Thunderbolt backward compatibility

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Level 1

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Thunderbolt backward compatibility

I am wondering about thunderbolt. If I purchase one of those Moshi Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters, and use a thunderbolt cable instead of a Mini DisplayPort (MDP), will it work?. Also can I plug a Mini DisplayPort cable into a Thunderbolt port and use it for Target Display Mode (TDM) with a 27" iMac. I understand MDP supports TDM, but Thunderbolt doesn't. Is this because of the computer/port not allowing it for TDM or is it the cable itself?

Thanks. If this is confusing, I'd be happy to answer your questions!

Austin 🙂

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jun 30, 2011 7:29 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 19, 2011 11:01 AM in response to austincoco

I have a similar question. I have a brand new MBP with Thunderbolt. Work just bout me a 27' Thunderbolt display. Great so far. I also have a high-end Dell laptop. I want to connect the DVI out on the Dell base station to my Thunderbolt display. I have a mini-display port to DVI adapted. Plugged that into my MBP Thunderbolt display and got the second monitor up on from my MBP. Now when the new Thunderbolt monitor gets here, I am really hoping that I will be able to reverse the flow and connect from the DVI out of my Dell base station, to the DVI-mini-diplayport and into the back Thunderbolt port and then display the image on the Thunderbolt display.

Can anyone confirm??

Best,

Kevin

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Answer 2

tjk

Level 9

51,142 points

Aug 19, 2011 11:10 AM in response to austincoco

Hi a,

Thunderbolt does support TDM:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Thunderbolt/10.6/en/8443.html

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Answer 3

tjk

Level 9

51,142 points

Aug 19, 2011 11:13 AM in response to hoffmanFamily4

hoffmanFamily4 wrote:

I have a similar question. I have a brand new MBP with Thunderbolt. Work just bout me a 27' Thunderbolt display. Great so far. I also have a high-end Dell laptop. I want to connect the DVI out on the Dell base station to my Thunderbolt display. I have a mini-display port to DVI adapted. Plugged that into my MBP Thunderbolt display and got the second monitor up on from my MBP. Now when the new Thunderbolt monitor gets here, I am really hoping that I will be able to reverse the flow and connect from the DVI out of my Dell base station, to the DVI-mini-diplayport and into the back Thunderbolt port and then display the image on the Thunderbolt display.

Can anyone confirm??

Best,

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

I do not believe that will be possible. It would be better if you started your own thread so your question gets the attention it deserves and does not take away from attention to the OP's questions. 😉

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