Mini DisplayPort
{{short description|Miniaturized version of the DisplayPort connector}}
{{Distinguish|Mini-DVI}}
{{Infobox connector
| name = Mini DisplayPort
| type = Digital and analog (via DAC) computer video connector
| image = Image:Mini DisplayPort on Apple MacBook.jpg
| logo =
| caption = Mini DisplayPort on a MacBook Pro
| designer = Apple Inc.
| design_date = October 2008
| manufacturer = Apple Inc.
| production_date = 2008–present
| superseded = Micro-DVI, Mini-DVI, DVI
| superseded_by = USB-C
| superseded_by_date =
| external = Yes
| hotplug = Yes
| length =
| width = 7.4 mm male (8.3 mm female)[https://developer.apple.com/softwarelicensing/agreements/pdf/MiniDisplayPortConnectorDimensions111908.pdf Apple Mini DisplayPort Connector Dimensions], Apple Inc., 2008
| height = 4.5 mm male (5.4 mm female)
| video_signal = Same as DisplayPort
| num_pins = 20
| pinout_image = File:Mini DisplayPort (connector).PNG
| pinout_caption = External Mini DisplayPort Connector
| pin1 = Ground
| pin1_name = GND
| pin2 = Hot Plug Detect
| pin2_name = Hot Plug Detect
| pin3 = Lane 0 (positive)
| pin3_name = ML_Lane 0 (p)
| pin4 = CONFIG1
| pin4_name = CONFIG1
| pin5 = Lane 0 (negative)
| pin5_name = ML_Lane 0 (n)
| pin6 = CONFIG2
| pin6_name = CONFIG2
| pin7 = Ground
| pin7_name = GND
| pin8 = Ground
| pin8_name = GND
| pin9 = Lane 1 (positive)
| pin9_name = ML_Lane 1 (p)
| pin10 = Lane 3 (positive)
| pin10_name = ML_Lane 3 (p)
| pin11 = Lane 1 (negative)
| pin11_name = ML_Lane 1 (n)
| pin12 = Lane 3 (negative)
| pin12_name = ML_Lane 3 (n)
| pin13 = Ground
| pin13_name = GND
| pin14 = Ground
| pin14_name = GND
| pin15 = Lane 2 (positive)
| pin15_name = ML_Lane 2 (p)
| pin16 = Auxiliary Channel (positive)
| pin16_name = AUX_CH (p)
| pin17 = Lane 2 (negative)
| pin17_name = ML_Lane 2 (n)
| pin18 = Auxiliary Channel (negative)
| pin18_name = AUX_CH (n)
| pin19 = Ground
| pin19_name = GND
| pin20 = Power for connector
| pin20_name = DP_PWR
| pinout_notes = This is the pinout for the source-side connector; the sink-side connector pinout will have lanes 0–3 reversed in order, i.e. lane 3 will be on pin 3(n) and 5(p) while lane 0 will be on pin 10(n) and 12(p).
}}
The Mini DisplayPort (MiniDP or mDP) is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort audio-visual digital interface.
It was announced by Apple in October 2008, and by early 2013 all new Apple Macintosh computers had Mini DisplayPort,{{cite web |title=About Apple video adapters and cables |url=http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3235 |website=Apple Support |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228123643/http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3235 |archive-date=28 February 2014 |language=en |url-status=dead}} as did the LED Cinema Display.{{cite news|title=New MacBook Family Redefines Notebook Design |publisher=Apple.com |url=https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/10/14macbook.html |date=2008-10-14 |access-date=2008-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316160727/http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/10/14macbook.html |archive-date=2010-03-16 }}{{Cite web|title=LED Cinema Display - Technical Specifications|url=https://support.apple.com/kb/SP502?locale=en_US|access-date=2021-03-26|website=support.apple.com}} However, in 2016 Apple began phasing out the port and replacing it with the new USB-C connector. The Mini DisplayPort is also fitted to some PC motherboards, video cards, and some PC notebooks from Asus, Microsoft, MSI, Lenovo, Toshiba, HP, Dell, and other manufacturers.
