Just got an Apple Cinema Display... Help

[Sdahe]

Hello guys,

I got today an Apple Cinema Display to use with my Macbook Pro but the box didn't have any CD in it and I think I have to install something to use it with my MBP. Right now the colors look different from the MBP display... Help!!!

[whatisthe]

I'm pretty sure no cd's come with the display. You don't have to install anything. Just go to system preferences, displays, and click the color tab and calibrate each display so that they have similar color profiles. It will be hard to get them to look identical but you can get them pretty close. If the displays are older then the older one will generally look more yellowish, as I have an older 20" and a new 30" and the 20" looks really burnt compared to the new one.

[Sdahe]

I'm pretty sure no cd's come with the display. You don't have to install anything. Just go to system preferences, displays, and click the color tab and calibrate each display so that they have similar color profiles. It will be hard to get them to look identical but you can get them pretty close. If the displays are older then the older one will generally look more yellowish, as I have an older 20" and a new 30" and the 20" looks really burnt compared to the new one.

I got the display today and came home now to use it for the first time... It doesn't look very sharp... :(

[whatisthe]

Are you sure the resolution is set to the native resolution? If it's not things will appear more larger and more pixelated.
Sharpness and color are two completely different things for displays.

[marclapierre13]

Yes, youll either have to go into preferences and calibrate it, or buy a colorimeter to calibrate your screen, but that will run you $50+.

And make sure you're running the right resolution, and not 680x400 or something lol.

[Sdahe]

Well... right now is at 1920x1200

The monitor make the colors very strong... specially the color blue and greens... it doesn't look like the monitor they have in Best Buy connected to a MBP like mine

[richthomas]

if the same thing is displayed on both the Cinema Display and MacBook Pro's display its in Mirroring mode so press command-F1 to view as Extended Desktop Mode.

then if you want the Cinema Display to be the main display drag the white bar from the smaller blue box to the bigger blue box under Arrangment in Display preferences.

[Sdahe]

if the same thing is displayed on both the Cinema Display and MacBook Pro's display its in Mirroring mode so press command-F1 to view as Extended Desktop Mode.

then if you want the Cinema Display to be the main display drag the white bar from the smaller blue box to the bigger blue box under Arrangment in Display preferences.

This is strange.... When I clicked command+F1 the Cinema Display got nice and sharp... but when I have the monitor in mirror it looks kind of blurry!!!... does this means I have to use it as an extended monitor so it looks sharp?

[richthomas]

^ yes in Extended mode that is the native resolution of the Cinema Display. that is how you should use it. in Mirroring mode the Cinema Display is the same resolution as the MacBook and it mirrors everything you do which is annoying IMO. Mirroring is only really useful for connecting to a projector for presentations.

pro tip: you can also connect your MacBook when its closed. this is called Clamshell Mode. close the MacBook and it will sleep. then connect the power cord, DVI cable and a USB keyboard/mouse and it will wake up displaying only to the Cinema Display. if you have a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse make sure you allow bluetooth devices to wake your computer in Keyboard preferences.

[Sdahe]

Is there another way to calibrate my new Cinema Display without buying something extra?

The only problem I'm having is with the colors... they look with more saturation than in the MBP... is there a way to fix this... to make it look like in the MBP?

[shoopaman]

system preferences-display-color-calibrate
Is there another way to calibrate my new Cinema Display without buying something extra?

The only problem I'm having is with the colors... they are king of strong!!!.

[Sdahe]

system preferences-display-color-calibrate


yes... I know it's there but I did the easy calibration not the expert mode... I guess that's the one I have to do...:o

[richthomas]

just put it on 2.2 Gamma thats what most of the internets is in these days anyway.

[Sdahe]

just put it on 2.2 Gamma thats what most of the internets is in these days anyway.

Yes... that's where I have it.... thanks!!!

[richthomas]

sorry i didnt read your reply in post #10. if you set both the MacBook's and the Cinema Display's gamma to 2.1 thats the closest your going to get them to match without expert calibration with Calibration Assistant or with a calibration device.

[Sdahe]

sorry i didnt read your reply in post #10. if you set both the MacBook's and the Cinema Display's gamma to 2.1 thats the closest your going to get them to match without expert calibration with Calibration Assistant or with a calibration device.

Thanks... I'll see how it comes out !!!

