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Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter does not output video to new iMac

post #1 of 63
10/26/09 at 12:42pm
Thread Starter 
As Apple unleashed a number of new hardware options last week, including the new iMacs, the hardware maker also quietly dropped the prices of additional RAM and processor upgrades on its MacBook Pro line.

Numerous readers contacted AppleInsider to note that high-end MacBook Pro configurations have dropped hundreds of dollars in price -- in some cases near $1,000.

In addition, the Australian online store, as of Monday, cut prices on MacBook Pros by up to $700 AUD. The 17-inch model, which previously sold for $3,999 AUD is now $3,299.

For other MacBook-related deals, be sure to visit the AppleInsider Mac Pricing Guide, updated daily with the lowest prices on Macs.

Comments on DisplayPort input originally appearing in this article were corrected and clarified and moved to a separate posting.
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post #2 of 63
10/26/09 at 12:49pm
Oh well , back to the drawing board and this time add a Blu-ray, HDMI, and a better iSight camera. \
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post #3 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:02pm
Hm, strange wording... adapter names clearly identify the supported signal flow: a Mini-DP to DVI adapter is not necessarily also a DVI to Mini-DP adapter. As long as the existing Mini-DP to DVI adapter can be used to connect an external display to the iMac, it is not "incompatible" it just does not do what it is not intended for.
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post #4 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post

Apple's new 27-inch iMac and its 16-by-9 ratio screen is currently incompatible with devices not equipped with a Mini DisplayPort, limiting its capabilities as an external display.

In a follow-up to its teardown of the 27-inch iMac last week, iFixit said it revisited the new hardware to see if it could display high-definition video from an external source. The solutions provider said their test came up short with third-party hardware via an adapter.

"The iMac will not act as a second (or primary) display using the Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter that Apple sells," they said. "We tried it on a PS3 Slim, as well as a MacBook and MacBook Pro. It looks like we'll have to wait for a special adapter from Apple or a third party."

The connection did, however, work with a 13-inch MacBook Pro equipped with a Mini DisplayPort. Upon plugging the system in, the iMac immediately became a secondary display without the need to click Command-F2.

The new 21.5-inch iMacs do not support video input.

When iFixit looked inside the new 27-inch iMac last week, they found a tightly packed machine concealed behind the desktop's 11-pound screen. The new hardware features edge-to-edge glass and can be outfitted with a quad-core Intel i5 or i7 processor.

When the system is turned on, the new iMac is designed to work as an external display for appropriate devices. All of Apple's recent Macs, from its notebooks to the iMacs and Mac mini, use a proprietary Mini DisplayPort connector.

Apple's existing Cinema Displays, however, lack Mini DisplayPort inputs. The 24-inch model uses a combined cable that pairs USB, Mini DisplayPort, and power into a single wiring harness.



MacBook Pro RAM, processor prices drop

As Apple unleashed a number of new hardware options last week, including the new iMacs, the hardware maker also quietly dropped the prices of additional RAM and processor upgrades on its MacBook Pro line.

Numerous readers contacted AppleInsider to note that high-end MacBook Pro configurations have dropped hundreds of dollars in price -- in some cases near $1,000.

In addition, the Australian online store, as of Monday, cut prices on MacBook Pros by up to $700 AUD. The 17-inch model, which previously sold for $3,999 AUD is now $3,299.

For other MacBook-related deals, be sure to visit the AppleInsider Mac Pricing Guide, updated daily with the lowest prices on Macs.

From iMac Technical Specs:
27-inch models also support input from external DisplayPort sources (adapters sold separately).
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post #5 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:05pm
errrr. I was actually hoping that we could hook up a PS3 to it. If Apple does release an adaptor, it is bound to be expensive. =/
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post #6 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post

All of Apple's recent Macs, from its notebooks to the iMacs and Mac mini, use a proprietary Mini DisplayPort connector.

Um, no. It's not proprietary any more. Says Wikipedia: "On January 13, 2009, VESA announced that Mini DisplayPort would be included in the upcoming DisplayPort 1.2 specification."
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post #7 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kavlo26 View Post

errrr. I was actually hoping that we could hook up a PS3 to it. If Apple does release an adaptor, it is bound to be expensive. =/

There are cheaper alternatives out there. Whether they're any good or not, I couldn't say.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
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post #8 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dreyfus2 View Post

Hm, strange wording... adapter names clearly identify the supported signal flow: a Mini-DP to DVI adapter is not necessarily also a DVI to Mini-DP adapter. As long as the existing Mini-DP to DVI adapter can be used to connect an external display to the iMac, it is not "incompatible" it just does not do what it is not intended for.

