There was much outcry when Apple unveiled their new unibody MacBook and the new Mini DisplayPort. There was even more of an outcry when it became clear that it included —High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP).
As MacWorld explained at the time–
HDCP is a digital rights management (DRM) specification developed by Intel to help content providers protect their content across DVI and HDMI connections. Like other forms of DRM, HDCP will not allow content to be played on non-authorized devices. And because purchased content on the iTunes Store—protected by Apple’s FairPlay DRM—is HDCP-enabled, owners of new MacBooks are finding they can no longer play the TV shows and movies they’ve legally purchased from Apple on many external displays. In other words, unless your external monitor or television is HDCP compatible, you’re be stuck watching your purchased content only on your computer.
As if that isn’t bad enough, a quick look at the Apple Store reveals that while (ridiculously expensive) Mini DisplayPort adapters are available for VGA and DVI, they haven’t released one that converts to HDMI and likely won’t.
Fortunately 3rd Parties are releasing them. I picked one up through the Amazon Marketplace for just under $25 shipped and mine came today.
It looks like any other Mini DisplayPort adapter and, when plugged into my Samsung Flatpanel, pumped the video (but not the audio) out to 61″ of HighDef goodness. That’s great timing with Apple updating iTunes to handle HD movie rentals or (if you are a really bad boy or girl) you want to watch that copy of Wolverine the FBI is looking to track down.
A number of options are available through Amazon Marketplace with prices starting at $17.74.
What I Like – Works just fine and seems to bypass the HDCP.
What Need Improvement – Yet another $25 on an adapter- arrrgh!