[zer0tails]

just put it on 2.2 Gamma thats what most of the internets is in these days anyway.

mine says 2.2 television gamma. Is that the correct one?

[Sdahe]

I have to be very carefull with the color profile because I'm going to use the monitor as my main monitor for photo edition so I have to be sure it's well calibrated.. I will try to do an expert mode calibration and if I don't see any improvement.. I will need to get some of those things to to do it..

Another thing is... there is a small white light at the right and bottom of the cinema... is always blinking.. what does that means?

[Aea]

Another thing is... there is a small white light at the right and bottom of the cinema... is always blinking.. what does that means?

Monitor is sleeping?

Also, try http://www.bergdesign.com/supercal/

[MGLXP]

I have to be very carefull with the color profile because I'm going to use the monitor as my main monitor for photo edition so I have to be sure it's well calibrated.. I will try to do an expert mode calibration and if I don't see any improvement.. I will need to get some of those things to to do it..

Someone on the [H]ardforum posted a calibration file made with the Spyder3, it can be found here (http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1033404091&postcount=166). I find that although the default profile is pretty good, this profile makes the colour a little better.

[Sdahe]

Someone on the [H]ardforum posted a calibration file made with the Spyder3, it can be found here (http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1033404091&postcount=166). I find that although the default profile is pretty good, this profile makes the colour a little better.

That is very nice... one of my friends send me his calibration file too but I don't know how to install it in my computer... do you know how?

[MGLXP]

That is very nice... one of my friends send me his calibration file too but I don't know how to install it in my computer... do you know how?

Drag the ColorSync profile to /Users/YourUserName/Library/ColorSync/Profiles, then go to System Preferences->Displays->Color, uncheck the box that says Show Profiles for This Display Only, then search for the profile, DONE!

[Sdahe]

Thanks!!!...

Here is how my new working station looks... ;)

http://www.angelsotophotography.com/images/misc/applestation.jpg

I was in the Apple Store that's in San Juan, P.R. and I asked one of the girls there that I was looking for something to calibrate my ACD. She said they didn't have that but then she said that my new ACD had more saturation because the quality Vs the MBP's monitor was better... is that true?

[Sdahe]

Another question.... can I make my MBP shut down when I click on the monitor's shut down button?

[shoopaman]

Is there a shut down button on the monitor?Another question.... can I make my MBP shut down when I click on the monitor's shut down button?

[Sdahe]

Is there a shut down button on the monitor?

Yes... where you shut down the monitor... in the right!

In Best Buy they have it working like that...

[Aea]

Another question.... can I make my MBP shut down when I click on the monitor's shut down button?

I know on the old style ACD's (the aluminum ones) you could put the system to sleep by hitting the power button, you can enable this functionality by going to system preferences -> display -> options

[Sdahe]

I know on the old style ACD's (the aluminum ones) you could put the system to sleep by hitting the power button, you can enable this functionality by going to system preferences -> display -> options

That's the one I have... Look at the picture... I don't have options in the display menu... :(

http://www.angelsotophotography.com/images/misc/applestation.jpg


This is what I have in system preferences -> display -> options

http://i33.tinypic.com/17zls5.jpg

[richthomas]

i think you have to have the MacBook in clamshell mode (read my post earlier) for the Options to show up and set the power button to show the shut down window.

[Horst]

Another question.... can I make my MBP shut down when I click on the monitor's shut down button?

Try control-eject on your external keyboard, might or might not work with the MBP.


You can try the attached profile if you like, it's from my hardware calibrated 23" ACD.

[Aea]

That's the one I have... Look at the picture... I don't have options in the display menu... :(


You have to have FW (I think it's this) or USB plugged in for that to work, and I see from your picture that you do. That's weird, the option did come up for me when I had my MBP plugged into mine. Now both my ACDs are plugged into my Hackintosh and the options menu is still there (for each display).

Edit: Try hitting detect displays and see if that makes it pop up.

[Sdahe]

Try control-eject on your external keyboard, might or might not work with the MBP.


You can try the attached profile if you like, it's from my hardware calibrated 23" ACD.

Hey thank you very much... I will try that profile.. thanks!

Are you using your ACD with a MBP?

[Sdahe]

Is it bad for the MBP to use it in Clamshell Mode?... I heard that it gets very... very hot. Will this damage something in the computer?

This are my temps after almost an hour of use in Clamshell Mode... Not yo worry right?

http://i35.tinypic.com/28s4fn4.png