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    MB output 720P or 1080P

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by jaybit, Oct 18, 2008.

  1. jaybit

    jaybit Notebook Geek

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    This is the only thing i'm wondering about. My current last gen MBP can output 1080p and 1080i easily through it's dvi, but will the new MB be able to do that with the same quality? I"m not doing any gaming. I just want to make sure i can stream say a downloaded 720p movie on the new macbook and have it display on my DLP screen with same quality. Same movie file I just want to know if the quality that's displayed is the same. Anyone have an answer.
     
    jaybit, Oct 18, 2008
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  2. Paul

    Paul Mom! Hot Pockets! NBR Reviewer

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    Should be the same, but you'll need the MDP to DVI adapter.

    By the way, it looks like the 9400M in the new MacBooks is doing video decoding now. I saw the article on Gizmodo suggesting such, so I downloaded the 1080p Quantum of Solace trailer from Apple, and my CPU usage was sitting at like 15%. So viewing hd videos is no problem with the MacBook.
     
    Paul, Oct 18, 2008
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  3. Chris27

    Chris27 Notebook Deity

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    Both dual-link dvi and displayport can transmit video of resolutions much greater than 1080p. They are both digital so there isn't any quality loss. You will need to get an adapter though. I would wait for monoprice to start carrying displayport adapters as the price Apple wants for theirs is insane. I wouldn't pay more than $5 for a cable.
     
    Chris27, Oct 18, 2008
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  4. samurai182

    samurai182 Newbie

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    I would say to hold off on buying an adapter until a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI or a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort connector comes out (or make your own). There are DisplayPort to HDMI converters that are good too.

    The main advantage of doing that over DVI is that digital sound can be piped through the auxiliary line of the DisplayPort, meaning you could have 1080p output with 7.1 sound through HDMI rather than using a wonderful 3.5mm to RCA cable.
     
    samurai182, Oct 18, 2008
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  5. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes, the MacBook can output 1080P fine! :)
     
    Sam, Oct 18, 2008
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  6. sulkorp

    sulkorp Notebook Deity

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    I dunno if anyone has actually confirmed that the displayport actually has sound. You would think apple would include it, but I dunno, its an optional thing.

    But I guess well find out when a proper adapter is made
     
    sulkorp, Oct 18, 2008
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  7. Paul

    Paul Mom! Hot Pockets! NBR Reviewer

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    I don't think that anything has been expressly written, but since audio is part of the DisplayPort spec, it's pretty much implied that it's included.

    That, and the fact that the new LED Cinema display has 2.1 audio built in but no audio input besides the Mini DisplayPort connection. ;)
     
    Paul, Oct 19, 2008
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  8. sulkorp

    sulkorp Notebook Deity

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    Ah I forgot it had speakers. Atfirst I thought it would use the usb cable or someting, but I guess it would make sense that it gets it from the displayport.

    And yea, I know wikipedia is the best port, but it says that audio is "optional" in the display port protocol, so that why I figured apple might skimp out or something.
     
    sulkorp, Oct 19, 2008
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