Mini displayport to HDMI

[Gen]

So I'm finding three different products that look the same - monoprice, cable matter, and kanex;

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=6331&seq=1&format=2
http://www.cablematters.com/pc-56-2...ink-audiousb-male-to-hdmi-female-adapter.aspx
http://kanexlive.com/products/item.aspx?id=3495

According to some of you - the CableMatters is superior because it is the only one that supports 5.1 surround sound. However, on the page I don't see anywhere where it states that. Also, there are virtually no reviews of that particular product.

So I suppose, why are there three different products that all look the same? And is truly one better than the others?

Now, the monoprice has this description;
"Supports uncompressed 2 channel and 5.1 channel audio such as LPCM.
Supports compressed 5.1 channel audio including DTS and Dolby Digital."
It seems that it does support 5.1 surround sound.

The Kanex product has the same description - and is priced at $70, while monoprice has it at $49.

I suppose then; monoprice > all ... ?

 

[DavidG328]

Glad I came across this thread. Ordered one of the miniDisplay to HDMI cables! Can't wait for some better than the VGA resolution I'm getting while hooking the MBP up to it.

 

[King t.]

i have a MDP to HDMI... and I use it on my 42" inch Philips LCD with 1080P Full HD runs perfectly, and with Plex my movies run fantastic in 1080P and in dolby surround sound 5.1, thanks to a toslink adapter to my opitcal cable

 

[jdaniel]

final word on quality build etc before I jump on this ? THANKS

 

[FastEddy]

Yes, but which DisplayPort?

Rampant speculation about The Steve's Announcements day after tomorrow ...

One thing is clear re: DisplayPort ... It WILL have audio and video In Both Directions ... Built-in cameras and microphones in the monitors require that DisplayPort be such. " The first version was approved in May 2006, version 1.1a was approved on January 11, 2008, and the current version 1.2 was approved on December 22, 2009. ..." - Wikipedia ... Thus later this week the Apple displays may also have eye as well as ear popping implications.

Look for Apple to adopt DisplayPort v.1.1a (and possibly v.1.2) shortly ... the stuff is already in production for upcoming announcements.

" ... A preview of DisplayPort 1.2 was given at WinHEC 2008 and CES 2009, and the final version of the standard was approved on December 22, 2009. Most significant improvement of the new version is the doubling of the bandwidth, which allows for increased resolutions, higher refresh rates, and deeper color depth. Other improvements include multiple independent video streams (daisy-chain connection with multiple monitors), support for stereoscopic 3D, increased AUX channel bandwidth (from 1 Mbit/s to 720 Mbit/s), and addition of Apple Inc.'s Mini DisplayPort connector, which is much smaller and more appropriate for laptop computers and other small devices. ..."


(I must remain rather cryptic here as my employer is working in this arena and we don't want to steal any thunder from anyone ... BUT that's why they call this MacRumors, right?)

 

[jdaniel]

Doesnt help us current owners But nice info.

 

[FastEddy]

Doesnt help us current owners But nice info.

Actually, the all production versions of DisplayPort are supported in the newer standard(s) = backward video compatible without any added chips in the circuit. " The [current] DisplayPort connector supports 1, 2, or 4 data pairs in a Main Link that also carries clock and optional audio signals ... " = no compatibility problems found. (A cute little brick adapter for "regular" DisplayPort to Mini-DisplayPort will be available shortly ~~ US$20 or less.)

If you have a DisplayPort connection that does not have audio throughput, then you will have to "parallel" a USB cable, SPDIF or analog audio cable to get the desired results. ... OR: my choice would be to run your FireWire port into a solid 24bit DAC and on to your better quality sound system.

This link is more to the point: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_DisplayPort ... the mini being a "standard" on Apple Laptops now and soon all Apple host systems.

And Toshiba, Dell, HP, et al, are not far behind ... Even IBM is in for the program.

(The great thing I like about the Wikipedia postings: almost anyone can become "expert" ... Apple's own techies wrote this particular wiki.)