Displayport Vs. Mini DVI
DisplayPort and Mini-DVI are interface standards that are used for transmitting digital visual signals. The Mini-DVI is a smaller version of the Digital Visual Interface standard. Introduced almost a decade after DVI, the DisplayPort is the more advanced connector.
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Background
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An industry consortium called Digital Display Working Group, or DDWG, introduced DVI in 1999 to replace the Video Graphics Array standard, which transmits analog visual signals. Apple Inc. debuted the Mini-DVI -- smaller than the full-sized DVI but bigger than Micro-DVI -- on its PowerBook G4 laptop in 2002. Video Electronics Standards Association, or VESA -- an international computer graphics standards body -- released DisplayPort in 2006.
Physical Description and Functions
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Both DisplayPort and Mini-DVI have rectangular-shaped connectors. The DisplayPort connector is longer and bigger with 20 pins. The Mini-DVI connector has curved corners, more of a square shape and possesses 32 pins. Both DisplayPort and Mini-DVI are primarily used for supporting digital visual displays such as computer monitors or TV sets. Unlike DisplayPort, however, Mini-DVI does not have an option to carry digital audio signals as well.
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Application
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The most common application for DisplayPort and Mini-DVI has been as outputs on Apple's Macintosh laptop computers. Mini-DVI in particular not only went on the PowerBook G4; it can be also found on the Intel-based iMac all-in-one desktop computer, MacBook laptop and Xserve rack unit computer. Apple actually replaced the Mini-DVI with a small version of the DisplayPort standard -- the Mini DisplayPort -- in late 2008.
Display Resolution Support
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In terms of display quality, Mini-DVI supports up to 1,920 by 1,080 pixels in resolution with a frame rate of 60 hertz. DisplayPort surpasses Mini-DVI with a resolution of 3,840 by 2,160 pixels in resolution -- also with a 60-Hz frame rate. Also, DisplayPort offers support for a frame rate of up to 120 Hz.
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References
- Geek.com; DisplayPort 1.2 Enables Full 4K x 2K Resolution, 3D Stereo Beyond Full HD, and More; Christian Zibreg; Jan. 18, 2010
- DisplayPort: DisplayPort Makes High Performance Standard
- Digital Display Working Group: Digital Visual Interface Revision 1.0
- Apple Store: Apple Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter
- L-Com: Mini-DVI
- DataPro: All About DVI
- DisplayPort: DisplayPort Makes High Performance Standard
