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Kara_69 Author

Level 1

24 points

Apple Cinema Display 30’’ with M1 Apple Silicon Mac

Hello,

I am wondering if someone has already connected successfully the old but still wonderful Apple Cinema Display in its native resolution (2560x1600) to one of the new Apple Silicon M1 computer through USB-C link ?

I am interested in buying the brand new M1 ship Apple Mac Mini.

I remember that a solution had been found for the Mac Mini 2018 Intel based line through the USB-c link.

Thanks for your feedback !

Regards

Posted on Nov 18, 2020 11:13 PM

Top-ranking reply

ratephi

Level 1

24 points

Posted on Nov 20, 2020 3:22 PM

@pmiles

I'm using this adapter: https://www.apple.com/ch-de/shop/product/MMEL2ZM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb%E2%80%91c-auf-thunderbolt-2-adapter?afid=p238%7CsBEbW9oRE-dc_mtid_187079nc38483_pcrid_432493731572_pgrid_103026017920_&cid=aos-ch-kwgo-pla-btb--slid---product-MMEL2ZM/A-CH-DE

As I said, screen works flawlessly, including the speakers and the controls of brightness and volume from the keyboard. And the USB ports on the back of the screen (where I plugged in a lightning cable to sync iPhone and the keyboard). Only port which doesn't seem to work is firewire (I still have an old firewire external drive, which I would have gladly carried on using..).

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299 replies

Apr 26, 2021 4:42 PM in response to bluebillwct

The Apple adapter will not give you full resolution.

Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter - Apple

"Use the HDMI to DVI Adapter to connect a single-link DVI digital monitor, such as the 20-inch or 23-inch Apple Cinema Display.

Supports single-link DVI devices up to 1920-by-1200 resolution."

You can connect a 30" Apple display to one of the Mac mini's Thunderbolt/USB-C ports with USB-C to Dual-Link DVI adapter.

https://www.startech.com/en-us/audio-video-products/cdp2dvidp

You should connect the display's USB plug to the computer. It is used for brightness control. The FireWire plug is not needed. It is just for the FireWire ports on the back of the display.

If you want to use the computer's HDMI port, it gets more complicated. There are no HDMI to Dual-Link DVI adapters. There are DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI converters, such as:

https://www.startech.com/en-us/audio-video-products/dp2dvid2

that you could use with a HDMI to DisplayPort converter, such as:

http://www.foinnex.com/pd.jsp?id=309

Kara_69 Author

Level 1

24 points

Nov 21, 2020 10:22 AM in response to pmiles

Hey Pmiles,

It seems that my wording is not correct : my display is the A1083 model which has a Dual-Link DVI connector.

I have read successful experience from persons who used this wonderful display with Mac Mini 2018 (Intel based) with the following adaptators:

USB-C to DisplayPort: https://www.uptab.com/uptab-usb-c-type-c-to-mini-displayport-adapter-4k-60hz-silver/
And then : DisplayPort to DVI-Dual: the model Apple MB571Z/A : Apple MB571Z/A Adaptateur Mini- DisplayPort vers DVI Double Lien pour Écran 30 Pouces: Amazon.fr

Through the current post, I am willing to read experiences from people who own this screen, and have tried to connect it to Apple M1 Silicon computers (Mac Mini, Macbook Air or Pro)

I own this screen, and I am planning to replace my old Mac Mini 3.1 (2009 Core2Duo) with the new beast Mac Mini M1 ! I hope I will be able to keep my wonderfull 30 ACD display.

Thanks :-)

Vincent

Kara_69 Author

Level 1

24 points

Nov 21, 2020 11:52 AM in response to ratephi

Hey folks,

I will be surprised if the Mini DisplayPort version is not supported with the M1 Mac series, since it is clearly mentioned in the technical characteristics that DisplayPort is supported.

here is a extract from the Web page from Apple site :

Thunderbolt 3 digital video output supports

Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
Thunderbolt 2, DVI, and VGA output supported using adapters (sold separately)

HDMI 2.0 display video output

Support for one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz
DVI output using HDMI to DVI Adapter (sold separately)

rafb

Level 1

4 points

Nov 28, 2020 11:44 AM in response to Telepresent

Try this to get 2560x1600 res.

