HT202801: Use multiple displays with your Mac Pro (Late 2013)

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Q: Mac Pro problem - 3 displays & HDTV

Can I connect 2 cinema displays, 1 27" apple display to my Mac Pro AND connect a HDTV via the HDMI out? When I try it only boots up 3 monitors. If I disconnect a cinema display the HDMI HDTV becomes active. 3 screens are nice but 4 is better -Is there a way to get all 4? Am I overloading a bus? Help!

Posted on Mar 6, 2016 12:55 PM

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Q: Mac Pro problem - 3 displays & HDTV

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Mar 6, 2016 1:19 PM in response to ufoagent
    Level 9 (60,714 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 6, 2016 1:19 PM in response to ufoagent

    You are overloading the signal drivers on the card. To get more, the rule is more that TWO "legacy" displays require ACTIVE adapters, about US$40, that contain signal boosters.

     

    "legacy" means anything other than ThunderBolt or DisplayPort family, INCLUDING the built-in HDMI if you decide to use it.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Mar 6, 2016 1:19 PM in response to ufoagent
    Level 10 (188,002 points)
    Desktops
    Mar 6, 2016 1:19 PM in response to ufoagent

    The 2013 Mac Pro can only support two monitors using a legacy connections. Legacy connections are DVI or HDMI. For more than two legacy connections you need an active adopter.

    If the resolution is greater than 1920x1200 you need a dual link mini displayport>DVI adopter (they ae all active and cost about $100) and if HDMI y need one that support higher than 1920x1200.

     

    I do not know the connection on the two cinema displays and assuming there is a mini displayport connection for the 27 in Apple display

  • by Malcolm J. Rayfield,

    Malcolm J. Rayfield Malcolm J. Rayfield Mar 6, 2016 6:26 PM in response to ufoagent
    Level 5 (7,928 points)
    Mar 6, 2016 6:26 PM in response to ufoagent

    Make sure you don't have more than two displays on one Thunderbolt bus.

    https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT202801