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Apple Preparing to Add HDMI to Macs?
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I think this is another situation of apple telling us what they think the standard is instead of letting it work itself out. I don't agree with their reasoning as this is something that is widely available on "windows" PC's with no issues.
HDMI is here, is the standard and they should support, end of story in my book.
HDMI is here, is the standard and they should support, end of story in my book.
I love my Mac.
I love my Mac Mini.
It is my second Mac. I sold my Macbook of the same specs to get the
Mini, 23" monitor, Apple Magic Mouse, Apple wireless kb, speakers,
desk, WD My Passport 500gb backup drive, and 4gb ddr3 upgrade, as well
as a 500gb HDD for the base mini i bought.
I do a lot of design work and am constantly in Adobe throughout my day.
I have found the Mac Mini to be the absolute best computer I have ever
known. Quiet, fast, aesthetically pleasing, and in a small form factor.
Most of all, I don't have to constantly plug and unplug a Macbook. For
my portable needs, as far as web browsing and eBay auctioning (my income
at the moment), the Dell Mini 10v I hackintoshed fulfills those needs nicely.
The monitor I have is a Acer H233H and it has all the popular inputs as
far as video goes, on the back. Yesterday I downloaded Plex to check it
out and I was in the process of moving things to try out my Mini on my
HDTV.. when i realized i didn't have a HDMI dongle.
Building in HDMI into the mini would streamline everything awesomely.
I think Apple should get rid of Apple TV. Personally I don't see the need.
For a few more hundred bucks, or even buying a used Mini, you have a far
more capable media center.
Plex is impressive.
I like it, and will keep it installed, but I don't see the need for it when my
Mini stays tethered to my desktop. If I get a newer Mac later this year
then I will possibly move the Mini to the TV, or sell it.
It's cool you can place your Apps into the Application section in Plex. I can
load an emulator and play some Zelda 2 on the HDTV, or launch safari
with my remote.
That is very cool.
I can see why the Mini shines in this regard. Gigs of Star Trek episodes at
my fingertips.. as well as the ability to launch a browser and check out
a website.. Too Cool.
I hope that Apple continues to show some love to this little guy. Upgrade
the specs! Put an ATI gaphics option in it if you have to, to get a great cpu.
Move on past the core2duo. Please.
Although 3.06GHZ C2D+8GB DDR3+7200drive would be pretty blissful!
Just my thoughts on this.. I really feel I got my money's worth when I
sold my MBP and got all this cool stuff.
I love my Mac Mini.
It is my second Mac. I sold my Macbook of the same specs to get the
Mini, 23" monitor, Apple Magic Mouse, Apple wireless kb, speakers,
desk, WD My Passport 500gb backup drive, and 4gb ddr3 upgrade, as well
as a 500gb HDD for the base mini i bought.
I do a lot of design work and am constantly in Adobe throughout my day.
I have found the Mac Mini to be the absolute best computer I have ever
known. Quiet, fast, aesthetically pleasing, and in a small form factor.
Most of all, I don't have to constantly plug and unplug a Macbook. For
my portable needs, as far as web browsing and eBay auctioning (my income
at the moment), the Dell Mini 10v I hackintoshed fulfills those needs nicely.
The monitor I have is a Acer H233H and it has all the popular inputs as
far as video goes, on the back. Yesterday I downloaded Plex to check it
out and I was in the process of moving things to try out my Mini on my
HDTV.. when i realized i didn't have a HDMI dongle.
Building in HDMI into the mini would streamline everything awesomely.
I think Apple should get rid of Apple TV. Personally I don't see the need.
For a few more hundred bucks, or even buying a used Mini, you have a far
more capable media center.
Plex is impressive.
I like it, and will keep it installed, but I don't see the need for it when my
Mini stays tethered to my desktop. If I get a newer Mac later this year
then I will possibly move the Mini to the TV, or sell it.
It's cool you can place your Apps into the Application section in Plex. I can
load an emulator and play some Zelda 2 on the HDTV, or launch safari
with my remote.
That is very cool.
I can see why the Mini shines in this regard. Gigs of Star Trek episodes at
my fingertips.. as well as the ability to launch a browser and check out
a website.. Too Cool.
I hope that Apple continues to show some love to this little guy. Upgrade
the specs! Put an ATI gaphics option in it if you have to, to get a great cpu.
Move on past the core2duo. Please.
Although 3.06GHZ C2D+8GB DDR3+7200drive would be pretty blissful!
Just my thoughts on this.. I really feel I got my money's worth when I
sold my MBP and got all this cool stuff.
I made some pictures to explain why, unless you use want to use the new HD surround tracks of blurays (like DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD, which need to be streamed via HDMI only), the Mini is already usable as a media center.
Video
Audio
If you want Video+Audio on the same HDMI cable:
Video
Audio
If you want Video+Audio on the same HDMI cable:
Yeah, I get that. a mac mini is a computer, the apple tv is a device made for viewing content on your TV. There just a different class of beast.
