Thunderbolt to Dell monitor problem

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Thunderbolt to Dell monitor problem

My 2013 MacMini will not display correctly to a Dell E193FP or a Samsung SM940x AS THE SECOND MONITOR. Both monitors work fine on a Windows HP i7 machine.

A HP27x1 as the main monitor on the Mini works perfectly fed from the HDMI out to a DVI adapter. The Dell is fed from the Thudnerbolt port via a VGA connector. The Thunderbolt output looks dim with poor contrast. Impossible to wind up brightness or contrast to come close to the HP. Used to use an Apple Cinema display as the main monitor form the HDMI port with no problems. The tHunderbolt port seems to be the problem with third party hardware. Anyone else have this problem??

Final Cut Studio '09, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), Mac Mini i7 2.3Ghz, 10Gb RAM

Posted on Feb 8, 2014 5:42 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

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Feb 9, 2014 4:11 AM in response to GUSSS

What resolution and refresh rate for the VGA connected monitor?

18. What is the maximum resolution available for use with the Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter?

The resolution available with the Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter is 1920 x 1200. VGA displays that use higher refresh rates (such as 85 Hz) at resolutions of 1600 x 1200 or greater may not generate video properly until you lower the refresh rate.

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Answer 2

GUSSS Author

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Feb 9, 2014 3:07 PM in response to lllaass

Thanks Illaass, the res is 1280x1024 and the only two refresh rates are 75 and 60 Hz. Neither makes any difference to the flat, low level screen display. The monitor adjust window on the Dell itself has plenty of brightness and contrast.

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Answer 3

Feb 9, 2014 10:41 PM in response to GUSSS

I am not sure if this is your issue, but you might want to try this: http://www.ireckon.net/2013/03/force-rgb-mode-in-mac-os-x-to-fix-the-picture-qua lity-of-an-external-monitor

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Answer 4

GUSSS Author

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Feb 10, 2014 2:04 AM in response to TiredNsick

Thanks TiredNsick, the thread you mention is only partially relevant. It talks about high definition monitors 1920x1080 or above I think. The Dell I'm trying to get working is only 1280x1024 and doesn't have any of the fuzzy definition probs of the monitors in the thread. The script and instructions are beyond my current computer skills also. The Thunderbolt to VGA converter maybe the issue but I can't see this is the fix in a Mini...

The definition is fine its just dull and flat...Thanks again

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Answer 5

Feb 10, 2014 2:20 AM in response to GUSSS

If you have a menu button on the Dell monitor, use it to reset to factory settings

Open display preferences: Apple menu > system preferences > Displays

on the preference window on the Dell monoitor. set to

colour tabset display profile to Generic RGB

Display tab; click scaled and select the highest value in the list

close the preference window

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Answer 6

GUSSS Author

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Feb 10, 2014 2:35 AM in response to Gary Scotland

Thanks Gary, that was the first thing i did following the instructiouns in the DISPLAYS window of Preferences. Its definitley at its highest brightness and contrast and reset to factory settings but it still looks really flat and burned out looking. I'm looking at the HP27xi next to it of course.

Interestingly in the Calibration tool the photograph in the Gamma target window looks fine! The only setting that produces a half decent screen is the highest gamma setting...

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