| Mini-DisplayPort | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Mini DisplayPort on an Apple MacBook Pro | ||
| Type | Digital and analog computer video connector | |
| Production history | ||
| Designer | Apple Inc. | |
| Manufacturer | Apple Inc. | |
| Superseded | Micro-DVI, Mini-DVI, DVI | |
| Specifications | ||
| Hot pluggable | yes | |
| External | yes | |
| Video signal | As DisplayPort | |
| Pins | 20 | |
| Pin out | ||
| Pin 1 | GND | Ground |
| Pin 2 | Hot Plug Detect | Hot Plug Detect |
| Pin 3 | ML_Lane 0 (p) | Lane 0 (positive) |
| Pin 4 | CONFIG1 | CONFIG1 |
| Pin 5 | ML_Lane 0 (n) | Lane 0 (negative) |
| Pin 6 | CONFIG2 | CONFIG2 |
| Pin 7 | GND | Ground |
| Pin 8 | GND | Ground |
| Pin 9 | ML_Lane 1 (p) | Lane 1 (postive) |
| Pin 10 | ML_Lane 3 (p) | Lane 3 (positive) |
| Pin 11 | ML_Lane 1 (n) | Lane 1 (negative) |
| Pin 12 | ML_Lane 3 (n) | Lane 3 (negative) |
| Pin 13 | GND | Ground |
| Pin 14 | GND | Ground |
| Pin 15 | ML_Lane 2 (p) | Lane 2 (positive) |
| Pin 16 | AUX_CH (p) | Auxiliary Channel (positive) |
| Pin 17 | ML_Lane 2 (n) | Lane 2 (negative) |
| Pin 18 | AUX_CH (n) | Auxiliary Channel (negative) |
| Pin 19 | GND | Ground |
| Pin 20 | DP_PWR | Power for connector |
| This is the pinout for source-side connector, the sink-side connector pinout will have lanes 0-3 reversed in order, i.e. lane 3 will be on pin 3 and 5 while lane 0 will be on pin 10 and 12. | ||
The Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort interface. First publicly announced by Apple on October 14, 2008, it is used in revisions of the MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro notebooks, iMac, Mac Mini, and Mac Pro desktops and also the 24-inch Apple Cinema Display.[1]
Unlike its Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI predecessors, Mini DisplayPort is capable of driving resolutions up to 2560x1600, commonly used with 30-inch displays. With a suitable adapter, Mini DisplayPort may be used to drive displays with a VGA, DVI or HDMI interface.[2][3][4]
On November 27, 2008, Apple announced that it would license the Mini DisplayPort connector with no fee.[5] Apple reserves the right to void the license if the licensee does "commence an action for patent infringement against Apple".[6]
On January 13, 2009, VESA announced that Mini DisplayPort would be included in the upcoming DisplayPort 1.2 specification.[7][8]
On November 10, 2009, VESA officially announced that the Mini DisplayPort has been adopted. All devices using the Mini DisplayPort must comply with the 1.1a standard.[9]
Compatibility
 |
The neutrality of this article is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved. (January 2009) |
VESA states, "DisplayPort assures that you get the best experience from your LCD, it simplifies display design and connections, enables interoperability with existing display interfaces and provides a technology foundation to deliver new and exciting display capabilities."[10]
However, the removal of the DVI port from the MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro in favor of Mini DisplayPort, and the use of Mini DisplayPort as the video connector for the new 24-inch Cinema Display, may complicate compatibility:
- The Mini DisplayPort specification includes HDCP copy protection, allowing DRM-enabled content providers, including the iTunes Store, to disable playback on any external displays that are not HDCP compliant.
- Apple's Dual-Link DVI adapter is relatively large and expensive compared to past adapters, and many customers are reporting issues with all new adapters, rendering it difficult or impossible to connect to external displays.[11][12][13]
- Although the Mini DisplayPort and regular DisplayPort signals are identical, the two connectors are physically different. To connect Mini DP to regular DP devices and vice versa, an adapter is needed.
- Mini DisplayPort adapters do not exist for the older component video, S-Video, or composite video connectors. Connectivity can be achieved by converting the Mini DP digital signal, to VGA,[14] an analog signal, and then from VGA to the appropriate signal type.
- While the DisplayPort specification is capable of supporting digital audio, the current MacBook and MacBook Pro range is unable to provide an audio signal through the Mini DisplayPort, and only does so over USB or the audio line out port instead. This can present a problem to users who intend to connect their computers to HDTVs using a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. To work around this issue, some third-party manufacturers have created adapters that plug into both the Mini DisplayPort (for video) and a USB port (for audio) or Mini DisplayPort (for video), a USB port (for power) and the optical out (for audio); either option terminating with a single female HDMI connector, thus allowing both video and audio to be channeled over the one HDMI cable.[15]. A company called Kanex planned to start shipping their "Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter with audio" in the third quarter of 2009, [16], though after a slight delay finally released two adaptors available from October 2009. One with Mini DisplayPort and USB going into HDMI, showing 1080p video with audio. The other with Mini DisplayPort, USB (used for providing power only), and for the audio a TOSLINK (from the headphone socket or minijack on most Macs) going into HDMI, shows 1080p video with 5.1 digital audio, thus achieving digital stereo/surround sound if required. (Noting here that audio volume is fixed at 100% on the Mac and can only be controlled via the TV.) [17]
See also
References
- ^ "New MacBook Family Redefines Notebook Design". Apple.com. 2008-10-14. http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/10/14macbook.html. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- ^ "Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter". Apple Store. 2008-10-14. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570?mco=MTkzODk0NQ. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- ^ "Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter". Apple Store. 2008-10-14. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- ^ "Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter". Apple Store. 2008-10-14. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572?mco=MTkzODk0Nw. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- ^ "Mini DisplayPort Connector Licensing & Trademark Agreements". Apple Developer Connection. 2008-11-27. http://developer.apple.com/softwarelicensing/agreements/minidisplayport.html. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
- ^ "Apple Mini DisplayPort Connector Implementation License Checklist" (PDF). Apple. http://developer.apple.com/softwarelicensing/agreements/pdf/MiniDisplayPortImpLicense.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
- ^ "DisplayPort specification to add Apple's mini connector". MacWorld. 2009-01-14. http://www.macworld.com/article/138201/2009/01/displayport12.html. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "Apple's mini connector set to be part of DisplayPort standard". AppleInsider. 2009-01-13. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/01/13/apples_mini_connector_set_to_be_part_of_displayport_standard.html. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "Apple's mini connector set to be part of DisplayPort standard". AppleInsider. 2009-10-13. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/11/10/apples_mini_displayport_officially_adopted_by_vesa.html. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ^ "we believe in a better way". displayport.org. http://www.displayport.org/. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
- ^ "Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter". Apple. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
- ^ "Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter". Apple. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ "Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter". Apple. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
- ^ "Mini-DisplayPort to VGA Adapter". DataPro.net. http://www.datapro.net/products/mini-displayport-to-vga-adapter.html.
- ^ "Mini DisplayPort no longer a hassle with cables and adapters". Ars Technica. http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/07/mini-displayport-no-longer-a-hassle-with-cables-and-adapters.ars.
- ^ "Kanex Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter with audio in August". MacYourself. 2009-07-10. http://www.macyourself.com/2009/07/10/kanex-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-adapter-with-audio-in-august/. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
- ^ "Review: Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter with digital audio". MacYourself. 2009-10-16. http://www.macyourself.com/2009/10/16/review-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-adapter-with-digital-audio. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
 |
This electronics-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
