[natmusak]

timglasgow said:

But according to the spec, DisplayPort does do audio. Up to 8 channels! So there is no problem to solve! :-)

But we're talking about Mini DisplayPort, which appears to lack audio. That's one of the reasons why the new 24" LED Cinema Display has a USB cable that splits off from the Mini DisplayPort cable.

From Apple's Cinema Display "Features" page:

On the back of the display, you?ll find three self-powered USB ports. You enable them ? along with the built-in iSight camera, microphone, and speakers ? the moment you plug the USB connector into your new MacBook.
http://www.apple.com...s/features.html

This is a bit odd because Mini DSP is identical in every way to full-DSP, except that it's miniaturized; has the same number of pins and everything. So I think at least in theory, audio over Mini DSP could be enabled later via a firmware update. However, I think there's some reason for the splitting up of the audio and video this way. I don't know what it is, but perhaps sending audio and video over the same cable is less energy efficient than using USB for audio and Mini DSP for video exclusively. But since the LED Cinema Display also has a MagSafe power cord that branches off the Mini DSP and USB cable, what's the point in worrying about battery life?

Then again, this may only be an issue with Apple's Mini DSP Cinema Display! Once a Mini DSP to full-DSP adapter comes out, this could be determined. Yeah, that seems possible. I'm crossing my fingers. :D

[stevebert]

timglasgow said:

But according to the spec, DisplayPort does do audio. Up to 8 channels!

This is provided for in the spec, but "optional", which means it's up to each OEM to deliver the feature (or not) in their product. I've heard nothing about this from Apple, so I have to assume it's NOT.

Yes, cable clutter and ease of hookup are my main concerns, not multichannel surround sound.

[draks]

I cannot get the display port (mini) on my new MBpro to drive my 24 inch screen at high resolution - 1920 x 1200. The monitor is good and the cable is good (my friends MBpro drives the monitor to full resolution) so its either the mini display port to DVI adaptor or the graphics in the MBPro. I can drive the monitor to a max resolution of 1360 x 768 but above that it just glitches. I hope it is the adaptor cable - very much a kludge if you ask me. The problem is, just like when apple introduced the USB, there are no suppliers ramped up to support this yet.

[Dan Frakes]

natmusak said:

Apple didn't go with HDMI mainly due to size and the licensing fees they'd have to pay for using the interface, the latter of which they avoid using DisplayPort and the former of which they've already reduced by shrinking DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort, thus allowing for a smaller port that costs less to manufacture and takes up much less space than HDMI or full-size DisplayPort.

According to Apple, the biggest reason they didn't go with HDMI is that HDMI supports far fewer resolutions than DisplayPort -- it wouldn't even be able to drive Apple's current 30" display. (I also suspect Apple's planning on taking advantage of other features of DisplayPort, such as the ability to connect multiple displays to a single DisplayPort port.)

[Dan Frakes]

John

I disagree that the mini-DisplayPort connectors are part of the current standard. If it were it would be in the doco, and it isn't as of today (Oct.19, 2008).

Mini DisplayPort is "current" in the same way that 802.11n is "current" (i.e., both are part of draft specs that are nevertheless already being used in products).

[adin]

Dan Frakes said:

Mini DisplayPort is "current" in the same way that 802.11n is "current" (i.e., both are part of draft specs that are nevertheless already being used in products).

Can you fill in us unenlightened masses as to where we might be able to read more on this "draft" standard? All I seem to be able to find is the 1.0 of the standard...

[draks]

FOUND THE PROBLEM - the adpator is poorly made so that not all DVI cables can mate to it. The HP DVI cable that came with the monitor has some wide bumps on the sides of the metal connecter (presumable to increase the friction of connection so it does not come apart easily) which do not allow it to be pushed all the way down in the adaptor. I tried another cable which did not have these 'bumps' and the monitor now works at high resolution.

[gupta024]

I have Macbook Pro with DVI on the right side and macsafe on the left side. I am interested in using new Apple display that just came out. Does anyone know an express card with mini displayport that will let me connect to the new displays using ports on the left side.
Thanks,
SG

[benroethig]

Nope. Apple is the only one with anything related to Mini-DP. No adaptors or expansion cards.

[Madasastick]

In summary:

1) Mini DisplayPort is purportedly part of the DisplayPort 1.2 spec

2) Mini DisplayPort may be capable of driving devices up to the same power rating as regular DisplayPort (don't know that this is an issue unless it affects direct adapters to HDMI and DVI)

3) Mini DisplayPort may be capable of outputting audio. Does this depend on the position and manner in which the Realtek HD Audio Codec is installed and connected? Ie if audio is not hardwired to the Mini DisplayPort, regardless of how many pins are avilable it won't output sound!?

4) Mini DisplayPort may or may not be capable of providing analogue video out. This presumably depends on the spec of the graphics chip which is a NVIDIA GeForce 9400m and the drivers/firmware of the machine. I find it surprising somebody sufficiently technically competent has not already tested this with the appropriate diagnostic gear.

Why can't Apple put out a press release explaining the decisions they have made with respect to the I/O ports on the new machines? Or at least telling us whether or not audio out or analogue out will ever be made available? I will ask one of the "geniuses" at my local Apple store but I am not expecting much!

[Inkling]

While it's adopting new connectors to save scarce space on laptops, Apple should come up with a compact, easy to connect and disconnect replacement for Ethernet connectors. The current ones are big, clumsy and hard to use. They were designed for the era of desktop PCs that never moved, so they're dreadful for laptops.
I'd suggest something magnetic like the MacBook power connector but in a different pattern, maybe x-shaped. Apple could develop the concept and release it through a standards agency so everyone will adopt it.

[rickcarl]

[quote name='Peter Cohen']
>

benroethig said:

> The one thing that hasn't been said is that while display port is an open standard, mini display port is, as of now, a proprietary connector.Did you miss the discussion above? Mini DisplayPort is not proprietary, It's part of the spec.

Did you read this article that claims it is proprietary. Actually it claims to be unclear.

[Freymour]

From what I understand, This wonderful new adapter, locks you into DRM and creates all sorts of issues trying to play content on "Non DisplayPort" hardware. Simple things like viewing NON-high definition video are being blocked by Display Port if you don't have a Display Port equipped Monitor; which by the way, should NOT be blocked. I've heard that wonderful Dell 30" monitor is now useless because video output is blocked. Your mileage may vary, and perhaps these are just some kinks that Apple will work out.

Personally, I believe Apple has nothing to do with these issues; it's RIAA, MPAA and other Hollywood Extortion Organizations who are demanding that everything be locked down because American Citizens are not trustworthy.

[nikyambao]

mini display port ..... a little premature for something that is NOT guaranteed to be a to be the number one standard like DVI (or VGA for that matter). Overpriced. A 2700 dollar notebook that will not work on a 1800 dollar monitor from the same company? Rip off. oh yeah the 2700 dollar notebook does not come with jack sh*t as far as conversion cables. an HDMI port would have made more sense. At this point in time, jan. 20 2009, a blue ray drive on a Macbook would have made way more sense than this mini display port. I hope in six months I'm wrong and the mini display port becomes the standard but I'm not holding my breath. for now, strike 1 for apple, and my trusty WHITE MacBook lives anther day. Unlike most the people that read this magazine I'm just a blue collar worker bee who likes to see a little value for his buck. 1300 dollar white macbook thats a lotta value on the buck, mini display port, that going all in with pocket 9-5s.
PS Get Well Steve!!!!
Steve Jobs is like the John Lennon of the computer world!!!! Yeah I said it.