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Apple DVI to Video Adapter

does what it's supposed to

Written by AS from Brooklyn

Nov 5, 2009

I have a first generation MacBook Pro (from 2006) that I wanted to hook up to my ancient TV (Samsung rear-projection 54" from 2000).

I went to the Mac Store and bought this adapter after a little research. It wasn't until after I left the store that I realized that the DVI plug looked a little different than the connection on my computer, and I was worried that it wouldn't fit. Using plain English here... The DVI plug on the adapter has two squares of 3x3 pegs with some space between them. The DVI connection on my computer, however, has a rectangle of "pegholes" 3x8. But it fit! It's just that the two columns in the middle of my computer's connection won't have pegs in them. I hope this makes sense...

Now all I needed after that was a male-to-male S-Video cable (both the S-Video on this adapter and the S-Video on my TV are female plugs) and I just happened to have one laying around in my closet.

Being greedy, I wanted audio as well. I bought (at a different store, since Apple doesn't carry these) a minijack-to-RCA cable and hooked it up from my laptops headphone jack to the red and white connections on my TV and I got audio too!

This adapter is great. It does what it's supposed to do, as long as you have a compatible computer! Do some research before you buy and make sure that this will work with your computer. I love using Front Row now. It's a great way to show pictures to friends and family. Sure, quality is not DVD quality, but it's definitely worth it.

12 of 15 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Newly Frustrated!

Written by EK from Brooklyn

Nov 2, 2009

Not long ago, I would have given this adapter 5 stars – it did exactly what I wanted it to, which was to connect my MacBook Pro to my (admittedly ancient SD) TV so I could watch movies and TV from iTunes, Hulu YouTube, etc. The quality was decent enough in SD, and the setup was beyond easy.

Unfortunately, that laptop died, and I got a newer MBP with an apple Mini DisplayPort connector. The old laptop had a DVI-I port, but the new apple display port can apparently only go to DVI-D. Unfortunately this DVI to Video adapter can only be used with DVI-I. I figured I'd just have to buy a new adapter (which is frustrating but not the end of the world) but Apple makes nothing that supports DVI-D to RCA video.

Basically, I wish somebody would solve this problem, which strikes me as terribly stupid - I can do less with a newer piece of equipment than I could with an older one, unless I drop another $1000 on a new TV that I don't really need or probably $100+ on some sort of annoyingly large and ugly adapter box. It gives me the feeling that Apple really just wants me to drop $250 on an Apple TV, which can't do everything I want it to either.

So, the gist of this review is: This adapter works great, if your computer is 3 years old! Otherwise, don't waste your money.

27 of 32 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Great Product!

Written by EU from Miami

Sep 11, 2009

This is a great way to hook up Video/Game Preview on the TV Set from a Computer. I recently bought a MacBookPro, was disappointed that Apple didn't make a Mini Display Port to S-Video out cable, now instead i have to spend double the money to purchase this on top of MiniDisplayPort to DVI + DVI to S-Video. However, It works great, no complaints.

23 of 25 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Review the product as it was intended

Written by SH from Simi Valley

Sep 4, 2009

It drives me nuts when I see people "review" stuff that works exactly as it was designed, and even shows clearly what kind of connector it is (the package is even clear so you can see what kind of connector it is), but then in the review the person gives it 1 star because it wasn't designed for your laptop. Stop that! It's your own fault for buying something it wasn't designed to do.

Yes, unfortunately all the new MacBooks (except the 17") do NOT have a DVI connector anymore; it was replaced with a Mini DVI connector. You have to look for yourself, since this changes with many of the new versions of the laptop. This is a DVI to Video, NOT a Mini-DVI to Video. There is DVI Mini, DVI-I, DVI-D, etc. Just verify before you buy something, then complain about it because you bought the wrong thing. Worse yet, you then give something a bad rating, which makes others think that this gear does not work.

Now, on to the review. This works great. It's a cheap way to get DVI out to a TV monitor. Of course - component/S-Video does not look as clear as a computer monitor (not the fault of this device). But it does exactly what it says it will do.

56 of 63 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Product description is a lie!

Written by ジシ from 越谷市

Aug 18, 2009

I tried to use this adapter with my brand-new Macbook Pro, and it wouldn't work. I tried to connect it to a mini displayport to DVI adapter, and there were some extra pins that didn't match. Apparently DVI doesn't always mean DVI to Apple. Because I can't use this adapter, which Apple Store employees told me to buy, my new MacBook Pro is useless to me for my work. Buyer beware!

58 of 168 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

What's WRONG?

Written by MN from Steinhausen

May 23, 2009

I just got the Apple DVI to Video Adapter together with my new MacMini! It doesn't fit to the Apple Mini DVI-DVI-Cable delivered with the MacMini. There are 4 small spikes next to the blade lead, which do not match the female cable that came with the MacMini.
Be carful with this Adapter.

68 of 152 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

AWESOME!

Written by AD from Riverside

Mar 15, 2009

I have a Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba, all tube TV's and this adapter works perfectly with each one on my Macbook Pro with Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT card. Video picture is DVD definition with s-video cable, no bugs, crisp and clean. If you have a tube TV (640x480) don't expect to be reading text and using it as a second monitor for computer work. It's great for iTunes videos, movies and shows. Be aware that most iTunes is widescreen so you will have black bars top and bottom. I imagine this adapter would be perfect with a hi-def widescreen TV. No complaints.

