Simplicity | 1692963 | Media Presentation-9-8-2010

MEDIA & YOUR MAC
Presentation To AMUG SrSIG
By Al Coir
September 8. 2010
APPLEʼS MINI Display Port
The Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort
interface. First publicly announced by Apple on October 14, 2008, it is
used in all new Macs (MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac
mini, Mac Pro, Xserve), and the LED Cinema Display.
Unlike its Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI predecessors, Mini DisplayPort is
capable of driving resolutions up to 2560×1600, commonly used with 30inch displays. With a suitable adapter, Mini DisplayPort may be used to
drive displays with a VGA, DVI or HDMI interface.
On November 27, 2008, Apple announced that it would license the Mini
DisplayPort connector with no fee. Apple reserves the right to void the
license if the licensee does "commence an action for patent infringement
against Apple".
On 13 April 2010, Apple added support for audio out using Mini
DisplayPort in their MacBook Pro product line.
Compatibility
VESA states, "DisplayPort assures that you get the best experience from
your LCD, it simplifies display design and connections, enables
interoperability with existing display interfaces and provides a technology
foundation to deliver new and exciting display capabilities."
However, the removal of the DVI port from the MacBook, MacBook Air
and MacBook Pro in favor of Mini DisplayPort, and the use of Mini
DisplayPort as the video connector for the new 24-inch Cinema Display,
may complicate compatibility:
Mini DisplayPort's HDCP extension disables playback of certain DRMencrypted content on any display not designed for it. This includes some
content from the iTunes Store which has no such restrictions if played on
a Mac without Mini Display Port
]
Apple's Dual-Link DVI or VGA adapters are relatively large and
expensive compared to past adapters, and customers have reported
issues with the new adapters, such as being unable to connect to an
external display. Monitors connected to a Mini DisplayPort via these
adaptors may have resolution issues or not "wake up" from sleep.[20]
[21][22] (However, any one experiencing these problems with Apple's
DVI adaptors should check the cable used for the DVI connection. It
must be a Dual-Link type, not a standard DVI cable.)
Mini DisplayPort adapters do not exist for the older component video, SVideo, or composite video connectors. Connectivity can be achieved by
converting the Mini DisplayPort digital signal first to VGA, DVI, or HDMI,
then to the appropriate signal type.
While the DisplayPort specification is capable of supporting digital audio,
the older 2009 line of MacBooks and MacBook Pros are unable to
provide an audio signal through the Mini DisplayPort, and only do so
over USB, Firewire, or the audio line out port instead (the April 2010 line
of MacBook Pro, however, supports this. This can present a problem to
users who intend to connect their computers to HDTVs using a Mini
DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. To work around this issue, some third-party
manufacturers have created adapters that plug into both the Mini
DisplayPort (for video) and a USB port (for audio) or Mini DisplayPort (for
video), a USB port (for power) and the optical out (for audio); either
option terminating with a single female HDMI connector, thus allowing
both video and audio to be channeled over the one HDMI cable.
page 1
MINI DVI Connector
The Mini-DVI connector is used on certain Apple computers as a digital
alternative to the Mini-VGA connector. Its size is between the full-sized
DVI and the tiny Micro-DVI. It is found on the 12-inch PowerBook G4
(except the original 12-inch 867 MHz PowerBook G4, it used Mini-VGA),
Intel-based iMac, the MacBook Intel-based laptop, the Intel-based
Xserve, and the 2009 Mac mini.
In October 2008, Apple announced the company was phasing Mini-DVI
out in favor of Mini DisplayPort.
Mini-DVI connectors on Apple hardware are capable of carrying DVI,
VGA, or TV signals through the use of adapters, detected with EDID
(Extended display identification data) via DDC. This connector is often
used in place of a DVI connector in order to save physical space on
devices. Mini-DVI does not support dual-link connections and hence
cannot support resolutions higher than 1920x1200 @60Hz.
There are various types of Mini-DVI adapter:
Apple Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter Apple part# (M9320G/A)
Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter Apple part# (M9319G/A)
Apple Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter (DVI-D) Apple part# (M9321G/B)
A Mini-DVI to HDMI Adapter is also available but not from Apple.
The physical connector is similar to Mini-VGA, but is differentiated by
having four rows of pins arranged in two vertically-stacked slots rather
than the two rows of pins in the Mini-VGA.
Connecting to a DVI-I connector requires a Mini-DVI to DVI-D cable plus
a DVI-D to DVI-I adapter.
