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Digital AV Adapter: Worth the price of admission

C

CurlyCarlos

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 18, 2010
13
0
I got the Digital AV adapter in the mail today, and I have to say it's really worthwhile if you plan on docking your laptop at a desk. Eventually a cheaper option will turn up, but I was okay paying the price because it really extends the usability of my setup. Right now I'm connected to a 1200p monitor, a Logitech mouse, a USB3 external hard drive, and power. It's also worth noting that I'm daisy chaining an older USB2 hub for a few more standard USB connections.

Here's a picture:
Byiibxp.jpg

I'm limited by a pretty shallow college desk, but the setup works.
 
CurlyCarlos said:
Right now I'm connected to a 1200p monitor, a Logitech mouse, a USB3 external hard drive, and power.
Click to expand...

That's good news! I was hoping the HDMI port can drive something higher than 1080p display, which was what the original spec sheet suggested.

Hope someone can hook this up to a 1440p monitor, and report their experience.

How do you find the video performance with both internal screen and external 1200p display active?
 
It's the only option haha, so it has to be worth the price of admission :p

It is going to be a painful few weeks waiting for mine to arrive.
 
ctyrider said:
That's good news! I was hoping the HDMI port can drive something higher than 1080p display, which was what the original spec sheet suggested.

Hope someone can hook this up to a 1440p monitor, and report their experience.

How do you find the video performance with both internal screen and external 1200p display active?
Click to expand...

That's super good news! I wonder why you couldn't previously run above 1080p via HDMI on Macs?
 
Here's a puzzle for you and this is as good a thread to drop it into as any.

There are truckloads of acid hate posts about the single port and the dongle. "Oh my, I have to hook up my externals through a dongle, what a disaster."

But tell me which is better:

1. Having three or four devices connected via one port each, each of which has to be connected and disconnected when I pick up the machine, and which make the thing resemble some kind of bug with a lot of stringy legs, or

2. Having a single dongle connected to the computer with the various externals connected to the dongle, which means just one cord to disconnect when I need to take the machine somewhere?

It's a poor man's docking station...
 
newellj said:
Here's a puzzle for you and this is as good a thread to drop it into as any.

There are truckloads of acid hate posts about the single port and the dongle. "Oh my, I have to hook up my externals through a dongle, what a disaster."

But tell me which is better:

1. Having three or four devices connected via one port each, each of which has to be connected and disconnected when I pick up the machine, and which make the thing resemble some kind of bug with a lot of stringy legs, or

2. Having a single dongle connected to the computer with the various externals connected to the dongle, which means just one cord to disconnect when I need to take the machine somewhere?

It's a poor man's docking station...
Click to expand...

You forget that a dongle is an extra item you must carry around if you want to use your ports on the go, as many people do. Not to mention that I would definitely take #1 if it has a Thunderbolt port and an SD card slot.
 
newellj said:
There are truckloads of acid hate posts about the single port and the dongle.
Click to expand...

That's the thing most people don't get - Multiport A/V adapter is more than just a "dongle" or a dumb cable. It's a complex and custom-designed piece of electronics crammed into a very small form factor.

Considering early days of USB-C - I don't find paying $79 for a tiny USB-C hub completely outrageous.
 
ctyrider said:
That's good news! I was hoping the HDMI port can drive something higher than 1080p display, which was what the original spec sheet suggested.
Click to expand...

- That has since been updated. Apple's website now lists 4K at 30Hz for the HDMI port on the adaptor. 1440p should be no problem.
 
newellj said:
Having a single dongle connected to the computer
Click to expand...

Exactly! CurlyC only has a single USB-C to connect and disconnect when transitioning from desktop to mobile use.

This is the same configuration I plan on using, so I was glad to hear the 1200p works.
 
redheeler said:
You forget that a dongle is an extra item you must carry around if you want to use your ports on the go, as many people do. Not to mention that I would definitely take #1 if it has a Thunderbolt port and an SD card slot.
Click to expand...

Most people don't need to carry it around. The idea is that you plug in your external monitor and power when you're working at your desk. So the A/V Adapter stays there. If you're "on the go" - you just disconnect a single USB-C port and take the MacBook with you.

The only time I'd take A/V Adapter with me is when I travel out of town.
 
I hope the hydra dock becomes reality.
Looks like a smart design.
..unless the macbook slides around on top of it when you type..
..Or if it make the cooling worse..

http://www.hydradock.com
 

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To all who were curious, performance connected to the 1200p monitor is really great so far. I'm also running scaled 1440x900p on the bottom screen, so I'm theoretically pushing the integrated graphics fairly hard.

