Unable to connect Mac Studio Ultra M2 to 30 cinema display via dual link DVI adapter

<< is it necessary to run two connections between the 30" Cinema Display and the Mac (dual-link DVI, USB)? >>

historically, the Pigtail on the older style adapters from Mini DisplayPort to Dual-link DVI required POWER Applied to their short USB input, to run the substantial electronics in the adapter. The display would not light up unless the adapter had additional power.

you are correct that the main reason to connect USB all the way through was to enable display brightness from the Mac. But the display has brightness buttons as well.

From looking at what he has to say, and assimilating what readers have been grumbling about ThunderBolt-4 ports, I think the underlying issue is not enough POWER is supplied from M3 and later USB-C ports to run the substantial electronics in that adapter.

I suggest you contact Club3D and ask then about that issue specifically.

if you had another display connected at the same time, you could use (System Report) to check how much current is available and required.

Rod Stasick wrote:

I've been reviewing some of the answers from people who've appeared to be very helpful with this topic and so I purposely just got an Mac M2 (instead of anything more recent) Studio Ultra so I could use just the Club 3D Dual Link DVI-D (HDCP OFF) to USB C adapter on a 30" Cinema Display.

It shouldn't be necessary to limit yourself to a M2 Ultra Mac Studio. Any Mac with a Thunderbolt 3, 4, or 5 port should be able to support a 30" Cinema Display with the help of an active USB-C (DisplayPort) to dual-link DVI adapter. I'm pretty sure that all such Macs support at least 2560x1600 pixel resolution on USB-C (DP) displays. Even the 12" Retina MacBooks made between 2015 and 2017 – which support USB-C (DisplayPort), but do not support Thunderbolt, should be able to drive that display.

Maybe this is a dumb question – but is it necessary to run two connections between the 30" Cinema Display and the Mac (dual-link DVI, USB)? I could be mistaken, but I believe that the 27" LED Cinema Display's "hydra" cable has a USB head in part so that the Mac can adjust the display's brightness.

one note seen on an ad for the Club3D adapter:

Note: Apple Cinema Displays are end of Life and support on these displays is limited, for Apple M3 users, please update your OS to Sonoma 14.4 to get this adapter to work.

are you running that version or later?

Rod Stasick wrote:

I'm assuming Sequoia is the OS?

Sequoia is macOS 15.* – the current version of macOS. Sonoma is macOS 14.* – the previous version.

I need to find a USB to mini DisplayPort connect so I can hook it up

Some USB-C to Mini DisplayPort (female) adapters:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb-c+to+female+mini+displayport+adapter

I get to see text with strange aberrations (StarTech).

I'm guessing this is the StarTech USB-C to dual-link DVI adapter that you tried:

StarTech CDP2DVIDP – USB-C to DVI Adapter - Dual-Link Connectivity - Active Conversion

In the Support section, one of the FAQ answers reads: "Yes, we expect the CDP2DVIDP to function with the Apple Mac Studio (M2 Max), and the Apple Cinema Display 30-Inch. Atha, StarTech.com Support"

if you can 'Find" another display or TV set (at least long enough to turn on screen sharing) you could look at how the device is seen (or not) from inside your Mac.

,,,

Just from what you said so far, the only piece you are not re-using from your other setup is that adapter, which is now suspected defective.