I currently only have VGA monitors, but I may purchase a DVI monitor in the future. Since each adapter is $20 from Apple, but DVI to VGA adapters are around $5, I was thinking about getting a mini-DVI to DVI, and a DVI to VGA. I wouldn't encounter any problems with this, would i?
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.
Mini-DVI to DVI + DVI to VGA?
- Thread starter Selenolycus
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Are you referrng to the monitor's display looking like garbage as a result of going through the two adapters, or the 'funkiness' of the two adapters together?
It shouldn't affect signal quality. The mini-DVI output already sends VGA signals through, so they'll just pass through the mini-DVI adaptor to the DVI-VGA adaptor.
Going from DVI to VGA, there is no conversion. The VGA signals have their own pins in the DVI port.
Going from DVI to VGA, there is no conversion. The VGA signals have their own pins in the DVI port.
Instead of getting two adapters, why don't you do what I did: The Apple mini-dvi to dvi adapter and a cable with a dvi on one end and vga on the other. Works perfectly.
Is there any more insight into this? have a vga monitor .
Does anyone use the mini dvi to vga and can comment?
Does anyone use the mini dvi to vga and can comment?
I don't know what those other guys were smoking back in December when they wrote that...this has been covered dozens of times: you CANNOT use the miniDVI->DVI adapter PLUS a standard DVI->VGA adapter to connect a VGA monitor.
Why?
Because Apple's miniDVI->DVI adapters only output DVI-D. To convert from DVI->VGA, a DVI-I signal is required. The Apple miniDVI->DVI adapter discards the analog component from the miniDVI output. The pinout on the mini-DVI->DVI adapter is physically incompatible with your run-of-the-mill DVI->VGA adapter. The only way to connect a VGA monitor to a MacBook/iMac is to get the Apple miniDVI->VGA adapter.
Why?
Because Apple's miniDVI->DVI adapters only output DVI-D. To convert from DVI->VGA, a DVI-I signal is required. The Apple miniDVI->DVI adapter discards the analog component from the miniDVI output. The pinout on the mini-DVI->DVI adapter is physically incompatible with your run-of-the-mill DVI->VGA adapter. The only way to connect a VGA monitor to a MacBook/iMac is to get the Apple miniDVI->VGA adapter.
Instead of getting two adapters, why don't you do what I did: The Apple mini-dvi to dvi adapter and a cable with a dvi on one end and vga on the other. Works perfectly.
I am really interested in learning about this cable you're talking about. I've never seen one, and I don't see how it would work with the Apple adapters since miniDVI->DVI doesn't output an analog signal (VGA).
There are many types of adapters apparently. When I needed a similar adapter, I visited best buy, and he suggested me a certain adapter, but was very pricy, but I found the same product at http://www.dealsorigin.com
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=8119&seq=1&format=2
Seems like a nice product. I have an Apple Mini DP -> VGA myself, used on TV, image quality was fine, a little bit dark but thats probably fixable, I have used it so little I havent bothered to try.
EDIT: Mistook the capacity of the item a bit.
Last edited:
I am really interested in one of those adapters for my Early 2011 15" MBP. I saw them before at Amazon but I bought they might be bad. I need something like that because I need to plug my laptop to TVs that use HDMI and also projectors that use VGA so it would be annoying having to buy two separate adapters. Any one with feedback bout those adapters? Quality, functionality?