If we're have a spell-check, it's "BD", not "BR" for the
abbreviation.
One of which is on virtually every current HDTV and AV device - HDMI.
Ugh, VGA. Why PC manufacturers still insist upon putting that piece of **** port on every laptop is beyond me. Why cant they get with the program? PowerBooks dropped VGA 8 years ago
Many in the business world still use them to connect to video projectors. Yes, there are cables (e.g., Apple's mini-DVI to VGA, mini-DP to VGA), but many prefer to plug directly into the port without the need to carry an additional adapter. Projectors that have inputs in addition to VGA are still pricey.
Is this a joke? Need to "CARRY" this?
Is it a problem to """"carry"""" this in a bag?
This is non-sense.....
Sure you can forget it at home, but you can also forget your mouse or your head.....not that big of a deal. In exchange, you get a nice design and nice versatility from a single "hole in the chassis" which can give you 4 ports (VGA, DVI, HDMI, Display Port), the latter often not even available on many laptops of 2008, 2009 and even 2010.....
Is this a joke? Need to "CARRY" this?
Is it a problem to """"carry"""" this in a bag?
This is non-sense.....
Sure you can forget it at home, but you can also forget your mouse or your head.....not that big of a deal. In exchange, you get a nice design and nice versatility from a single "hole in the chassis" which can give you 4 ports (VGA, DVI, HDMI, Display Port), the latter often not even available on many laptops of 2008, 2009 and even 2010.....
It is not nonsense when it avoids a problem. People forget adapters. Without the adapter, the presentation does not happen. For people who are not well organized and/or who are constantly on the go and under stress, it is easy to forget an adapter. In such cases, having a VGA port is foolproof. Remember, this is a business user, not a tech guru. For many business people, computers are a necessary evil.
That said, I carry adapters and prefer to do without the VGA port, but even still, I find the mini-DVI port on my MB does not provide as solid a connection as I would sometimes like. Perhaps mini-DP provides a better connection.
What's with all the good-byes to AppleTV?
Do you really think Apple, in today's economy, is going to make people who just want to watch iTunes content from the couch on a large screen buy a $600 Mini instead of a $229 media player?
Apple is going to use the $600 Mini to compete against all the other set-top media players (Vudu, Roku, Netflix capable Blu-ray boxes, etc.) as well as compete against all the new HD capable $200 Intel Atom/nVidia ION Net-tops?
Are you all serious?
Apple TV is the right way to go for a home media center. I don't see the point of hooking up your $500+ Mac to your TV to become your media center just because the Apple TV doesn't have a web browser and email. It does have one thing thats absolutely better.... HDMI. lol
In fact, you can buy an Apple TV and a massive external hard drive for all your movies for less money than a Mac Mini.
In fact, you can buy an Apple TV and a massive external hard drive for all your movies for less money than a Mac Mini.
Cinema Display
The more important aspect of this is the Cinema Displays. The 30" hasn't been updated in ages and the 24" is over a year old. It could be that the next revision of Cinema Displays would have HDMI connectors (with HDCP) allowing them to be much more useful (i.e. connecting a PS3 to them).
The more important aspect of this is the Cinema Displays. The 30" hasn't been updated in ages and the 24" is over a year old. It could be that the next revision of Cinema Displays would have HDMI connectors (with HDCP) allowing them to be much more useful (i.e. connecting a PS3 to them).
What the...?
Why the hell would you want HDMI and not Blu-Ray? I am omitting the fact that you wrote it as "Blue Ray" but why would you want HDMI and not "Blue Ray?"
Why the hell would you want HDMI and not Blu-Ray? I am omitting the fact that you wrote it as "Blue Ray" but why would you want HDMI and not "Blue Ray?"
Scrambled opinions...
You sir, write a VERY confusing post. First you state that the only thing different between ATV and a mini is a $20 dongle. Oh- and that whoever decides that is an idiot...?
Next you state that mini's cost 2-3x more than an ATV but mini's have more functionality. So are you just stating the obvious? You made it sound like the price wasn't justified for the increased functionality.
Finally, after absorbing all these scrambled thought, you stated that choosing between one of them is "like choosing between a motorcycle and a minivan based on the size if the tires," but you don't state which one you think is the motorcycle and which is the minivan.
The point of my post is this- Get your s**t straight and write a cohesive post or just skip posting next time and just rate the article. Thanks.
You sir, write a VERY confusing post. First you state that the only thing different between ATV and a mini is a $20 dongle. Oh- and that whoever decides that is an idiot...?
Next you state that mini's cost 2-3x more than an ATV but mini's have more functionality. So are you just stating the obvious? You made it sound like the price wasn't justified for the increased functionality.
