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Connect ACD to Mac Studio M2 – DVI to USB-C Adapter?

Dear community,


I would like to connect an Apple Cinema Display (with DVI output) to a Mac Studio M2. An adapter DVI to Thunderbolt 4 doesn't seem to exist. Will any DVI to USB-C adapter work?


Thanks!

Posted on Sep 26, 2024 10:15 AM

Reply
13 replies

Sep 27, 2024 7:48 AM in response to Nikolai Franke

BEFORE those simpler and cheaper direct Mini-DisplayPort devices were created, this was about the only way to run that 30-in Cinema Display from a Mac that did not have a Dual-Link DVI output. This was such a major breakthrough at the time, I saved the picture user Scottcycle posted:



(drag and drop on Preview to see larger.

Sep 26, 2024 10:57 AM in response to Nikolai Franke


There are NINE Apple displays that carry the name Cinema Display:


Cinema Display Original (22-Inch)

22-Inch (1600x1024)

Cinema Display ADC (22-Inch)

22-Inch (1600x1024)

Cinema Display HD (23-Inch)

23-Inch (1920x1200)

Cinema Display 20-Inch

20-Inch (1680x1050)

Cinema Display 20-Inch (Aluminum)

20-Inch (1680x1050)

Cinema Display 23-Inch (Aluminum)

23-Inch (1920x1200)

Cinema Display 30-Inch (Aluminum)

30-Inch (2560x1600)

Cinema Display LED (24-Inch)

24-Inch (1920x1200)

Cinema Display LED (27-Inch)

27-Inch (2560x1440)


when discussing DVI, the big difference is whether your display is up to 1920 wide, or WIDER than 1920 wide, which can not be handled by regular DVI, but requires special "Dual-Link DVI" adapters and cables.


if single-link DVI is all that is required, an adapter from HDMI is a "just wires" (cheap) adapter.


Since the data rates are more modest, there is no need for full-blown Thunderbolt interfaces, and USB-C will generally suffice.

Sep 26, 2024 11:58 AM in response to Nikolai Franke

sorry, yes


https://www.startech.com/en-gb/display-video-adapters/cdp2dvidp


Theirs was around US$50 through resellers last time I looked. Others were more.


The OLD way was to buy a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter, then add a Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter (such as Apple brand, now long discontinued) to get the protocol required for that display.

Sep 26, 2024 12:05 PM in response to Nikolai Franke

I do not have a 30" Cinema Display handy to test.


The following USB-C to Dual-Link DVI adapter, say's that it supports the 30" Cinema Display.

https://www.cablecreation.com/products/usb-c-to-dual-link-dvi-active-adapter-conveter?


Others adapters that look somewhat promising,

https://www.startech.com/en-eu/display-video-adapters/cdp2dvidp

https://ezq.com/usb-c-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter.html


Whichever you decide to test, make sure that you can return for a refund if it does not work.

Sep 26, 2024 11:29 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

This is great, thanks Grant, I had no idea that would matter. So, mine is Cinema Display 30-Inch (Aluminum) and hence requires a Dual-Link DVI adapter. However it appears that not all Dual-Link DVI to USB-C adapters support 2560x1600 dpi. In fact I find but one, by startech. Very likely I am missing something here, or is it really that only one product for this probably no that uncommon requirement should exist?

Sep 26, 2024 1:24 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Ok, interesting. I do have access to a DVI to Mini Display Port adapter, Model A1305. I found nothing on whether that supports 2560x1600 dpi, but even if it does—from what I read (in Amazon user reviews), not every USB-C to Mini Display Port adapter supports that kind of resolution. The product pages that I find give no indication on resolution. (I'm still looking into this as the Mini Display Port to USB-C adapter are far cheaper than the DVI to USB-C adapter.)

Sep 26, 2024 2:21 PM in response to Nikolai Franke

The Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-link DVI adapter A1305 has a chunky body resembling a MacBook Pro Power adapter, and a two-headed lead-in cord. One brings in the data over Mini DisplayPort, the other is a USB-A port, which MUST be powered, or the device can not to operate. You can power it with a USB-A port, or something else like an iPad charger.

Connect ACD to Mac Studio M2 – DVI to USB-C Adapter?

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