Apple's Mini-DVI to DVI-D cable does not carry the analog signal coming
from the mini-DVI port on the Apple computer. This means that it is not
possible to use this cable with an inexpensive DVI-to-VGA adapter for
VGA output; Apple's mini-DVI to VGA cable must be used instead. This
could be avoided if Apple provided a mini-DVI to DVI-I cable. The
purpose of DVI-I is to ensure universal compatibility.[1][2]
The Apple mini-DVI to DVI-D cable's package shows a DVI-I figure
instead of DVI-D and does not specify that it comes with only DVI-D.
page 2
HDMI Cable
HDMI® (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is an
interface standard used for audiovisual equipment such as
high-definition television and home theater systems. With
19 wires wrapped in a single cable that resembles a USB
wire, HDMI® is able to carry a bandwidth of 5 Gbps
(gigabits per second). This is more than twice the
bandwidth needed to transmit multi-channel audio and
video, future-proofing HDMI® for some time to come. This
and several other factors make HDMI® much more
desirable than its predecessors, component video, SVideo and composite video.
HDMI® is an uncompressed, all-digital signal, while the
aforementioned interfaces are all analog. With an analog
interface, a clean digital source is translated into less
precise analog, sent to the television, then converted back
to a digital signal to display on screen. At each translation,
the digital signal loses integrity, resulting in some distortion
of picture quality. HDMI® preserves the source signal,
eliminating analog conversion to deliver the sharpest,
richest picture possible.
Previous video interfaces required separate audio cables,
with the vast majority of people using standard RCA L/R
analog audio jacks. HDMI®, with its abundant bandwidth
and speed, carries not only video but also up to eight
digital audio channels for uncompromised surround-sound.
It replaces the tangle of wires behind the system with a
single cable, greatly simplifying the entire setup process of
the home theater system while delivering top tier
performance.
Though standard HDMI® or "Type A" has 19 wires, "Type
B" will have 29 wires. The latter is targeted for the motion
picture industry and other professional applications. Both
varieties are "Intelligent HDMI®," referring to the built-in
capability for HDMI®-enabled components to talk to each
other via the interface. Auxiliary information can provide
all-in-one remote functionality and other interoperable features not possible in previous interface technologies.
HDMI® supports standard video formats, enhanced video and high-definition. It is also backwards compatible with DVI
(Digital Video Interface). High-end graphics cards featuring a DVI port can connect to a HDMI® interface via a DVI/HDMI®
cable. This is simply a cable with a DVI connector on one end and a HDMI® connector on the other. As a rule, HDMI®
cables should not run longer than 15 feet (5 meters), or degradation of the signal could occur.
Related topics HDML HDML Dvi HDML 1.3 HDML Connector HDML Splitter HDML Switch HDML Output
As of 2005, many high-end television sets were sold with at least one HDMI® interface. Some experts advise that two
HDMI® interfaces will provide more flexibility, and for those who want to connect a game console, three might serve
better. Multiple interfaces will become common on digital TVs as the industry incorporates HDMI® interfaces into more
peripheral components.
page 3
HDMI CABLES
HDMI Cable (Standard)
page 4
SOUND PROBLEM
The following video ports on your Mac, or any other PC you may have, do not carry sound and will
never carry sound.
VGA
mini-VGA
DVI
mini-DVI
A cable with any of the above as a part of its name also do not and will never carry sound.
Connecting a HDMI cable (that can carry your sound) to one of these ports does not somehow
magically enable it to carry sound.
The following ports on your computer:
DisplayPort
mini-display port
According to the specification have the capability of carrying audio/video like HDMI. However, as of
the date of this post, the audio portion has not been implemented on any computers that I have seen.
So, you're still out of luck here. Those that have begun using this port include Apple, Dell, Asus and
others.
So, this means you still need a separate audio cable to get the audio to your TV or AV receiver.
One option for those with the mini-display port is the following cable to combine audio and video from
your Mac into HDMI.
For only $60.00 each - Mini Display port Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting
USB from MAC
HDMI Cable to HDMINI DVI Port from MAC
page 5
TYPICAL HOOKUP MAC to HD-TV
MINI DVI PORT to HDMI Adapter
MINI DVI Port
HDMI CABLE
Late Model MAC.
MacBook,
Macbook Pro, Intel
Audio Cable (Radio Shack)
Notes:
The MINI DVI Port Adapter is available on the
internet and a the Apple stores even though
this item is not available at the online store.
