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Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables banned by HDMI Org

by Chris Rawson Jul 8th 2011 at 8:30PM

HDMI Org, licensor of the HDMI standard, has demanded that Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables be taken off the market because they are "unlicensed." According to TechRadar, the cables fall afoul of HDMI licensing standards which state that any cable with a male HDMI connector at one end must also have a male HDMI connector at the other end. Anything else doesn't meet the standards and therefore cannot be sold.

This doesn't affect the sale of cable adapters, like the Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter sold on Apple's site, because said adapters have a female HDMI connector that still requires a separate, additional HDMI cable to plug into the display. Those types of adapters are okay under the HDMI standards, but a cable with one type of male connector on one end and an HDMI connector on the other apparently isn't. Picky, picky.

Those of you hoping to bypass the aggregated cost of a dongle adapter plus an HDMI cable in favor of a one-stop solution for hooking a newer Mac into an HDMI display had better act fast; such cables are still available on Apple's online store for now, but MacRumors points out they've already been withdrawn from Monoprice.



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HDMI Org, licensor of the HDMI standard, has demanded that Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables be taken off the market because they are...
 

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pultprowest

Moshi's compact and stylish Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter seamlessly connects DisplayPort-equipped MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini or Mac Pro systems to any HDMI display. It supports both video and audio* output to your HDMI display.

November 15 2011 at 4:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ThinkReal

I wouldn't want my branded HDMI plug on the other end of a DP adpator either - the Displayport to DVI adaptors are horribly unreliable (I've had 8 our of 35 die in the past year and I guess the DP->HDMI are the same). If we have to use a distinct adaptor then the blame is clear when it fails.

What I would like to see is some monitors with DP ports so I can plug all these PCs in natively, start throwing away the crates of clunky DVI and fuzzy VGA cables (our company is too cheap to buy anything 1080)

July 11 2011 at 5:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ken Wiesner

How unbelievably stupid! Apple and Google should take some of their FU money and go to the TV manufactures and have them put Thunderbolt on the new TVs. Screw HDMI if this is how they are going to act.

July 10 2011 at 10:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
daveygm

It's time for a serious open hardware push, it's stupid that there is licensing for hardware that is on every new TV on the market.

July 10 2011 at 1:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Seth

So, only Mini Displayport, eh? What about all those other cables that don't fit this description? DVI to HDMI cables, and VGA to HDMI, to name two. Should those be banned too? According to this, yes. They should be. So why aren't they?

July 09 2011 at 11:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Seth's comment
salv4tion

What the hell are you talking about? They're being banned by HDMI.org because they invented HDMI, own a patent, and it's in violation of their licensing. They don't have a patent on DVI or VGA or... use your head.

It sucks but at least it makes sense.

July 10 2011 at 12:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to salv4tion's comment
Bryon

Maybe you didn't read the story? The prob is that HDMI.org spec doesn't allow any cable with an HDMI male end to have anything at the other end except another HDMI male... like a Mini-displayport, DVI, or a VGA, or a whatever-the-hell-else...

July 10 2011 at 11:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down
James Pyle

I am getting so tired about hearing all about all of these patient lawsuits. I'm guessing that someone did licenses the design, most likely the supplier of the HDMI end. Making them stop selling the cables because it not a both end is pretty stupid and just plain greedy. I understand that a patient owner deserve to be compensated but when something becomes a STANDARD then I think that things should change regarding how they are to be used. I really think that we need to revamp the patent laws. Like Apple refusing to licenses the Mag Power connectors. There are so many complains about the power adapters and you can only buy them from Apple. I really think they should handle it like the telephone and cable companies are required in some areas to allow other carriers can lease the lines to increase competition. Also, patient trolls need to be squashed.

July 09 2011 at 5:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Edsel

When licensers/businesses become too greedy the market will eventually find a more compelling alternative. Consumers are the ultimate arbitrator. Remember that.

July 09 2011 at 9:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ILS28R

It's just like Nokia demanding the immediate stop of iPhone sales. Not going to happen...
If it will become a real threat to anyone involved there will be law suits that eventually end in a settlement.

It's all about publicity. Nothing to take serious...

July 09 2011 at 7:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rachcroix Simth

The monitor uses the standard displayport, not a mini displayport. Please try and answer the question and not suggest I use VGA/DVI on the monitor.
http://colonflowsite.com/

July 09 2011 at 7:32 AM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
Cyrille

What a f***ing marketing bullshit. Makes me wanna puke.

July 09 2011 at 5:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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