Apple this week has quietly released a new version of its USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. This $69 adapter includes a USB-C port, HDMI port, and USB-A port, with the new version making several notable improvements.
The new version of the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter carries the model number A2119, whereas the old version was model A1621. Apple has also published a new support document detailing the differences between the two.
The new USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter adds support for HDMI 2.0, an upgrade from the original model’s HDMI 1.4b. This means you can now drive 4K 3840 x 2160 video at 60Hz from the following Macs and iPads:
- 15-inch MacBook Pro introduced in 2017 or later
- Retina iMac introduced in 2017 or later
- iMac Pro
- iPad Pro
To take advantage of that 60Hz 4K video your Mac must be running macOS Mojave 10.14.6 or later, while the iPad Pro must be running iOS 12.4 or later. The previous version fo the dongle only supported 4K at 30Hz and 1080p at 60Hz.
Other improvements with the new USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter include support for HDR video in HDR10, as well as Dolby Vision – so long as you’re outputting to a compatible playback device and display, TV, or projector. The functionality of the USB-C port and USB-A port remains the same on the new version.
This adapter allows you to mirror your Mac display to your HDMI-enabled TV or display. Simply connect the adapter to a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port on your Mac or iPad Pro and then to your TV or projector via an HDMI cable (sold separately).
Use the standard USB port to connect devices such as your flash drive or camera or a USB cable for syncing and charging your iOS devices. You can also connect a charging cable to the USB-C port to charge your Mac or iPad Pro.