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Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

Did not work with Mini Early 2009

Written by CL from San Francisco

Sep 30, 2009

But it did work with my roommate's macbook. The guys at the apple store told me it was supposed to work with my machine, but it did not. I would be wary about purchasing this for a 2009 mac mini.

9 of 13 people found this useful

Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

frustrated

Written by BD from SANTA FE

Apr 15, 2009

I know that ultimately it is my fault for ordering the wrong thing, but it seems like the Apple web store could make it a little easier to figure out what the correct cable is.

If you are not absolutely sure what you are ordering, pick up the phone and talk with someone to sort it out.

I've been working with Macs for over 15 years and I know a little bit. Nonetheless, I still need a little more guidance sorting out the difference between mini-DVI, mini-VGA and "mini-display" - and then cross referencing this with the last couple generations of Mac computers and ports.

If you have a MacBook that is:
Model Identifier: MacBook5,1 (aluminum body)
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
with a Mini DisplayPort (video out)

and you want to hook it up to your television that has an HDMI input, then you will need a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter plus a DVI to HDMI cable (according to the apple store on the phone).

Now I know.

49 of 63 people found this useful

Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

Does not work with 2009 mini

Written by TB from Tewksbury

Apr 4, 2009

I just bought a mini and was told this would work to connect my TV. I also got a mini display port to VGA adapter so I could use a monitor.

The Mini sees the VGA fine, but nothing on the TV.
I'll be trying a VGA to svideo analog converter (not just an adapter).

I'll be taking this back to the store for a refund. I'm hoping this post will lead to Apple getting some info to the stores.

I'm disappointed that Apple has dropped the analog signal from DVI in the 2009 Mini. Lots of people still have S-Video and do not care to buy $500 TV that's smaller then the one they paid $200 for 5 years ago. Failing that, Apple should be selling a solution for connecting the 2009 Mini to a standard definition TV even if it's 3rd party.

Not angry, just trying to get definite information out there.
FWIW, the rating is because the information should be there

78 of 90 people found this useful

Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

This adapter not useful with '09 macs

Written by EM from Lisieux

Mar 24, 2009

This product probably won't allow you to use a legacy tv with '09 macs since Apple has apparently standardized new macs to digital mini-dvi ports.

Legacy tv's need analog. This product works with my 13" '06 macbook analog mini-dvi (dvi-i) but not my new '09 mac mini (mini-d) digital. This is the same case for the '09 macbooks.

Google 'mac mini mini dvi s-video doesn't work' and choose the apple thread to get more details. There's a solution there too. I tried leaving the actual links here, but it's apparently not permitted?!?

I've given this product 2 stars in order to warn buyers. It seems to work for older macs.

47 of 60 people found this useful

Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

Fragile!

Written by JS

Sep 11, 2008

This adapter does what it promises but it is very fragile. I have gone through 2 in 2 years. I have learned to treat it very gently and to never bend the cord. When the picture starts to go it's time to order a new adapter. I would like to see this product improved because replacing it isn't cheap.

90 of 99 people found this useful

Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

Might work for some, but not for me.

Written by DP from Austin

Aug 25, 2008

I recently bought a 24" 3.06GHZ iMac and wanted to be able to connect a 2nd monitor. Went by the local Apple store to get an adapter. The salesperson directed me to this adapter after telling him the monitor I preferred to use was a Sharp TV/monitor. He said I'd get the best results from this adapter with an S-video cord.

I hooked it up and tried both analog and s-video, both were terrible resolution when viewing the desktop.

I mirrored the monitors and played a video. As others have noted, videos seem to play fine via this adapter.

However, if you want to connect a monitor to expand your desktop, this is a terrible solution. You can't read the screen at all and the resolution is a joke.

I wish the Apple store salesman would have actually known about what he was selling.

I'm going to take it back tomorrow and try the Mini-DVI to VGA adapter.

35 of 65 people found this useful

Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

Short life span

Written by BS from CHICAGO

Jun 2, 2008

I purchased this, and it worked quite well for about 4 months. And then: it ceased working. So, if you depend on an item such as this for giving presentations, you have been warned. Also, I wish Apple would have gone nutso-wild and added an additional inch or two to the cable? I know -- that's crazy talk!

96 of 179 people found this useful

Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

Question

Written by RK

Nov 15, 2007

I have a G4 and attached an S Video cable to this adapter as well as to my Sony Bravia LCD Flat Panel TV. The image is not coming up, it shows horizontal lines. I'm not sure what to do. Sony told me to use a cable that has S Video on one end and a VGA on the other end. I could not find this cable anywhere. I need help?

77 of 163 people found this useful

Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

OK Product, it does the job...

Written by SJ from Oakville

Aug 31, 2007

I bought this hoping to hookup my macbook to my TV for watching video. I agree with what has been said earliet - the picture is slightly fuzzy and it does not fit the video to the scale of a flat panel LCD widescreen TV. (There is a black border) It also changes the resolution of your actual macbook screen. Things like dashboard are 25% missing off of the screen and apps. like Garage band will not work. It does the job, and for 20$ it's worth keeping to show photos and video, because depending and the quality of your pictures/movies, their quality on screen is pretty good.

37 of 106 people found this useful

Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

Analog picture quality sucks

Written by JK from Milwaukee

May 16, 2007

The product worked fine and everything like it was supposed to, I just rated it so low because I was disappointed in the picture quality. I bought it to send video from my iMac to my 50" plasma television. I'm used to the HD picture, and I knew I wasn't going to get that, but I had assumed it would look about as good as it did on my computer screen. The picture definitely did not. I think I'm going to return this and buy the Mini-DVI to DVI adaptor instead. Then get an adaptor that changes DVI to HDMI since my tv doesn't have a DVI port. I'm hoping this will look a lot better since both are digital signals. We'll see...

59 of 140 people found this useful