Use Early 2008 iMac as Monitor

Question

Level 1

2 points

Use Early 2008 iMac as Monitor

Hi,

I'm planning to purchase a new MacBook Pro and wanted to know if I can use my iMac as an external monitor.

I've read that this will only work easily/good starting with 2009 iMac models with Target Display Mode, also that it could be possible over a network, and maybe with a program called ScreenRecycler.

The new MacBook Pro has no ethernet cable port, so if it's possible over a network I guess it would have to be through wifi?

My idea was using the mini DVI port on the iMac and the HDMI port on the new MacBook Pro, let me explain. For a long time (before Apple TV/AirPlay) I would connect my iMac to my flat screen TV to watch movies in higher definition. I did this with a mini dvi-to-HDMI converter; one end connects to the mini dvi port on the iMac and the other end gets one end of the HDMI cable, the other end connects to the TV.

This set up worked very well, but would it work between my iMac and a new MacBook Pro? Has anyone already tried? If not can you offer another way to do it?

Thanks much,

Nic

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), null

Posted on Apr 28, 2015 8:56 AM

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Answer 1

bvlerber

Level 1

4 points

Oct 23, 2017 2:23 AM in response to rydj007

Hi there, I'm in the same situation: new MacBook Pro MacOS 10.12.5 and hoping to connect my old 2007 Intel Core 2 Duo iMac. Could you tell me how it is possible? (Anyway Target Display Mode and ScreenRecylcer are not possible for me!) So how do I get there through a network (ethernet) connection? Other options? Thanks

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Answer 2

Niel

Level 10

726,755 points

Apr 28, 2015 8:59 AM in response to nicelaos

It'll need to be over Wi-Fi.

(126807)

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Answer 3

nicelaos Author

Level 1

2 points

Apr 28, 2015 9:03 AM in response to Niel

Thanks for the reply, Niel.

Can you point me to instructions on how to set this up? And do you know if there's a lot of lag and/or pixelation through wifi?

Thanks

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Answer 4

Apr 28, 2015 9:12 AM in response to nicelaos

You can buy one of these to get a wired network going:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD463LL/A/thunderbolt-to-gigabit-ethernet-adap ter

With that said, The DVI port on the iMac only works for output. Plugging the Macbook into that port will do nothing really.

ScreenRecycler is an option, as is an External Video Capture Card.

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Answer 5

nicelaos Author

Level 1

2 points

Apr 28, 2015 9:17 AM in response to Phil0124

Thanks for the reply, Phil.

So with that adapter I can create a wired network that would allow me to use the iMac as a monitor? Any special set up instructions for that?

And how would an External Video Capture Card work?

Thanks

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Answer 6

Apr 28, 2015 9:32 AM in response to nicelaos

With the adapter you can use Screen Recycler to send your MacBooks Screen to the iMac through the App over a wired network. Instead of wirelessly.

As explained in their website: You run the software on each Mac, and it extends the screen over the Network.

http://www.screenrecycler.com/help.html

A Video Capture Card, would let you grab the video output from the Macbook and display it on the iMac. Depending on the software some may let you extend the screen while other's may simply mirror it.

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Answer 7

nicelaos Author

Level 1

2 points

Apr 28, 2015 9:55 AM in response to Phil0124

Okay, I see, thanks for explaining.

I'm guessing a hard wired network connection would be better than a wifi one.

I also found ax external video capture card on Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00612ZPQA

It's about $25 more than the thunderbolt/ethernet adapter, so which one would you recommend as the better way to go? Will one set up offer better quality imaging, stability, ease of use, etc.?

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Answer 8

Eric Root

Level 10

684,027 points

Apr 28, 2015 4:19 PM in response to nicelaos

Video – Target Display Mode - Use another Mac as a Display

Video – Target Display Mode - Use another Mac as a Display - Mavericks

Video - Target Display Mode: FAQs

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Answer 9

Apr 29, 2015 8:14 AM in response to nicelaos

That's not really a capture card, its a Multimonitor Adapter. This will simply let you plug an extra monitor into a computer via one of its USB ports.

It will do nothing if what you want to do is plug in an iMac into a MBP, since the iMac's DVI port is still only output.

If your iMac can support TDM, go for TDM over the wired network that would be the easiest route. if that's not an option go for ScreenRecycler also over the network.

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Answer 10

nicelaos Author

Level 1

2 points

Apr 29, 2015 9:10 AM in response to Phil0124

Target Display Mode is not an option for me because the feature starts with late 2009 iMacs and I have an early 2008 iMac.

It looks like ScreenRecycler is my only option then.

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Answer 11

rydj007

Level 1

25 points

Nov 27, 2016 8:07 AM in response to nicelaos

You can also do a screen/file share over wifi. I am doing that at this moment and it works really well as well as very little lag unlike screenrecycler.

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Answer 12

Sep 9, 2017 4:08 PM in response to nicelaos

Hi Nicelaos I'm curious were you able to get your iMac working as a 2nd monitor? I have an early 2008 and would also like to use it for my MacBook pro. Thanks!

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Answer 13

photo6

Level 1

9 points

Dec 15, 2017 11:51 AM in response to bvlerber

I'm in the same situation. I have an iMac early 2007 that I want to convert to a monitor for a Mac Mini I'm thinking of buying. Any chance you obtained further info on how to do this?

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