Level 1

9 points

Dual Link DVI to 2016 MacBook Pro options?

My current laptop is a MacBook Pro (Retina, mid 2012). I've got it connected to an HP LP3065 monitor (30") through the Apple "Mini-Displayport to Dual-Link DVI" adapter.

I've ordered the new 2016 15" MacBook Pro, and I'm trying to figure out what adapter[s] I need to continue using the same display.

With my current configuration, there are two cables needed to connect the laptop to the adapter. One is the mini displayport, and the other is a USB. Both are required for the display to work. I was really hoping with the newer / better / faster ports on this year's laptop, I could lose the clunky adapter and replace it with something that only took up a single port and wasn't nearly the size of the laptop by itself (OK, i exaggerate, but still it's an annoyingly large adapter).

There doesn't seem to be any 'Thunderbolt 3 to Dual Link DVI' Adapter. In fact, as best I can figure I'd need to use the current adapter plus another adapter connected to it ... I think the mini displayport will plug into Thunderbolt 3, and then I need a USB to Thunderbolt 3 adapter. (I'm not even sure that will work, but it's my starting point of what to try).

Anyone else dealing with this issue and found any solutions?

Thanks

Mike

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.1)

Posted on Oct 27, 2016 1:05 PM

45 replies

myawn Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 5, 2016 9:01 AM in response to Camuel

I ordered this adapter and it arrived over the weekend ... it is working perfectly.

Was even able to get it in white (CDP2DVIW). Since the above link is a UK site, here's a US one

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BJ0JCBC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie= UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the pointer!

SABEZ

Level 1

4 points

Dec 5, 2016 8:42 PM in response to myawn

Greetings myawn,

Did you get your HP LP3065 monitor to work with a MacBook Pro 2016 using the above connector? I just tried connecting mine with a Display Port to a Mini Display Port adapter as well as a USB-C to a Display Port adapter and it wouldn't work with the Apple Dual Link DVI adaptor (one has a USB and a mini-display port and the other the DVI). I also tried plugging the USB end into just a power supply with no luck.

If yours works with the StarTech.com CDP2DVIW USB-C to DVI Adapter - USB Type-C to DVI Video Converter then I'll order one and try that.

Thanks!

myawn Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 6, 2016 4:47 AM in response to SABEZ

Yes, that's the exact configuration.

I noticed yesterday that I was getting an annoying flicker every few seconds that I had not seen previously. When I connected yesterday I plugged into a different port that I used earlier -- moving the adapter to the port I'd used originally appears to fix the issue. That may indicate some problem with one of the ports on the new MBP.

I've only tried plugging in on the right hand side; the port to the rear is the one that has the flicker issue and the one in front does not. This is just based on a few hours use so it's not an exhaustive test, but if you see some flicker on the monitor it might be worth trying a different port. (We have had storms in the area so it might be irregularity in the incoming power and the apparent correlation to which port I"m plugged into may be purely coincidence).

Mike

SABEZ

Level 1

4 points

Dec 10, 2016 11:00 AM in response to myawn

Greetings, Mike. I got the adapter and plugged it in to the HP LP3065. The display worked! But I could only get a low resolution (1280 x 800) using system preferences. Very fuzzy. I called Apple and tried to see if there was an updated driver. Couldn't find anything for support on the HP website. Also looked at the Apple Store but couldn't find anything there. I understand the LP3065 only works at 2560x1600 but clearly that is not my experience. Did you have any of these issues? Any thoughts on getting an updated driver?

I have no flicker like you did.

Stephen

myawn Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 12, 2016 8:46 AM in response to SABEZ

I am running at full resolution (The Displays preference only shows 'Default for display' and doesn't actually tell me what the precise resolution is; but if I go into 'About this Mac' then Displays, it shows 2560x1600. Graphics is Radeon Pro 455 2048MB; I just went back to check specs as I wondered if there was a configuration that came with a different graphics card, but it seems this is what all 15" models come with. So I'm not sure what could account for the difference.

Here's what the 'System Report' shows:

HP LP3065:

Resolution: 2560 x 1600

Pixel Depth: 30-Bit Color (ARGB2101010)

Display Serial Number: CN495006DL

Main Display: Yes

Mirror: Off

Online: Yes

Rotation: Supported

Automatically Adjust Brightness: No

Connection Type: DVI or HDMI

Adapter Firmware Version: d.1d

Dec 12, 2016 11:32 AM in response to SABEZ

I called Apple and tried to see if there was an updated driver.

Apple uses one highly parameterized Driver for all displays. Its settings are based on a query to the display, "what is your name, and what are your capabilities?"

Looking of a different Driver is a Windows solution, but will not help you on a Mac -- there is no other Driver. If you could find a different Driver, it would operate in exactly the same way. You need to look elsewhere for the causes of your symptoms.

Dec 12, 2016 11:34 AM in response to SABEZ

I got the adapter and plugged it in

which adapter? and what cable are you using to the display? and are there any other adapters in this chain?

SABEZ

Level 1

4 points

Dec 12, 2016 7:37 PM in response to myawn

Thanks to Myawn for this information. To reply to Grant as well,

I have a MacBook Pro 2016 13 inch which has a graphics card: Intel Iris Graphics 550 1536 MB

which should be adequate. So I'm going to contact Apple to see what gives, since the LP3065 works with my Air 2011 vintage (which is a modest NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256 MB ).

For Grant, the hook-up to the LP3065 is via a DVI to USB-C adapter that myawn suggested StarTech CDP2DVIW USB-C to DVI Adapter which I got from New Egg. It is hooked up to the DVI cable that came with the LP3065.

We'll get this figured out.

Stephen

Dec 13, 2016 7:13 PM in response to SABEZ

to get resolutions above 1920 wide, you need each and every device along the way to be a Dual-Link DVI device.

The adapter says: support for video resolutions up to 2560x1600

the cable you use must have all 24 pins in the pin gird array present, and must have end-to-end connection of the central set shown (purple-ish) in this diagram:

(click to enlarge)

graphic from wikipedia

Cables that do not have those central pins (or do not have them connected end-to-end) are Single-Link DVI, and work great up to 1920 wide -- but not beyond.

SABEZ

Level 1

4 points

Dec 14, 2016 8:46 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

It was my understanding that the Dual Link DVI set up using Apple's adapter does not work with the MBP2016. I tried the Apple Dual Link DVI adaptor connected via a female Mini Display Port to USB-C connector and it didn't work. Since myawn can connect his 15 inch MBP2016 to the 30 inch using a DVI to USB-C and get it to work at the 2560x1600 resolution as above, it should also work with the 13 inch I have.

Will call Apple and see. Stephen

gany

Level 1

4 points

Jan 12, 2017 9:11 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I do have good USB power connected, otherwise the screen wouldn't have worked at all.

gany

Level 1

4 points

Jan 18, 2017 11:06 AM in response to loomisb

Hi loomisb,

This is interesting, just to be very clear, which adapter did you pop open and cool?

Thanks,

Gany

Apr 5, 2017 8:20 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you, I am using a dual link capable cable and already using it to drive 2560x1600 on MacBook Pro 15, 2013.

Apr 5, 2017 8:24 AM in response to monte-hansen

The Apple ThunderBolt-3 to ThunderBolt-2 adapter specifically disclaims have a valid DisplayPort signal in it. It cannot be used successfully for DisplayPort or converters.

Apr 5, 2017 8:30 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Can someone confirm a USC-C DVI/dl adapter that works with HP LP3065, or a USB-C -> Mini DisplayPort adapter that works with Apple's Mini DisplayPort -> DVI/dl?

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Dual Link DVI to 2016 MacBook Pro options?