Mini Displayport can't detect external monitor [MBP 13 - 2011]

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Mini Displayport can't detect external monitor [MBP 13 - 2011]

Hi,

I own a MBP 13 that I wish to connect with my Acer external mobitor. I bought a miniDisplayport to HDMI [male] cable for this purpose.

Now the problem I am facing is that even though my 40" Samsung TV detects the MBP and works as an extended monitor, the MBP fails to detect the Acer monitor. However, I currently use the Acer monitor with my Mac Mini, Tata Sky+ set top box and also my Playstation 3.

What do you guys reckon the problem might be?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on May 28, 2012 11:23 PM

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Answer 1

shayonpal Author

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Jun 16, 2012 1:34 AM in response to X423424X

Here's a new update.

I had an old HDMI [female] - DVI [male] connector lying around in my house. It looks somewhat like this -

Now, consider the following scenarios -

MBP [miniDisplayPort] - HDMI port of Acer => does not work.
Mini [miniDisplayPort] - HDMI port of Acer => works
Mini [HDMI] - HDMI port of Acer => works
Mini [miniDisplayPort] - HDMI to DVI connector - HDMI port of Acer => works.
MBP [miniDisplayPort] - HDMI to DVI connector - HDMI port of Acer => works (surprisingly)

Now, this is a very weird turn of events. What can you make out of it, now?

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Answer 2

X423424X

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May 29, 2012 2:50 AM in response to shayonpal

Does Displays system preferences show an Arrangement tab? If not then the MBP is not detecting the monitor. Try clicking Detect Displays. Recheck the connections to make sure the mini-displayport plug is pushed firmly in so that essentially all the metal part disappears inside the socket. Mini-displayport plugs can be a little tricky in that you need to make sure the plug is fully seated in their socket.

If you do have an Arrangement then click Gather Windows to get the monitor's Displays preferences on to your main screen. Set the proper resolution and refresh rate if that option is also present.

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Answer 3

shayonpal Author

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Jun 15, 2012 12:48 PM in response to X423424X

Hi,

The monitor has 3 inputs - VGA, DVI and HDMI. I had purchased the mini-displayport to HDMI adapter since I could use it on all displays, as the situation might arise. Acer's monitor surely has an option to select the input, and it just shows "No connection found" when HDMI is selected. However, it works fine when either of the Mini or PS3 is connected via the HDMI port using a HDMI - HDMI cable.

Here are all the options available with the Acer monitor -

And, here is the cable I am using -

I really can't "experiment" with the cables since such cables cost almost $30 [unbranded] to $65 [Moshi] in India. Yes, it's costly :-(

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Answer 4

shayonpal Author

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Jun 15, 2012 1:00 PM in response to X423424X

Additionally, the TV that the MBP successfully connects to, using the same set of miniDisplayport - HDMI cables is http://www.samsung.com/in/consumer/tv-audio-video/television/led-tv/UA40EH5000RL XL-spec

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Answer 5

shayonpal Author

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Jun 15, 2012 1:09 PM in response to X423424X

How can the cable be defective? I had visited the Apple Store and had them try it out with 3-4 more displays. Even tried it on a TV in the adjacent store. The cable worked just fine there. Sadly, Apple refused to give me support since the cable wasn't officially supported by them. I could've bought their official Moshi cable, but it is a miniDisplayPort to HDMI [female] cable. Which means I'll also need another HDMI cable to be able to connect it with my monitor. I don't want that overhead.

I'd surely have bought a Moshi [Apple supported] cable had they had a miniDisplayPort to HDMI [male] cable.

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Answer 6

X423424X

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Jun 15, 2012 1:27 PM in response to shayonpal

Did I miss you had tried the cable in other setups? If so, sorry.

The cable is ok, the mini-displayport socket works for other displays. The only thing that doesn't work is the Acer. So I can only conclude it is incompatible with your MBP and for some reason not your mini.

All the hardware variables have been tested. Maybe the EDID info sent to the MBP is not understood by the MBP and is by the mini. Maybe there are differences in the way the OS handles video on the two machines. They certainly different video boards.

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Answer 7

X423424X

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Jun 16, 2012 2:10 AM in response to shayonpal

5. MBP [miniDisplayPort] - HDMI to DVI connector - HDMI port of Acer => works (surprisingly)

I'm confused. Not that it works (well a little). But what you say here. Specifically "DVI connector - HDMI port of Acer". That's a mistake right? DVI connector into the Acer HDMI port? Or should that say DVI connector into the Acer DVI port? Isn't that what you picture shows above?

If so, for some reason the DVI port works on the Acer for your MBP but not the HDMI. Maybe doing that allows the proper EDID info to get to your MBP.

Anyway, don't knock it. At least you got it working.😉

Good work.

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Answer 8

shayonpal Author

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Jun 16, 2012 2:15 AM in response to X423424X

Oops! Yes, that was a mistake. The HDMI-DVI connector is connected to the DVI port of the monitor.

I am surely glad that I can finally make it work. But it's really weird that the MBP is not getting detected by the Acer's HDMI port.

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Answer 9

shayonpal Author

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May 29, 2012 5:37 AM in response to X423424X

There is no Arrangement tab despite connecting the cable with the monitor securely.

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Answer 10

X423424X

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May 29, 2012 12:46 PM in response to shayonpal

Can you post the exact model information for that Acer so we can look it up (manual)?

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Answer 11

shayonpal Author

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Jun 15, 2012 10:35 AM in response to X423424X

I own this monitor - http://www.acer.co.in/ac/en/IN/content/model/ET.LNZ08.003

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Answer 12

X423424X

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Jun 15, 2012 12:27 PM in response to shayonpal

Couldn't find the manual for that thing. Is there an input select on it? Are you using the same cables that you used on the mini? Maybe use a mini-displayport to DVI adapter instead.

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Answer 13

X423424X

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Jun 15, 2012 12:54 PM in response to shayonpal

If I am reading those displays correctly it says it thinks input is from the DVI connection, not the HDMI connection.

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Answer 14

shayonpal Author

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Jun 15, 2012 12:57 PM in response to X423424X

In this particular case, yes, since the HDMI port is currently connected to my set top box. However, the Mini easily connects to the monitor with a HDMI [male] - HDMI [male] too.

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Answer 15

X423424X

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Jun 15, 2012 1:02 PM in response to shayonpal

Well I don't know then. Maybe the cable is defective. It happens sometimes.

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