Why doesn't Apple offer HDMI ports in more products?

[pdjudd]

By that logic, Macs wouldn't have DVD drives either since they can be used for playing CDs and DVDs, which can be bought on iTunes.

Except for two things:

1) CD’s widely predated iTunes
2) They are still used for other methods like software distribution - distribution that doesn’t work digitally.

None of these applies to Blu-Ray which is limited to movies.

Hell I would have been happy if they'd just gone with normal size display port which is becoming the new standard on corporate issue laptops, and actually making some headway at replacing VGA on boardroom projectors.

But no, instead they have to come out with another obscure port.

I believe that VESA was looking for a compact version of DisplayPort already but I can’t say that for sure...

 

[msheldrick]

Except for two things:

1) CD’s widely predated iTunes
2) They are still used for other methods like software distribution - distribution that doesn’t work digitally.

None of these applies to Blu-Ray which is limited to movies.

Blu-Ray discs certainly aren't limited to just movies, they're also used for large amounts of data storage... and Mac's can already read & write to Blu-Ray Data discs, if what you're saying was correct. It means that DVD's can only be used for Movies because it was used for them as well.

 

[cjmillsnun]

By that logic, Macs wouldn't have DVD drives either since they can be used for playing CDs and DVDs, which can be bought on iTunes.

Steve is no doubt working on eliminating them. But remember DVD drives were in Macs before the iTunes store was available.

 

[VPrime]

Blu-Ray discs certainly aren't limited to just movies, they're also used for large amounts of data storage... and Mac's can already read & write to Blu-Ray Data discs, if what you're saying was correct. It means that DVD's can only be used for Movies because it was used for them as well.

DVDs being used for software and data is a relatively new thing. This happened quite a while after DVDs being used for video (same goes for CDs as well).
Blueray has not been widely used outside of movies yet (Ps3 games being the exception). When Blueray discs start containing software and games become more of a standard (or even show signs of being commonly used) that is probably when blueray will be seen as a standard data disc.

So, I think his point still works.

 

[yg17]

Steve is no doubt working on eliminating them. But remember DVD drives were in Macs before the iTunes store was available.

All hail lord Steve!

I'll be switching back to PC if Steve decides I can't have an optical drive in my computer.

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

... and use the dinky built-in speakers?

What?

HDMI carries both audio and video, hence the need for only one cable. With a dvi-hdmi adapter/cable you can only use video and must run a separate audio cable (which will only be stereo unless you have an outboard surround unit).

 

[boast]

Apple used DisplayPort because it is deliberately designed for computer displays and their are no royalties - Apple intends for your to connect your computer to a monitor - not a TV. That’s their goal.

Both computer monitors and TVs are LCDs (mostly). So there is no real difference, just one has lower resolutions than another.

 

[KingYaba]

I don't think I'm moving off of DVI for a few years. Maybe then Display Port will be popular enough.

 

[FX120]

I believe that VESA was looking for a compact version of DisplayPort already but I can’t say that for sure...

I am willing to bet that no other mainstream laptop manufacturer will ever adopt MDP for use in any of their products.

 

[cjmillsnun]

All hail lord Steve!

I'll be switching back to PC if Steve decides I can't have an optical drive in my computer.

To be honest, people said that about floppy drives when the iMac G3 was launched...

But with flash technology and broadband becoming ever more popular, I can see the optical drive being dead within 5 years. Next version of OS X on a USB key anyone?

 

[BigBagaroo]

Apple TV is a product to connect to modern TV's. Modern TV's have HDMI.

Apple computers are designed to connect to computer monitors, though other standards are coming through (DisplayPort) Apple (as with most) standardise with DVI.

There's is nothing odd about this, it makes complete sense.

Hehe, yeah, what an odd thought. Connecting a laptop to a TV? With one cable? What kind of retards would possibly want to do that?

Not to mention that the price of MacBooks would increase, or Apple would have less profit. After all, the license fee for a HDMI port is 4 cents.

Also, only premium computers have HDMI output. You wouldn't expect your cheap Macbook Pro to have that built-in, would you?

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

HDMI is a bag of hurt. Steve told me.

 

[pdjudd]

HDMI is a bag of hurt. Steve told me.

No, Jobs has never made one comment on HDMI.

Not to mention that the price of MacBooks would increase, or Apple would have less profit. After all, the license fee for a HDMI port is 4 cents.

I doubt that is the reason - Apple uses HDMI the AppleTV - of course that is intended as a multimedia device for the TV. The usage of DisplayPort seems to be more philosophical. Apple sees a difference between a desktop monitor and a TV - hence the reservation of using DisplayPort for it's overall computers. Apple simply doesn't want people to use their computers purely as a Media PC (hence the display port not doing audio).

There is nothing overall wrong with this approach - Apple acknowledges HDMI in the home theater world and wants to keep DisplayPort for desktop monitors. If you want to cross that bridge, you can do that with adapters. Apple feels differently and wants to encourage their computers to be used as computers instead of them being relegated to simple Media PC's.

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

You dont understand humor, do you?

 

[StruckANerve]

Because Apple hates me. Why does Apple try so hard to be the cool kid that goes against the norm? Computers are a major part of home theaters these days and their integration as multimedia products is only going to increase. I hope Apple comes to their senses soon and realizes that HDMI is very important to the future of Computers and Home theaters.

