Who Needs ADC? Converter Helps Bring Cinema Display To The Masses

by , 2:00 PM EDT, April 9th, 2001

Gefen has released a new DVI to ADC video converter allowing owners of older Macs to use the new Apple monitors equipped with Apple's ADC connector. The ADC connector carries power, the video signal, and USB signals from the computer to the monitor through one simple plug. According to Gefen:

To those who thought that life with Apple's Display Cinema monitor couldn't get any better, it just got a little brighter. With Gefen's DVI to ADC Converter Box, you no longer have to scrap those classic Macintosh models-just plug them into the box, then connect them to the monitor. It's as simple as that.

The boxes, which come with 6-foot DVI cable, 6-foot USB cable and a 208W 28V power supply, provide three main solutions:

1. To enable older G4 computers with DVI connections to connect to the 15 and 22-inch Apple Displays with ADC connections
2. To facilitate the addition of a second LCD display with ADC connections using a PCI slot with the ATI Rage 128 pro graphics card
3. To connect VGA computers to the new Apple 17-inch Studio Display with ADC connections.

The DVI to ADC Converter Box is available for US$299. You can find more information at the Gefen Web site.

The Mac Observer Spin:

It is wonderful that there are products like this available, but the release of another converter begs the simple question, "Why the ADC connection in the first place?" After years of proprietary monitor connections, Apple switched to the VGA standard with the introduction of the G3 computers. While the industry, and users, praised that move Apple again felt the need to go against the grain.

We still believe the advantages gained from having a single connection are far outweighed by the inconvenience of having to purchase a $300 adaptor, or new computer, to use an Apple branded monitor.

Gefen