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Setting up 3 monitors

I'm trying to set up 3 monitors on MacPro.

We have a right graphics card for 3 monitors (ATI Radeon HD 5870), but when I connect all three, DVI doesn't work.

DVI cable is connected to HDMI with an adapter.

The third monitor we are using through DVI/HDMI is Sony Bravia 46".


I checked the support and it says DVI Display needs to be 30-inches or smaller.

What if third monitor is bigger than 30-inches? What kind of adapter do I need to get?


Thank you for your help in advance!

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Apr 9, 2013 12:50 PM

Reply
5 replies

Apr 9, 2013 12:58 PM in response to mikimouse129

You did read the apple support doc? It talks about 30-inch monitor resolution, and for high resolution you need dual link active DVI.


I notice you don't mention the size and resolution of the others, and your HDMI is limited to 1080 so not an issue as long as proper adapter.



Apple Mini DisplayPort adapters: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3382

Guide to Apple graphic display adapters needed

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3235

Atlona (Dual Link) DVI to Mini DisplayPort Converter for Apple 27-inch LED and 27-inch iMac

http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-Dual-Link-DVI-to-Mini-DisplayPort-Converter-USB-Pow ered.html

Mac Pro (Early 2009), Mac Pro (Mid 2010), Mac Pro (Mid 2012): Issues with three displays and multiple DVI, HDMI connections

It's not the USB data that is needed to run three displays. It's the extra POWER. If you read the Apple article, they say the only solution they endorse is their US$100 Dual-Link adapters. Check the table at the end of the article.

Mac Pro (Early 2009), Mac Pro (Mid 2010): Supported display configurations

Readers here have found that if you have two Brand-X Powered adapters, aka active adapters, it also works fine. These do not always require another USB. If designed recently, they can pick up a power pin in the Mini DisplayPort interface.

AMD (makers of the 5770 and 5870) lists the qualified POWERED adapters that meet their most stringent requirements. Look down the page and you will find several qualified Active Mini DisplyPort to various others, such as HDMI. These adapters are available from other outlets, such as Amazon, sometimes for far less than the Apple adapters.

http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

The other desktop monitor will plug directly into the DVI port on the card and the 40 inch tv will still connect via HDMI over the second Mini Display port.

That will work only if you use an active Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.

The only (someone) have found to work (2009)

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/337561577/miniactive_display_port_tohdmi.html

but you should confirm that they are really active before buying 500 of them.

You can connect a DVI to HDMI adapter or cable to an active Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter but that won't give you any audio over HDMI. You could connect the DVI displays to the Mini DisplayPorts with active adapters and use a DVI to HDMI cable or adapter from the DVI port to the TV.

If you want audio via HDMI, you can use audio from the Mac Pro's optical output with this DVI to HDMI converter:

http://www.apogeeinc.net/products/item.aspx?item=2745

Apr 9, 2013 2:16 PM in response to mikimouse129

You only REQUIRE Dual-Link DVI adapters when your displays are wider than 1920 pixels wide.


What is in short supply is Power to run signal Boosters from converted Mini DisplayPort to DVI (or its re-wire, HDMI).


What you NEED is two ACTIVE Mini DisplayPort adapters. Apple's only ACTIVE adapter is their excellent Dual-Link DVCI at the amazing US$100 price-point.


But ACTIVE Mini DisplayPort to Single-Link DVI adapters are available for US$35 to $40 from sellers such as Amazon and NewEgg from Accell and Startech:


Adapts: Mini DisplayPort™ To: DVI-D Single Link (Active Adapter)
ManufacturerPart NumberFirmwareMax. ResolutionPurchase
AccellB087B-006B0.951920x1200Buy Now
Astron3411020-090-H0.951920x1200Buy Now
BizlinkKS30015-1310.951920x1200
StartechMDP2DVIS0.951920x1200Buy Now
WiesonG9858C219-006-H0.951920x1200Buy Now


source:

http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

Apr 9, 2013 5:41 PM in response to mikimouse129

There are now active Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters

<http://ca.startech.com/AV/Displayport-Converters/Mini-DisplayPort-to-HDMI-Active -Video-and-Audio-Adapter-Converter-Mini-DP-to-HDMI-1920x1200~MDP2HDS>


Apple is suggesting the dual-link DVI adapters because they don't sell active single-link DVI or HDMI adapters. If your display resolution is not over 18920 x 1200, dual-link is not needed if you get non-Apple active adapters, and you will save money and not tie up extra USB ports.

Setting up 3 monitors

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