Mac Mini M4 and 30-inch Cinema Display/USB-A connectivity

freshchops wrote:

Mac Mini M4 - Questions about connectivity and compatibility w/ 30 in cinema display (DVI), plus USB-A connections:

I have a new M4 Pro Mac Mini on order (eta 7 days) and have run into a few questions about compatibility options that I'm not clear about.

I'm attempting to connect my old 30 in. Cinema HD Display to the new Mac Mini. I've read every post and product review I could find about adapter options in this scenario... and I'm left just as confused. Many claim successful, simple options while many others claim inevitable quirks and issues. I've think it's worth a shot, but was hoping someone can confirm which options look best.

The most referred-to adapter is the:

• Club 3D Model: CAC-1510-A (https://www.startech.com/en-us/display-video-adapters/cdp2dvidp)

*sometimes found under "StarTech" (previous brand?)

If it is going to work, then that or a similar USB-C Dual-Link DVI adapter is required.

Plus you'll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter for the Cinema Displays USB-A connection.

USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z768LCW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?

Can anyone attest to this as a viable solution? Also, will this combo work with the new M4 mini right out of the box or will I need to set up the computer first (borrowing my son's HDMI monitor), then attempt to connect the 30" display? Also, as I understand this will connect using the USB-C ports. Is there an option for connecting the cinema display via HDMI... or is there a reason this isn't recommended?

If it doesn't work out of the box. Then using an HDMI or HDMI TV is the best plan to get the new Mac mini setup and then worry about getting the Cinema Display working.

Connect a display to Mac mini - Apple Support

Here's other adapter options I've come across. Are any of these a "better bet" option:

https://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-2-Port-Dual-Link-Cable-GCS982U/dp/B0073W6YDA

https://www.alternate.nl/Club-3D/Mini-DisplayPort-1-2-Dual-Link-DVI-D-adapter/html/product/1587650

No, neither of those adapters will plug directly into the new M4 Mac mini.

The first would need the same USB-C to DVI adapter and USB-C to USB-A as the Cinema Display.

The second is an old style Mini DisplayPort adapter that would require an expensive TB3/4 to TB2 adapter.

Plus chaining multiple adapters together is just asking for compatibility and connectivity problems.

My second obstacle upgrading to the Mac Mini is that all of my connected peripherals from keyboard to external HD's are using USB-A (Standard and 3.0). I'm coming from a 5.1 Intel Mac Pro Tower full of SATA HD's. I have a Dual-Bay, USB-3 HD dock (not C type). I'll be adding an dock for the mini (suggestions welcomed), but in the mean time, I'll need to be able to connect all these SATA drives, some USB-3 wired drives and the OS SSD to transfer necessary files. Would a simple USB-A type to USB-C adapter be serviceable to connect to dual-HD dock the Mini? I imagine speeds would be inferior, but just to keep things moving? Or... Am I better off going ahead and investing in a thunderbolt HD dock? I'm also considering that a good dock designed for the Mini could allow me to connect my current USB-A HD dock... I just haven't done all of my homework on those options yet.

Yes you can use USB-C to USB-A adapters like the one the Cinema Display needs for the USB-A cable. Or use a multi port USB-C hub or dock with USB-A port for those other USB-A devices.

Just keep in mind that a Bus powered hub or dock, may not provide enough power for multiple bus power drives and other devices.

Thanks for your input!

Thank you for posting a clear picture of what you are wanting to do.

freshchops wrote:

Thanks a lot Den. I think I have everything covered now: (4) USB to USB-C adapters you referenced; the Club 3D DVI adapter; a dock style hub w/ SSD bay; and a 2TB NVMe SSD to migrate files to. I'm excited! Crossing my fingers that the Club 3D DVI adapter works well.

I would get the Mac mini setup, before plugging in everything that I had.

The Cinema on USB-C to Dual DVI adapter and USB-C to USB-A adapter plugged directly into Mac mini.

Then if the Cinema display doesn't light up, i would go to the backup HDMI display or an HDMI TV.

Then once the Mac mini was all setup and running, I would start adding the IVANKY dock and other USB devices one at a time to make sure everything is working as expected.

Just so I understand, I'll be connecting the cinema display using the Club 3D adapter into a thunderbolt port on the back of the Mac Mini? ...and also connect the USB (via A to C adapter) to the Mac Mini? Will I be using one of the thunderbolt ports also to connect the monitor's USB to the computer? Or, could I use one of the USB ports on the dock for the monitor? I went with the "IVANKY 13-in-1 Mac mini M4 Dock", just FYI.

This one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0G25G961Y/ref=sw_img_1?smid=A1XC28N9XV935B&th=1

Lots of folks have complained about those types of docks not having enough power for the internal SSD and several other USB devices at the same time.

Thanks again!

Your'e welcome.

Again I would keep it simple at first and then start adding external devices one at a time.

Why, because then it is easier to troubleshoot one problem at a time instead of 10 at the same time.

freshchops wrote:

Just so I understand, I'll be connecting the cinema display using the Club 3D adapter into a thunderbolt port on the back of the Mac Mini?

The USB-C to Dual-Link DVI adapter needs to be plugged into a port that offers a USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode) signal. This could be

• One of the Thunderbolt ports on the back of the M4 Mac mini.
• A Thunderbolt daisy-chaining port, or downstream Thunderbolt port, on a Thunderbolt dock.

It cannot be

• One of the front-panel USB-C (USB only) ports on the M4 Mac mini
• Similar USB-C (USB only) ports on docks and hubs

The adapter will not be using Thunderbolt, per se, but the Thunderbolt ports on your M4 Mac mini also happen to be the only ones that offer DisplayPort Alt Mode signals.

den.thed wrote:

freshchops wrote:

Here's other adapter options I've come across. Are any of these a "better bet" option:

https://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-2-Port-Dual-Link-Cable-GCS982U/dp/B0073W6YDA

https://www.alternate.nl/Club-3D/Mini-DisplayPort-1-2-Dual-Link-DVI-D-adapter/html/product/1587650

No, neither of those adapters will plug directly into the new M4 Mac mini.

The first would need the same USB-C to DVI adapter and USB-C to USB-A as the Cinema Display.

The second is an old style Mini DisplayPort adapter that would require an expensive TB3/4 to TB2 adapter.

The second one would not work if plugged directly into an Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter. While the Mini DisplayPort plug would fit into the Thunderbolt 2 socket on the Apple adapter, there would be no signal. That adapter only translates Thunderbolt and does not know how to make its TB2 port act as a Mini DisplayPort.

You'd need to do something like daisy-chaining a USB-C (DP) (male) to Mini DisplayPort (female) adapter, with this Mini DisplayPort to dual-link DVI adapter. That would be a Bad Idea, because, as you note,

Plus chaining multiple adapters together is just asking for compatibility and connectivity problems.