OS X Mountain Lion: Video ports
Your Mac computer includes one or more video ports. Depending on your Mac, you can use these ports to connect to a display or to a TV, VCR, or projector.
A label next to the port identifies the type of port. The name of the port can be useful if you need to purchase adapters and cables for the port.
| Video port | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Mini DisplayPort: Connect to a Mini DisplayPort using a display adapter described below. |
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Thunderbolt: Connect to a Thunderbolt device, Mini DisplayPort display, or to a DVI, HDMI, or VGA display using an adapter described below. |
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HDMI: Connect to an HDTV with an HDMI port. This port lets you play your computer’s audio as well as its video on an HDTV. |
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DVI: Connect to a DVI display, or connect to another type of display using a display adapter described below. |
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Mini-DVI: Connect to a DVI, VGA, or ADC display, or connect to a video device using a display adapter described below. |
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Micro-DVI: Connect to a DVI, VGA, or ADC display, or connect to a video device using a display adapter described below. |
To connect a display to your Mac when they have different ports, use an adapter. Apple display adapters are available through the Apple Online Store.
If your Mac has a Mini DisplayPort, you can connect a DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, or HDMI display with the appropriate adapter. Depending on your computer, an HDMI adapter may let you play your computer’s audio on an HDTV as well.
If your Mac has DVI ports, you can connect a VGA or ADC display with the appropriate adapter. If the graphics card in your Mac supports it, you can connect to a TV, VCR, or projector with an S-video or RCA (composite) connector by using the Apple DVI to Video Adapter.
If your Mac has a mini-DVI port, you can connect a DVI or VGA display with the appropriate adapter. You can connect to an ADC display by using the Apple Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter in combination with the Apple DVI to ADC Adapter. You can also connect to a TV, VCR, or projector with an S-video or RCA (composite) connector by using the Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter.
If your Mac has a micro-DVI port, you can connect a DVI or VGA display with the appropriate adapter. You can also connect to a TV, VCR, or projector with an S-video or RCA (composite) connector by using the Apple Micro-DVI to Video Adapter.
To learn about the video ports available on your Mac, see the documentation that came with your computer.