Has anyone use this this device? I am thinking of buying it to use in conjunction with my existing hardware (iMac, Touch and MacBook0. The device sounds too good to be true is it?
John Marriott.
Friends of mine had one, and it basically allows you to turn your tv into a media center. It can gather photos or songs and any media into one front row type display, but it also hooks into the apple store for films and buy-able media. It hasn't been the success Apple expected, but with all the rumors about a big screen apple tv device coming in the future, I suspect that the small AppleTV box will be incorporated into a bigger screen and integrate the whole of your media into one place...... I'd wait if I was you, but it may be six- nine moths away, so make your purchasing decision accordingly.
In September this year I bought the following for my Spring 2009 MacBook 5,2 which has a mini-DVI port to connect it to an HDMI-equipped TV which my neighbours no longer wanted. The result is adequate for viewing quicktime movies and photos on a big screen, although the viewing quality is nearer to a cheap PC screen -- not the fault of the adaptor, etc.
On my MacBook sound requires a separate connection, this is not needed with Spring 2010 MacBooks and MacBook Pros.
NB: it is very important to distinguish which video output port is on your Mac (mini-DVI, Mini Display Port, etc. See the references below.
Neet Media (via Amazon.co.uk) were very prompt, and offer on-line help with questions. Wikipedia has details of DVI, Display Port, and HDMI for the technically curious.
"Apple Mini DVI to HDMI adapter cable by Neet®" - £9.95: Neet Media Limited
"Neet® White Line - 5m - HDMI to HDMI Cable HIGH-SPEED with Ethernet and Audio Return Channel - 3D - (v1.4) - 15.2Gbps - HDMI® LEAD" - £14.95: Neet Media Limited
The very long cable with its Ethernet and Audio return channel was a bit of future-proofing, and can be bought for less.
The two items were on offer together as a promotion saving £7.48, and delivery was extra £3.34. Total £20.76.
A staff member at the Exeter Apple store confirmed that this solution is as good as Apple TV for laptop screen "enlargement" when the extra facilities of Apple TV aren't required.
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refs:
Apple Mini Displayport adapters: FAQs Knowledgebase Article HT3382
> http://www.neetcables.com/ < (via Amazon UK)
John Marriott 