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What monitor resolution will an early 2008 iMac support via Firewire to HDMI?

The question says it all really. I have an early 2008 iMac with Firewire ports. I have a firewire to HDMI connector which I'd like to use to plug into a monitor to use as a secondary monitor for the iMac & as a monitor for the PS3. I have a HDMI switch box to allow different outputs to switch between the iMac & PS3.


What I want to know is what is the maximum resolution the iMac will support?

And, if I use a monitor with a higher resolution will it reduce it or will it just not work?


Thanks in advance.

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Apr 3, 2016 9:54 AM

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4 replies
User profile for user: Duane
Duane
User level: Level 10
124,293 points

Apr 3, 2016 10:01 AM in response to Community User

I'm not sure that I understand exactly what you are asking.


Are you asking if the early 2008 iMac can be used as a stand alone monitor? No -> Use your iMac as a display with Target Display Mode - Apple Support


Are you asking if you can connect your early 2008 iMac to an external monitor? Yes, but your iMac has a mini-DVI video output. If your monitor has an HDMI input, you will need to use a mini-DVI to HDMI adapter.

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User profile for user: Community User
Community User Author

Apr 3, 2016 10:08 AM in response to Duane

Hi Duane,


Sorry for not being clearer. I want to have a second monitor for the iMac so I can use the iMac screen and the external monitor (I might already be using the mini-DVI and mistaken it for Firewire :/ sorry!). I've connected it up to a projector before using a HDMI adaptor but wanted to know if there are any restrictions as to what resolution of monitor the iMac could support.


For example, if I got a 1920 x 1080p Full HD monitor, would the iMac be compatible with that? Would I get a 1920 x 1080 resolution?


Thanks

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What monitor resolution will an early 2008 iMac support via Firewire to HDMI?

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