Home

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

DVI drops Analog signal, DVI-D only

Written by DJ from Gray

Oct 25, 2008

We know the Mini DisplayPort can output an analog signal because there's a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter. So why does this adapter drop the analog signal and go strictly to DVI-D (Digital only) instead of DVI-I (analog & digital)? The old MacBook Pro's had DVI-I. So this adapter is not a replacement to what used to come standard on MacBook Pros! I'm left very frustrated.

1047 of 1241 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Be sure of your pinouts

Written by AM from Salamanca

Oct 22, 2008

This is a DVI-D (single-link) connector - look up DVI on Wikipedia, if you're not sure of the difference. You can NOT simply connect to a DVI-I connector, like Apple's own DVI-VGA adapter, because of the extra pins in DVI-I.

With the correct cabling, it seems to work just fine.

629 of 699 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Make sure you get the right one!

Written by AS from Cardiff

Jan 30, 2009

Usually Apple products just work, thats why they are so great. Things aren't as easy as you'd think with the mini DisplayPort Adapters though.

The DVI version seems to be only for DVI-D (digital DVI) and not DVI-A (analog DVI), which is more common on older hardware. They are only compatible one way, as the DVI-A connector has some extra pins. Cleverly you can't even use Apples own DVI-to-VGA Adapter due to the extra pins. If you plan on using both and don't absolutely need the digital signal, get the Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter and a seperate VGA-DVI Adapter.

So make sure you spend your hard earned wisely on this and check what inputs your monitor has. Unless its fairly new, chances are it will be DVI-A.

I haven't had any picture related issues, but chances are the earlier reviewer has problems with the new NVIDIA chip and its not the adapters fault.

2 Stars as should cost half the price for what you get.

164 of 183 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

If you're gonna be condescending, being correct should come first

Written by DP from Los Angeles

Mar 4, 2009

"It appears that some people are being mislead into leaving bad reviews, but in the end, User Error is to blame. To clarify, this is a SINGLE Link DVI adapter, intended to be used in conjunction with a SINGLE external monitor. Apple also sells a "Mini DisplayPort to DUAL-LINK DVI" adapter if you need to run, you guessed it, dual monitors! "

DUAL -LINK refers to running a SINGLE display with greater than 1920x1200 resolution (like a 30" @ 2560x1600) It has nothing to do with the NUMBER of monitors you are running, just the resolution of a single one.

99 of 118 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Confucius is wrong

Written by DM from Fort Worth

Mar 2, 2009

You cannot run dual monitors with this product or the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter.

The Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter is meant for 1 external display up to 1920 x 1080.

The Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter is meant for running 1 external display up to and beyond 1920 x 1080 resolution, such as the Apple 30" monitor which runs at 2560 by 1600 pixels.

Please do your research before recommending a product. Dual-link does not mean Dual monitors. The Digital formats are available in DVI-D Single-Link and Dual-Link as well as DVI-I Single-Link and Dual-Link format connectors. These DVI cables send information using a digital information format called TMDS (transition minimized differential signaling). Single link cables use one TMDS 165Mhz transmitter, while dual links use two. The dual link DVI pins effectively double the power of transmission and provide an increase of speed and signal quality; i.e. a DVI single link 60-Hz LCD can display a resolution of 1920 x 1200, while a DVI dual link can display a resolution of 2560 x 1600.

Please purchase the correct adapter for your application.

75 of 83 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Does not fit the Apple DVI to VGA-adapter

Written by MV from Günzburg

Jan 11, 2009

In intention to use my original Apple DVI to VGA adapter with my new MacBookPro I bought that adapter, so I can use my old Apple computer as well for presentations. The Mini-display to DVI does not fit the DVI to VGA adapter (as posted in other comments due to the different standards (DVI-I and -D)). Unfortunately this is not stated anywhere in the product description of both products. So You have to buy boths adapters (DVI and VGA) for using them with the Mini-display-port.

71 of 93 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Just won't fit!

Written by JY from London

Dec 9, 2008

I thought I'd use the extra DVI monitor I have at home with my new MacBook, so I got the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter. I tried to plug it into the DVI connector of my monitor, but it just won't fit. Both layouts are DVI, but the adapter is missing 4 tiny pins around the large one. After forcing for a while, it KIND of fits and I do get an image, but the connector literally hangs onto the adapter, semi-attached, and I am not able to fully attach both of them in place so they have to placed on a horizontal surface all the time.

My monitor definitely has a DVI connector, but I wonder if there are different types of DVI connectors? And if so, should this information have been on the adapter page?

91 of 135 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Problems with waking display from sleep

Written by AO from LONDON

Dec 6, 2008

While it looks nice and neat, it gives me a problem with my Dell 2001FP.

Every time the display goes to sleep it doesn't come back on without me having to unplug and plug it back in.

Of course it could be the software but the same monitor worked fine for me on my old MBP.

Two other points:

It would be nice if the cable was a few inches longer so I could hide it behind the screen when I work.

£20 for a bit of plastic? Only apple can get away with that.

