Connecting old Apple Cinema Display to new Mac Mini (M1)

No, problem not solved :)

The issue is not whether a second screen can be added to HDMI or not.

The issue is HOW TO fix the problem on adding Apple's own Cinema Display (aluminum) to the new M1 Mac mini via HDMI.

The issue is still relevant as there's no fix to this (yet).

Either Apple needs to update software or firmware for this work.

Because the ACD screens DOES work via the USB-C port but not via HDMI port (even with their own "Apple HDMI to DVI" adapter). Other screen-brands also works via the HDMI port, as you mentioned yourself, but not Apple's ACD :(

So that's what this thread is about ;)

I hear you, that would be ideal but for my OTR, I test my case as I now run dual screens and derive value from my trusted Cinema HD screen.

I do have an expensive Apple HDMI to DVI adapter which doesn’t serve well as a paper weight or doorstop....!

Me too 🤣 i own 2 of those expensive piece of sjit adapters, because at first I thought the issue was the adapter.

looks like a sjitty paperweight to me too.

it just doesn’t make sense to me, that Apple advise you to use their expensive adapter, and it’s supported for the new M1 and lots of LCD screens, just not their own LCD (aluminum version if ACD).

way to go apple, sell more of your new products and screw people on the old stuff that they have :(

That method has always been working, Stewart Carlsson.

the issue here is not “how to get ACD to work on M1”.

the display is not the problem. The usb-c to DVI adapter is also not the problem.

the problem is the HDMI output in the M1. It doesn’t work with an advertised adapter that they sell on their website.

I do not know if the problem is the HDMI output of the M1 but it does not work in these configurations:

1. "HDMI of M1 - Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter - Apple Cinema HD 23-inch Display", there are strong shadows of everything displayed on the screen.

2. "USB-C of M1 - Benfei USB-C to DVI adapter - Apple Cinema HD 23-inch Display", the screen is flickering.

3. "USB-C of M1 - Dell DA300 Hub - Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter - Apple Cinema HD 23-inch Display", the screen is flickering.

Hi all,

I've connected my Apple Cinema Display 23" to my Mac mini M1 (Big Sur 11.1) by HDMI to DVI single link passive adaptor (Club3D).

I get Pink squares (see at very beginning of the movie), a pink static line at the very left of the screen and TERRIBLE GHOSTING (screens persisting after closing).

The crazy thing is that the ghost windows persist after a full reboot and appear through the boot screen at startup. same with full power-off and reboot.

The screen has a pink-is sheen and is micro-checkered (as if I was looking through a fine mesh), making it look much brighter than it should. No flickering issues though.

Note that NONE of this behaviour shows when I use this with my old 2011 MBP over mini DP, so it's not the screen.

Apple said in the M1 mini specs that hdmi to DVI should work - clearly not.

Have a look at this:

Absolutely horrible... And the worst thing is that Apple just does NOT communicate about this problem and does not fix it.

As we all know, the hdmi output on the M1 is a 2.0. The ACD is not a hdmi screen, but a DVI.

So maybe it has something to do with ACD not supporting the newer hdmi?

either way, Apple should have seen this coming with a solution.

btw I’m also using a USB-C adapter from Benfei. It also flickers, but only for 5 minutes, then it disappears. I guess it goes away then the displays has warmed up?!

I just bought the new Mac Mini with the M1 chip and wanted to connect an old 20" Cinema Display (A1080). So I called Apple Support and got a great tech that said to use a USB Type C (Thunderbolt 3) to DVI Adapter. I bought the Benfei USB 3.1 (USB-C) to DVI-D Adapter on Amazon. It works! Here's a run down of the connections:

1) Cinema Display DVI connects to the Benfei which connects to the Thunderbolt/USB4 port on the Mini

2) Cinema Display USB connects to the USB-A on the Mini

3) Cinema Display Mini Display Port (MDP) is left unconnected to anything

So I learned two things from the Apple tech: the Thunderbolt/USB4 port on the new Mac Mini M1 accepts USB-C and the MDP does not have to connect to anything.

Hi Adheft, I am in a similar position as you! I have a M1 mini with two A1407 27" Displays. Like you, I've used one mini display port to USB-C and I believe I will need to purchase another mini display to HDMI. Here's my question (I think I've already answered it myself, but I wanted to confirm with someone else). The mini display port adapter must be female and plug into the cords (not the monitor) on the apple display, correct? I purchased a male-male mini display port to HDMI and attempted to plug it in directly to the monitor with no success.

Am I correct?

A little warning for those who run the Mac mini M1 on an Apple Cinema 30"

I was running my Mac mini M1 with Big Sur 11.1 on my old Apple Cinema 30", working as it should.

A few days ago I decided to try 11.2 beta 2. The screen would come on only to go black after 5 seconds. There was no fix for this so I reverted back to 11.1 and all is fine.

How is it connected? USB - C to dual link dvi adapter? Or USB - C to mini DP + Mini DP to Dual link DVI?

Crazy to see that the release notes for Big Sur 11.2 include 'the solution for DVI screens connected through HDMI to DVI adapter to be just black' and you're experiencing the exact opposite.

My issues are with 23" ACD connected with the M1 through HDMI to DVI adapter. Terrible persisting windows even after reboot, pink squares and unsharp picture due to what looks like a checkered micromesh being displayed...

Again: When will Apple solve this saga with DVI monitors on the M1 Mini???

This article solves the connecting issues of Cinema Display to M1 Minis:

https://www.macworld.com/article/3534509/connect-old-apple-display-to-a-new-mac-to-give-it-new-life.html

It solved my issue with a 20" Cinema. I just checked, and it has a scenario for a 30" Cinema. Good luck.

Heck yeah, just entered the public beta program and downloaded Big Sur 14.2 and YES the old (2006) 23" Apple Cinema HAD monitor with DVI input, now works beautifully on Apple’s HDMI to DVI adapter, which means I can now use the 2 USB-C ports for my external SSD and for my USB-C 4K Dell Monitor; which in turn provides me with a reasonable number of reasonable speed downstream USB-A and USB-C additional ports.

My Mac mini life is now almost complete; getting the Logitech MX Keys keyboard + MX 3 Master mouse in a few days which negates any bluetooth issue with the unified dongle and allows just 1 keyboard for my work windows Laptop and my Mac. Also getting a UGreen KVM to allow fast switching between the 2 computers, utilising my Logitech C922 webcam and with the work computer connected via DP, I can easily switch between the 2 computers by the shortcut key on the Dell monitor. It means my Mac provides me with 2 screens and access to all peripherals while the windows laptop can access the main dell monitor, keyboard and mouse and webcam and they all also share the B&O speaker connected via the monitor so I think just about all my Mac mini and work computer setup issues are now done.

So happy that 14.2 fixes the HDMI to DVI issue, freeing up that extra USB-C port

Thanks... This is from MacRumors forum: "RC3 had still external monitor wake-up issues with DisplayPort to USB-C cable. Needed to replug the monitor to get signal."

Does wake-up work correctly with HDMI-DVI? Thank you.

I installed the Big Sur 11.2 update and it is much, much worse than with the 11.1 - besides the massive ghosting (which was before as well) the picture is flickering extremly ("HDMI of M1 - Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter - Apple Cinema HD 23-inch Display").