Exactly. If there is any buffering or signal conversion going on in the adapter, it will not work in the reverse direction.
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post #9 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:26pm
If it had an HDMI there wouldn't be any of these issues. Why is Apple so cheap? It more than a computer now- it's a monitor too.
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post #10 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:26pm
A DisplayPort display can't magically convert a DVI signal? Gasp.
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post #11 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by daniel84 View Post

There are cheaper alternatives out there. Whether they're any good or not, I couldn't say.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Did you not read the article? Those will not work.
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post #12 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dreyfus2 View Post

Hm, strange wording... adapter names clearly identify the supported signal flow: a Mini-DP to DVI adapter is not necessarily also a DVI to Mini-DP adapter. As long as the existing Mini-DP to DVI adapter can be used to connect an external display to the iMac, it is not "incompatible" it just does not do what it is not intended for.

They could have specified when sending incoming signals to the iMac.


Quote:
Originally Posted by anilsudhakaran View Post

From iMac Technical Specs:
27-inch models also support input from external DisplayPort sources (adapters sold separately).

No need to quote the whole article.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Woode View Post

Um, no. It's not proprietary any more. Says Wikipedia: "On January 13, 2009, VESA announced that Mini DisplayPort would be included in the upcoming DisplayPort 1.2 specification."

True, but since DisplayPort v1.2 has not come out yet, I think an argument can be made that its still proprietary.
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post #13 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:39pm
There is no error in apples design regarding the mini display port on the 27 inch iMac. This inclusion has been incorporated to control what devises apple wants you to buy.It is understood that most people desire to marry the iMac to a devise so that it may be used as an external monitor. Belkin will provide such a device in mid January. Price is not set. Might I suggest not buying an apple computer until this is confirmed. External devises such as the PS3 or Xbox 360 may be on the mind of Belkin in their design layout of devises.
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post #14 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:41pm
Does Apple have some sort of lack of foresight and planning problem?

Is this confusion intentional? What does Apple think people are going to want to do?

It must be madness in Cupertino HQ.


Quote:
Numerous readers contacted AppleInsider to note that high-end MacBook Pro configurations have dropped hundreds of dollars in price -- in some cases near $1,000


I suspected this was about to occur. Apple faces a real threat from Windows 7 and needs to gain as much market share as possible before Microsoft leverages it's business dominance into the consumer/educational space again like before.


I don't see any price difference though...
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post #15 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by apsynknod View Post

There is no error in apples design regarding the mini display port on the 27 inch iMac. This inclusion has been incorporated to control what devises apple wants you to buy.It is understood that most people desire to marry the iMac to a devise so that it may be used as an external monitor. Belkin will provide such a device in mid January. Price is not set. Might I suggest not buying an apple computer until this is confirmed. External devises such as the PS3 or Xbox 360 may be on the mind of Belkin in their design layout of devises.

So Apple is now dictating what external devices you may/may not add to your $2,000 plus monitor?
Preposterous!
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post #16 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacTripper View Post

Does Apple have some sort of lack of foresight and planning problem?

Is this confusion intentional? What does Apple think people are want to do?

It must be madness in Cupertino HQ.

No, just greed.
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post #17 of 63
10/26/09 at 1:56pm
I think it’s very important to rush to an assumption about this issue, and NOT wait for actual technical details It’s possible—only possible—that this limitation is actually not going to affect 98% of users, and thus has little potential to boost Apple’s profits. In which case, it MAY not be greed at work. Let’s be sure to state that it IS greed before further information (and adapters) are available

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post #18 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:04pm
Why are people complaining about not being able to hook up a PS3 or the like to a $2000+ COMPUTER?! Apple didn't have to go and add any display input, so stop whining that they didn't give you what you never had in the first place. If new devices (BluRay players, etc.) come out w/ Displayport or mini-Displayport then fine, hook them up, but how many of you already have a HDTV that's at least 30"+?

