External monitor connection issue

in general, 'stacking' display adapters is a losing proposition.

you need to obtain an adapter that converts from the computer port (USB-C) DIRECTLY to the Display input in ONE adapter.

You did not mention what display you are using.

DVI adapters come in TWO flavors: 'Single-Link DVI' works up to and including 1920 wide.

For wider than 1920 wide, a 'Dual-Link DVI' adapter will be required for the full resolution of those wider displays.

The USB-C port on the 2024 MacBook Pro does not provide a Mini-Display port signal at all, so nothing to distort, its just not there for the adapter to convert to DVI.

You'll need a Thunderbolt to DVI adapter instead.

Club3D CAC-1510-A USB Type C to Dual Link DVI-D Cable Adapter Support 3840x2160@30hz, 2560x1600@60Hz - Amazon.com

Phil0124 wrote:

The USB-C port on the 2024 MacBook Pro does not provide a Mini-Display port signal at all, so nothing to distort, its just not there for the adapter to convert to DVI.

That's misleading.

MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4, 2024) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4 Pro or M4 Max, 2024) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

The "Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports on the OP's M4 MacBook Pro do not have Mini DisplayPort connectors – but they do support DisplayPort, and not just in the form of Thunderbolt-encapsulated DisplayPort. They are quite capable of providing DisplayPort Alt Mode signals.

Thunderbolt is rarely involved in connections to external monitors except when using

• Thunderbolt docks
• 5K and 6K displays (which often use Thunderbolt due to its ability to carry enormous streams of video data)
• The old 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display (in conjunction with an Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter)

I believe the issue is as Mr. Bennet-Alder says – that stacking adapters is not always a good idea. I am not clear about all of the details, but I think some adapters used to rely on the host port doing some of the adapting work. That type of "shortcut" might not work with a different implementation, such as one involving stacked adapters.

There are plenty of USB-C to DVI adapters, and even a few USB-C to Dual-Link DVI ones, so it's not as though stacking is the only option.

You'll need a Thunderbolt to DVI adapter instead.

Club3D CAC-1510-A USB Type C to Dual Link DVI-D Cable Adapter Support 3840x2160@30hz, 2560x1600@60Hz - Amazon.com

That's a USB-C to Dual-Link DVI adapter, not a Thunderbolt to Dual-Link DVI one.

Just about all of the adapters on the market rely on USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode), rather than on Thunderbolt, even when their descriptions contain vague wording about Thunderbolt compatibility. Vendors only tend to use Thunderbolt when DisplayPort Alt Mode, alone, can't do the job.

The OP hasn't told us the resolution of their monitor. If it is 1920x1200 pixels or less, it would only require single-link DVI input. In that case, this adapter would still work, but any number of cheaper USB-C to DVI adapters (and adapter cables) that only do single-link conversion would, too.

Servant of Cats wrote:

The "Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports on the OP's M4 MacBook Pro do not have Mini DisplayPort connectors – but they do support DisplayPort, and not just in the form of Thunderbolt-encapsulated DisplayPort. They are quite capable of providing DisplayPort Alt Mode signals.

You are correct. But these signals cannot be used by old Mini-Display port adapters or displays. They never have been supported.

For all intents and purposes, the old style Mini-Display port signal and port are not there to be used.

The newer displays that use USB-C connectors, and Mini-Display over USB-C process the signal differently.

Old Mini-Display port conversion has never been supported in Apple Silicon Macs. Its always and issue, and causes a lot of confusion.

G.Alby wrote:

Anyway let’s start off with the first monitor I’d like to connect my new M4 to.

It’s around 20 inches, LG IPS FULLHD, Resolution: 1920x1080 (1080p FHD - Full High Definition), UI Looks like: 1920 x 1080 @ 60.00Hz, 24-Bit Colour.

Here below the DVI wire out of it.

USB-C to DVI (female) or HDMI to DVI (female) adapter. You don't need a dual-link adapter (and its higher cost and complexity).

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

and to the 2012 27" Cinema Display which has Minidisplay port harness (no Thunderbolt).

Make sure that it is a 27" LED Cinema Display and not a 27" Thunderbolt Display. Both of them have hydra cables with a Mini DisplayPort physical connector – but they require different types of signals on that connector.

The LED Cinema Display requires a regular DisplayPort signal – which a Mini DisplayPort adapter will provide, but the Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter will not. The Thunderbolt Display requires a Thunderbolt signal, which the Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter will provide, but a Mini DisplayPort adapter will not.

You can tell the two apart by looking closely.

• The hydra cable on the LED Cinema Display has three heads, including a USB one. The cable on a Thunderbolt Display has only two.
• A Thunderbolt Display has FireWire and Gigabit Ethernet ports not found on a LED Cinema Display.

G.Alby wrote:

This kills it then "The USB-C port on the 2024 MacBook Pro does not provide a Mini-Display port signal"

I have another monitor (which currently is in use by a friend of mine for her job) which is a 2012 27" Cinema Display. It works great but that as well has a Minidisplay port harness (no Thunderbolt). In order to have it working with the 2024 MBPro which adapter would you advise me to get for the Cinema Display?

None, currently Cinema displays are not supported with Apple Silicon Macs through the USB-C / Thunderbolt ports.

There are posts that claim an HDMI to Display Port Adapter + a Display Port to Mini Display port adapter does work though. YMMV

Mac Mini M1 + dual Apple 27" LED Cinema D… - Apple Community

Cable Matters HDMI to DisplayPort Adapter - Amazon.com

It might. I looked up a product listing for what appeared to be that adapter, on Amazon, and the description even said that it was compatible with the 27” LED Cinema Display. No mention specifically of any Apple Silicon Mac, for better or for worse.

You’d have to ask someone else about direct experience with specific hardware.