Those hooking up the latest MacBook Pros to an HDTV making use of an HDMI adapter can now do so a little more quickly: Apple has up-to-date its implementation of Mini DisplayPort to pass audio signals via to any device that supports them. Until now, the miniDP port only transmitted movie, even although the DisplayPort spec supports optional alternate signal channels just like audio or USB.
Apple confirmed that the just-updated MacBook Pros will pass both movie and audio signals to an HDTV or receiver when utilizing a miniDP to HDMI adapter. Apple sells one this kind of adapter from Griffin on the internet, even though options from suppliers such as Monoprice are also accessible. Apple doesn’t have any plans at this time to generate its personal adapter, contrary to earlier speculation.
As for the current 24″ LED Cinema Show, it nevertheless relies on USB for audio signals even when paired with the new MacBook Pros. Aside from the reality that this Cinema Screen was made just before Apple up-to-date its implementation of miniDP, the USB connection also takes care on the on-board iSight video at the same time as the built-in USB hub.
The change from the miniDP ports will make connecting a MacBook Pro to an HDTV just a little less complicated. We have no doubt that Mac mini owners in particular will look forward on the new miniDP ports getting added to a future hardware update, as that machine practically begs to be put to use as an HTPC.