So what about all the other models with miniDP???
The limitation in those models is in the chipset. The 2008/2009 Intel and nVidia chipsets did not physically support audio out through the GPU path.
There was a thread a long time ago that proved that the MDP DID in fact carry audio. So yes, the older ones do have the ability to carry it. Now we just need someone to figure out how to enable it.
The DP (and mini DP) connector itself was never the problem. The connectors and cables will carry audio if the output device supports it. There were no notebook chipsets that did so until about 6-8 months ago (between Apple product refreshes). The 2008 models are absolutely incompatible; the 2009 models probably are, unless there are features of the 9400M that have not been disclosed by nVidia or were customized for Apple. This is unlikely and so they too are most likely physically incompatible.
If I understand it correctly, if the port's controller (I'm pretty sure it's the graphics chip) supports audio then it's just a firmware update to tell the controller to pass audio over the specified pins. If the port's controller doesn't support audio, then it's a hardware problem and can only be fixed by purchasing an up to date MBP.
That's correct.
oh please, this is only about Apple not wanting to pay HDMI patent fees. otherwise they would join the standard.
It has exactly nothing to do with that. HDMI was never suited for high resolution monitor applications--its niche is multimedia/home theater. It has several distinct limitations compared to DisplayPort, some of which are fixable and many of which are simply structural to the HDMI standard. DisplayPort (which is a joint project involving dozens of major players in home theater, mobile, and personal computer industries, and by no means just Apple) fixes many of those inherent limitations while preserving compatibility with HDMI, which will continue in home theater applications.
Right. But if the audio pins are on the mDP by default (and it sounds like they are) then Apple would have had to just not connect them (for no reason) in order for them to not already be connected to the sound card in older uMBPs.
The audio pins on the connector
aren't connected to anything on the motherboard. That's the whole problem. nVidia's GPUs simply didn't support it until the most recent generation. All notebooks from all manufacturers are hardware-limited to video only over DisplayPort, except for certain models released in the past 8 months.
Have you seen mini HDMI ports? Part of the 1.3 spec released in 2006. Same size as mini DisplayPort. Apple only chooses DisplayPort because its royalty free
Apple chose DisplayPort because it's what's next. Intel, Dell, Pioneer, AMD/ATI, nVidia, Acer, Lenovo, HP, Phillips, and Samsung are all on board.
and they can charge outrageous prices for adapters. Those $30 adapters are pure profit.
Apple would charge the same for adapters regardless of the one selected for inclusion in the products; consumers are free to buy adapters from whomever they wish at whatever price they're willing to pay.
If Apple had done what the rest of the industry did and moved towards HDMI,
The rest of the industry did no such thing. HDMI is a freebie with DVI. All you have to do is change the physical connector. The signals are electrically compatible. The problem is that DVI is a dead end. Nobody "moved" to HDMI--they just added the connector for the convenience of those wanting to plug into HDTVs.
Look at who standardized Displayport and who is backing it. VESA and the computer industry. It is a "made for computers" alternative to HDMI. Apple did the right choice for their computers (notice how the Apple TV doesn't use it).
Exactly.