And mini-Displayport isn't proprietary. Apple announced they were submitting it as an additional open standard when they announced they were using it. Any component manufacturer can make/use it right now if they want. The fact that few have doesn't make it proprietary.
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post #19 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:05pm
I just got in the mail my PTC Premium Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter cable from Amazon, to try my Blu-Ray player on the 27" iMac, also no dice. Very disappointed If they can get this working it will mean I no longer need a television in my bedroom. As of right now I have a 27" TV and a 27" iMac side-by-side.
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post #20 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by floccus View Post

If new devices (BluRay players, etc.) come out w/ Displayport or mini-Displayport then fine, hook them up, but how many of you already have a HDTV that's at least 30+?

I cant help but wonder if that is what will happen. The licensing is certainly easy enough. I think CES 2010 will be very telling as to how well DP or mDP will be doing in the next year.
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post #21 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

I can’t help but wonder if that is what will happen. The licensing is certainly easy enough. I think CES 2010 will be very telling as to how well DP or mDP will be doing in the next year.

NOw why in the world would any Blu-ray machine add DP or MDP to it? For Apple's nonsense?
The world uses HDMI for blu- ray 7.1 sound. Can DP give me that? NO.
Do HDTVs have DP , MDP ports- NO.
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post #22 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ranson View Post

I just got in the mail my PTC Premium Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter cable from Amazon, to try my Blu-Ray player on the 27" iMac, also no dice. Very disappointed If they can get this working it will mean I no longer need a television in my bedroom. As of right now I have a 27" TV and a 27" iMac side-by-side.

Wait until Spring- Steve Jobs should come to his senses by then with both HDMI and blu-ray.
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post #23 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacTripper View Post

Does Apple have some sort of lack of foresight and planning problem?

Is this confusion intentional? What does Apple think people are going to want to do?

It must be madness in Cupertino HQ.

Well, Apple did state clearly that video input functionality will require new adapters. Neither a lack of foresight or a planning problem, nor confusion or madness. Just some adapters that do not ship yet. Happens nowhere else I guess?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MacTripper View Post

I suspected this was about to occur. Apple faces a real threat from Windows 7 and needs to gain as much market share as possible before Microsoft leverages it's business dominance into the consumer/educational space again like before.


I don't see any price difference though...

Windows 7 has nothing to do with it, Apple has been adjusting the pricing for BTO options at least twice annually for ages (during almost a decade in which MS has not released nothing). Market prices for DDR3 4GB modules came down, C2D CPUs are a bit cheaper now and HDDs/SSDs came down in price as well... this is a regular scheduled price adjustment, nothing else.
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post #24 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:26pm
I don't get it. Isn 't an iMac just a bit pricey to be used as a display?

This is like using a luxury sports car to pull a trailer. Some things just aren't right.
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post #25 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:26pm
$1800 for that 30" display is the worst joke if there's a 27" computer for $1699. I mean, seriously, who wants to buy that. I guess Apple will sell -3 of those unless they change specs soon.
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post #26 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sippincider View Post

I don't get it. Isn 't an iMac just a bit pricey to be used as a display?

This is like using a luxury sports car to pull a trailer. Some things just aren't right.

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post #27 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:35pm
I read on another site (sorry no link, cant remember where it was 2 days ago). The case is that all the current adapters are uni-directional as was hinted at in an earlier post in this thread. They had tried a few cables and actually contacted technical support and were told there cables did not support signalling in that direction.

So, nothing to see here, just no bi-directional cables available yet. yawn.
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post #28 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

They could have specified when sending incoming signals to the iMac.



No need to quote the whole article.



True, but since DisplayPort v1.2 has not come out yet, I think an argument can be made that its still proprietary.

no.

it's open, it's royaltie free, and documented. Manufacturers just need to send TWO letters and accept than apple has nothing to do with their own product.
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post #29 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sippincider View Post

I don't get it. Isn 't an iMac just a bit pricey to be used as a display?

This is like using a luxury sports car to pull a trailer. Some things just aren't right.

Well, a lot of my students have iMacs but no TV sets in their rooms. Attach an EyeTV adapter plus a Xbox or PS3 and you are all set... makes sense in these scenarios and cheaper than buying an additional 27" LCD TV (if there is any space for that at all).
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post #30 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:39pm
So, since it doesn't work with adapted signals there are no MDP to MDP cables out there, this isn't currently able to do much.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Woode View Post

Um, no. It's not proprietary any more. Says Wikipedia: "On January 13, 2009, VESA announced that Mini DisplayPort would be included in the upcoming DisplayPort 1.2 specification."

