Since their introduction in 2008 by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), Display Ports and their smaller version the Mini Display Port have largely increased in popularity and have been accepted as a standard by most major companies. The Display Port was introduced just a few years after the HDMI made its appearance. However, it is not meant to replace the HDMI, but rather, complement it.
The biggest difference between these two is their design focus. The primary focus of HDMI is box-to-box connectivity and it is suitable for TV and home theater applications, whereas the Display Port was designed to support the requirements of high-performance PC displays, something which HDMI lacks. The 1.2 version of the Display Port can support resolutions of up to 3840 x 2160(4K) at the refresh rate of 60 Hz, it can support all the common 3D video formats, and it manages 17.28 Gbps in terms of bandwidth. HDMI 1.4 on the other hand, which is the most common version at the moment, supports the same resolution as the Display Port, but at a refresh rate of just 30 Hz. As far as audio goes, there is no difference between them, as they both support up to 8 channels of digital audio up to 24-bit and 192 kHz.
But there is a simple and low-cost solution to convert your Mini Display Port to HDMI. It’s called the Mini Display Port to HDMI Adapter and yes, it’s not the most creative name. Here are some of the best adapters on the market regarding quality and price.
1. Kanex Mini DisplayPort / Thunderbolt to HDMI Cable with 4K Support – 1.8m
This premium 6ft(2m) adapter can support the new Ultra HD displays with up to 4K resolution and lets you watch your favorite movies in full HD with a multi-channel digital audio output. You can also view your vacation photos in a breathtaking high definition or make presentations onto a larger HD display from your MacBook. The single cable for both audio and video with a convenient length, high flexibility, and compact connectors is perfect for fitting in tight spaces. It is also compatible with Thunderbolt devices and has a 1-year warranty.
2. Moshi Mini DisplayPort / Thunderbolt to HDMI Adapter (4K)
This is a very popular Mini Display Port adapter which has been updated to support the new Ultra HD (4K) standard and lets you connect your Mac to any TV or monitor very easily, allowing you to create the ultimate home theater. It supports Thunderbolt 2.0 and multi-channel digital audio output. It has a stylish aluminum casing that minimizes EM interference and a slim design which makes this adapter the perfect addition to your home entertainment system.
3. Insignia 1.8 m (6 ft.) MiniDP/HDMI Cable
This is one of the cheapest choices on the market which supports all the features included in the Display Port 1.2 specifications and provides a quick and simple solution to your connectivity needs; however, in terms of quality it is far less superior than the previous two.
