Video Out from early 2009 Mac Mini

Hi-

Some users report success going with a mini-dvi to VGA adaptor, and then from VGA to a converter box, which outputs composite/s-video. This solution is likely to set you back around $80-90 dollars.

Unfortunately, the path of least resistance is to eventually bite the bullet and buy a new display, but if you can't afford it, then perhaps the adaptor/converter box is the best, if not ideal, route.

that an adapter from mini DVI --> S video wont drive an S-video TV?

I wonder why not? If apple meets the interface specs, it should not be computer dependent.

You might look into variou 3rd party adapters.

I do distain apple's lack of support for normal, standard video interfaces and plug formats. Even their packaged mini-DVI to DVI adapter is a sub-standard and will nto physically plug into DVI-I plugs (but the reverse works so they are either stupid or trying to sell adapters/monitors...)

Grant

Actually, Grant there is a reason for that. The mac mini comes with a DVI-D to mini DVI adaptor. DVI-D is different from DVI-I, which is why the plugs go from one to the other, but not both ways.

DVI-I interfaces support BOTH digital and analog input/output, while the DVI-D does not.

It is not because of substandard quality that the plugs don't fit- rather it is by design. Admittedly, it would be a whole lot easier to connect to analog equipment if Apple chose the DVI-I format, but analog connections are not the way of the future.

In this case "sub standard" means "a subset of the DVI-I standard". I am not referring to quality, but to the fact that Apples could have included a physically compatible DVI-I plug that would work with either DVI-I or DVI-D (aka a superset of the physical layer standard). But they didn't. They cost no more. They need not even enable any of the extra pins. They just need to let them plug together, like, say, radio shack does (my fix).

DVI-I is DVI plus a few pins and a larger horizontal locking and ground tab ( for no apparent reason).

Its either gross stupidity or they want to sell monitors or adapters.

Grant

Its either gross stupidity or they want to sell monitors or adapters.

More likely to prevent someone with less technical knowledge from plugging in an adapter that won't work. "Wadda ya mean this won't work?! The connectors plug in so it must work!" Why would Apple sell something if they won't make it work?! It's on the shelf at Best Buy with the rest of the Apple stuff!" Thus prevent people from plugging in analog devices into the DVI-D connector so that customer support doesn't get that kind of phone call.

As history has shown, Apple is not afraid of changing connectors if it makes "the Apple Experience" better. 😉

The additional pins do little. A DVI-I plug will work with either.

What do you think wont work?

A DVI monitor will work on DVI or DVI-I.

A DVI-I monitor will work on DVI or DVI-I

Dont believe me? Try it ( or read the spec).

Grant

Grant Lenahan wrote:
The additional pins do little. A DVI-I plug will work with either.

What do you think wont work?

A DVI monitor will work on DVI or DVI-I.

A DVI-I monitor will work on DVI or DVI-I

Dont believe me? Try it ( or read the spec).

Grant

You commented as to why make the special connector. I gave an answer based upon the original question to this post which is about +_getting a analog composite video or S-video signal to a Mini, NOT a DVI monitor_+.

Apple makes and sells an adapter to provide composite and S-video from the DVI connector of certain Mac models of Macbook Pro and Mac Pro. (I use one.) But since the Mini does not produce the analog signals, the adapter will not work, even if you could physically plug it in to the Mini. So if Apple did as you say and made the computer with the connector to use either a DVI-D or DVI-I adapter, in my example, if the aforementioned person with lesser technical knowledge plugged in the S-video connector to the Mini, they'd be angry that it didn't work. Again to avoid the "Why would Apple sell something that wouldn't work on my computer if it fits?!" type of support calls.

context matters!

I cant retype everything

Grant Lenahan wrote:
context matters!

I cant retype everything

Quote button, copy & paste. Who types "everything" anymore? 😉

it appears, from a little digging on Wikipedia, that your problem lies purely in the adapter. (just like i ranted about before, its Apple's love for selling more proprietary stuff....)

I read that DVI-mini does support the analog VGA signals, which is all you would need to convert to S-video. However, apple's adapters drop them.

So I would go find a good 3rd party adapter and i expect it can be made to work.

QED. I'm done.
Grant