Unable to use projector on OS X Mountain Lion

tjbaggins wrote:

Just to update my situation:

1. Tried all the usual suggested fixes.

2. Tried the boot holding down 3 and 2 simultaneously. No dice.

3. I am using the adapter that I bought with the MBP 15" this summer:

The specs of the MBP 15" 2.6 ghz version say:

Thunderbolt digital video output

Native Mini DisplayPort output

So I purchased the Mini Display Port to VGA Adaptor, which I assume must be the right adaptor since it was listed as one of the options with my purchase. I have a colleague that has a 13" MBP mid 2012 edition, and he is not having this same problem. We also tried the HDMI version with mine without success.

And again, the projector that I am atttempting to use:

http://us.sanyo.com/Projectors-by-Market-Education-Auditorium/PLC-WM5500-L

Sure would appreciate a fix!

According to the picture of the "about this mac" spec sheet you sent me... a Mini Display Port would not work with a computer with a thunderbolt display port.

Hello Carlo TD

One thing I noticed that is different on ML than Lion on connecting to projectors is that it "guesses" more on what the target projector resolution should be. In the ML System Prefrences Display pane, once the projector is detected three choices, "Best for Projector", "Best for Display" and "Set Resolution" (actually, I am guessing at the titles from memory). If it hasn't guessed correctly on the "Best for Projector", ML may see the projector but nothing display. Are you even seeing the projector in the system preferences or has it not even detected it being there?

I'm using 10.8.2 (developer version) in a desperate try to make it work.

Anyway, what is the correct VGA or HDMI adapter I need to buy to work with thunderbolt?

This one? http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572Z/A/mini-displayport-to-vga-adapter?fnode =53

Thanks

According to this http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20043524-263.html the thunderbolt port is backwards compatible with the mini display port. So I would say yes but save your reciept.

I am running 10.8.1

Apple does not offer a thunderbolt to VGA cable. I purchased the Apple miniDV to VGA that is supposed to be native to the computer that I purchased according to Apple's own specs (see below).

Graphics

• Intel HD Graphics 4000 (all 13- and 15-inch configurations)
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 512MB of GDDR5 memory (15-inch 2.3GHz configuration) or NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory (15-inch 2.6GHz configuration) and automatic graphics switching
• Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors
• Thunderbolt digital video output
  • Native Mini DisplayPort output
  • DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (sold separately)
  • VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (sold separately)
  • Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (sold separately)
  • HDMI audio and video output using third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter (sold separately)

AnnEarl appears to be able to detect a projector. I can't even get that far.

AnnEarl wrote:

Hello Carlo TD

One thing I noticed that is different on ML than Lion on connecting to projectors is that it "guesses" more on what the target projector resolution should be. In the ML System Prefrences Display pane, once the projector is detected three choices, "Best for Projector", "Best for Display" and "Set Resolution" (actually, I am guessing at the titles from memory). If it hasn't guessed correctly on the "Best for Projector", ML may see the projector but nothing display. Are you even seeing the projector in the system preferences or has it not even detected it being there?

I have an older mac. I have a Mini Display port on my mac book pro. I use mine in conjunction with a Apple mini display port to a VGA port to connect to an external monitor. I have not tested my computer with a projector yet but I imagine it is no different than connecting a monitor. I will have to get back to you on your question. My external monitor is being borrowed by a friend and when I get it back I will check it out. I do think you have to follow the suggestions that the OP gave.

Thanks Carlo.

But that makes no sense. I'm already using an mini-display port adapter or whatever type it is and it worked on Lion. So there is no reason to it stop work in Mountain Lion (or it should be at least listed as an incompatibility at ML release notes or something). Come on, I just want to plug an simple monitor/projector to my macbook. It can't be that hard!!!!!

that article was written in March of 2011. Mountain Lion was released this summer 2012. Something changed maybe since the article was released because you even said it use to work before you upgraded to Mountain Lion. The only thing I could think of is file a bug report at http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html . Perhaps no one has reported this as a bug yet (assuming it is not the connector).

Hi Carlo,

The same article says that the DVI adapter will work through the thunderbolt port (but not a thunderbolt device in a DVI port), and my experience is that former doesn't. I'm beginning to wonder if my MBP is defective?!

I have one EASY *possible* solution for some (mine is a 27" i5 imac from late 2010)

I just called Apple care:

- They got me to shut my mac down

- I turned it back on, then immediately held down the command, option, P & R keys on the keyboard

- Held them 4 buttons until the mac made the start up musical noise thing TWICE

Then plugged in the projector and it worked fine!

Apparently doing the hold of 4 buttons until after it beeps twice does some reset of the hardware including the external ports.

I do not think your MBP is defective. I think the article was just saying all the things that Apple has used. DVI is going back 3 or 4 years. I looked quickly... the only part that I saw had DVI was this section...

"As with most other ports Apple has used (USB, FireWire 400, FireWire 800, DVI, etc.), DisplayPort has had a unique connector; but with the release of Apple's new "Thunderbolt" technology in the latest MacBook systems, Apple threw in a potential source of confusion by using the same DisplayPort connector."

I did report that as a bug today. Let's wait to see what happens.

Thanks

Julatron wrote:

I have one EASY *possible* solution for some (mine is a 27" i5 imac from late 2010)

I just called Apple care:

- They got me to shut my mac down

- I turned it back on, then immediately held down the command, option, P & R keys on the keyboard

- Held them 4 buttons until the mac made the start up musical noise thing TWICE

Then plugged in the projector and it worked fine!

Apparently doing the hold of 4 buttons until after it beeps twice does some reset of the hardware including the external ports.

He tried that... it is the adapter and the connector. I think that person will need to get the connector from apple. I would also suggest getting the Apple HDMI cable... but experiment... maybe you dont need both.

Yes, I agree that monitors and projectors are the same to ML as best I know (I could be wrong there). First trick is to make sure the monitor/projector is detected by ML. You can tell in System Prefernces Display starts having a layout option available. If it is detected, then you need to see if it is in Extended or Mirrored. I use mirrored all the time but it sometimes jumps to extended and it appears to me if nothing is being presented. Then I need to make sure the resolution being sent by ML is the native of the projector. Sigh....

ok good luck. In the mean while.. if your able to try that adapter you showed above.