As of October 26th, 2009 how many companies use it despite it being freely available?
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post #31 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:40pm
AppleInsider, could you please change the title of the article? It's misleading at least... When I saw it in my RSS reader, my heart stopped because I thought Apple's adapter won't let me connect my Samsung LCD to a new iMac as a secondary monitor...

So please make it clear that the problem is with using the iMac as a monitor.
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post #32 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:44pm
What dkvannicka said. I thought the same thing.
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post #33 of 63
10/26/09 at 2:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dreyfus2 View Post

Well, a lot of my students have iMacs but no TV sets in their rooms. Attach an EyeTV adapter plus a Xbox or PS3 and you are all set... makes sense in these scenarios and cheaper than buying an additional 27" LCD TV (if there is any space for that at all).

That's exactly how I would see this feature being used... for dorm rooms. Sadly, I doubt that the port will let in HDMI or other standard DVI signals. I think this is a "New Apples Only" deal. I really hope I'm wrong because its a VERY cool (and needed since the original iMac!) feature to have so when the comp dies or goes obsolete, the screen can still be used.
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post #34 of 63
10/26/09 at 3:26pm
Using an iMac as a display will not be such a big deal to me until I go to replace my 27" iMac with the newest. I pray to god that the new one comes with a MDP and I can have dual iMacs running from one machine.

Otherwise, this news sux.
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post #35 of 63
10/26/09 at 4:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ranson View Post

I just got in the mail my PTC Premium Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter cable from Amazon, to try my Blu-Ray player on the 27" iMac, also no dice. Very disappointed If they can get this working it will mean I no longer need a television in my bedroom. As of right now I have a 27" TV and a 27" iMac side-by-side.

You got a Mini DisplayPort -> HDMI adapter. You need a HDMI -> Mini DisplayPort adapter. They aren't interchangeable!
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post #36 of 63
10/26/09 at 4:10pm
The adapter they used is not reversible. Ignore this article and its sky-is-falling conclusions.
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post #37 of 63
10/26/09 at 4:26pm
Well, once you convert an HDMI signal to DisplayPort, the iMac should work great as a display.

I'm REALLY contemplating getting one to replace my aging CRT TV. It would serve a dual purpose:
1. Beefy Apple TV (Using Front Row)
2. "Headless" Home

You just have to get the right equipment to connect it to a cable box:
http://www.trianglecables.com/hmdi-dviad.html
http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-DVI-to-...r-p-17859.html
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post #38 of 63
10/26/09 at 4:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacTripper View Post

Does Apple have some sort of lack of foresight and planning problem?

Is this confusion intentional? What does Apple think people are going to want to do?

It must be madness in Cupertino HQ.

Really? Apple has a lack of foresight and planning? The same Apple that reinvented the mp3 player market, smartphone market, and the same company who everyone else in the existence of the technology industry tries to copy every single time they release a new product?

Case(s) in point:
http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunehd/default.htm

http://gizmodo.com/5370592/hp-envy-1...not-duplicated

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win.../?icid=win7van

I don't think Apple has a history or a problem of lacking vision, but acknowledging that fact wouldn't make things nearly as fun for you, I'm sure.

P.S. I could have made my copycat list longer (Dell Adamo, Palm Pre, Blackberry Storm, Android, et al), but didn't want to make it endless.
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post #39 of 63
10/26/09 at 4:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BenRoethig View Post

So, since it doesn't work with adapted signals there are no MDP to MDP cables out there, this isn't currently able to do much.



As of October 26th, 2009 how many companies use it despite it being freely available?

Apple is selling MDP to MDP cables:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TX...co=MTM1NDEzMjQ
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post #40 of 63
10/26/09 at 4:31pm
You folks are asking for convergence of two industries that don't want to. Display Port is the future of monitor standards - VGA -> DVI -> DP. HDMI is the future of television standards - coaxial -> composite -> SVideo -> component -> HDMI. "And ne'r the two shall meet..." as they say.

As others have noted, the adapters out there are unidirectional. WHY Apple didn't release an adapter with the new iMac is beyond me and ranks up there with who thought a single RAM slot in the G4 Mini ws a good idea and the greater mysteries of life. Seems an odd omission as it's pretty obvious that this is their BluRay solution, at least for the time being. People want to watch BluRay on their Macs, so here ya go, BYO player. They just left the part of the equation out that bridges TV components to computer components. Third Party to the rescue, if you give 'em more than the couple of days they've had to work on the solution. Be patient, folks, it's coming.
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