Mini-DVI
Encyclopedia
The Mini-Dvi connector is used on certain Apple computers as a digital alternative to the Mini-VGA
connector. Its size is between the full-sized DVI
and the tiny Micro-DVI
. It is found on the 12-inch PowerBook G4
(except the original 12-inch 867 MHz PowerBook G4, it used Mini-VGA), Intel-based iMac
, the MacBook
Intel-based laptop, the Intel-based Xserve
, and the 2009 Mac mini
.
In October 2008, Apple announced the company was phasing Mini-DVI out in favor of Mini DisplayPort
.
Mini-DVI connectors on Apple hardware are capable of carrying DVI, VGA, or TV signals through the use of adapters, detected with EDID
(Extended display identification data) via DDC
. This connector is often used in place of a DVI connector in order to save physical space on devices. Mini-DVI does not support dual-link connections and hence cannot support resolutions higher than 1920x1200 @60 Hz.
There are various types of Mini-DVI adapter:
A non-OEM Mini-DVI to HDMI Adapter is also available on certain online stores such as eBay and Amazon, and from some retail stores, but not from Apple.
The physical connector is similar to Mini-VGA
, but is differentiated by having four rows of pins arranged in two vertically-stacked slots rather than the two rows of pins in the Mini-VGA.
Connecting to a DVI-I connector requires a Mini-DVI to DVI-D cable plus a DVI-D to DVI-I adapter.
Mini-VGA
Mini-VGA connectors are used on some laptops and other systems in place of the standard VGA connector, although most laptops use a standard VGA connector. Apple and HP have separate implementations using the same name...
connector. Its size is between the full-sized DVI
Digital Visual Interface
The Digital Visual Interface is a video interface standard covering the transmission of video between a source device and a display device. The DVI standard has achieved widespread acceptance in the PC industry, both in desktop PCs and monitors...
and the tiny Micro-DVI
Micro-DVI
The Micro-DVI port is a video connection port used by the Asus U2E Windows Vista PC and Early 08 Apple MacBook Air laptop computers. It is smaller than the Mini-DVI port used by its MacBook sister models. To use the port for displaying video on a monitor or television that has a different-style...
. It is found on the 12-inch PowerBook G4
PowerBook G4
The PowerBook G4 are a series of notebook computers that were manufactured, marketed, and sold by Apple, Inc. between 2001 and 2006 as part of its PowerBook line. It uses the PowerPC G4 processor, initially produced by Motorola and later by Freescale, after Motorola spun off its semiconductor...
(except the original 12-inch 867 MHz PowerBook G4, it used Mini-VGA), Intel-based iMac
IMac
The iMac is a range of all-in-one Macintosh desktop computers built by Apple. It has been the primary part of Apple's consumer desktop offerings since its introduction in 1998, and has evolved through five distinct forms....
, the MacBook
MacBook
The MacBook was a brand of Macintosh notebook computers built by Apple Inc. First introduced in May 2006, it replaced the iBook and 12-inch PowerBook series of notebooks as a part of the Apple–Intel transition. Positioned as the low end of the MacBook family, the Apple MacBook was aimed at the...
Intel-based laptop, the Intel-based Xserve
Xserve
Xserve was a line of rack unit computers designed by Apple Inc. for use as servers. When the Xserve was introduced in 2002, it was Apple's first designated server hardware design since the Apple Network Server in 1996...
, and the 2009 Mac mini
Mac Mini
The Mac Mini is a small form factor desktop computer manufactured by Apple Inc. Like earlier mini-ITX PC designs, it is uncommonly small for a desktop computer: 7.7 inches square and 1.4 inches tall. It weighs 2.7 pounds...
.
In October 2008, Apple announced the company was phasing Mini-DVI out in favor of Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort
The Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort digital audio-visual interface. Apple, Inc. announced the development in the fourth quarter of 2008, and now applies it in the LED Cinema Display and in all new Macintosh computers: MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini,...
.
Mini-DVI connectors on Apple hardware are capable of carrying DVI, VGA, or TV signals through the use of adapters, detected with EDID
Extended display identification data
Extended display identification data is a data structure provided by a digital display to describe its capabilities to a video source . It is what enables a modern personal computer to know what kinds of monitors are connected to it. EDID is defined by a standard published by the Video...
(Extended display identification data) via DDC
Display Data Channel
The Display Data Channel or DDC is a collection of digital communication protocols between a computer display and a graphics adapter that enables the display to communicate its supported display modes to the adapter and to enable the computer host to adjust monitor parameters, such as brightness...
. This connector is often used in place of a DVI connector in order to save physical space on devices. Mini-DVI does not support dual-link connections and hence cannot support resolutions higher than 1920x1200 @60 Hz.
There are various types of Mini-DVI adapter:
- Apple Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter Apple part# (M9320G/A)
- Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter Apple part# (M9319G/A)
- Apple Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter (DVI-D) Apple part# (M9321G/B)
A non-OEM Mini-DVI to HDMI Adapter is also available on certain online stores such as eBay and Amazon, and from some retail stores, but not from Apple.
The physical connector is similar to Mini-VGA
Mini-VGA
Mini-VGA connectors are used on some laptops and other systems in place of the standard VGA connector, although most laptops use a standard VGA connector. Apple and HP have separate implementations using the same name...
, but is differentiated by having four rows of pins arranged in two vertically-stacked slots rather than the two rows of pins in the Mini-VGA.
Connecting to a DVI-I connector requires a Mini-DVI to DVI-D cable plus a DVI-D to DVI-I adapter.
Criticisms
- Apple's Mini-DVI to DVI-D cable does not carry the analog signal coming from the mini-DVI port on the Apple computer. This means that it is not possible to use this cable with an inexpensive DVI-to-VGA adapter for VGA output; Apple's mini-DVI to VGA cable must be used instead. This could be avoided if Apple provided a mini-DVI to DVI-I cable. The purpose of DVI-I is to ensure universal compatibility.
- The Apple mini-DVI to DVI-D cable's package shows a DVI-I figure instead of DVI-D and does not specify that it comes with only DVI-D.