DisplayPort "in" on new iMac?

yes you can but only on the 27 inch iMac.

You need a Converter. It has to be DVI or VGA

According to [this page|http://www.apple.com/imac/features.html#ports] the Mini DisplayPort "can connect any external source that has DisplayPort output — including a MacBook or MacBook Pro — and use your iMac as a display."

I would not assume it would work with a converter.

Best of luck.

Apologies for jumping onto this thread, but I have a related question...
I am currently a Windows user and the iMac 27" looks very tempting particularly due to this display port "in" feature.
But would the iMac have to boot up in order to receive this input or can it be used purely as a display? Hopefully it can.

This will help future proof my purchase (- I may also purchase a MacBook at some later date which I'd like to connect to this).
Or should I forget this and just get a MacBook now and be done?

Thanks in advance.

The consensus seems to be that you will need to have the computer turned on (booted up) in order for the display input to function. This is because the Mini DisplayPort input is routed to the motherboard (as discovered through a teardown of the new 27" iMac).

Thanks Waymen - that's very helpful even though it wasn't what I wanted to hear. 😟
Will prob just get the smaller screen one now as the input function, while useful to some, will not be of value to me.

Kind regards, Syed

The 27inch manual says this
"Output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI. The 27-inch model also supports input from external DisplayPort sources. Required cables and adapters are available separately."
Found here http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/iMac_Late2009UG.pdf

Which would lead me to believe that most adapters would work, though i doubt it carries audio to the built in speakers...unfortunately a little pain. haha

Since the mac must be up and running to display the external video, does anyone know how to switch from the internal source to the external one?
Is there some button or key combination to switch the sources?
I hope one won't need to plug/unplug each time...

Command-F2 key combination switches from internal to external.

Best of luck.

Zachary Glascock wrote:
The 27inch manual says this
"Output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI. The 27-inch model also supports input from external DisplayPort sources. Required cables and adapters are available separately."
Found here http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/iMac_Late2009UG.pdf

Which would lead me to believe that most adapters would work, though i doubt it carries audio to the built in speakers...unfortunately a little pain. haha

The existing adapters will work for OUTPUT only. Thus, you'll be able to use one of Apple's DVI/VGA adapters to attach the iMac to an existing DVI or VGA display. You can also mate a simple DVI to HDMI cable to Apple's DVI adapter if you need to connect to an HDMI display/TV.

For Mini DisplayPort INPUT you'll just need a simple Mini DisplayPort cable. However, this type of setup (for input) will only work with a device that has a native DisplayPort output (like on the current MacBooks and Mac minis). I've seen at least one report that suggests that audio will be transferred from the external Mac to the iMac over this cable (but I can't confirm that, in fact, I find that report somewhat suspect).

For INPUT of anything else (like to use a DVD player or PlayStation as an input to the iMac) you'll need a video converter/adapter like the one that Belkin is apparently working on (no price or availability yet announced). Here is a link to the Belkin website which has some information on this new converter/adapter:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=508267#

This converter/adapter could be rather pricey.

Sadly, after reading this forum I found this:-
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/10/26/testsconfirm_apples_27_imac_only_supports_displayportinput.html

Which, I guess, means I (and plenty of others) won't be able to use the iMac a a monitor for older Mac's or PC's regardless!

I believe this article is incorrect. Other sources point out that input from any source is possible but it will require a new bidirectional cable that is not available from any source yet. Once these cables are available you should be able to plug-in anything in there for which an adapter is available. This is why Apple has created this iMac in my opinion... it will second as a TV for many people.

The article is 100% correct. The m-DP input is strictly m-DP and no other. So they will need to be developing more than a cable. It will need to be a converter, such as the HDMI to m-DP on which Belkin is supposedly working. Belkin has taken down the webpage that was available on their site earlier this week. It consisted of a "black box" with an HDMI port on one end and a m-DP and USB port on the other end. I am guessing that they are converting the HDMI signal to a m-DP video signal for the m-DP and the audio stream for input to the Mac via USB. The page specifically mentioned that the converter would allow using Blu-Ray videos on the new Mac. To watch the videos you would need to get the audio into the iMac and m-DP on Macs are video only. USB could also supply any power needed for the converter.

Dah•veed

Maybe it works!

http://kanexlive.com/products/item.aspx?id=3495

It is obvious that you have no idea what this device is for!

Dah•veed

You are right! This is only for out!