Mac Pro ATI 5770: HDMI to Panasonic plasma TV

Question

Mac Pro ATI 5770: HDMI to Panasonic plasma TV

I have a Mac Pro 2x2.4 Quad Core with original ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics card.

I use the computer for Final Cut Pro X and Pro Tools HD Native.

My monitor is an HP 2711x.

I would like to run a Category 2 HDMI cable from the 5770 to a Panasonic VIERA 50" plasma TV about 40 ft. away, to test how FCP X videos look.

(1) Can I have both the HP 2711x and the Panasonic connected to the 5770 at the same time?

(2) Do I need an HDMI adaptor of some sort to connect the 5770 to the Panasonic?

Posted on Jul 26, 2012 8:53 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 26, 2012 4:12 PM in response to Michael Holmes1

Your 5770 can support one DVI display and up to two Mini DisplayPort displays.

To use HDMI, you will need an adapter for one or more of the ports.

Three simultaneous displays can be done, but requires strict adherence to guidelines regarding Active, Powered adapters.

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Answer 2

Jul 26, 2012 7:35 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Sorry, I need to be more specific.

I need to know:

(1) Does the HDMI signal need to be boosted somehow to run 40 ft. from the 5770 card to the Panasonic TV? Or is signal strength not an issue?

(2) Specifically which adaptor cable do I need to buy get the video/audio into the HDMI cable for simultaneous viewing?

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Answer 3

Jul 26, 2012 8:05 PM in response to Michael Holmes1

40 feet is near the maximum possible.

We know that DVI is DIRECTLY adapted to HDMI, so I suggest you try a DVI to HDMI adapter off the built-in DVI port first.

To run your hp TV/Display at the same time, get a Mini DisplayPort to DVI or HDMI converter. If you ever expect to run three displays, you will need to have ACTIVE converters, so it may be worthwhile to buy one now.

Neither of your displays required Dual-Link adapters based on the data rate (Dual-Link means double the data conductors, to lower the overall clock rate to something manageable. It does not mean double display in any fashion.)

The HDMI adapters should all support Audio. Which version of Mac OS may determine whether the card can generate it.

Is that what you were asking? If not, ask for more!

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Answer 4

Jul 26, 2012 9:38 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

OK, I'm asking more. 🙂

Bear with me, I obviously don't know much about this.

Currently the video signal is going from 5770 --> HP 2711x via DVI.

The audio is going Mac Pro-->external DA converters via optical digital out from the Mac Pro.

I don't want this to change. I have a high quality audio system for FCP X and Pro Tools.

For the Panasonic, you suggest DVI-->HDMI. For this to work, don't I have to buy an Active converter to combine the audio with the video? Otherwise, the audio wouldn't get to the Panasonic.....right? Isn't this the case regardless of whether I use three monitors or not? I am probably off base here.

Assuming I am right that the DVI-->HDMI converter needs to be Active to combine video/audio, where does the audio come from? Is it already avaliable at the 5770 DVI connection? Or must it be tied into the converter separately somehow?

For the HP 2711x, you suggested either MiniDP-->DVI or MiniDP--> HDMI. Does it matter which I choose? Will they be exactly equivalent video quality?

FYI, I am running OS 10.7.4.

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Answer 5

Jul 27, 2012 7:09 AM in response to Michael Holmes1

I have found this adaptor

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011405 &p_id=5369&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

which converts DVI and S/PDIF to HDMI.

Is this what I need to get audio to the Panasonic?

Will I lose my audio to the 2711x whenever I use this?

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Answer 6

Jul 27, 2012 9:22 AM in response to Michael Holmes1

Well, here is an alternative:

Connect MiniDP-->HDMI using this adaptor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812296627&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junc tion&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4176827&SID=14gykx20b l6fk

Then, I would leave

DVI-->2711x

This sure is simple........something must be wrong. 🙂

Will this work?

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Answer 7

Jul 27, 2012 10:09 AM in response to Michael Holmes1

Here is what Apple has to say:

About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters

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Answer 8

Jul 27, 2012 10:25 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Great, here is one of the Apple-approved adapters here:

http://www.amazon.com/moshi-MiniDisplay-Port-Adapter-Audio/dp/B003XCVQ3C/ref=sr_ 1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343409685&sr=8-1&keywords=moshi+mini+display+to+hdmi

Wouldn't this be the way to go, and just leave DVI-->2711x?

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Answer 9

Jul 27, 2012 1:17 PM in response to Michael Holmes1

It depends on who you trust to make the best signals to go the 40 feet.

My inclination was to use the DVI output, adapted (but NOT re-driven) to make an HDMI to go that distance.

The other way, you rely on the adapter-maker to generate nice strong signals in the adapter. It may work fine. It may even work better.

Now you have Options!

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Answer 10

Jul 27, 2012 1:30 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

OK, Grant, I've got it.

Just two more things (a repeat of questions above).

(1) For the DVI-->HDMI-->Panasonic, am I correct that I will need this (or a similar) adapter to get audio to the Panasonic?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011405 &p_id=5369&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

(2) Can I simultaneously get audio out of the S/PDIF (going to Panasonic) and Toslink audio out (going to my audio system for the HP 2711x?

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Answer 11

Jul 28, 2012 3:39 PM in response to Michael Holmes1

Can anyone answer the two questions just above regarding the 5770 graphics card??

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Answer 12

Jul 28, 2012 3:59 PM in response to Michael Holmes1

Re 1) I think all you need is the simple mooshi adapter, no bells, no whistles. The apple article says the Mac Pro 2010 [which implies the standard 5770 or optional 5870 card] supports putting the Audio right out onto the display Interfaces, but the Mac Pro 2009 model [standard GT120 optional 4870] does not. So if you have the 5770, the Audio should come right out on the display interfaces, no stunt-box needed.

Re 2) IF you can simultaneously send the sound to two outputs, you would do so in System Preferences > Sound.

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Answer 13

Jul 28, 2012 6:01 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I'm not arguing with you, Grant, I just want to understand why I found so many articles that say audio won't come out of DVI, period.

The only article you have referenced (unless I missed it) is an Apple article discussing Mini DisplayPorts only:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4241

Which Apple article are you referring to?

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Answer 14

Jul 28, 2012 6:38 PM in response to Michael Holmes1

There is this one, which says in a backhanded way that the 2010 model [is required for] sound output through Both Interfaces of the display card (It was news to me -- I thought all you needed was the right display card):

Mac Pro (Early 2009): No HDMI or Mini DisplayPort audio when using the AMD Radeon 5870 upgrade kit

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Answer 15

Jul 28, 2012 6:48 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Once again, Grant, this only discusses the Mini DisplayPorts. There is no mention of the DVI port.

What you have proposed is to send DVI--> HDMI-->Panasonic, with both video and audio.

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