HT201927: Apple Cinema Display (30-inch DVI) might show 1280 x 800 as maximum resolution

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jim8

Q: new Macbook pro wont drive my 30" cinema display

Last two 15" MBPros worked perfectly without doing anything but plugging the display cable in. Did Apple take a big step backwards? Before I purchased, I asked folks in the store if the older 30" display would work. Is the size limitation going to apply to projector devices. If true, I'm disappointed.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3), 15" 30 days old direct from Apple

Posted on Apr 15, 2012 6:39 PM

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Q: new Macbook pro wont drive my 30" cinema display

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 15, 2012 6:47 PM in response to jim8
    Level 9 (61,048 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 15, 2012 6:47 PM in response to jim8

    30" display requires a Dual-Link DVI. Is that the adapter they provided?

     

    And it has active components, so you need to plug in the USB for power as well.

  • by jim8,

    jim8 jim8 Apr 15, 2012 8:57 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 15, 2012 8:57 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thanks,

     

        They gave me a miniport to single DVI connector... Curious why things worked so well on my

    two earlier MBP's.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Helpful

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 16, 2012 6:59 AM in response to jim8
    Level 9 (61,048 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 16, 2012 6:59 AM in response to jim8

    A mini DisplayPort to single-Link DVI adapter will not work. The number of pixels on the screen (typical breakpoint is 1920 wide) is simply too high. Dual-Link has a second set of data leads to support the higher resolutions -- it has nothing to do with Dual Display.

    Curious why things worked so well on my two earlier MBP's.

     

    What adapters were you using there? 

     

    Mini DVI to regular DVI would have no problems, as it is just wires and all the signals are present.

  • by jim8,Helpful

    jim8 jim8 Apr 16, 2012 9:42 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 16, 2012 9:42 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    My now "backup" MBook Pro is a Model MacBookPro 4,1 (Intel Core 2 Duo).  

    The DVI port is built in to the right hand side of the machine. The one

    previous (which still works) was similarly configured.  Perhaps the issue

    is that the new MBP has the higher resolution display option.

    I guess I should have stayed with the 1440 x 900 pixel option rather than

    the 1680 x 1050 option I got. That, however is a speculation which

    has not been tested.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 16, 2012 9:56 AM in response to jim8
    Level 9 (61,048 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 16, 2012 9:56 AM in response to jim8

    Perhaps the issue

    is that the new MBP has the higher resolution display option.

     

    No, that is not the issue.

     

    The issue is that the adapter from Mini DisplayPort to single-Link DVI is not the correct adapter for a screen wider that 1920 wide. Get the correct Dual-Link adapter and your beautiful 30" display will come alive once again.

     

    I use a 30" cinema display with a Mac Pro, and would never go back for desktop work.