56 of 67 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Not backwards compatible with DVI -> VGA adapter

Written by SR from Amityville

May 10, 2009

If you still have your DVI -> VGA adaptor that came with the previous generation of laptops and where thinking that with purchasing this item you would be able to use that adapter to go from mini display port -> DVI -> VGA and save money instead of having to buy separate Mini D -> DVI and Mini D -> VGA, you thought wrong.

The product works as specified but I gave it 3 stars for lack of compatibility which when developing a product is something you should consider, also lack of information about this products compatibility and function on the packaging itself when purchased in store.

47 of 50 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Disappointed

Written by DD from Leesburg

Dec 17, 2008

Wait until a third party offers an adapter. I was stuck at a major conference and had to switch to a PC because this adapter is a single DVI rather than a dual DVI. The house A/V company could have interfaced with the dual DVI, but not this single configuration adapter.

This wouldn't have been an issue with my old Powerbook, but this new scheme is only compatible with 1/2 of the cables out there. Awful.

61 of 78 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Works Perfectly

Written by OS from London

Mar 18, 2009

After all the hub-bub about where it works or not or whether it is DVI-I or DVI-D, all I can say is look at the picture. In fairness to Apple, you can zoom right into the connector to see if it will connect to your monitor. I agree is might be clearer if it stated that it was DVI-D but this is easy enough to check. I think most of the confusion has come from the fact that there are two types of DVI cable. This is not actually Apple's fault. For the record DVI-I carries Digital AND Analogue (over the extra 4 pins) and DVI-D is just Digital.
All I can say about it on the down side is I think it should be priced at £15 along with all the other Mini adaptors. Have connected up to various 24" panels in the office and it works great off my new MiniMac.

47 of 52 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

THIS IS A DVI-D!!!

Written by JV from garden grove

Nov 7, 2008

so lets get to the REVIEW of the actual product.

QUALITY: quality is excellent. i have been using this since the day the new MacBook Pro came out. i connect/disconnect this plug to my macbookpro at least 6 times a day; and so far, the connection fit is still tight as the first day. this product in terms of quality is solid! it doesnt feel cheap and flimsy! it is also very light and weights almost nothing.

MONITOR: im using a gateway FHD2400 (24" LCD monitor) and it works fine. my monitor supports DVI-I, DVI-D, VGA, HDMI, Svideo and a few more.

IMPORTANT NOTES: MAKE SURE YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK/RESEARCH before you buy this connector. make sure your monitor supports DVI-D... search on wekipedia if you are not sure...if your monitor doesnt support DVI-D, then DONT BUY IT and give it a bad rating...wait untill apple comes out with one that works, or an updated one...or simple go talk to an apple genius and see if they can give you a legit reason.

52 of 62 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Works but Too Expensive

Written by RB from London

Mar 22, 2009

This seems to work well so far, which is relief after hearing about others problems. I have tested it with both my Cinema Display, Samsung TFT and cheapy video projector. It is a shame though that after spending so much and a very nice laptop we are forced to pay £40 to be able to plug it in to these very standard devices.

47 of 55 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

52" Macbook !!!!

Written by SV from oklahoma city

Jan 14, 2009

Connected it to my Samsung 52" Touch Of Color LCD. I used a DVI to HDMI=Crystal Clear Picture!
Works great! Worth the Money!

53 of 68 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Bad product listing

Written by RK from Inyokern

Jan 31, 2009

I am so disappointed. All I want to do is hookup my Macbook Pro to my TV so that I can play home movies, etc., which were edited and compressed on my computer. However, the listing of this Mini DisplayPort to DVI did not make clear that the cable was DVI-D rather than DVI-I. I'm not a pro at these things, but I'm not dumb. If a listing says "DVI-I" and one says "DVI-D", I can figure out that they are different and order the right ones. Thumbs down apple.com. >:(

42 of 51 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Read if you plan to connect to VGA via an adapter

Written by SS from Highland Park

Dec 7, 2008

I bought this to connect to DVI and VGA sources. I realize for VGA I need an adapter, but what I didn't realize is the the vast majority of adapters for VGA-to-DVI are NOT compatible with this product. It blocks the DVI-I 4 pins around the bar, meaning you'd break any DVI-I adapter you tried to attach. If you get this and you need to connect to VGA, most existing adapters (such as those that come with video cards) WILL NOT WORK, and you will need to buy a DVI-D-only adapter.

37 of 42 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Dell 24" LCD

Written by ME from denver

Oct 24, 2008

Works fine with the Dell 2405FPW.

49 of 67 people found this useful

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Overall great product if you know the shortcomings

Written by MF from BIRMINGHAM

Feb 11, 2009

I am using it with a Samsung 245BW 24" LCD bought from Costco. It works perfectly until the computer dims the screen. Once the Macbook dims the screen the Samsung will start to flicker, jump around and never be stable. Restarting corrects it.

If I never let the monitor dim or go to sleep it works flawlessly. Just be aware that if you are having flicker issues it is probably because your computer went to partial sleep.


Working on MacBook 2009

33 of 37 people found this useful