Hold down the "option" key on the apple display resolution interface.
Click the zoom position of the resolution interface to display the hidden resolution
select the resolution 2560x1600

These were the instructions i got with the Club adapter. Hope it works. Mine did !

Kara_69 Author

Level 1

24 points

Nov 30, 2020 2:23 AM in response to rafb

Hi Folks,

Thanks Rafb for your feedback !

I have few more questions :

does it means that once you have scaled the resolution to its native 2560x1600 you do not have to rescale it after a reboot of the computer ?
Are the buttons on the right edge side of the Cinema Display still functionnal :
- The power On/Off of the screen which is able to make asleep / awoken the computer,
- The 2 buttons to increase / decrease the brightness of the screen ?
Are the keyboard buttons regarding the brightness of the screen still functionnal ?

Thanks for your answer :-)

Vincent

Dponpon

Level 1

4 points

Jan 6, 2021 9:12 AM in response to Dponpon

Update!! I got my Apple CinemaDisplay30 minidisplay version working like a charm with the MacMini M1!! YES!! FINALLY!!

At first, I got a resolution only at 1280 x 800, and blamed the dualdvi adapter. But after some research on the internet, I found that you have to hold the "option" key when changing the resolution to see alternative resolutions, and BAAM there we have 2560x1600.

What you need:

Raven34

Level 1

4 points

Feb 7, 2021 1:15 PM in response to TzTerri

This one will work with Mac or PC, I have connected one 30" ACD to my 13" MacPro M1, while connecting this dock https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/docks/owc-thunderbolt-3-dock to my 2013 Mac Pro to two 30" ACD. (Apple thunderbolt 2 to TB 3 adapter). Also connected one ACD with Choetech USB-c to Mini DisplayPort + PD Adapter Model HUB-M06. (will be putting it on eBay since the hub works. Charger on it is 60W. Have a second open box owc-thunderbolt 3 on the way to test two a once on the M1.

By the way the above setup can switch my set up from to 2 displays on the 2013 MacPro to one, while running the second on the M1. Kinda of neat, but end game is two on the M1 PB

Feb 10, 2021 6:27 AM in response to Kara_69

Thanks to everyone who added their input to this question. It helped me find the solution and I can confirm like others here that the following setup works.

Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter cable (A1306)
OWC 14-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock (it's the only dock that I know of that has the mini DisplayPort)
Apple Cinema Display (A1083) - (mine is a 2004/2005-ish 30 inch)
ASUS ProArt 27 inch monitor
Mac Mini M1 2020 running Big Sur latest updates

Connect OWC hub to your Mac. Connect ACD to the Mini DisplayPort cable and then plug it into the hub's mini Display port. To set the resolution to 2560x1600 you hold down the 'option key' when choosing Scaled in the Display preferences.

I connected my ASUS ProArt to the HDMI port on the mac mini with a resolution of 2560x1440.

I did this and it has just been working without needing to reset the resolution on restarts. My 2020 M1 Mac mini is just

the $699.00 standard version with no upgrade running the latest Big Sur 11.2.

The Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter cable can be bought on ebay or some stores that still have it in stock.

Hopefully this helps anyone who is still wondering which parts to buy. Thanks to everyone on here with all the input that

has been very helpful. cheers

Kara_69 Author

Level 1

24 points

Apr 7, 2021 2:57 AM in response to JBlanch

Hi JBlanch,

Thanks for your feedback. Can you please confirm me theses elements :

Your ACD30" is connected with the first adaptator DualDVI to the displayPort then through the OWC: displayPort ->Thunderbolt3 and MiniM1
Can you precise me if you have any issue regarding the Awaking of the Mini M1 with this adaptor chain ?

Now I am using my MiniM1 with the first adaptator DualDVI to the displayPort then through an UpTab second adaptator : displayPort ->Thunderbolt3.