 

[Bennieboy©]

Because Apple hates me. Why does Apple try so hard to be the cool kid that goes against the norm? Computers are a major part of home theaters these days and their integration as multimedia products is only going to increase. I hope Apple comes to their senses soon and realizes that HDMI is very important to the future of Computers and Home theaters.

no one forces you to buy Mac, if the machine no longer suits your purpose, change it such is life

 

[StruckANerve]

no one forces you to buy Mac, if the machine no longer suits your purpose, change it such is life

Money doesn't grow on trees and I still love my iMac. I was just frustrated and dissapointed when I wanted to watch streaming internet videos on my HDTV and I had to buy 3 separate pieces of equipment.

 

[BigBagaroo]

no one forces you to buy Mac, if the machine no longer suits your purpose, change it such is life

What a perfect argument. It all makes sense to me now, and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.

As I understand, one is not allowed to complain about missing ports in a Mac or suggest additions, because it is perfect and Steve has found the chosen path and we will follow it, or you can just jump off the cliff.

 

[Bennieboy©]

What a perfect argument. It all makes sense to me now, and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.

As I understand, one is not allowed to complain about missing ports in a Mac or suggest additions, because it is perfect and Steve has found the chosen path and we will follow it, or you can just jump off the cliff.

alright play nicely, i didnt mean it like that, but my logic is tight, a machine is only perfect to a person if it does everything that the person wants, people can and do change inevitably faster then a computer gets updated, especially peoples interests and such.

 

[pdjudd]

You dont understand humor, do you?

Not when it is presented in the way that you did... Honestly, reading humor in the internet and trying to distill it from ignorance is a complicated thing to do. At least give us a hint... Distilling intent from raw text is hit or miss.

Because Apple hates me. Why does Apple try so hard to be the cool kid that goes against the norm? Computers are a major part of home theaters these days and their integration as multimedia products is only going to increase. I hope Apple comes to their senses soon and realizes that HDMI is very important to the future of Computers and Home theaters.

Apple doesn’t build their computers to be used as home theatre PC’s - thats not the market for their products. They have dedicated devices that do a better job (like the Apple TV) that are intended for TV’s - Apple just doesn’t build their products with that use in mind - they want their computers to be used as computers. It’s just their mentality. If you don’t like it, well buy something else.

But Apple does not “hate” you. That idea is rather silly. They build the products that they want. Thats been their motive for years.

 

[Tilpots]

Apple doesn’t build their computers to be used as home theatre PC’s - thats not the market for their products. They have dedicated devices that do a better job (like the Apple TV) that are intended for TV’s - Apple just doesn’t build their products with that use in mind - they want their computers to be used as computers.

Now that part's funny. Love to see an old thread breathed new life... Viva la HDMI port!

 

[senator1983]

standards

This will likely not be a popular topic, but Microsoft has been on the PC home theater bandwagon for some time via Windows Media Center. (thus far they have done poorly in my opinion) and companies such as ATI and Nvidia have provided quality cards with built in HDMI ports; providing the ability to play games or movies in 1080P with high quality sound right through your home entertainment center using a single cable.

You want to watch the news at 5, but you missed it? hop online and watch it anytime you like. when you are done with that start up a new movie. Have company? bring up photos from your favorite vacation. sure these things can be done on many different devices, but they can also be done on a single computer. why pay for more devices when a single device does the trick? why would you not want the option to hook your Mac into your TV? Have Netflix, itunes, pandora, youtube, pictures, and your favorite games all in the same place. it just makes sense.

if you think HDMI doesn't belong on a computer, don't use it, but know that the majority of enthusiasts would love it.

HDMI is the start of a new standard, but like everything else, there are those who resist and stick to proprietary devices and connections forcing people to make adapters. (adapters that cause the loss of audio over hdmi) sure adapters are cheap, but they are also an inconvenience, which contradicts the convenience of the computer itself.

 

[Cerebrus' Maw]

This will likely not be a popular topic, but Microsoft has been on the PC home theater bandwagon for some time via Windows Media Center. (thus far they have done poorly in my opinion) and companies such as ATI and Nvidia have provided quality cards with built in HDMI ports; providing the ability to play games or movies in 1080P with high quality sound right through your home entertainment center using a single cable.

You want to watch the news at 5, but you missed it? hop online and watch it anytime you like. when you are done with that start up a new movie. Have company? bring up photos from your favorite vacation. sure these things can be done on many different devices, but they can also be done on a single computer. why pay for more devices when a single device does the trick? why would you not want the option to hook your Mac into your TV? Have Netflix, itunes, pandora, youtube, pictures, and your favorite games all in the same place. it just makes sense.

if you think HDMI doesn't belong on a computer, don't use it, but know that the majority of enthusiasts would love it.

HDMI is the start of a new standard, but like everything else, there are those who resist and stick to proprietary devices and connections forcing people to make adapters. (adapters that cause the loss of audio over hdmi) sure adapters are cheap, but they are also an inconvenience, which contradicts the convenience of the computer itself.

Good post. The fact that you are in newbie status, I am hoping you will turn into one of the more sane and reasonable posters around this joint.

 

[surferfromuk]

Have to agree standard HDMI output on Mac would be nice.

 

[*LTD*]

Have to agree standard HDMI output on Mac would be nice.

+1