mini DisplayPort to VGA

Hi, mdhurst. Apparently the projector's VGA cable has a slightly nonstandard plug on it, since you're able to connect to a variety of monitors with no problem using the same adapter. A projector is no different from a monitor, as far as the MBP is concerned — what works for one will work for the other, given good connections for each.

Have a look at this other thread from earlier today.

I hope that once that comes in, that all will be right with the world in the near future.

I hope so too, and I expect a new LB will probably eliminate your frequent lockups. But I don't see how your logic board could have anything to do with a projector's failure to connect, when several monitors connect just fine. A projector is nothing but a tiny LCD monitor with a very big, bright backlight and a lens in front.

I'm having the same problem with my MacBook. Strangely, when the projector is on standby the computer recognizes the name of it in the Display Prefs window ("DELL 2100MP"), but when it's on it shows up simply as VGA something-or-other. So some connection is being made because that information is being transferred. All that does is make it more frustrating, however.

Hi again, mdhurst. Connecting a secondary monitor to the projector's Monitor Out port was a smart piece of troubleshooting. The results prove that the projector's cable isn't the problem (as I thought it was earlier), and that the video signal from the Mac is reaching the projector OK. The problem must therefore be in the projector itself.

Have you tried setting the resolution of the MBP's display to match the native resolution of the projector, or done any other experimenting with resolution settings?

I did the update too. Now my Mini Display Port doesn't work any more. There is no output to any displays any more... Anybody having this issue too. Apple support told me they have seen it but have no solution. Thanks, Stefan

I have a new MacBook Pro 17 with mini display port. I bought a mini-to-DVI adapter and added it to the DVI-to-VGA adapter that came with my MacBook Pro 15 in order to plug into the VGA port on my Epson LCD projector. Does not work.

The MacBook Pro 17 with mini Display port will see the Epson LCD projector (the Monitor System Preference allows for arranging, mirroring, etc.), but the projector will not find the signal to display. When I plug in my MacBook Pro 15, it works just fine as it has all along going from DVI to VGA.

I just got off the phone with Apple who said it is likely that the LCD projector is analog and not digital and that the new MacBook Pro 17 with mini Display port will only support digital devices...so no more plugging into older TVs, monitors, etc. that are not digital.

Apple recommended trying a mini-to-VGA adapter and "hopefully" the LCD projectors I need to use will be new enough to be digital!

Message was edited by: tforbes7

I meant "High Definition" rather than "digital" in the previous post.

Hi tforbes7,

When you plug an external display into a new unibody MacBook Pro (15" or 17") the graphics circuitry in the computer decides whether the external display is an analog display or a digital display, based on the adaptor that you've plugged in. *It does support both analog and digital.* The Apple rep you spoke to misspoke themselves. A VGA connection is always analog, and a DVI connection is always digital.

The problem here is that your 17" MBP only detects the mini-DisplayPort to DVI adaptor. So, because DVI is an all-digital signal, the MBP sends out the digital signal. The VGA adaptor cannot deal with this video signal, and so the video is not able to be passed on to the projector.

The solution, of course, is to purchase a mini-DisplayPort to VGA adaptor for use with VGA external displays, including projectors. You cannot use a mini-DisplayPort to DVI adaptor and a DVI to VGA adaptor in tandem. I myself use a mini-DisplayPort to VGA adaptor (for greater compatibility) and it has worked with every external display I have tried as of yet. When you plug in the mini-DisplayPort to VGA adaptor, an analog signal that is compatible with the analog display is outputted from the computer.

The bottom line is this: If you need to connect a projector or external display, choose the best quality connection "method" that is common to both devices. If your projector supports DVI, you should use the mini-DisplayPort to DVI adaptor that you already have, and bypass VGA entirely. If your projector only supports VGA, then you must purchase a mini-DisplayPort to VGA adaptor for use with that projector. It should work.

One more thing:

Make sure you upgrade the firmware on the mini-DisplayPort to VGA adaptor if you do indeed need to purchase one. This upgrade will show up in Software Update when you have the adaptor plugged into your MBP and is necessary for compatibility with some external displays.

If you have any further questions or require clarification please don't hesitate!

--Travis

I have a new MacBook Air and purchased the miniDV to VGA adapter. However, each time I connect to an external projector (doesn't matter which type or how many as I have a tried a few different ones now), I get screen flicker on the projector.

Does anyone know what is causing this? I tried some different frequencies...same problem.