LFT RT
Audio In
HDMI In
The audio mini jack/mini plug to RCA
connector is available at Radio Shack.
It may be be also available at the Apple store.
Late Model Flat Panel TV
with HDMI Port
page 6
ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM INTERCONNECTION
Example 1
Hi-Speed Internet
Connection
MODEM with
HD
Television
MAC
Dotted Lines
indicate WIFI |
Links
Cabling see
Page 4 or 5
Note this
could be
any late
model
MAC - MINI
or
MAC-TV (Old)*
MAC
Hard Drive (for iTunes
Page 7
ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM INTERCONNECTION
Example 2
Hi-Speed Internet
Connection
Cable or DSL
page 10
Hard Drive
(for iTunes Media)
MAC
USB
Airport Express
or
Dotted Lines
indicate WIFI
Links
HD
Television
Cabling see
Page 4 or 5
MAC - MINI
or
MAC-TV
MAC
Page - 8
DISC COPY APPLICATIONS
RipIt
($19.95)
http://thelittleappfactory.com/ripit/
Easily organize your movies
Moving files around on your
computer is a lot easier than
alphabetizing shelves full of
DVDs.
Type to enter text
Peace of mind
Movies stored safely in your
computer can't get lost,
scratched or broken.
Simplify entertainment on the
go
Why carry around bulky DVD
cases or disc wallets when
you don't have to?
Rip to iPad
RipIt has preset options to
allow ripping DVDs straight to
your iPad.
Use your laptop longer
Laptops use a lot more juice
when they're spinning a DVD
and a hard drive.
page 9
DISC RIPPER APPLICATIONS
HandBrake (Free)
http://handbrake.fr/
HandBrake is an open-source,
GPL-licensed, multiplatform,
multithreaded video transcoder,
available for MacOS X, Linux and
Windows.
Any DVD-like source: VIDEO_TS
folder, DVD image or real DVD
(unencrypted--protection methods
including CSS are not supported
internally and must be handled
externally with third-party software
and libraries), and some .VOB
and .TS files
Most any multimedia file it can get
libavformat to read and libavcodec
to decode.
Outputs:
• File format: MP4 and MKV
• Video: MPEG-4, H.264, or Theora
• Audio: AAC, CoreAudio AAC (OS X Only), MP3, or Vorbis. AC-3 pass-through, DTS pass-thorugh
(MKV only)
Misc features:
• Chapter selection
• Subtitles
• Integrated bitrate calculator
• Picture deinterlacing, cropping and scaling
page - 10
DISC RIPPER APPLICATIONS
ZippyRippy
($5.95)
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/32792/zippyrippy
ZippyRippy is a new program
developed with one goal in mind,
ripping DVD media for use on
personal devices.
ZippyRippy is set apart by the idea
that DVD conversion should be
automatic without the need to
endlessly tweak controls.
• If a DVD with a valid VIDEO_TS folder is detected when ZippyRippy is launched, it will start
going into action based on previously established preferences.
• Create an ISO disk image of the DVD for archiving or backup.
• Convert for all Apple devices including: iPod, iPhone/iPod touch, AppleTV.
• Rip the main feature of a DVD squeeze itself to a standard 4.3 GB DVD. This is also handy to
skip menus and previews on most DVDʼs.
• h.264 mpeg4 encoding option, great for AppleTV
• Set it up to launch when a video DVD is inserted into the drive for automatic ripping and
encoding.
page - 11
iTunes Shared iTunes Libraries
Selecting the Library
Controls iTunes media
library location which can
be located in the same
MAC or anywhere in the
Local Area Network.
Page - 12
ITunes Preference Panel Settings
Will look for shared iTunes on all
computers on the network.
Must be selected to permit iTunes
library on this system to be shared
Select what you want to
Share
Password Required?
Page - 13
ITunes Shared iTunes Libraries
Shared Media Files
On other system
Page - 14
MEDIA BROWSER - PLEX
http://www.plexapp.com/
Plex bridges the gap between your Mac and your home theater, doing so with a visually appealing user interface that
provides instant access to your media. Plex can play a wide range of video, audio and photo formats as well as online
streaming audio and video. The real power of Plex is found in its library features: Organize your media into versatile
libraries, automatically retrieve metadata from the Internet, and display your libraries using one of the visually stunning
skins.
