Plugable Active Mini DisplayPort (Thunderbolt 2) to HDMI 2.0 Adapter

Plugable's Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Active Adapter (MDP-HDMI) allows you to easily connect the Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt 2 output on your Mac or PC laptop, desktop, or tablet to virtually any HDMI-enabled display. Active adapters use an integrated chipset to convert the DisplayPort signal from the computer to a HDMI signal, compatible with HDMI displays. This adapter supports resolutions up to 4K (3840x2160 @ 60Hz) refresh rate for computer monitors and televisions with Standard Dynamic Range (SDR), 4K 30Hz with High Dynamic Range (HDR) capable televisions and monitors.

Apple Notes: While our mDP adapters work with Apple Thunderbolt ports, the maximum supported resolution will depend on the model of Mac and monitor in use. Please be aware that with an update to macOS Mavericks, Apple disabled 4K video output on the vast majority of Mac models-even models which previously were able to output 4K. Only Macs with "official" 4K support from Apple will be capable of 4K output using this adapter, while most will be limited to 1080P output. Additionally some Apple systems will not be capable of outputting audio from Thunderbolt 2 to the HDMI display.

The adapter has passed the extensive testing requirements necessary for VESA certification, and is compliant with VESA Dual-Mode DisplayPort 1.2, High Bit Rate 2 (HBR2), and HDMI 2.0 standards. The adapter is also compatible with both AMD Eyefinity and NVIDIA Surround technologies.

Compatibility

• Compatible with PC and Mac laptops, desktops, or tablets that have Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt 2 output ports to add a HDMI-capable monitor, TV, or projector

• In order to display a 4K resolution the host's graphics processor and attached display need to be 4K capable

Applications

• Connect a HDMI-equipped display to a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt 2 output from your computer

• Connect additional HDMI displays to AMD Eyefinitiy or NVIDIA Surround capable graphics cards

• Portable for traveling professionals to connect to other HDMI displays.

Incompatible Setups

• This adapter is not bi-directional and will not convert video in the other direction

• Not compatible with HDR (requires HDMI 2.0 b or HDMI 2.1 )

• Refresh rate may be limited to 30Hz on 4K HDR televisions

In the Bag

• Plugable Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Active Adapter.

Please note that an HDMI cable is not included.

More from the Manufacturer

Product Description

With the Plugable Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Active Adapter (MDP-HDMI), convert the Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt 2 output on your Mac or PC laptop, desktop, or tablet to virtually any HDMI-enabled display.

How important is an Active Adapter? Active Adapters use an integrated chipset to convert the DisplayPort signal from the computer to an HDMI signal. The Plugable adapter supports resolutions up to 4K (3840x2160) 60Hz on displays with Standard Dynamic Range (SDR), and 4K 30Hz with High Dynamic Range (HDR) capable displays.

Applications

Connect an HDMI-equipped display to a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt 2 port

Connect additional HDMI displays to AMD Eyefinity or NVIDIA Surround capable graphics cards

Small and sturdy, so it can go where you go

Plugable Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Active Adapter

Please note that an HDMI cable is not included.

For Apple Users

While our mDP adapters work with Apple Thunderbolt ports, the maximum supported resolution will depend on the model of Mac and monitor in use. Please be aware that with an update to macOS Mavericks, Apple disabled 4K video output on the vast majority of Mac models—even models which previously were able to output 4K. Only Macs with “official” 4K support from Apple will be capable of 4K output using this adapter, while most will be limited to 1080P output. Additionally, some Apple systems will not be capable of outputting audio from Thunderbolt 2 to the HDMI display.

The adapter has passed the extensive testing requirements necessary for VESA certification and is compliant with VESA Dual-Mode DisplayPort 1.2, High Bit Rate 2 (HBR2), and HDMI 2.0 standards. The adapter is also compatible with both AMD Eyefinity and NVIDIA Surround technologies.

FAQ

What is an active adapter? How is it different from a passive adapter?

An Active DisplayPort adapter has an integrated circuit to convert a DisplayPort signal to HDMI, DVI, or VGA. DisplayPort uses a different digital signaling type than HDMI and DVI (which use the same type), both of these signaling types are very different from VGA's analog signal.

Passive adapters rely on the graphics controller to selectively deliver the correct graphics signal using the DisplayPort output. Generally, this leads to reduced resolution or refresh rate compared to Active Adapters. Additionally using passive adapters may limit the number of connected displays in AMD Eyefinity and NVIDIA Surround setups.

Why doesn't this work with HDR 4K televisions?

HDR or HDR10 is a new technology that requires additional color and brightness data to be transmitted from the computer to the display. This requires the host computer to support DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.0b or HDMI 2.1, our adapter is designed for SDR (non-HDR) displays and converts from DisplayPort 1.2 to HDMI 2.0 and is incompatible with the HDR specification.

When connected to an HDR television, the television will attempt to enable HDR over the connection even though it is not supported causing reduced refresh rate or image quality. Some televisions provide options to disable HDR but most will enable and prioritize HDR over image quality and refresh rate.

Why am I unable to set a 3840x2160 resolution at a 60Hz refresh rate from my MacBook Pro/Mac Pro (Retina, Late 2013 and later)?

Mac OS X/macOS has limited the 4K video output from mDP ports to a maximum of 4K (3840x2160 @ 30Hz) when using our adapter with an HDMI 2.0 rated cable and HDMI 2.0 compatible display. Some customers have been successful in achieving a 4K resolution at 60Hz refresh rate when using 3rd party applications, like SwitchResX.

Apple transmits audio over DisplayPort/Thunderbolt in a unique way. Implementing support for this feature on Apple systems would have resulted in the adapter no longer qualifying for VESA (DisplayPort) certification.