[Macpartners] Connecting a Apple Cinema Display (DVI-D) to VGA computer(s)

[Stefan Stasik]

Hi MacPartners:

I've been working on a frustrating problem with a user I support.

The user was given a Apple Cinema Display (nice monitor!) to hook up to
her VGA Mac PowerBook, and her VGA Belkin KVM switch, which she uses to
view from a PC-Windows and her Mac PowerBook.

The Display uses a DVI-D connector, which seems to be a fairly rare Apple
connector that was used on some Apple Displays.

I've been getting help from Kevin and the crew at PC Service/MCC, on
trying to find a adapter/converter to make this work.  They have been
helpful, but basically they think it can't be done.

Here are some highlights of whats been discussed so far:

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-=-=-=-

Check out the following
articles, which I meant to include previously.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=33001
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58692

( ..... )


Ok Folks: I am getting closer on this, closer to a dead-end.

Looking at the Apple Display Grid link from earlier, I find this:

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Display Model Display Connector Type Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) Power Mac G4 - (Gigabit Ethernet),
(Digital Audio), (QuickSilver), (QuickSilver 2002) and Cube Power Mac
G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors), (FW 800)

Apple Cinema Display DVI N/A Digital Visual Interface port See Note 1 DVI
port.

1. The Apple Studio Display LCD (DVI) and the Apple Cinema Display can be
connected to Power Mac G4 models with an ADC video card using an ADC to
DVI adapter available from The Apple Store (http://www.apple.com/store/).
Refer to technical document 33001: "Display Adapter Table" for more
information on identifying video adapters.

7. The Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) video cards support
simultaneously connected ADC and DVI displays (nVidia GeForce4 MX,
GeForce4 Ti, and ATI Radeon 9000). Also supported are two ADC displays
with the Apple DVI to ADC Adapter (sold separately) or one ADC and one VGA
display (with included DVI to VGA adapter).
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ <-- !!
Refer to technical document
33001: "Display Adapter Table" for more information on identifying video
adapters.

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So, looking at this, I find the following:

Apple is basically saying you cannot plug the Cinema display into a VGA
video port.

Going the other way is fine. You can take a DVI-D Mac output to a VGA
input monitor, with an adapter, but not the other way around.

If you are seeing anything else into this, or know of another solution,
let me know.

I'll continue to look at it.

-=-=-=-=-=
-=-=-=-=-=

I thought I would check with MacPartners, for some possible creative
wisdom.

Thanks in advance!

- Stefan Stasik

Stefan Stasik - stasik at mit.edu - (617) 253-7208 - Building 9-250
System Administrator - MIT Academic Media Production Services