type. The result is a larger Mac OS X desktop, spread out across two Mini DisplayPort-based monitors.
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02/25, 7:45am
Radeon HD 5830 aims at upper mid-range
AMD today filled out one of the few holes remaining in its current-generation graphics chipsets by launching the ATI Radeon HD 5830 as well as detailing the promised Eyefinity version of the 5870. The 5830 chipset sits exactly between the 5770 and 5850 with 1,120 stream (visual) processors, 56 texture units, an 800MHz core clock and the full 256-bit memory interface. It also carries the same 1GB of GDDR5 memory as its higher-end sibling.
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11/10, 9:00am
VESA greenlights mDP
The VESA group today officially released Mini DisplayPort as a finalized standard. Known for short as mDP, the Apple-developed connector can now be used by other companies to attach displays with the expectation that they will meet all the DisplayPort 1.1a specs. It's expected that mDP will find its way into notebooks beyond the MacBook line but also into video cards with many video outputs, such as the upcoming six-display Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity6 Edition.
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10/02, 5:55pm
Adapter powered by USB input
Kanex has released its latest Mac accessory, a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter that supports 1080p video and digital audio. The device plugs into the Mac's Mini DisplayPort, optical audio Mini Jack, and a USB port for power. The audio and video signals are both sent across HDMI, eliminating the need to run a dedicated Toslink cable to a receiver for digital sound.
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07/31, 5:50pm
DVI to Mini DisplayPort
Atlona has released its latest connectivity device, the AT-DP200 DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter. The box is designed to be used for attaching a DVI-enabled computer to a Mini DisplayPort monitor, such as Apple's 24-inch Cinema Display. The device supports resolutions up to 1920x1200, while retaining HDCP compatibility and EDID information.
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04/06, 7:45pm
Apoge embraces DisplayPort
Apogee has launched three new Mini Displayport Adapters under the brand name Kanex. The adapters include a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI model, Mini DisplayPort to DVI-D and a VGA variant. Apogee joins MonoPrice which unveiled its own line of adapters last week.
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03/31, 8:45pm
MonoPrice Mini DP-to-HDMI
MonoPrice is now offering a Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter for frustrated MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air owners looking to connect external displays such as HDCP-compliant LCD and plasma TVs to their notebooks. Available in single quantities or in bulk, the adapter will begin shipping on April 3rd, with prices ranging from $14 to $12 based on quantity ordered.
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03/17, 11:25am
Mini DisplayPort update
Using Software Update, Apple has begun distributing a firmware upgrade for users of the Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter. The software is said to address problems Macs have had with the adapter, in which video will flicker or go completely blank during use. Difficulties began roughly around the launch of the first unibody MacBook Pro on October 14th.
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01/26, 9:50am
Apple video adapter issues
Apple's recent Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter may be causing problems with 30-inch LCD displays, complaints on Apple's support forums suggest. The adapter is mainly intended to connect modern MacBooks, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs, which are currently the only devices that support Mini DisplayPort. Users of the adapter are reporting a variety of errors however, ranging from graphics corruption to temporary blackouts.
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12/29, 5:45pm
Apple beats ship estimate
In brief: Apple has begun shipping its Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapters ahead of schedule, according to a MacNN reader. A recent order that was quoted to ship from Apple sometime between January 5th to the 7th actually arrived on December 26th, almost two weeks ahead of schedule. The connector is required for new MacBooks, MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros with the new Mini DisplayPort technology for connecting a 30-inch Apple Cinema Display HD. The current lead-time listed on the Apple Store website is one to two weeks. The adapter costs $99.
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12/16, 12:00pm
miniDP to HDMI adapter
The latest MacBooks, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs equipped with Apple's proprietary Mini DisplayPort connection as the sole video output to connect to HDTVs and computer monitors with HDMI ports with one adapter, courtesy of MonoPrice.com. The adapter is expected to become available late next month at the earliest. Thus far, the only way to hook up the MDP-equipped Apple notebooks to any external displays is via adapters offered by Apple, but those are limited to VGA or DVI connections rather than full-size DisplayPort or
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