Mini DVI, what it is and how to capture it

Mini DVI is a common connector found on Apple’s Macbook, Macbook Pro and Intel-based Powerbook G4 laptops that have been produced prior October 2008.  A Mini DVI port can also be found on Apple’s Intel-based 1U XServe servers.

According to Apple, the creator and sole manufacturer of computers with Mini DVI ports, Mini DVI, like Mini VGA, was implemented to save space and allow for the production of smaller laptops. This, however has been disproven by other manufacturers like Dell or Toshiba which have all made notebook computers with similar sizes, form factors, and specifications to Apple’s, yet have been able to implement a full-size DVI port. The relatively steep price of the adapters manufactured by Apple to work with the Mini DVI port (over $50 for some models) hint at the real (financial) motives behind Apple’s decision to equip its computers with Mini DVI ports.

While the way that the port is named suggests that Mini DVI is just a miniature version of the full-size DVI port, the Mini DVI port actually carries three different signals: 

1. Single-link DVI (Digital)
2. VGA (Analog)
3. TV (Analog)

In order to convert the Mini DVI signal to any of the three signals mentioned above, a special adapter is required for each application.

1. Mini DVI to DVI (Single Link)

2. Mini DVI to VGA

3. Mini DVI to Video (TV RCA + S-Video)

A Mini DVI to HDMI adapter is also available on the market, but, unlike the three adapters shown above, is not manufactured by Apple.

 

Capturing Video from the Mini DVI Port

Since the Mini DVI port can be easily converted to DVI, VGA, or TV-out using adapters manufactured by Apple, a Mini DVI signal can be captured using a DVI or VGA frame grabber or a video capture card for TV/S-Video signals. Note that, since the DVI signal is single link, Mini DVI does not support resolutions higher than 1920×1200 @ 60Hz.

Please refer to our Frame Grabber Comparison Table to evaluate possible alternatives for VGA and DVI frame grabbers.

 

Technical Information and Specifications

For advanced users doing custom product development based on Mini DVI, below is a pinout of the Mini DVI port. Source.

Pin 1	Dat2_P	Data 2 +
Pin 2	Dat2_N	Data 2 -
Pin 3	Dat1_P	Data 1 +
Pin 4	Dat1_N	Data 1 -
Pin 5	Dat0_P	Data 0 +
Pin 6	Dat0_N	Data 0 -
Pin 7	CLK_P	Clock +
Pin 8	CLK_N	Clock -
Pin 9	DGND
Pin 10	DGND
Pin 11	DGND
Pin 12	DGND
Pin 13	DGND
Pin 14	DGND
Pin 15	DGND
Pin 16	DGND
Pin 17	+5 V
Pin 18	DCC_DAT
Pin 19	spare
Pin 20	BLUE	Analogue blue
Pin 21	not installed
Pin 22	GREEN	Analogue green
Pin 23	not installed
Pin 24	RED	Analogue red
Pin 25	Detect
Pin 26	DCC_CLK
Pin 27	spare
Pin 28	DGND
Pin 29	HSYNC	Horizontal sync
Pin 30	DGND
Pin 31	VSYNC	Vertical sync
Pin 32	DGND