I was really happy to see that 1200p supported 60Hz, even though the website only claimed up to 1080p.
 
Wahlstrm said:
I hope the hydra dock becomes reality.
Looks like a smart design.
..unless the macbook slides around on top of it when you type..
..Or if it make the cooling worse..

http://www.hydradock.com
Click to expand...

We'll have to wait until it launches. Some Kickstarter projects can massively fail even if they are a good idea. I did notice they removed the Jr. version of the dock from that page.

----------
CurlyCarlos said:
To all who were curious, performance connected to the 1200p monitor is really great so far. I'm also running scaled 1440x900p on the bottom screen, so I'm theoretically pushing the integrated graphics fairly hard.

I was really happy to see that 1200p supported 60Hz, even though the website only claimed up to 1080p.
Click to expand...

That's really good to hear. It's amazing how special the few rMB owners are at the moment. Those of us who don't have it want loads of questions answered!
 
newellj said:
Here's a puzzle for you and this is as good a thread to drop it into as any.

There are truckloads of acid hate posts about the single port and the dongle. "Oh my, I have to hook up my externals through a dongle, what a disaster."

But tell me which is better:

1. Having three or four devices connected via one port each, each of which has to be connected and disconnected when I pick up the machine, and which make the thing resemble some kind of bug with a lot of stringy legs, or

2. Having a single dongle connected to the computer with the various externals connected to the dongle, which means just one cord to disconnect when I need to take the machine somewhere?

It's a poor man's docking station...
Click to expand...


What would be better would be to have the option IMO. Can you still use the one cable dock with a computer that has 2 USB C ports?

What would have been even better is if people could use there thunderbolt display with this computer, but that is not going to happen.
 
Where did you get the adapter from? Only place i see it is apple.com and it shows 4-6 weeks shipping
 
mookgiants said:
Where did you get the adapter from? Only place i see it is apple.com and it shows 4-6 weeks shipping
Click to expand...
I placed my order within 15 minutes or so of the MacBooks going live. I ordered the adapter at the same time. I noticed how quickly they became delayed, which is a real pain.
 
newellj said:
Here's a puzzle for you and this is as good a thread to drop it into as any.

There are truckloads of acid hate posts about the single port and the dongle. "Oh my, I have to hook up my externals through a dongle, what a disaster."

But tell me which is better:

1. Having three or four devices connected via one port each, each of which has to be connected and disconnected when I pick up the machine, and which make the thing resemble some kind of bug with a lot of stringy legs, or

2. Having a single dongle connected to the computer with the various externals connected to the dongle, which means just one cord to disconnect when I need to take the machine somewhere?

It's a poor man's docking station...
Click to expand...

I don't dig having to carry the dongle around, but I have to do it already with a MBPr so I'm used to it. I teach at a university and all the projectors have a VGA hookup --no HDMI, no DVI, certainly no wireless--, so I have to carry the Thunderbolt to VGA adapter. Now I will carry the USB-C to VGA adapter.

What I will miss from the MBPr is the HDMI port. That's handy for travelling and plugging the MacBook into the hotel TV room to stream Netflix (or iTunes, etc.). Now I need a different dongle for that. And when I travel I may actually have to take two dongles if I have to do a presentation as well.

But for personal around town use, which is the majority of the time, I will be happy for the thinnest, lightest MacBook possible.
 
JKNorth said:
What I will miss from the MBPr is the HDMI port. That's handy for travelling and plugging the MacBook into the hotel TV room to stream Netflix (or iTunes, etc.). Now I need a different dongle for that. And when I travel I may actually have to take two dongles if I have to do a presentation as well.
Click to expand...

Google and Monoprice are already selling USB-C to HDMI adapters. Problem solved there. Granted, you can't charge the rMB at the same time though.
 
so are you getting 60hz or 30? if 30, do you notice anything different from build in 60hz screen?
 
Great to see that - I really hope 1440P is no problem. Edit... It looks like Apple has updated their webpage.

This adapter allows you to mirror your MacBook display to your HDMI-enabled TV or display in up to 1080p at 60Hz or UHD (3840x2160) at 30Hz.
Click to expand...

Hmm... The tech specs don't list the HDMI version or if it does 1440P at 60hz. Can't wait to hear about this!
 
spaceballl said:
Nope - it's an open standard. It's because the monoprice cables are simple. USB in one side, another port out the other. The Apple / more advanced solutions require USB in one side, multiple ports out the other.
Click to expand...

I'm hoping the stores actually get them in stock. I will have to use the laptop screen at work for the next few weeks if not =/
 
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