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Mini-DVI
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|
 The Mini-DVI plug on a 12-inch PowerBook G4 | |||
| Type | Digital and analog computer video connector | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Production history | |||
| Designer | Apple Inc. | ||
| Manufacturer | Apple Inc. | ||
| Superseded | Mini-VGA | ||
| Superseded by | Mini DisplayPort (October 2008) | ||
| General specifications | |||
| External | yes | ||
| Video signal | As DVI | ||
| Pins | 32 | ||
| Pinout | |||
 | |||
| A female mini-DVI socket | |||
| Pin 1 | Dat2_P | Data 2 + | |
| Pin 2 | Dat2_N | Data 2 - | |
| Pin 3 | Dat1_P | Data 1 + | |
| Pin 4 | Dat1_N | Data 1 - | |
| Pin 5 | Dat0_P | Data 0 + | |
| Pin 6 | Dat0_N | Data 0 - | |
| Pin 7 | CLK_P | Clock + | |
| Pin 8 | CLK_N | Clock - | |
| Pin 9 | DGND | ||
| Pin 10 | DGND | ||
| Pin 11 | DGND | ||
| Pin 12 | DGND | ||
| Pin 13 | DGND | ||
| Pin 14 | DGND | ||
| Pin 15 | DGND | ||
| Pin 16 | DGND | ||
| Pin 17 | +5 V | ||
| Pin 18 | DCC_DAT | ||
| Pin 19 | spare | ||
| Pin 20 | BLUE | Analogue blue | |
| Pin 21 | not installed | ||
| Pin 22 | GREEN | Analogue green | |
| Pin 23 | not installed | ||
| Pin 24 | RED | Analogue red | |
| Pin 25 | Detect | ||
| Pin 26 | DCC_CLK | ||
| Pin 27 | spare | ||
| Pin 28 | DGND | ||
| Pin 29 | HSYNC | Horizontal sync | |
| Pin 30 | DGND | ||
| Pin 31 | VSYNC | Vertical sync | |
| Pin 32 | DGND | ||
The Mini-DVI connector is used on certain Apple computers as a digital alternative to the Mini-VGA connector. Its size is between the full-sized DVI and the tiny Micro-DVI. It is found on the 12-inch PowerBook G4 (except the original 12-inch 867 MHz PowerBook G4, which used Mini-VGA), the Intel-based iMac, the MacBook Intel-based laptop, the Intel-based Xserve, and the 2009 Mac mini.
In October 2008, Apple announced the company was phasing Mini-DVI out in favor of Mini DisplayPort.
Mini-DVI connectors on Apple hardware are capable of carrying DVI, VGA, or TV signals through the use of adapters, detected with EDID (Extended display identification data) via DDC. This connector is often used in place of a DVI connector in order to save physical space on devices. Mini-DVI does not support dual-link connections and hence cannot support resolutions higher than 1920×1200 @60 Hz but can support higher resolutions at 30 Hz such as 3440x1440 (21:9 UWQHD) that were not supported by the first implementation of Mini DisplayPort 1.1a.
There are various types of Mini-DVI adapter:
- Apple Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter Apple part number M9320G/A (discontinued)
- Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter Apple part number M9319G/A, provided both S-Video and Composite video connectors (discontinued)
- Apple Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter (DVI-D) Apple part number M9321G/B (discontinued)
Non-OEM Mini-DVI to HDMI adapters and cables are also available at online stores such as eBay and Amazon, and from some retail stores, but were not sold by Apple.
The physical connector is similar to Mini-VGA, but is differentiated by having four rows of pins arranged in two vertically stacked slots rather than the two rows of pins in the Mini-VGA.
Connecting to a DVI-I connector requires a Mini-DVI to DVI-D cable plus a DVI-D to DVI-I adapter.
Criticisms
[edit]- Apple's Mini-DVI to DVI-D cable does not carry the analog signal coming from the mini-DVI port on the Apple computer. This means that it is not possible to use this cable with an inexpensive DVI-to-VGA adapter for VGA output; Apple's mini-DVI to VGA cable must be used instead. This could be avoided if Apple provided a mini-DVI to DVI-I cable. The purpose of DVI-I is to ensure universal compatibility.[1][2]
- The Apple mini-DVI to DVI-D cable's package shows a DVI-I figure instead of DVI-D and does not specify that it comes with only DVI-D.
Compatibility
[edit]As Mini-DVI is pin-compatible with DVI, it supports both DVI and VGA through adapters.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Blog explaining the difference". 15 January 2008. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "Image showing the difference". Retrieved 2009-10-11.
