jamathan
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: RESOLUTION ISSUE: Dual mode--running a 30-inch Apple Cinema Display from a iMac 24-inch

Trying to run a 30-inch Apple Cinema Display from a iMac 24-inch. The highest resolution I can get on the 30-inch display is 1280 x 800 (even though its native resolution is 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz, and I have run it at that resolution connected to my old MacPro tower)

 

I found a chart with these technical specs for the Apple Cinema Displays (http://support.apple.com/kb/SP79). For iMac compatibility it says all the 20- and 23-inch cinema dislpays need are the Apple mini-DVI to DVI Adapter (I am using the correct adapter). In the column for the 30-inch it simply has "N/A."

 

I can't accept that there isn't any way to use the monitor at the resolution it is supposed to run--this is Apples to Apples for crying out loud!

 

It has the NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256 MB graphics card (when I go to their website, it seems that it is powerful enough to run at the resolutions we are talking about).

 

Any ideas for getting this to work would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

• Mac OS X Lion 10.7.5 • iMac 24-inch, Early 2009 • 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo • 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3 • Graphics:NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256 MB •

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on May 23, 2013 5:39 PM

by Niel,Apple recommended
Niel Niel
Level 10 (311,446 points)
A:

A 30-inch display requires a dual-link DVI connection to run at its full capacity; if you're using a computer with a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port, a dual-link DVI adapter is needed. Mini-DVI and single-link DVI aren't capable of driving it at its maximum resolution.

 

(83268)

Posted on May 23, 2013 5:44 PM

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jamathan

Q: RESOLUTION ISSUE: Dual mode--running a 30-inch Apple Cinema Display from a iMac 24-inch

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  • by Niel,Apple recommended

    Niel Niel May 23, 2013 5:44 PM in response to jamathan
    Level 10 (311,446 points)
    May 23, 2013 5:44 PM in response to jamathan

    A 30-inch display requires a dual-link DVI connection to run at its full capacity; if you're using a computer with a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port, a dual-link DVI adapter is needed. Mini-DVI and single-link DVI aren't capable of driving it at its maximum resolution.

     

    (83268)

  • by jamathan,

    jamathan jamathan May 23, 2013 6:10 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 23, 2013 6:10 PM in response to Niel

    Thank you! You totally solved it!

  • by ilearn.jr,

    ilearn.jr ilearn.jr Aug 3, 2016 10:21 PM in response to jamathan
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Aug 3, 2016 10:21 PM in response to jamathan

    To connect a 30" Apple Cinema Display to newer Macs, use an "Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter."

     

    The 30" ACD has 4 cables that come out of the back:

    (1) Dual-Link DVI

    (2) USB 2

    (3) Firewire 400

    (4) Power

     

    The adapter's USB port allows the adapter to supply power to the 30" ACD's two USB ports. However, the adapter does not have a socket for Firewire 400, so the Firewire 400 cable from the monitor goes unused, and thus, the Firewire ports on the back of the 30" ACD are rendered useless.  (The display’s FireWire plug is only necessary to run the 30” ACD’s FireWire ports on the back though, so luckily, it’s not needed for the display to function properly).