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February 28, 2006

hardware

Where’s my Component Video Output?

Posted Feb. 28, ’06, 7:27 PM PT by Scott Silverman
Category | Hardware

componentvideo.jpgIn all of Apple’s hype of releasing a Mac which finally puts Front Row onto a TV, they seem to have forgotten one thing: the component video connection! If Apple plans to have Mac Minis connected to TVs, and more specifically HDTVs, then the component video output is crucial, as this is the connection many HDTVs have. The newer (and more expensive) TVs have HDMI and some have DVI, but if you don’t have either of these, then you’re stuck with S-Video! I did a little research and looked into a DVI to Component converter and found that it doesn’t exist. A workaround is to convert the DVI from the Mac Mini to VGA (included in the Mac Mini box) and then the VGA to Component using this adapter. But at a price of $80, it would have been cheaper and simpler if Apple had some supported form of component video outputs, even if just through an external adapter, like they did for S-Video.


8 Comments

Dan Frakes said:

D'oh! Sorry, for some reason I kept reading "composite," not "component." Sorry, Scott :-)

February 28, 2006 9:47 PM
Scott Silverman said:

That's OK Dan, I actually do the same thing all the time. In fact, I had to do a double-take sometimes when proofing my post cause I could have sworn it said "composite." The funny thing is that I actually had a link to that same device you originally referred me to in my original post! Thanks for the tip anyways :)

February 28, 2006 9:59 PM
Dennis Kilgore said:

Your criticism of the new Mac Mini using the Intel GMA 950 graphics processor should be eyed with skepticism. You seem to want every possible option all for a low price. When you are spending money on HT and are very concerned with high quality video and audio then it is going to cost you. Period.
Component video inputs and outputs will be completely replaced by HDMI and to a lesser extent by DVI in the near future. Furthermore, there are numerous scalers and video switchers on the market, such as the DVDO Products, which will handle a signal from multiple source types and output them to Component, DVI, HDMI, etc. You also fail to point out that component video signals in the consumer realm are all analog (There is a digital variety of Y Cr Cb, but it is not used in consumer level products). So you are in reality complaining about not having a less optimal video output than working with the purely digital DVI output! Your complaint seems one more of convenience than striving for optimal digital video quality!
The Mac Mini, as now constructed, is an elegant and very high bang-for-the-buck computer solution for multimedia.
Read the Intel GMA 950 Chip Specs on their site . It is a true High Definition output video graphic solution; simply maximize the memory in the Mac Mini to 2 GB and you are completely covered, as the GMA 950 will scale to 1080p using a maximum of 244 GB video memory. With 2 GB total system memory you are left with 1.75 GB for all other processes - more than enough!
Alternately, purchase a PureLink DC-DA1 DVI to VGA Adapter; it will support and maintain High Definition from the DVI output on the Mac to a VGA input. Granted it is $350.00 but your demanding quality, arent you?
Apple is truly "forward looking" in not including component video outputs and also likely could not find the room on the motherboard if they wanted to. This type output would require modification of the GMA 950 output pathways not to mention a DA (digital to analog) converter!
DVI and now HDMI are finally bringing standards to the video industry. The newer displays for HDTV will have HDMI inputs; there are many options for conversion from DVI output to HDMI. And now that Apple has provided digital audio optical output allowing conversion of the digital audio signal in your processor of choice, they produce the absolute best computer multimedia device, especially at its price point, on the market.

Thanks for reading,

Dennis Kilgore

March 1, 2006 4:31 AM
Mike said:

I'd love to see a component video output as well. Although, I wouldn't say it's crucial for HD. If you want HD, DVI or HDMI is really the way to go, which they've done. Still, component would be nice for those of us who don't have the HDMI or DVI, like myself. At least I have an S-Video input

March 1, 2006 6:24 AM
Alan said:

Scott,
Absolutely agreed! In a surround system, it is still not common to find HT processors or receivers that do full HDMI or DVI switching or conversion between all types of analog and digital inputs. Component video is still the common denominator for HT gear. The lack of a seamless component video connection to the MacMini is a deal breaker for me.

March 1, 2006 7:35 AM
Scott Silverman said:

Dennis,

I had no criticism of the Intel GMA 950 graphics processor. I'm not sure why you say I did…

I did, however, criticize the Mac Mini for lacking a component video out. And while I respect your opinion, my position still stands strong. The Mac Mini has had DVI all along; this is no new addition it has acquired along with yesterday's titling of a living room "Media PC." While DVI (or HDMI) is obviously superior to any analog signal (as you point out), I think it is still an oversight on Apple's part to completely ignore component video outputs. While ideally the media/HD/TV world would function purely digitally, this is not the reality. Analog component inputs are still widely used in everyday HD imaging (DVD players, TiVos, Media Center PCs, video game consoles, and more). In fact, I have a Samsung 1080P DLP HDTV (the latest in technology--I just bought it) and I use component inputs more than any other type. The TV doesn't even come with a straight DVI connector (only HDMI, which needs a specific conversion cable and doesn't even work with my PowerMac G5's DVI output).

In conclusion let me say this: Apple's targeted market is obviously the everyday consumer who wants an easy way to deal with their music, movies, and photos. In targeting this market, I believe it is a huge mistake not to include the most widely used (and least technical--no adaptors or compatibility problems) output in the current HD media world. Will there be a time when DVI is common and easy to use on HDTVs? Of course, but that day hasn't come yet, and until then, a company like Apple should be making the media transition easy for consumers.

March 1, 2006 12:02 PM
Brandon said:

I see the concern with not having component output. I also have a Samsung DLP and currently using the PowerPC Mac Mini with VGA input due to the fact that there is problems with overscan and it gave me better configuration options over the DVI on the DLP. I have a DVI-Component adapter from an old All-in-Wonder set I had on my PC but it did not seem to be supported on the card. I initially used the Belkin DVI-HDMI cable to connect to the unit but there was still overscan issues even with programs such as SwitchResX and DisplayConfigX to modify the graphics output. I am going to pick up one of the Intel Mini's today to see if the new graphics adapter will resolve the overscan issues since it says its supports HDTVs. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this because I think it looks horrible without. Even if Apple were to include component connections or a third party created an adapter do you think there still might be overscan issues?

March 1, 2006 3:07 PM

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