Is DVI the same as HDMI? Looking to buy a Mini-DVI to DVI or HDMI...

[SamIchi]

So I have a VGA connection to my monitor from my Macbook currently cause I had a mini-dvi to vga adapter conveniently. But I heard DVI will be better, so I was looking to get another adapter.

Should get a Mini-DVI to DVI or Mini-DVI to HDMI? Would that produce the same picture cause they are both digital? I don't plan on connecting to any other diplays or tv's but would one be more versatile than the other?

Oh, and I saw that Apple doesn't make a HDMI adapter, is there a reason why not? I saw it on eBay so it made me curious. I've searched this topic, but I didn't see a thread that answered my questions.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Yaboze]

DVI-D and HDMI are both digital and interchangeable with adapters with no signal loss. Both can handle HDCP for Blu Ray players and such.

For instance, I can plug my PC into my HD TV just by using a DVI-D to HDMI cable, it plugs right in and works perfectly. I could also use a regular DVI-D to DVI-D cable and use an adapter on the TV side.

The only difference, aside from the pinouts, is that HDMI can carry audio with it as well. It's a nice package, one wire handles everything up to 7.1 Dolby.

The thing is I'm not sure if Mac's pass audio through HDMI.

HDMI doesn't come on a lot of computer LCD's, mainly because they don't have speakers, but it's starting to show up slowly. All HD TV LCD's have HDMI and most don't DVI-D.

 

[angelwatt]

The only difference, aside from the pinouts, is that HDMI can carry audio with it as well. It's a nice package, one wire handles everything up to 7.1 Dolby.

The thing is I'm not sure if Mac's pass audio through HDMI.

No audio pass through. The lack of of audio through the video out on Mac is the key reason Apple doesn't have a HDMI converter. The other is because a lot of its hardware is already set for DVI. I use a Mini-DVI to HDMI on my Mini to my LCD TV. I would have done DVI, but my TV doesn't support that directly. Then I have the Mini's audio go to my stereo using a RCA converter.