MacBook Pro (16" M1 Max) with Cinema HD Display - What Cables?? (Can't figure out why it's not working.)

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MacBook Pro (16" M1 Max) with Cinema HD Display - What Cables?? (Can't figure out why it's not working.)

Hi,

I have a brand new MacBook Pro (16" M1 Max) that I'm trying to hook up to two old Cinema HD Displays (23-inch 1920 x 1200 NVIDIA Ge Force GT 750M 2 GB graphics).

They work fine with my old MacBook Pro (Retina, 15", Mid 2014). But, I can't get them to work with my new MacBook Pro.

Here are the cables I'm using: I'm using a DVI-to-MiniDisplayPort adapter from the Cinema HD Displays and then a Mini DisplayPort extension cable.

With the older MacBook Pro, I can go directly into the ports on the side with the Mini DisplayPort extension cables. But, with my new MacBook Pro, I only have USB-C ports. So, I bought Mini DisplayPort-to-USB-C adapters. And, they don't work. (I've tried multiple brands.)

What am I missing? Am I not using the right cables or adapters? Does my new MacBook Pro not work with the Cinema HD Displays?

I just put an order in for DVI-to-USB-C adapters as well as USB-C extension cables, in hopes that it's not working because it's just going through too many conversions. But, if anyone has the real answer, I would be very appreciative.

THANKS!!!

Posted on Dec 9, 2021 5:35 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 10, 2021 5:13 PM in response to faith185

<< I bought Mini DisplayPort-to-USB-C adapters. And, they don't work. (I've tried multiple brands.) >>

You can not "'stack" adapters. The first adapter you connect to your computer must do the ENTIRE conversion in at most ONE adapter.

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Answer 2

Dec 13, 2021 10:54 AM in response to HollywoodGuy

Try connecting only one display at a time. Any change?

Since you have two, try switching things around in a methodical way. Does the problem follow an adapter, a cable, a display, a port on the Mac?

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Answer 3

Dec 13, 2021 7:27 AM in response to HollywoodGuy

Using a USB 3,2 extension cable there is a VERY unusual setup. Almost all of these are done with the adapter right at the computer port, and if more distance is needed, using a longer DVI cable.

The reason "you can not stack adapters" is because the adapter may assert some special signals and pick up special Voltages that are present at the computer port, but are NOT carried through the [USB 3.2] cable to the adapter. So the adapter is isolated form the special signals and Voltages it needs to complete its conversion.

¿Do you have a DVI cable? could you try one instead of the USB 3.2. extension cable and see if the picture clears up?

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Answer 4

Dec 12, 2021 6:56 PM in response to HollywoodGuy

There is no such thing as a USB-C cable. USB-C is the name of the connector, ONLY.

Exactly what cable are you using between the computer and the adapter?

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Answer 5

faith185

Community Specialist

Dec 10, 2021 4:25 PM in response to HollywoodGuy

Hi HollywoodGuy,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand that you are trying to connect your external displays to your MacBook Pro.

You may find Use an external display with your MacBook Pro helpful. If your display has a connector that doesn’t match the port you want to use, you may be able to use it with an adapter.

Take care.

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Answer 6

HollywoodGuy Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 12, 2021 3:11 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant,

Thanks very much. I bought a DVI-toUSB-C adapters (and a USB-C Extension cables) and was able to hook up both monitors to my 2021 MacBook Pro and see images on both monitors.

(Although, now I have entirely different issues. One of the monitors has immediate ghosting problems (images stay on the screen for a while and slowly fade away) and the other monitor has a line that goes directly down the center of the screen. I've switched the new adapters and the problem stays with each monitor. And, neither of these problems exist when I use my older MacBook Pro with the DVI-to-MiniDisplayPort adapters. Ugh.)

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Answer 7

HollywoodGuy Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 12, 2021 8:06 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant,

My apologies. Please excuse my ignorance.

Coming from each Cinema HD Display, I would describe what I'm using as a DVI-toUSB-C adapter and a USB-C Extension cable.

Here are the descriptions from Amazon of what I bought:

USB Type C (Thunderbolt 3) to DVI Adapter, Benfei USB 3.1 (USB-C) to DVI-D Adapter Male to Female Converter Compatible for Apple New MacBook [2015 ,2016,2017]

and

USB C Extension Cable 6FT, Stouchi New Version Type C 3.2 Male to Female Fast Charging & Audio Data Transfer for iPad Mini 6th, M1 MacBook Mac Mini/Pro,iPhone 13 Mag-Safe Charger

Please let me know if that doesn't help and I'll try to research further what they actually are. Thanks.

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Answer 8

HollywoodGuy Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 13, 2021 10:46 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant,

Thank you very much for trying to help me with this issue.

I have now removed the extension cables from the situation. I'm now using only the adapter for each monitor.

Unfortunately, nothing changed.

The monitor that has the ghosting issue still has the ghosting issue, and the monitor that has the line down the middle of the screen has the line down the middle of the screen.

I'm not sure what else to do.

Again, I'd chalk it up to just being old monitors, but both monitors work fine with my old MacBook Pro. (The monitor that has the ghosting issue with my new MacBook Pro does flicker just a bit with my old MacBook Pro. But, it does not ghost in the least bit. And, the monitor that has the line down the middle with my new MacBook Pro has no issues whatsoever with my old MacBook Pro.)

Frustrating.

But, again, thanks so much for your help. I greatly appreciate it.

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Answer 9

HollywoodGuy Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 13, 2021 11:03 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hey Grant,

Yeah, I tried to isolate every variable I could. (One monitor at a time, switching adapters between monitors, using different USB-C ports on the MacBook Pro, even switching the monitor's power supply cables and power bricks.) I couldn't find out what could be causing the issues.

Again, the most perplexing issue is why these issues aren't happening with the older MacBook Pro. And, if it's an issue with the new MacBook Pro, why wouldn't it manifest itself the same way in both monitors?

(Getting to the point where I'm probably going to get rid of these monitors (such a shame) and just buy two new ones.)

Ugh.

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MacBook Pro (16" M1 Max) with Cinema HD Display - What Cables?? (Can't figure out why it's not working.)

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