External links
[edit]Mini-DVI
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The Mini-DVI connector is a compact proprietary video interface developed by Apple Inc. as a smaller alternative to the standard Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connector, primarily used to transmit digital and analog video signals from Apple computers to external displays.[1] It features a 32-pin design that supports single-link DVI for digital video output up to resolutions of 1920×1200 at 60 Hz, while also accommodating analog signals for VGA monitors and composite/S-Video for televisions through dedicated adapters. Introduced in September 2003 alongside the 12-inch PowerBook G4 laptop, the connector enabled slim port designs on portable and desktop Macs, allowing seamless connections to high-resolution flat-panel displays, projectors, and legacy equipment.[2][1]
The Mini-DVI port automatically detects attached adapters via the Display Data Channel (DDC) and Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) protocols, configuring the system's NVIDIA or ATI graphics controller to output the appropriate signal type, including support for mirrored or extended desktop modes.[1] Its pinout includes dedicated differential pairs for TMDS (Transition-Minimized Differential Signaling) data channels (Data 0, 1, and 2), clock signals, and analog RGB lines with horizontal/vertical sync, plus a detection pin for adapter identification.[3] Apple provided official adapters such as the Mini-DVI to DVI, Mini-DVI to VGA, and Mini-DVI to Video (for NTSC/PAL composite and S-Video), ensuring compatibility with a wide range of peripherals.[1]
Widely implemented on models including the 12-inch PowerBook G4 (2003–2005), Intel-based iMacs (2006–2008), MacBooks (2006–2008), and the Mac mini (2006–2009), the Mini-DVI facilitated Apple's transition to integrated, space-efficient hardware designs during the mid-2000s. It was gradually phased out starting in late 2008 with the introduction of the Mini DisplayPort on unibody MacBooks and later models, which offered higher bandwidth and broader industry adoption, though Mini-DVI adapters remain available for legacy support. Despite its short lifespan, the connector's versatility in bridging digital and analog video standards made it a notable feature in Apple's ecosystem of that era.[4]
History and Development
Introduction by Apple
Apple developed the Mini-DVI connector as a proprietary compact alternative to the full-size DVI port, specifically to accommodate space constraints in slim laptops and emerging all-in-one computers while preserving video output capabilities.[2] This innovation emerged in the early 2000s, aligning with Apple's push toward thinner, more portable designs in its professional notebook lineup. The connector's smaller form factor enabled integration into devices where a standard DVI port would have been impractical due to size limitations. The Mini-DVI made its debut on September 16, 2003, with the updated 12-inch PowerBook G4 (1.0 GHz model), marking the first consumer product to feature this technology and setting the stage for its use in subsequent Apple hardware.[2] This launch highlighted Apple's focus on enhancing external display connectivity without compromising the compact chassis of the 4.6-pound notebook. The connector maintained backward compatibility with standard DVI signals through simple adapters, featuring a 32-pin configuration supporting single-link DVI for digital transmission.[3] Driven by Apple's design philosophy emphasizing sleek aesthetics and portability, the Mini-DVI addressed the need for reduced physical footprint in thinner devices, allowing for high-quality video output in a space-efficient package.[2] Initially marketed as a versatile solution for connecting to external monitors, the port supported both digital video signals and analog video output—such as VGA or composite/S-video—via official Apple adapters, enabling users to extend or mirror displays to a wide range of peripherals.[5] This adaptability underscored Apple's strategy to streamline user experience in professional and creative workflows.Timeline of Adoption and Phase-Out
Mini-DVI was first introduced by Apple in 2003 on the updated 12-inch PowerBook G4 (1.0 GHz model), with use continuing through subsequent revisions of that line up to 2005.[6] Its adoption accelerated in 2006 alongside the transition to Intel-based processors, appearing on the first-generation Intel MacBook Pro in January 2006, Intel iMacs starting with Early 2006 models, and Intel MacBooks from May 2006, where it became the standard video output port for connecting external displays.[7] The Intel-based Mac mini initially used full-size DVI in February 2006 but adopted Mini-DVI starting with the Early 2009 model, solidifying its role as the default connector for high-resolution video output across Apple's desktop and portable computers during the mid-2000s.