YPbPr Component output on intel mac minis?

Do the new Intel Mac Mini's have YPbPr Component video output with 720p and 1080i support?

Posted on Mar 1, 2006 1:45 PM

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8 replies

Mar 1, 2006 8:53 PM in response to cybersoga

I would really like an answer to your question as well.

I did a little research on the Intel site and saw that the graphics core (GMA950) used on the new mini supports HDTV via component video (YPbPr)...it's just not clear to me that Apple's design took advantage of this feature.

If HD component video (YPbPr) is supported, I'd buy a mini tomorrow. If HD component video is not supported, I won't be able to use Apple's solution.

Mar 2, 2006 1:57 PM in response to AlanNYC

AlanNYC, a little effort please. It's really not so simple as "If it doesn't have component video outputs, it doesn't support component video." All you have to do is read some of the other threads in this topic, and maybe know something about how graphics adapters work.

What I would like to know is whether or not it is possible to use an adapter before I go out and buy a mini. Or if Apple plans on selling a DVI-to-Component adapter (like the DVI-to-RGB adapter).

If someone KNOWS the answer here, I would really appreciate it, and so would Apple - they'd have about $1200 of my money.



Mar 3, 2006 12:08 AM in response to Macco1

YPbPr component video can be carried down the same cables as RGBHV (that PC's use), just with a different color space and the sync combined with the Y as well as specific timings for HDTV standards 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i etc and different video levels (PC's use 0-255 where 0 is black and 255 is white, video uses 16-235). ATI provide an adapter that plugs into the DVI socket on their graphics cards (search google for "ATI HDTV adapter"), so I was wondering if Apple plan to do the same.

Mar 3, 2006 6:02 AM in response to rchapman

rchapman: with all due respect, I think we all know that it does not come with a component video converter cable. The question we are seeking the answer to is; if I were to buy a intel mac mini, and find/buy a dvi->component video cable, and plug it into the YPbPr input in the back of our HDTV, would the mac mini output a proper 1080i HTDV signal through some kind of adapter cable.

FYI, I went to the apple store yesterday to ask just this question. At first, I didn't mention the whole component video YPbPr issue, but I just asked if it could output a 1080i signal. I got the apple store employee witht the title of "Creative" to answer the question. He said it would indeed output 1080i - through at DVI or HDMI cable. [My HDTV only does YPbPr component input for a high def signal - and only interlaced on top of that 😟 ] When I brought up component cables, he seemed to cringe a bit, and said that he didn't know if a direct adapter cable would cut it, or I might have to pipe it through a converter box. I was hoping not to be the guinea pig on testing out the cable/apapter senerio. I also don't really want to do the converter box as an answer, I'm afraid I wouldn't be very happy with the output signal of the box.

Mar 3, 2006 11:59 PM in response to Champ

cybersoga got it all right a few posts above. This isn't gonna work until Apple makes it so. The color space has to be completely remapped or you'll get really strange colors. And only Apple can do that for you. Or you can buy an expensive converter box that will take care of all this.

Some advanced HDTVs can also do this conversion. It would be worthwhile to get out your TV's user manual and see if it has the feature of being able to remap on of its component inputs to accept RGB. If it does, then all you need is one of the cheaper adapter cables mentioned by others on this thread that converts a VGA (or DVI) connector to three component outputs.

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YPbPr Component output on intel mac minis?

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