Mike Oscar
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Q: 30" Cinema Display 2nd Monitor for Retina iMac

I have a new 27" iMac with Retina 5K display, 4GHz Intel Core i7, 32GB 1600MHz memory and AMD Radeon R9 graphics.  It replaces a MacPo with a 30" Apple Cinema Display.  My question is can I use the Cinema Display as a second monitor for the iMac.  I assume I will at least have to purchase a DVI to Thunderbolt adaptor

iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1), Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon R9 graphi

Posted on Feb 26, 2015 2:56 PM

by Malcolm J. Rayfield,Solvedanswer
Malcolm J. Rayfield Malcolm J. Rayfield
Level 5 (7,945 points)
A:

For use with my newer MINI, the Cinema display required a FireWire800 to 400 adapter.

Only needed if you want to use the display's FireWire ports.

Posted on Feb 27, 2015 7:40 PM

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Mike Oscar

Q: 30" Cinema Display 2nd Monitor for Retina iMac

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  • by Mike Oscar,

    Mike Oscar Mike Oscar Mar 3, 2015 2:31 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 3, 2015 2:31 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks Shaffer, really good, helpful information and links.  I can see you have been down this road, or one like it, before.  I'm not really into breaking Apple units apart so it is looking more likely every day that some local monitor repair specialist is going to get a bit more work to do.  I love looking at those technical support sites though, so full of information.

    Thanks again,

    Mike

  • by Mike Oscar,

    Mike Oscar Mike Oscar Mar 16, 2015 2:13 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 16, 2015 2:13 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Well I have now checked the Cinema Display 150W Power Adapter and it seems to be okay. There is output anyway but whether that output is good when there is a load on it I can't say.

     

    However, I am going to assume that the Adapters is good and turn my attention to the display itself.  Is there any resource that can tell me how to take it apart? Are there any fuses inside?

     

    Someone did mention  a manual that I believe is called a 'Service Resource' or similar.  I really need the correct title if I am to search the Internet for it.

     

    Another thoughts out there?

     

    Mike

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Mar 17, 2015 2:51 AM in response to Mike Oscar
    Level 6 (14,523 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 17, 2015 2:51 AM in response to Mike Oscar

    There may, or may not be some information about the display take-apart

    in one of the iFixit.com pages about the Apple Display Repair, here:

     

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Apple_Display

     

    However having just looked -- note invisible pause in above space, while I did that.

     

    The results are not so promising for some Display information. These don't show

    evidence of take-apart; of course I was looking at Aluminum 20-23-30 Cinema HD.

    Of this series, mine is the smallest. And I'm only into it for $60 including box.

     

    Here's a copy of a pdf manual for a 22-inch Cinema DVI display; not sure if inside

    is anything like the 30-inch, since they probably don't share many parts.

     

    •Apple Cinema Display 22_ (DVI)

    http://manuals-apple.9manuals.com/a38175/127971APL.pdf

     

    •A take-apart of a 23-inch Apple Cinema Display:

    http://jan-schulze.com/disassembling-an-apple-cinema-display.html

     

    So there may be something about a 30-inch Apple Cinema Display, in hiding...

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Mar 17, 2015 3:31 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 6 (14,523 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 17, 2015 3:31 AM in response to K Shaffer

    PS:

     

    About the Apple Cinema Display 20-23- & 30-inch DVI display... possible online info:

    http://manualwire.com/apple-cinema-display-20-23-and-30inch-dvi-technical/

     

    Note:

    This allows one to View the pdf and a free account is necessary. I didn't do it.

    The first section offers online view of PDF. And one may be a download. It is slow.

    There may be a way to view the content (or text?) in a preview or cached page

    such as some may be available via google with a tiny disclosure triangle to view.

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by Mike Oscar,

    Mike Oscar Mike Oscar Mar 17, 2015 4:34 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2015 4:34 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Many thanks K Shaffer.  By following your links I did find some photographs of the 30" being taken apart but no accompanying text that I could see but all very helpful nevertheless.  Also, the other sources were good for pdf and other format manuals, etc.  So thanks you very much, all very helpful information.

    Mike

  • by BruceGee,

    BruceGee BruceGee Oct 1, 2015 11:41 PM in response to Mike Oscar
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 1, 2015 11:41 PM in response to Mike Oscar

    I just set up a 30" Cinema Display with a 27" Retina iMac.  To get the higher resolution, you do need the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter ($99).  I initially had trouble getting the Cinema Display to power up until I connected the USB cable from the adapter to the iMac.  Apparently it takes power from USB to power the adapter.  Pretty cool to have two huge displays working at the same time. 

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