abegertler

Q: Using target display mode with an unsupported imac. Can I use apple tv to trick it into thinking my imac is a tv?

I have a late 2008 20" imac. It is unsupported for Target Display Mode, the 2009 is. I am getting a new MacBook Pro. Can I use an apple tv to use targeted display mode pretending that my iMac is a TV? I know of VPN clients and screen recycler but it's really not the same as targeted display mode. Any thoughts?

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), Upgraded ram. 3 gb

Posted on Jan 18, 2014 11:26 AM

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Q: Using target display mode with an unsupported imac. Can I use apple tv to trick it into thinking my imac is a tv?

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  • by Brian Zebeaune,

    Brian Zebeaune Brian Zebeaune Jul 10, 2016 12:21 AM in response to abegertler
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apple Pay
    Jul 10, 2016 12:21 AM in response to abegertler

    I was wondering if my late iMac 2009, 27', can act as a monitor for Apple TV, in Target Display Mode?

     

    Ever since Apple removed Front Row many of us have been plotting our revenge (I'm kidding), but seriously, that was bad bad day! But if I can use my iMac as monitor and buy an Apple TV, which I have been dreaming about anyways, then I can finally forgive Apple. Is it possible?

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Jul 10, 2016 6:53 AM in response to Brian Zebeaune
    Level 6 (19,272 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 10, 2016 6:53 AM in response to Brian Zebeaune

    Brian Zebeaune wrote:

     

    I was wondering if my late iMac 2009, 27', can act as a monitor for Apple TV, in Target Display Mode?

     

    Ever since Apple removed Front Row many of us have been plotting our revenge (I'm kidding), but seriously, that was bad bad day! But if I can use my iMac as monitor and buy an Apple TV, which I have been dreaming about anyways, then I can finally forgive Apple. Is it possible?

    I suspect not.   You would need an adapter that took HDMI as input and converted that the DisplayPort.  All the current adapters go the other way (DisplayPort converted to HDMI).  You could try it to see if the adapters are bidirectional, but I have my doubts.