Blu-ray comes to the iMac... via an Apogee HDMI-to-Mini DisplayPort adapter

Although it's technically possible to use the gorgeous IPS display in the 27-inch iMac as a standalone monitor, the feature's been pretty limited in practice, since it only works with other DisplayPort devices like the unibody MacBooks. That's about to change thanks to Apogee, which just posted up a video demo of an as-yet-unnamed HDMI-to-DisplayPort adapter being used to play Xbox 360, PS3, and -- yes, it's true -- Blu-ray movies on Apple's latest all-in-one. Never thought you'd see the day, did you? Apogee hasn't disclosed pricing or availability yet, but we're told more info is coming soon --we'd guess sometime around CES. Video after the break.

[zenomatic Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:41PM]

@Uncontrol
You insensitive clod, I move the pointer using mental projection!

[ran Posted Dec 15th 2009 5:08PM]

@lorens Well when we're watching your bluray pr0n the right hand needs to be free.

[N900 Posted Dec 15th 2009 5:28PM]

@zenomatic You're mind-handed.

[rob47 Posted Dec 15th 2009 6:33PM]

@Uncontrol Im left handed and I use my mouse in the right hand.

[autonomy Posted Dec 16th 2009 4:54AM]

@(Unverified)

yeah me too... I had to conform to it because ambidextrous mice aren't very comfortable after a while, and they just don't make mice specifically for lefties. The mall needs a real leftorium.

[phuz Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:15PM]

Great now do it for notebooks! Why don't notebooks come with hdmi/display port input :(

[delphinus87 Posted Dec 15th 2009 6:47PM]

@(Unverified) people generally have a larger displays available then the 15 or so inch display on their laptops. Notice how all laptops come with HDMI/VGA/DP outputs, there's a reason for that.

You could always get a USB DVD/Bluray drive if your desperate

[glenskey Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:16PM]

you can use a mac mini on an imac? :O

[martynmcfarquhar Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:26PM]

@glenskey

Haha, yup, just incase that i7 and 16GB RAM seem somewhat overwhelming...

[knight3058 Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:27PM]

Why is this new adapter a big deal? Anyone can get the cables needed right here at Monoprice.com
http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=hdmi+to+display+port&x=0&y=0

[neonglo Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:38PM]

@knight3058
Basically, yes, you can connect your PS3 or other HD device to the new 27" mac displays, but it's not a simple solution like was outlined above. It's simple in that it only takes two extra connections, which is as many as you would need in, but you need to spend an extra $400 or so dollars to get the connection to work. It requires an HDMI upscaler (since the Apple display doesn't include upscalers and its native resolution would be like 1440p instead of 1080p) and a DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter. The converter is required because HDMI broadcasts a signal through associated ports and connections and the Mini DisplayPort broadcasts (and receives) a different kind of signal. That's about as simple as I can make that sound. Generally, though, DisplayPort (apple's video input/output system) is only compatible with DisplayPort-enabled devices. The company who makes these two converters is Atlona, and they are reportedly working on a single converter which does both, and supposedly they plan to offer the two at a significantly lower price (I read $200-250, instead of $400).

[srdailey Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:40PM]

@knight3058 all of those cables are for sending your signal out from the imac, not the other way around.

[zenomatic Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:27PM]

Wake me up when OSX actually gets the necessary codecs/software to view Blu-Ray flicks. (Or when the VLC guys figure out how to crack the Blu-Ray encryption for good.)
Until then, mkv rips will have to do...

[Oli D Posted Dec 15th 2009 5:30PM]

@zenomatic
No.
Get an alarm clock.

[Mr Death Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:33PM]

Not the most elegant of solutions, is it? o_O

[Alex Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:35PM]

I don't think that counts.

[brianbobcat Posted Dec 15th 2009 4:38PM]

I would like to play Blu-rays with my Mac, and eventually it will come. I don't buy or rent movies from iTunes anyways, so they're not getting my movie money one way or another. In the coming months though I will begin burning BR movies on my Mac, so don't think it can't do BR at all.

