connecting a 2019 iMac(USB-C) to a 20"Cinema Display (DVI)

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connecting a 2019 iMac(USB-C) to a 20"Cinema Display (DVI)

Hello,

Need help to figure out how to connect my new 2019 21" iMac to a 20" LED Apple Cinema Display.

The iMac has thunderbolt3 (USB-C) ports and the Cinema Display had a single DVI connector.

I've talked with Apple support (online store) and they only carry a Mini-Display to DVI adapter and a HDMI to DVI adapter so no help from them. Was thinking maybe a USB-C to Mini Display adapter then from Mini Display to DVI adapter (two inline adapters). Unfortunately all the USB-C to Mini display adapters I found on Amazon have warning "This adapter will NOT work in combination with DVI adapters." Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.14

Posted on Apr 9, 2019 6:52 PM

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Answer 1

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Telchure Author

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Apr 12, 2019 5:22 PM in response to Telchure

SOLUTION - USB-C to HDMI then HDMI to DVI

First thank you Malcolm J. Rayfield for the discussion and information on this issue. It was greatly appreciated.

I had a friend suggest another route to solving this issue and had some spare adapters to test it, and it worked.

From the 2019 iMac (USB-C) use a USB-C to HDMI adapter then use a HDMI to DVI adapter. This arrangement worked. Turn off the computer put the adapters together then connect to the computer. Turning the computer on, as it boots up it then sees the Cinema Display and it show up in the Preferences: Displays as Cinema Display 1680x1050.

Amazon: USB C to HDMI Adapter 4K Cable, QGeeM USB Type-C to HDMI Adapter. - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JW7GT7H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon: HDMI to DVI Adapter, Benfei HDMI to DVI-D DVI Bidirectional Converter Male to Female - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CWBBRL4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Answer 2

Apr 9, 2019 7:57 PM in response to Telchure

Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapters should work with USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapters.

https://www.startech.com/AV/display-and-video-adapters/Displayport-Adapters/Mini-DisplayPort-to-DVI-Active-Adapter~MDP2DVIS

https://www.uptab.com/uptab-usb-c-type-c-to-mini-displayport-adapter-4k-60hz-silver/

"Supports Active in-line DVI-D or DVI to Mini DisplayPort Adapters"

There are single adapters for USB-C to DVI but their DVI outputs my not work with older Apple displays, e.g.

https://www.startech.com/ca/AV/display-and-video-adapters/usb-c-video-adapters/usb-c-dvi-adapter~CDP2DVI

"This adapter is not compatible for use with the Apple Cinema Display."

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Answer 3

Telchure Author

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Apr 9, 2019 8:28 PM in response to Limnos

Thanks for the link, I've tried a BENFEI USB-C to DVI adapter found on Amazon. It looked real promising but alas it didn't work. I also tested the Cinema Display on my old 17" MacBook Pro that has a built-in DVI and the display works fine. So this USB-C to DVI adapter is a no-go. I have an Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter (which did work on my old iMac Late2015 model).

https://www.amazon.com/Thunderbolt-Adapter-Converter-Compatible-MacBook/dp/B0768RFQ83/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Benfei+dvi&qid=1554865588&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Side note on Malcom's post - I checked out the Uptab USB-C to mini display port adapter on Amazon and it states in the details "adapter will not work in combination with DVI adapters". Have you tried this?

https://www.amazon.com/UPTab-USB-C-DisplayPort-Adapter-Silver/dp/B01N4FQNYW/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=1S5ZHOC98OHU1&keywords=uptab+usb-c+type+c+to+mini+displayport+adapter+4k+60hz+silver&qid=1554866876&s=gateway&sprefix=uptab%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

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Answer 4

Apr 9, 2019 8:43 PM in response to Telchure

The Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter is passive (unless it's the expensive dual-link version with the USB cable) so won't work properly with the USB-C adapter. It works from computer Thunderbolt-2 or Mini DisplayPorts because their Mini DisplayPort signals are better than those from USB=C adapters.

The Amazon link does warn about added adapters, but that is because most such adapters are passive. The UPTab link says active adapters will work.

https://www.uptab.com/uptab-usb-c-type-c-to-mini-displayport-adapter-4k-60hz-silver/

"Supports Active in-line DVI-D or DVI to Mini DisplayPort Adapters"

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Answer 5

Telchure Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 10, 2019 11:02 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Thanks so much for the info Malcolm, I'm still a little confused. So the Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI is a passive adapter but the UPTab USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter works with only Active in-DVI adapters. So this arrangement will not work, correct together?

I can't go from the iMac(USB-C) to UPTab USB-C to Mini Display adapter then from Apple's Mini Display to DVI adapter and connect to the LCD Cinema Display (DVI)? BTW - appreciate your help on this.

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Answer 6

Apr 11, 2019 2:18 PM in response to Telchure

I'm having a similar problem with a DVI display (a graphics tablet) the usb-c to DVI connector isn't working on the new iMac despite working on my 2017 MacBook. If you find something that works please let me know!

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Answer 7

Apr 13, 2019 11:29 AM in response to Telchure

Hello! Can I just say a massive thank you for this!

I was having trouble getting my new iMac to talk to my graphics tablet (it's a DVI too) and was at my wits end and weighing up buying a new graphics tablet which would've been ungodly expensive.

This has saved me so much hassle and stress and also a Genius Bar appointment which I'm about to cancel.

Thanks again!

Neil

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