Does the Thunderbolt port feed an HDMI monitor?

Question

Does the Thunderbolt port feed an HDMI monitor?

I'm looking into updating my home computer setup and my current dual (LG) monitors have VGA, DVI and HDMI inputs. The currently available LG monitors only have VGA and HDMI inputs. I'm considering a used 2011/2012 mini that has one HDMI port and either one or two Thunderbolt ports. I looked at the Apple Thunderbolt FAQ page and Thunderbolt adapter page and there is no mention of a Thunderbolt to HDMI connection. Am I hosed if I want to continue using my dual LG monitor setup?

And what happened to DVI video??

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 300 GB, 250 GB, 160 GB FW HDs

Posted on Jan 2, 2016 2:04 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

93,448 points

Jan 2, 2016 2:51 PM in response to Tracy Reynolds

Some folks are having issues with HDMI TV-monitors in a dual monitor setup.

If your current monitors are good, I'd stay with them and use the DVI inputs.

Never have had a problem running dual DVI monitors on my 2010 or 2012 Mac Mini's.

(using the Apple supplied HDMI to DVI adapter to one DVI monitor)

(and a MiniDisplay Port to DVI adapter to the other DVI monitor)

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Jan 2, 2016 3:03 PM in response to den.thed

You said "2011/2012 mini that has one HDMI port and either one or two Thunderbolt ports.".

The 2011 was the first Mini to have a Thunderbolt port. Both the 2011 and 2012 Mini have one TB port and one HDMI ports. The next Mini, the 2014, has one HDMI and two TB ports.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

93,448 points

Jan 2, 2016 3:44 PM in response to lllaass

No, I didn't say anything about a 2011 Mac Mini or the # of Thunderbolt Ports.

I'm saying to use the Apple Supplied HDMI to DVI adapter that came with the 2010 thru 2012 models and a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter

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Answer 4

lllaass

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210,519 points

Jan 3, 2016 2:04 AM in response to den.thed

Sorry I was responding to the OPs post

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Answer 5

Jan 3, 2016 4:21 AM in response to den.thed

One of my current monitors died recently. Luckily I had bought two ore for another room when they were still available. I'm using all three inputs, VGA, DVI and HDMI, fed by a G5, Late 2009 mini and a 2010 mini respectively. All three are feeding the dual setup. When the one monitor died I checked to see if I could buy another monitor and all the current LG monitors have dropped the DVI input leaving only VGA and HDMI.

I have Firewire peripherals so I need Firewire connectivity in the mini I choose to replace the aging G5. The 2012 mini is the last with a Firewire port. I am spoiled with dual monitors so I am concerned about about feeding a second HDMI monitor with the Thunderbolt port. Once again, the Apple thunderbolt pages don't mention Thunderbolt to HDMI adapters.

When something works well, why does it get changed? Who asked for these changes?

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Answer 6

den.thed

Level 10

93,448 points

Jan 3, 2016 7:16 AM in response to Tracy Reynolds

Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt Port are the same shape and size.

You can use a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter with either one.

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/HFQL2VC/A/moshi-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-adapt er-4

http://www.startech.com/AV/Displayport-Converters/Mini-DisplayPort-to-HDMI-Cable -Adapter-Converter~MDP2HDMI

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Answer 7

Jan 3, 2016 7:26 AM in response to den.thed

den.thed wrote:

Some folks are having issues with HDMI TV-monitors in a dual monitor setup.

If your current monitors are good, I'd stay with them and use the DVI inputs.

Never have had a problem running dual DVI monitors on my 2010 or 2012 Mac Mini's.

(using the Apple supplied HDMI to DVI adapter to one DVI monitor)

(and a MiniDisplay Port to DVI adapter to the other DVI monitor)

What OSes are users having HDMI issues with. I've been reading about El Capitan causing havoc with numerous peripherals and hardware. For the time being I'm going to stay with Mountain Lion. One program I use often is the most stable on ML.

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Answer 8

den.thed

Level 10

93,448 points

Jan 3, 2016 7:56 AM in response to Tracy Reynolds

Not all HDMI problems are related to any one OS X or just the Mac Mini's.

They seem to be related more to resolution choice and connection recognition.

(like not offering the correct resolution and not waking from standby mode)

In addition to:

Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt Port are the same shape and size.

You can use a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter with either one.

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/HFQL2VC/A/moshi-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-adapt er-4k

http://www.startech.com/AV/Displayport-Converters/Mini-DisplayPort-to-HDMI-Cable -Adapter-Converter~MDP2HDMI

You can also use Mini DisplayPort to (DVI or VGA) adapters in the Thunderbolt Port(s) of later Mac Mini's.

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Answer 9

den.thed

Level 10

93,448 points

Jan 3, 2016 12:16 PM in response to lllaass

Sorry, nothing for you to be sorry about.

Can I blame jive....?

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