69 of 77 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Screen Flickering

Written by PN from Brooklin

Feb 22, 2009

So upon first hooking this adapter up from my Mac Mini to my samsung 27" tube TV, it worked fine–but everything was massive in size. I started changing resolution sizes in the preferences panel and one of them set the screen flickering vertically, like a mismatch in refresh rates.
Anybody else have this issue and resolve it successfully? It obviously works, it was for me for the first couple minutes, but I can't figure out what sent it flickering–and how to resolve it.

28 of 57 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Just what I was looking for

Written by AS from reno

Feb 20, 2009

This was probably the best thing adapter wise that I've ever came across. I just recently purchased a mac mini and I was looking for a good way to get a big monitor without having to pay a lot for one, and when I found this hook up it was perfect. So far the only issue I found with the display was the text was too small for me to read on the default setting, but after resetting it to a smaller scale, 640x480 i think it was, its been working like a champ. Its not the best thing since sliced bread... but it comes pretty close.

22 of 30 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

One year and great so far..

Written by MP

Jan 16, 2009

I use this on a MacBook Pro so I can watch movies on the the big screen. Combining that connection with a Belkin Mini Jack Y Cable and I have a cheap, effective replacement of an Apple TV.

I leave this adapter in my laptop backpack and so far it's pretty durable. Anyhow, like others said.

35 of 37 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

For those who moaned about this product...

Written by SM from San Mateo

Jan 15, 2009

I see two reviews complaining about the fact that Apple failed to mention the difference between DVI-D and DVI-I. However, why on earth are you trying to use two adapters to - Apple Mini to DVI > DVI to Video - when you could have simply purchased the Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter???

Think Different people

28 of 46 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Should be clearly labeled "DVI-I Adapter"

Written by KJ from Grayslake

Jan 3, 2009

I wanted to use this adapter with any DVI cable expecting it is configured to be used with basic pin configuration. It turns out to be a DVI-I cable and is not compatible with the Mini display port to DVI adapter. If you are looking for an adapter for the new Macbook to get a DVI - S Video or RCA out, then this wont work.

64 of 96 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Great product

Written by CR from Toronto

Dec 26, 2008

It is nice when something is truly plug-and-play. My Mac's automatically detect when this thing is plugged-in, and then the Displays menu shows my resolution options. Simplicity!

6 of 10 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Should be clearly labeled "DVI-I to Video Adapter"

Written by CA from Catonsville

Dec 3, 2008

I bought this adapter, hoping to hook up my new Macbook Pro to my TV, like I used to do so easily with my Powerbook G4 ... I already had the "Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter", so I figured a "DVI to Video adapter" would get from "DVI" to "Video".

No such luck. It turns out that the DVI end of "Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter" is DVI-D, but the DVI end of "DVI to Video adapter" id DVI-I, so it doesn't fit, it doesn't work.

I'm very disappointed, but also unhappy that I'll have to pay a restocking fee to return this (it's opened), when a more complete description would have saved me from ordering it in the first place.

216 of 248 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Works Excellent if you understand what it is for.

Written by JH from SALT LAKE CITY

Nov 26, 2008

DVI (Digital "VIDEO" Input) to "VIDEO" adapter. If prior reviewers could understand that video is not audio, this would have near perfect ratings. It works exactly as advertized. But i guess if you're the type of person who buys a microwave and complains about it not washing your dishes too, you might want to stay away from this one.

Have fun with life.

67 of 134 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Works also with ATI HD 3870 Mac Edition

Written by CS from Istanbul

Sep 27, 2008

For the Mac Pro, it was said that only ATI X1900 XT port 2 could use the adapter. Although HD 3870 has an S Video out, you can also use the adapter with the HD 3870.

24 of 36 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Video is fine but good luck getting audio.

Written by GA from Winnipeg

Sep 7, 2008

This adapter works fine with TV but if you want sound which I'm assuming most do, it's next to impossible. The adapter itself is only for video so you need a 3.5 headphone jack to red/white RCA cable for the sound. Only problem is that hardly any cables will work when using the DVI adapter. Many others on MAC forums have made the same complaint that when using both there is a buzzing sound in the audio which impossible to get rid of. Renders the adapter useless if you're trying to watch movies on your TV.

69 of 256 people found this useful

Apple DVI to Video Adapter

Perfect for movies with my macbook pro

Written by PH from Delafield

Aug 30, 2008

with my 2.2ghz macbook pro (whatever was current in late 2007) and my (non-hd) tv, this works perfectly for watching movies and shows stored on the computer on the tv. It is truly plug and play. In fact, there are not even instructions. When I plug it in, it automatically adjusts the resolution for the tv, and when I unplug it, the computer returns to normal. The video card has no trouble keeping up with both screens going at once. There is no lag, and the video syncs perfectly with the audio mini jack output.

I agree with other reviewers that you should not get this if you hope to do general computing on your tv. Only video seems to look good, and it does look very good for just an RCA connection.

62 of 66 people found this useful