The Plex Media Server - Access over 100 popular online video and image sources
The new Plex Media Server allows Plex to effortlessly connect to all of your favorite local/online content. iTunes, iPhoto and
Aperture content update in Plex seamlessly and in real time. Plex Media Server also connects with the brand new App Store
which serves plug-ins that provide a huge amount of online content to Plex. Plug-ins work by leveraging WebKit to display
video from online sources. Many of these sources are in HD and use the siteʼs native flash and silverlight players. Plex
Media Center for OS X
Macworld Review
Media Management
Organize all of your media, from local drives, network shares, optical media and the Internet, in one easy to use application.
Plex supports a wide range of video, audio and image formats without having to install any additional third party plug-ins or
programs. Plex will make the days of trying to find the right plug-in to work with the right application a thing of the past.
Skinable Interface
Plex includes a highly customizable skinning engine that allows users to alter the entire user interface. Colors, controls,
navigation, positioning of elements, animation, even adding additional functionality can be achieved with a skin. Each skin
provides a totally different user experience. Many skins have been designed with high definition wide-screen televisions in
mind and will look great on your 720p or 1080p television. With Plex and custom skins, your media center experience will
rival (or even exceed!) that of costly closed media center systems.
Library
Being able to play all your media in one application is great. Being able to do that and automatically download movie and TV
show artwork, fan-art, plot and episode information as well as artwork and artist/album information for your music is simply
brilliant! The Library does the work so you spend less time organizing your media and more time enjoying it. Looking for a
romantic comedy? Browse by genre. Looking for a horrible movie to make fun of? Sort by IMDB rating and pick the bottom
one!
Page - 15
MEDIA BROWSERS -BOXEE
(FREE)
http://www.boxee.tv/
REVIEW FROM A MAC GURU: Some
background. Iʼm a Mac user. So Iʼve grown
pretty familiar with Front Row, Appleʼs severalyear-old solution to this idea. I also dinked
around with Miro when it was first announced –
it has some similar functions as Boxee, but is
open source. (One big difference with Miro – it
includes a BitTorrent downloader, which
probably makes content providers a wee bit
gunshy.) Then thereʼs Joost, a media viewer
which always struck me as having similar
content to the afternoon broadcasts of local TV
stations – old cartoons, weird out-dated shows.
Where Boxee trumps all of these tools is in its
ability to rope in content from all over the place.
TV networks, movie studios and websites have
developed “apps” (Boxee-customized portals)
and made content available for the platform that
make it pretty robust out of the box.
Additionally, the system makes viewing content
fairly simple — TV shows and other items can
be added to a queue for viewing, or added as
favorites. The point-and-click icons and
simplicity of the user interface makes it easy to
find your way around. (I certainly canʼt fault the
graphic design. The entire system is clean and
easy on the eyes from a distance. To see more
screenshots, check out Boxeeʼs blog post
announcing the beta. Should give you a sense
of aesthetics.) In the upper right of the screen,
the time and temperature, obviating any need to
ever look away from the content.
The first thing youʼll see when you first open
Boxee is, a guide to using the system.
Page -16
($99.00)
All streaming. No hassle.
Everything you want to watch — movies, TV shows, photos, and
more — streams wirelessly to Apple TV. That way you donʼt
have to worry about managing storage or syncing to your iTunes
library. HD movie and TV show rentals play over the Internet to
your widescreen TV, while music and photos stream from your
computer. Either way, all you have to do is click and play. Since
Apple TV features a powerful A4 chip, it streams everything
effortlessly, without frozen screens or stutters. Video looks crisp
and clear. And just like watching a DVD, you can fast-forward
through opening credits, pause for a popcorn break, or replay a
hilarious scene until you memorize every line.
Get connected with Apple TV.
Setting up Apple TV is about as simple as it gets. Just plug the
power cord into the wall and connect
Apple TV to your widescreen TV
using an HDMI cable (sold
separately). Since everything
streams wirelessly to Apple TV, thatʼs
all you need. Well, that and a comfy
couch.
Even more flicks with Netflix.
From classics to recent Hollywood
favorites, Netflix on Apple TV puts
even
more movies and TV shows within
reach
of your remote.3 Apple TV smartly
organizes the huge Netflix catalog of
HD
and SD titles so you can find exactly
what
youʼre looking for in a matter of clicks. When you find something
you like, watch it right away or add it to your instant-watch queue.
Since Apple TV lets you access your Netflix account directly from
your HDTV, you can ditch all the computer-to-TV adapters and skip
straight to the part where you press Play.
Page - 17

* Your assessment is very important for improving the work of artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project