Apple offers a no fee license for the Mini DisplayPort{{cite news|date=2008-11-27|title=Mini DisplayPort Connector Licensing & Trademark Agreements|publisher=Apple Developer Connection|url=https://developer.apple.com/softwarelicensing/agreements/minidisplayport.html|access-date=2008-11-27|archive-date=2008-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202100536/http://developer.apple.com/softwarelicensing/agreements/minidisplayport.html|url-status=dead}} but the license automatically terminates should the licensee "commence an action for patent infringement against Apple".{{cite news|title=Apple Mini DisplayPort Connector Implementation License Checklist|publisher=Apple|url=https://developer.apple.com/softwarelicensing/agreements/pdf/MiniDisplayPortImpLicense.pdf|access-date=2008-12-04|archive-date=2009-01-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122035135/http://developer.apple.com/softwarelicensing/agreements/pdf/MiniDisplayPortImpLicense.pdf|url-status=dead}}
Specifications
Unlike its Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI predecessors, the Mini DisplayPort can drive display devices with resolutions up to 2560×1600 (WQXGA) in its DisplayPort 1.1a implementation, and 4096×2160 (4K) in its DisplayPort 1.2 implementation. With an adapter, the Mini DisplayPort can drive display devices with VGA, DVI, or HDMI interfaces.{{cite news |title=Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter |publisher=Apple Store |url=http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570?mco=MTkzODk0NQ |date=2008-10-14 |access-date=2008-10-24}}{{cite news |title=Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter |publisher=Apple Store |url=http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571 |date=2008-10-14 |access-date=2008-10-24}}{{cite news |title=Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter |publisher=Apple Store |url=http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572?mco=MTkzODk0Nw |date=2008-10-14 |access-date=2008-10-24}}
Compatibility
Apple replaced the DVI port from the MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, and the Mac Pro with the Mini DisplayPort. Its use as the video connector for the 24-inch Cinema Display may complicate compatibility:
- Mini DisplayPort's HDCP extension disables playback of certain DRM-encrypted content on any display not designed for it. This includes some content from the iTunes Store{{cite news |title=Apple brings HDCP to a new aluminum MacBook near you |publisher=Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2008/11/apple-brings-hdcp-to-a-new-aluminum-macbook-near-you.ars |author=David Chartier |date=November 17, 2008}} which has no such restrictions if played on a Mac without Mini DisplayPort.{{cite news |title=Apple Mini DisplayPort DRM sparks controversy |url=http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/11/26/displayport.drm.conflict/ |date=November 26, 2008}}{{cite news |title=EFF: Apple DisplayPort DRM will lead to more piracy |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/137148/2008/11/hdcp.html |date=November 26, 2008}}
- Apple's Dual-Link DVI or VGA adapters are relatively large and expensive compared to past adapters, and customers have reported problems with them, such as being unable to connect to an external display. Monitors connected to a Mini DisplayPort via these adaptors may have resolution problems or not "wake up" from sleep.{{cite web|title=Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter |publisher=Apple |url=http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571 |access-date=2008-12-23}}{{cite web|title=Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter |publisher=Apple |url=http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB570 |access-date=2009-02-18}}{{cite web|title=Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter |publisher=Apple |url=http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572 |access-date=2009-02-18}}
- While the DisplayPort specification can support digital audio, the older 2009 line of MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and Mac Minis cannot provide an audio signal through the Mini DisplayPort, and only do so over USB, Firewire, or the audio line out port. (The April 2010 line of MacBook Pro, Mid 2010 MacBook, and July 2010 iMac and later do support this). This can be a problem for users who want to connect their computers to HDTVs using a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. To work around this issue, some third-party manufacturers have created dual or triple-headed adapters that get power for the adapter from a USB port, video from the Mini DisplayPort, and audio from either the USB port or the optical-out port. Either option terminates with a single female HDMI connector, thus allowing both video and audio to be channeled over the single HDMI cable.{{cite news |title=Mini DisplayPort no longer a hassle with cables and adapters |publisher=Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/07/mini-displayport-no-longer-a-hassle-with-cables-and-adapters.ars |author=Chris Foresman |date=July 22, 2009}}
= Adoption =
- In early 2009, VESA announced that Mini DisplayPort would be included in the upcoming DisplayPort 1.2 specification.{{cite news |title=DisplayPort specification to add Apple's mini connector |publisher=MacWorld |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/138201/2009/01/displayport12.html |date=2009-01-14 |access-date=2009-01-14}}{{cite news |title=Apple's mini connector set to be part of DisplayPort standard |publisher=AppleInsider|url=http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/01/13/apples_mini_connector_set_to_be_part_of_displayport_standard.html |date=2009-01-13 |access-date=2009-01-14}}
- In the fourth quarter of 2009, VESA announced that the Mini DisplayPort had been adopted. All devices using the Mini DisplayPort must comply with the 1.1a standard.{{cite news |title=Apple's mini connector set to be part of DisplayPort standard |publisher=AppleInsider |url=http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/11/10/apples_mini_displayport_officially_adopted_by_vesa.html |date=2009-10-13 |access-date=2009-10-13}}
- AMD released a special variant of its Radeon HD 5870 graphics card called the Radeon HD 5870 Eyefinity 6 Edition, which features 2GB GDDR5 memory, higher clock speeds than the original card, and six Mini DisplayPort outputs with a maximum resolution of 5760 × 2160 pixels (a 3×2 grid of 1080p displays).
- On 13 April 2010, Apple added support for audio out using Mini DisplayPort in their MacBook Pro product line. This allows users to easily connect their MacBook Pros to their HDTVs using a cable adapting Mini DisplayPort to HDMI with full audio and video functionality.{{cite news|title=New MacBook Pros support audio over Mini DisplayPort|publisher=Ars Technica|url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/04/new-macbook-pros-support-audio-over-mini-displayport.ars|author=Chris Foresman|date=April 13, 2010|access-date=April 13, 2010}}
- On 24 February 2011, Apple and Intel announced Thunderbolt, a successor to Mini DisplayPort which adds support for PCI Express data connections while maintaining backwards compatibility with Mini DisplayPort-based peripherals.{{cite press release|url=http://newsroom.intel.com/community/intel_newsroom/blog/2011/02/24/thunderbolt-technology-the-fastest-data-connection-to-your-pc-just-arrived|title=Thunderbolt Technology: The Fastest Data Connection to Your PC Just Arrived|publisher=Intel|date=Feb 24, 2011|access-date=2011-02-24}}
See also
- List of video connectors
- Thunderbolt{{sndash}} The Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 interfaces used the Mini DisplayPort connector. (Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 5 use the USB-C, or USB Type-C, connector.)
References
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Category:Digital display connectors