In my case, at starting the display is at full res 2560x1600, but if I let the computer going to sleep, when I awake it I have nothing at the screen: it remains blanck, and I must disconnect and reconnect the displayPort adaptator to be able to recover the display.

Thanks for your answer.

Regards,

Kara

Jul 29, 2021 7:14 AM in response to Dponpon

Hi @dponpon! Just wanted to say that you are a life saver and saved me hours of sleuthing on the internet with this 'hold option' key solution!! :D Where did you find it? I'm assuming Apple never talks about this eh?

Also for those others wondering, I'm running this setup and it's working flawlessly:

Macbook Air M1
30' Apple Cinema Display with its original Apple Dual Link DVI adapter
Hyperdrive Slim 8-in-1 USB-C adapter: https://www.hypershop.com/products/hyperdrive-slim-usb-c-hub-for-macbook-chromebook-pc-usb-c-devices

I love this combination of ultra fast M1 tech with this beautiful vintage screen. Good luck everyone! :)

TzTerri

Level 1

26 points

Jan 29, 2021 5:53 PM in response to barbarafromeastbay

Have you tried hitting the "Detect Displays" button that you get when the option key is held down?

I can't screenshot it but it's the button marked "Gather Windows" that changes to "Detect Displays" when the option key is held down.

TzTerri

Level 1

26 points

Feb 9, 2021 10:06 AM in response to Kara_69

I seem to finally have this working and my system is remembering resolutions and arrangements on my MacBook Air M1.

What seems to have fixed my issues was to buy SwitchResX Control and make a monitor set.

https://www.madrau.com

My Setup,

I'm using this inexpensive USBc hub

https://amzn.to/3jwWrQe

With this Mini DisplayPort Adapter

https://amzn.to/3cVppIa

And the original Apple Dual-Link DVI adapter plugged in a phone charger to power it that I already had after my last Macbook upgrade.

https://www.macpartsdepot.com/922-9444-mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-cable-for-imac.html?utm_campaign=11094191969&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=463616074519&utm_term=&adgroupid=108855693037&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgomBBhDXARIsAFNyUqPgiiHHyUYBRjf62VvXTAMTaUy-DJmKqzytGRl5Xz75Aw-V6IXIOuIaAvZiEALw_wcB

So far so good after three days and a few reboots.

Feb 10, 2021 4:28 PM in response to Kara_69

Yes, after several tries with a new M1 Mini and Cinema 30" Display, this adapter worked!

You may have to option-click on the "scaled" option in the display preferences to get the 2560x1600 resolution to be an option. Mine came up at full resolution, but didn't show the high res options initially.

The only thing that doesn't seem to work is adjusting brightness with the keys above the 1 and 2 on the keyboard, but the side buttons still work.

I tried three other adapters, with and without the dual link Apple connector, two recommended by Apple senior advisors, none of them worked - or more accurately, they worked, I just had very very low resolution and despite clicking on option -

I actually spoke with four different senior advisors at Apple, two tried to help, one said he had a reply from their engineers recommending one of the adapters that didn't work, and one simply told me these 30" displays are deemed "obsolete" by Apple so I was out of luck - seemingly he didn't understand the difference between 'old' and 'compatible'.

I hope others have the same luck and that Apple tech support reads this asap!

Feb 18, 2021 1:17 PM in response to zacfromportland

So I installed 11.1, 11.2.1 and 11.3 beta 2 on a Thunderbolt 3 drive. They all boot up fine on my 6 core Mac mini 2018 and they all work with my ACD 30". I plugged the thunderbolt drive to my Mac mini M1 and none of the versions would boot!?....back to square one :(I will try to install 11.3 from my M1 to the external

Feb 18, 2021 6:08 PM in response to Kara_69

Hi,

I have the old Cinema HD 30" with dual DVI. I bought the original apple adapter to get the Mini DP output. Then I bought a Mini DP to Thunderbolt 3 adapter.It worked great with an Apple MacBook Pro 2017. HOWEVER now with my new MacBook Air M1 I only get a very poor display resolution...that is not worth using. So as you I am looking for a new solution. Some help please!

Apple Cinema Display 30’’ with M1 Apple Silicon Mac