-Brian

[Mr Mario Posted Dec 15th 2009 5:08PM]

Why would i want to watch a Bluray movie on a 27" screen? Wouldn't people prefer to watch said movies on their Plasma or LCD? If you have money for an iMac, you probably have money for a large flat-screen... no?

[N900 Posted Dec 15th 2009 5:29PM]

@Mr Mario Come on man, just let them have this one.

[Mr Mario Posted Dec 15th 2009 5:32PM]

@N900
Word... Congrats to Apple (or Apogee) for revolutionizing the way we watch movies!

[MVMNT Posted Dec 15th 2009 5:30PM]

Now THAT's a box of hurt

[Traycer Posted Dec 15th 2009 6:15PM]

Wait, did I miss something? This does not bring "HD content to the new Apple 27-inch iMac" any more than hooking up a laptop to my home theatre will "bring the Internet" to my Mitsubishi projector. The iMac is basically just acting as an expensive LCD monitor at that point, is it not?

I'm surprised they don't just say this device turns the Mac into "the ultimate gaming machine" because Apogee brings "every PlayStation 3 and XBOX 360 game to the new Apple 27-inch iMac". Same concept, is it not?

Then again, I suppose if you're an Apple user with a hankering for Blu-ray content, any glimmer of news is good...

[natewsmith Posted Dec 15th 2009 7:02PM]

They already have an adapter out there!

http://www.hdtvsupply.com/mini-display-port-to-hdmi-converter.html

[manofchao5 Posted Dec 15th 2009 7:09PM]

@natewsmith
yeah dude that adapter is for display port to hdmi
there has to be a different adapter for the other way around
dvi-d to hdmi for example is easier because they both have the same signal just one has audio support and a different connector
display port has a different signal entirely

[manofchao5 Posted Dec 15th 2009 7:04PM]

this is great for mac owners but the real question is...
If you can afford a mac why the hell dont you have money to blow on another monitor/tv to connect your ps3, xbox360 or bluray player to
im still disappointed apple wont stick a blu ray drive in a macbook pro
that would be awesome and with their support in this, there might be a bluray super drive

[Yoy0YO Posted Dec 15th 2009 7:21PM]

What about HDCP support? Normally, things that don't have HDCP can't play things from HDCP hardware, eg: Sony PS3 (with HDCP) cannot support a HDMI>DVI plug, into a monitor without HDCP. there will be no image.

[mtnDewFTW Posted Dec 15th 2009 7:40PM]

Amazing.. I cannot wait to get one of these babies :)

Even though in my case it might be sorta useless since I already have a 40" TV in my room that has all those connection ports.

I might try moving some stuff around, so maybe I could connect my Xbox 360 to it. Still wish they had put that Blu-Ray drive in there :'(

But I can see why Apple didn't want to do that. It would be the death of iTunes.
I think that until iTunes starts to sell Blu-Ray quality movies, we shouldn't expect any Mac to have that drive.
Oh well, still a great machine, even if PC lovers won't admit it lol

[sakis Posted Dec 15th 2009 7:48PM]

now we just need one for older imacs with just the normal ports aka late 2006

[adrianomelette Posted Dec 15th 2009 7:50PM]

why, this is just fantastic.
FANTASTIC.

[mullingitover Posted Dec 15th 2009 8:13PM]

I'm a Mac, and being unable to author or view industry standard HD media was my idea.

[Jack Posted Dec 15th 2009 10:38PM]

@mullingitover

No. You can burn Blu-Ray discs just fine on Macs. Viewing Blu-Ray movies is something else because that requires licensing.

[brianbobcat Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:27AM]

@mullingitover Hey dumby, read my post above about how I'll be authoring HD discs as soon as my clients start wanting it. Idiot.

-Brian

[Quetzalcoatl Posted Dec 15th 2009 8:28PM]

this is what ive been waiting for!!!!!

[jriosphoto Posted Dec 26th 2009 12:47PM]

just picked up the cable and a local store... Cost me $32.99
I just attached it to my PS3.. I don't see anything??? how do you activate the screen????
is it suppose to happen automatically??? HELP!!