This is impressive and highlights just how far processing power has come since Doom was introduced. The power of a 486 in just a cable!
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Check Out Doom Running on Apple's Lightning to HDMI Adapter
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Except that Apple was already moving to USB-C when the EU Mafia showed their hand but yeah, yay EU.
Same here. LOLI resist that, because it would also force me to recognize that I am very old (and perhaps no longer have as much processing power?)
Yep. Because of Apple, and the Lightning connector before it, the USB-C plug is reversible.
Otherwise, the USB-IF WG would’ve plodded along happily with some new effectively-proprietary(*) one-way connector because “it’s easy” when you have that many disagreeable individuals-sponsored-by-corporates pretending to work together and none of them thinking about “Step 2”.
Apple showed them The Way.
So anytime someone smiles at the nicety and convenience of that two way connector, just know it’s from the company many are eager to vilify.
(*) let’s be honest here, folks.. just because many use it widely doesn’t mean it’s not proprietary. USB-A, USB-B, micro-USB, mini-USB.. seriously? Someone made cash off that. Each time a connector changes, you still gotta replace something to use the new connector. The USB-IF WG had plenty of options to not do something stupid, and they still did every time. Besides, the EU had AMPLE opportunity to pick any of these other awful choices to force a universal connector. Don’t buy into that USB-C-is-The-One garbage.
Oh wow! Wouldn’t that be spectacular!
“Play DOOM while you wait…” 😨😨
Of course, might wanna wash that thing first.
That’s been debunked. The amount of money lightening made was reportedly “pocket change” - Apple just had a different opinion on when USB-C was ubiquitous enough to move its most important product over after getting raked over the coals they last time they did so (which was actually a switch to a considerably better connector, unlike this instance).
They tried to make micro-usb the universal connector - thank god they failed! Why anyone thinks that the government mandating which connectors devices use is a good idea after that, I will never understand.
Yep, thanks for a sane response…
Apple haters like to forget the history. Lightning came out in Sept 2012, **2 years before** USB-C. IIRC Micro-USB only offered 500mA vs I think 2.4A for Lightning?
USB-C was just not an option at the time. The available alternative was horrible. Apple did a smart thing, even if it was just a stopgap.
Doom is a classic computer game from 1993 and was one of the first FPS games and really established the genre. You play as a space marine fighting against an invasion from Hell. It was a major influence on gaming and the PC industry.
It's becoming something a tradition/joke to see what crazy things can be made to run DOOM. Among other things, it's been successfully run on a pregnancy test.
Doom on a pregnancy test looks pretty darn good
They had to remove most of the test's original components though.
www.cnet.com
If anyone is interested in how the Digital AV adaptor works (as other people have pointed out it needs to do some processing because Lightning does not have the capability to stream uncompressed HD video) then Panic (the software vendor) looked into this years ago here https://blog.panic.com/the-lightning-digital-av-adapter-surprise/ and there's an interesting insight from an Apple engineer in the comments too.
Problem is, even after USB-C existed, the Lightning port wasn't gone. The whole point of Lightning is not being faster or better, but a reversible port that is way more convenient than 30pin or micro USB at that time.
USB-C solved that completely along with faster data rate, higher power, which supposedly makes the Lightning port obsolete from day 1.
Feeling old now… I remember when my Dad had a 80286 PC, and that was too slow for Doom 😄
Imaging knowing back then that some 40 years later some adapter could run it…
This is the weirdest "Doom runs on a X" thing I've ever heard.
It's not just about power. I truly didn't expect a cable to have a processor and, if it did, I wouldn't have expected anybody to be able to hack into it and reprogram it. That's the impressive part in here, Doom is just like "banana for scale", a sort of meme that became a standard for running custom software on random stuff.
I beg to differ on that:
USB-C - Wikipedia
Apple joint the usb collaboration group.
Apple developed Thunderbolt together with Intel.
Apple has just under 25% of the names listed as contributors to the USB-C spec.I beg to differ on that:
USB-C - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Apple joint the usb collaboration group.
Apple developed Thunderbolt together with Intel.
typec.pdf
Release 1.0 August 11, 2014. 10 . USB TypeC Cable and Connector Specification. Specification Work Group Chairs / Specification Editors Intel Corporation (USB 3.0 Promoter company). Yun Ling – Mechanical WG cochair, Mechanical Chapter Coeditor Bob Dunstan – Functional WG cochair, Specification ...
www.docdroid.net
Gruber reported that Apple “basically invented” it but didn’t take credit for political reasons.
Maybe you should rewrite the Wikipedia page then, because it holds false information.Apple has just under 25% of the names listed as contributors to the USB-C spec.
typec.pdf
Release 1.0 August 11, 2014. 10 . USB TypeC Cable and Connector Specification. Specification Work Group Chairs / Specification Editors Intel Corporation (USB 3.0 Promoter company). Yun Ling – Mechanical WG cochair, Mechanical Chapter Coeditor Bob Dunstan – Functional WG cochair, Specification ...
Gruber reported that Apple “basically invented” it but didn’t take credit for political reasons.
Here is also information about Apple rejecting the use of usb type c standard:
Regulations for compatibility
editFurther information: Radio Equipment Directive (2022)
In 2021, the European Commission proposed the use of USB-C as a universal charger.[98][99][100] On 4 October 2022, the European Parliament voted in favor of the new law, Radio Equipment Directive 2022/2380, with 602 votes in favor, 13 against and 8 abstentions.[101] The regulation requires that all new mobile phones, tablets, cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld video game consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, and earbuds sold in the European Union and supporting wired charging, would have to be equipped with a USB-C port and charge with a standard USB-C to USB-C cable by the end of 2024. Additionally, if these devices support fast charging, they must support USB Power Delivery. These regulations will extend to laptops by early 2026.[102] To comply with these regulations, Apple Inc. replaced its proprietary Lightning connector with USB-C beginning with the iPhone 15 and AirPods Prosecond generation, released in 2023.[103][failed verification] A first modified iPhone having USB-C connector was the result of a hack by Ken Pillonel.[104]
In late December 2024, new EU regulations took effect, mandating USB-C charging ports for all small and medium-sized electronic devices sold in the EU, with laptops to follow by 2026. These rules were aimed at reducing waste and saving €250 million annually for consumers. Apple, which initially opposed the changes, had since adopted USB-C for its products. Additionally, consumers can opt not to receive a new charger with their device.[105]
Last edited:
