M1 Mac mini and Apple Cinema HD 23" display showing a line in the middle

Hi Michael, I am in the exact same situation.

Received my MacMini M1 yesterday (replacing my 2011 Mac mini) and have had troubles connecting my 'old' 23 inch Apple Cinema Display with DVI connector.

Trying an original Apple DVI-HDMI adapter didn't work at all for me. Perfect screen for a few seconds, but then screen gets all fuzzy and distorted. I contacted Apple Support and they informed me that only DVI-USB-C will work. See also https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-mini/apd8e4fbbb97/2020/mac/11

I am now using a third party DVI to USB-C adapter and the monitor connects now.

2 remaining issues still bother me:

• Brightness control buttons are not working on my Apple keyboard (USB is connected, Mac mini restarted multiple times)
• Screen is not responding quickly after wake-up from sleep-mode.

Still figuring out how to solve this.

My impression is that the input/output connections are not yet working perfectly on the M1 chip. Or (and that would surprise me) connections are no longer backward compatible to an 'old' Apple Cinema Display.

If you gather new insights please share...

I've had a second Support chat session today and have been told that the 23" display is now obsolete as far as Apple is concerned. 8-(

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624

I've submitted a feedback request for the Mac Mini asking that Apple fully support the older display, ideally without having to daisy-chain multiple adapters. I'd suggest that everyone on this thread do the same.

I understand there are a number of 3P apps that you can get from the App store to allow you to control display brightness and I'll see if that's viable.

Michael C. Blasco wrote:

This monitor worked fine with my old Late 2014 Mac mini. No artifacts anywhere on the screen at 1920 x 1200.

Sorry, the first time you said that it "worked fine with my old 2014 Mac Mini" which was why I suggested testing the display back on the 2014 to make sure that it still works OK.

If the HDMI to DVI adapter you have is not working, then try a different HDMI to DVI or USB-C to DVI adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/Thunderbolt-Adapter-Converter-Compatible-MacBook/dp/B0768RFQ83/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15243&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiMGqr7GM7QIVTr7ACh1E_QmbEAAYAyAAEgL4lfD_BwE

I ordered this adapter:

https://www.bol.com/nl/p/startech-com-usb-c-naar-dvi-adapter/9200000056230705/?s2a=

But this adapter doesn't work well. Apple Cinema Display is not recognised correctly, as a result wake/sleep and brightness controls on my keyboard or not functioning properly. Had a discussion with Apple Support yesterday.

Ik have now ordered an Apple USB-C to digital-AV-multiport adapter. That way I can use 2 original Apple adapters: DVI to HDMI, and HDMI to USB-C. I will know if this works tomorrow.

Anyhow, if you go for (cheaper) third party adapters, you apparently need to check if it is Apple-compatible (which I didn't for my DVI to USB-C adapter). I guess Den.Thed's suggestions are Apple compatible?

Hi Michael,

Sorry to hear that you are still experiencing problems.

I have exactly the same set-up as you have (2 original Apple adapters), and screen display is fine now.

In another set-up I also experienced that my monitor wouldn't wake from sleep-mode, but that's no longer the case now.

However, sleep-mode doesn't work as it should, because the Led of my MacMini M1 isn't blinking, and the same applies for my Apple Cinema Display. My guess is that there are bugs in either Big Sur or for the M1 chip configuration. I am waiting when a new software update appears and will then check further...

By the way, my brightess control buttons in my keyboard no longer function. Still no idea why that is and how to solve this.

Overall I am quite disappointed that connecting 2 Apple products is no longer working since the introduction of the MacMini M1 and Big Sur. Why is it no longer possible to connect the Apple Cinema Display directly on the HDMI port? No clue...

This M1 was the start of my new set for 2021. The 23 Cinema Display hd has worked perfectly on older Mac. But with Apple to dvi to hdmi had a line down the centre on the M1 Mac mini and the dvi adc stopped while trying sort the proplem with Apple support 😱. The 23 Cinema Display still works on a very old tower Mac with dedicated card. I can’t decide what is the best way forward. But I have order a replacement dvi adc. Clearly not all things will work despite apples sales advice. I have been looking new monitors but this makes this system the price of a new 27 I Mac.

Upgrading is never easy

I'm is a similar situation, migrating from a 2012 Mac Mini to an M1. I also have the 23" Cinema Display HD. I'm using the Apple HDMI > DVI adapter as i was in the old setup. I see a bright pink line at the left side of the screen but, much worse are the 'ghost images' of windows that build up on the screen over time. So far I've tried a different HDMI > DVI adapter. I've checked the display is good by connecting it to another computer and I've confirmed the HDMI output of the M1 Mini is OK by connecting it (using the same Apple adapter) to a Sony TV (which looks amazing).

I've ordered a basic USB-C to DVI adapter and that should be here in a few days; I'll report back.

This is not the satisfying Apple experience I've come to expect! 8-(

I'm in a similar situation. I just replaced my 2014 mini with the M1. I've tried about every combination of adapters they make. Closest I've gotten to a working 23" Cinema display on the M1 is the USB-C to DVI, but it has the ghosting problem you're experiencing. In my case the ghost images fade over a minute or so. If you move an open window on the screen. it leaves a ghost image behind. Very frustrated and disappointed. Over the course of 3 days, I spent almost 3 hours on the phone with a senior tech advisor at Apple on this issue. I'm curious to know how the USB-C to DVI works for you. I'm using a third party adapter made by 'MCI'.

Since reporting the problem with image ghosting when using an Apple (or 3P) HDMI > DVI adapter I tried a USB-C to DVI adapter which was 100 times worse giving a ghosted, blurred display that was completely unusable.

I've now got the Apple USB-C > Digital AV adapter and plugged the Apple HDMI > DVI adapter into that and the ghosting appears to be gone.

Unfortunately the display brightness is screamingly high and I can't find a way to adjust that; there's no longer a checkbox in Display Preferences to enable the monitor's own controls and the keyboard (Apple Bluetooth keyboard) controls don't work either.

Possibly connected to the extremely bright display I'm seeing flickering on some images, most noticeable in the Photos app.

So, some success but still my most disappointing Apple upgrade experience ever!

Thanks for the tip, I have control of screen brightness from the buttons on the side of the display although not from the keyboard; I'll still take that as a win! 8-)

Usefully I've been able to plug in to the USB port on the Apple USB-C > Digital AV adapter which neatens the cable layout and leaves the two ports on the Mini itself free.

Thanks again!

Test the Cinema Display on the old Mac Mini or on a different computer.