14 DAY TRIAL // Displays can only receive video input from devices with compatible connection interfaces. Still, there comes a time when products, despite being very powerful and appealing, have little in the way of connectivity versatility. Such is the case with some products of today, like the display of the 27-inch iMac and the LED Cinema Display, which can only receive video input via a Mini DisplayPort. The upcoming HDMI to mDP adapter is set to give said displays the ability to receive video data from HDMI-capable devices such as Blu-ray players, the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, among others.
Apogee designed the adapter with the specific reason of offering possibilities to connect Apple displays to HDMI devices. The 27-inch iMac is currently restricted to only receiving video input from Macs equipped with mini DisplayPort output capabilities. Through use of the adapter, iMac owners will be able to totally renounce the need for television sets, using instead their more capable 27-inch iMac or LED Cinema Display products for any video experience they may wish to undergo.
The mDP is the shortened form of the Mini DisplayPort, which was approved as a standard by VESA back in November. The adapter will eventually extend the accessibility of said port to not only Apple's Mac products but any other HDMI-capable machine, regardless of the manufacturer.
This development is no different from past situations when devices had low interfacing capabilities. Situations arose when a truly powerful product could not be used in conjunction with many products because of connectivity incompatibilities (USB devices can only work with motherboards capable of such connectivity, HDMI displays can only connect to video adapters equipped with HDMI ports, etc.). The same situation applies for any other type of connection, unless adapters are used (such as USB to PS/2 adapters, for instance). The Kanex-branded HDMI to mDP will play the role of intermediary until the Mini Display Port becomes mainstream among Apple and perhaps other products.
Unfortunately, Apogee hasn't disclosed any information regarding the pricing and availability of the product.