Can or will Apple enable audio via mini displayport?

[waughmeister]

I was excitedly looking at getting one of the new mini displayport > HDMI adapters for my 2009 iMac so I could connect it to my HDTV and not have to worry about a second cable for sound (my iMac is quite a distance from the tv so it's a hassle to have two cables...) but I was disappointed to note that none of the Macs currently sporting a mini displayport actually support audio out through it, even though the displayport standard allows for it.

Does anyone know if this is something that Apple could enable through a software update or is it prevented by the hardware configuration of the mini displayports currently in use? If it is something Apple cound enable through software, is it something that Apple would be likely to do?

My instinct is that they won't, especially seeing as the most seamless way to connect your Mac to your HDTV currently is via an Apple TV and they're unlikely to do anything that would harm potential sales...

Thoughts?

[geoffreak]

Please search. This has been discussed numerous times.

[spacepower7]

I doubt Apple will do it but Monoprice is working on it.

Their device is a Mini-Displayport + USB audio >>>> to HDMI
6 feet long

My guess is that this will Mac compatible since Apple is the only company shipping products with Mini Display ports (besides the companies making adaptors.)

Estimated price is about $38.

It is NOT available yet

[geoffreak]

If they really come out with a device like that for that price, that would be outstanding. Most signal conversion systems cost upwards of $100.

[waughmeister]

Cheers for the replies guys. The monoprice solution sounds very interesting. I'll be keeping an eye out for that when it comes out!

Geoffreak: I did search but couldn't find an answer to the specific question of whether it was a hardware or software issue that prevented Apple's mini displayports from outputting audio.

[King Mook Mook]

Well, if you can wait until August you can get this:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/07/prweb2622184.htm
You plug the adapter into your computer's Mini DisplayPort and one of its USB ports, and then the adapter converts it into a HDMI signal.
King Mook Mook

[ADent]

You could go miniDVI or miniDP to DVI. Then use a DVI+digital audio to HDMI converter.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011405&p_id=5369&seq=1&format=2