[8] From 2006 to 2008, Mini-DVI reached its peak usage, integrating into subsequent revisions of the MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, and later the Mac mini, as well as early prototypes of the MacBook Air before that device's final design opted for the smaller Micro-DVI variant in early 2008.[9][10] This period marked Mini-DVI as the ubiquitous choice for external display connectivity in Apple's ecosystem, supporting adapters for DVI, VGA, and composite video to accommodate a range of monitors and projectors.[11] The phase-out of Mini-DVI began in October 2008 when Apple announced the Mini DisplayPort as its successor, debuting on the redesigned unibody MacBook, MacBook Pro, and iMac models released on October 14.[12] This shift was driven by the need for higher bandwidth to support emerging display technologies, rendering Mini-DVI obsolete for new hardware designs.[13] Post-2008, Mini-DVI persisted in legacy support on older models, including the white MacBook (up to Late 2009) and Mac mini (up to Early 2009), allowing continued use via official adapters until Apple classified these devices as obsolete around 2012–2013, at which point hardware service and parts availability ended.[10][14] During the transition, Apple experienced a brief surge in sales of Mini-DVI to Mini DisplayPort adapters and cables, which were provided officially to bridge compatibility for users upgrading displays or systems.[12]Design and Specifications
Physical Connector
The Mini-DVI connector features a compact form factor optimized for space-constrained devices, with an overall size of approximately 11.3 mm wide and 7 mm high, adopting a trapezoidal shape reminiscent of a scaled-down full DVI connector but incorporating a 32-pin layout with four rows of pins arranged in two vertically stacked slots.[1][15] This design allows for efficient edge-mounting on circuit boards within slim chassis, roughly half the width of the standard DVI connector, which measures about 24 mm wide across the pin area. The connector is typically constructed with a plastic housing and gold-plated contacts to ensure durability and reliable signal transmission.[16] It employs a friction-fit locking mechanism for secure attachment, lacking the screw retention found on full-sized DVI connectors, which contributes to its suitability for portable hardware.[17] Variants of the Mini-DVI connector include the male version integrated on host devices such as Apple laptops and the female version on corresponding cables and adapters; no dual-link variant was ever produced, restricting it to single-link architecture for compatibility with standard DVI signaling.[11]Pin Configuration and Signal Support
The Mini-DVI connector utilizes a 32-pin configuration arranged with four rows of pins in two vertically stacked slots, enabling both digital and analog video signal transmission in a compact form factor. This layout supports single-link digital video via Transition-Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) primarily on pins 1–8 and associated grounds on pins 9–16, mirroring the core structure of a standard DVI-D single-link interface for the three differential data channels (Data 2, Data 1, Data 0) and clock pair.[3][18] Additional pins, including shields and grounds up to pin 24, facilitate the TMDS transmission, while pins 25–32 handle analog components and control signals.[3] For digital signals, TMDS operates at 3.3 V with a differential swing of 400–600 mV, encoding 8-bit data into 10-bit characters to minimize electromagnetic interference and ensure DC balance across the three RGB color channels and pixel clock.[18] The connector supports DVI-D single-link only, limited to one TMDS link without dual-link extension for higher bandwidths. Analog video is provided through VGA-compatible RGB lines on pins 20 (blue), 22 (green), and 24 (red), with horizontal sync (HSYNC) on pin 29 and vertical sync (VSYNC) on pin 31, adhering to standard 0.7 V peak-to-peak voltage levels for each RGB signal.[3][19] Display management features include the Display Data Channel (DDC) for EDID communication, using pins 18 (DDC data) and 26 (DDC clock) powered by +5 V on pin 17, allowing automatic detection of display capabilities.[3][18] Hot-plug detection occurs via pin 25, where the display asserts a voltage above 2.4 V to signal connection and EDID availability to the source device.[3][18] Remaining pins, such as 19 and 27 (spares) and multiple grounds (e.g., 28, 30, 32), provide shielding and power stability without additional functionality.[3] Unlike HDMI, Mini-DVI is purely video-focused and carries no audio signals, relying solely on TMDS for digital video and analog lines for legacy compatibility.[18]| Function Group | Key Pins | Signals |
|---|---|---|
| TMDS Digital Video | 1–8 | Data2 ± (1–2), Data1 ± (3–4), Data0 ± (5–6), Clock ± (7–8) at 3.3 V |
| Analog RGB & Sync | 20, 22, 24, 29, 31 | Blue (20), Green (22), Red (24) at 0.7 V p-p; HSYNC (29), VSYNC (31) |
| DDC & Power | 17, 18, 26 | +5 V (17), DDC Data (18), DDC Clock (26) |
| Detection & Ground | 25, 9–16/28/30/32 | Hot-Plug Detect (25); Multiple grounds for shielding |