I recently purchased a Belkin mini display port to HDMI cable (not adapter) to connect a second display. I've tried both a dell monitor and a Sony TV. neither one are receiving a signal from the Mac but both are showing up in preferences. Any Ideas, or did I get a bad cable?
iMac 21.5", macOS 10.15
You need a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.
see > Belkin 4K Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter - Apple
Or you can use a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, if the Dell display also has DisplayPort input.
You need a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.
see > Belkin 4K Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter - Apple
Or you can use a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, if the Dell display also has DisplayPort input.
Hmm.... yes it is compatible with your year model iMac and should work.
have a look at > Use multiple displays with your Mac - Apple Support
If nothing there helps, try resetting your iMac’s SMC and NVRAM.
Its possible you got a bad cable. Those cables are passive (they use DP dual mode DVI/HDMI signals) so they can be finicky, and are limited in data rate if it says 4k support it means 4K at 30p max, maybe even 24p.
The advice people are giving you to get an active adapter is valid in that it will not have this limitation, but the HDMI passive cable should still work, have you. tried lower resolution settings?
Is the Mini DisplayPort plug pushed in all the way (no metal showing)?
Not that this is likely, but I just want to make sure, you're plugging in the Mini DisplayPort end to your Mac and the HDMI end to the display/TV right? The passive cables are one-way only, DisplayPort++ to HDMI/DVI, and can only carry a little over half the bandwidth, iirc. (the limitation is an electrical one, DP uses lower voltages in its signals, etc)
It should work fine, please reset the NVRAM on the computer per How to reset NVRAM on your Mac and then retest. If you still don't have any luck then please contact AppleCare. AppleCare Contact Info
Buy a Mini DisplayPort adapter that will enable you to connect the iMac to an external display. The adapter can be used for both Thunderbolt ports and DisplayPorts. This adapter allows you to connect your iMac to an external display via HDMI, DVI, or VGA.
This is what I bought. Wouldn’t this do the same thing as an adapter without the extra connection of an adapter
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HHLY2ZM/B/belkin-4k-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-cable-2-m-65-ft
This is what I bought. Wouldn’t this do the same thing as an adapter without the extra connection of an adapter
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HHLY2ZM/B/belkin-4k-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-cable-2-m-65-ft
Thanks all for the help, nothing is working, the computer acts like it has a second monitor sometimes but the monitor just says no signal, it is a brand new monitor that is working fine on a windows computer. I’ll try returning the cable and updating this thread when I get it figured out
Yes I’ll verify but I tried both ports on both the monitor and Mac, like I said the displays show up in preferences but the displays show no signal
Trouble connecting second display late 2015 21.5" iMac