Finally, after absorbing all these scrambled thought, you stated that choosing between one of them is "like choosing between a motorcycle and a minivan based on the size if the tires," but you don't state which one you think is the motorcycle and which is the minivan.
The point of my post is this- Get your s**t straight and write a cohesive post or just skip posting next time and just rate the article. Thanks.
The "Good" scenario would be buying a computer with a graphics chip that is used for a netbook? Really...? Those are some pretty low expectations you have there. I'd actually like a decent video card in here if you ask me.
Too true.
Agreed! AND. Leaving out Blu-Ray??? Really? Steve's "bag of hurt" excuse is way too old, and by the way, a false lazy excuse to not to include it.
Agreed! AND. Leaving out Blu-Ray??? Really? Steve's "bag of hurt" excuse is way too old, and by the way, a false lazy excuse to not to include it.
Haven't been updated??
The MacBook pro lines haven't been updated? Are you serious? They may not have the brand new Core 2010 CPU's but have you forgotten that they changed to a unibody construction with switchable graphics, a glass screen, and robust glass multi touch trackpad? Apple has increased their CPU's in either clock speed or new generations or both. Although with the new CPU's, benchmark scores are insignificant. The Core 2010 CPU's will most likely be the biggest jump in benchmark scores in the last 5 years if you believe the "leaked" geek bench score from earlier February. BTW- that glass multi touch trackpad is awesome, and NO COMPUTER currently can even come remotely close to matching it in effectiveness.
I rest my case.
The MacBook pro lines haven't been updated? Are you serious? They may not have the brand new Core 2010 CPU's but have you forgotten that they changed to a unibody construction with switchable graphics, a glass screen, and robust glass multi touch trackpad? Apple has increased their CPU's in either clock speed or new generations or both. Although with the new CPU's, benchmark scores are insignificant. The Core 2010 CPU's will most likely be the biggest jump in benchmark scores in the last 5 years if you believe the "leaked" geek bench score from earlier February. BTW- that glass multi touch trackpad is awesome, and NO COMPUTER currently can even come remotely close to matching it in effectiveness.
I rest my case.
Agreed.
Sound logic. Although, if the leaked geek bench benchmarks are true, the Core 2010 CPUs score MUCH higher (like 30-40%) computational power than their C2D brethren.
Instead, let's hope that Apple decides to not intentionally cripple this device like most in their line up. *Sorry Steve. I love my Mac and continue to support Apple, but stop skimping on your hardware. It's getting old and pissing me off. Not that I'd use Windows ever again, but when YOU leave out basic necessities, you create the hackintosh community. I don't have a hackintosh now, so don't force me.*
If Apple puts a Core 2010 CPU, Blu-Ray, HDMI, and dedicated graphics into this, I'll knock out the first person in line at the Mac store and take his spot.
Sound logic. Although, if the leaked geek bench benchmarks are true, the Core 2010 CPUs score MUCH higher (like 30-40%) computational power than their C2D brethren.
Instead, let's hope that Apple decides to not intentionally cripple this device like most in their line up. *Sorry Steve. I love my Mac and continue to support Apple, but stop skimping on your hardware. It's getting old and pissing me off. Not that I'd use Windows ever again, but when YOU leave out basic necessities, you create the hackintosh community. I don't have a hackintosh now, so don't force me.*
If Apple puts a Core 2010 CPU, Blu-Ray, HDMI, and dedicated graphics into this, I'll knock out the first person in line at the Mac store and take his spot.
HDCP has been around for years via DVI and was recently added to DisplayPort as of 1.1. You don't need HDMI to implement HDCP.
Apple first began implementing HDCP with the Apple TV in March of 2007. It was also added to the refreshed MacBook and MacBook Pro line as of October 2008, and has slowly made its way into all currently shipping Macs.
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2008/11/apple-brings-hdcp-to-a-new-aluminum-macbook-near-you.ars
Most iTunes HD movies, rentals and TV shows require HDCP to playback on an external monitor. Otherwise, you get the attached error.
Personally, I hope HDCP dies in favor of a more consumer-friendly DRM technology.
The huge price difference, $599 compared to $229, will keep that from happening for a long time.
I loves to be skooled by the smarties. My bad.
hmm.. maybe I shouldn't have rushed into my mac mini purchase last week
Oh well whats done is done.
Being a macrumors.com reader you should have know that Apple should be releasing updated versions of almost all their popular lines. MBP, Mac Pro, iPhone etc. I mean- just read the buyer's guide!
Oh well. I feel your pain. Then again, these COULD just be rumors and you'll have had more time to enjoy a Mini than I. Although, to be honest, the reason I haven't picked up a mini is because it's inherently crippled. No HDMI or Blu-Ray?? Once Apple releases that, they'll have more of my money.
Sorry... your logic may be sound but in actuality, DP just isn't getting adopted/used. HDMI has permeated EVERYTHING and has quickly become a relatively new sought after standard. HDMI should be included hands down.