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can the Apple Thunderbolt 27" display take an HDMI input?

G

gnychis

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 24, 2009
399
2
I was thinking about getting the Apple 27" display, but I was wondering if I could output my HDTV from my decoder box to the Apple display. Like, an HDMI -> Thunderbolt adapter of some sort so that it could act as a TV. Is this at all possible?
 
Last edited:
gnychis said:
I was thinking about getting the Apple 27" display, but I was wondering if I could output my HDTV from my decoder box to the Apple display. Like, an HDMI -> Thunderbolt adapter of some sort so that it could act as a TV. Is this at all possible?
Click to expand...

In a word? No.

Slightly more complex answer is kind of. The MDP models (so the non-Thunderbolt iMacs and displays) can have a special box connected that allows input of other sources, mainly used for PS3/360. However, it only works at 720p, not 1080p, as 720p is exactly half the resolution of the display.

The boxes are the Kanex XD and the Atlona HD620.
 
dang, that would be awesome if it could. I need to look for another LCD then
 
gnychis said:
dang, that would be awesome if it could. I need to look for another LCD then
Click to expand...
If you're thinking of the LED Cinema Display, just use a HDMI to mini displayport converter. You'd need a gender changer though (or a converter that accepts a male plug for the output), due to Apple insisting on hardwiring the connector cords to the display, which is ****, TBH.

If you want the Thunderbolt Display, you could theoretically do the same thing, provided it accepts a mini displayport input. It should do that, but this is unconfirmed so treat it as a "no" for now...and you'd lose any Thunderbolt-specific features like all of the built-in ports including USB, the camera, and possibly the speakers as well depending on if they use audio over displayport or USB/thunderbolt.
 
Lennyvalentin said:
If you're thinking of the LED Cinema Display, just use a HDMI to mini displayport converter. You'd need a gender changer though (or a converter that accepts a male plug for the output), due to Apple insisting on hardwiring the connector cords to the display, which is ****, TBH.

If you want the Thunderbolt Display, you could theoretically do the same thing, provided it accepts a mini displayport input. It should do that, but this is unconfirmed so treat it as a "no" for now...and you'd lose any Thunderbolt-specific features like all of the built-in ports including USB, the camera, and possibly the speakers as well depending on if they use audio over displayport or USB/thunderbolt.
Click to expand...

this seems to conflict with the previous poster about the Cinema display?
 
Lennyvalentin said:
If you're thinking of the LED Cinema Display, just use a HDMI to mini displayport converter. You'd need a gender changer though (or a converter that accepts a male plug for the output), due to Apple insisting on hardwiring the connector cords to the display, which is ****, TBH.

If you want the Thunderbolt Display, you could theoretically do the same thing, provided it accepts a mini displayport input. It should do that, but this is unconfirmed so treat it as a "no" for now...and you'd lose any Thunderbolt-specific features like all of the built-in ports including USB, the camera, and possibly the speakers as well depending on if they use audio over displayport or USB/thunderbolt.
Click to expand...

gnychis said:
this seems to conflict with the previous poster about the Cinema display?
Click to expand...

No it doesn't. The HDMI to MDP converter is the Kanex or Atlona box I talked about in my post, which cost circa $200. You cannot simply use a 'plain' adapter. There's a HUGE topic about this here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/806175/ (it talks about the iMacs, but the display is treated exactly the same).

The Thunderbolt display is a no, unless a product is released in the future that will allow it.
 
peskaa said:
The Thunderbolt display is a no, unless a product is released in the future that will allow it.
Click to expand...
It's assumed to be no, based solely on a single line of text on Apple's product page in the apple store; it's not been proven to be true in reality yet since the display isn't available for sale and no reviews or even demonstrations exist of it to my knowledge.
 
Lennyvalentin said:
It's assumed to be no, based solely on a single line of text on Apple's product page in the apple store; it's not been proven to be true in reality yet since the display isn't available for sale and no reviews or even demonstrations exist of it to my knowledge.
Click to expand...

It's also assumed to be a no based upon how the 2011 iMacs operate in regards to their display-input. They too will only accept Thunderbolt input, not MDP, whereas the previous models would accept MDP.
 
Err, wha...?

I'm using a mini displayport video cable right now with my '11 MBP. Works just fine. Or what exactly are you talking about?
 
Lennyvalentin said:
Err, wha...?

I'm using a mini displayport video cable right now with my '11 MBP. Works just fine. Or what exactly are you talking about?
Click to expand...

A 2011 27" iMac will only accept video input over Thunderbolt from another Thunderbolt equipped Mac, and it needs to be a Thunderbolt cable. You can't hook up a non-Thunderbolt Mac to a 2011 27" iMac using MiniDisplayPort.

However, you can use MiniDisplayPort to hook up a Thunderbolt Mac to a pre-2011 27" iMac.
 
ThunderboltChart_270x130.png
 
A couple of companies are working on converters to allow various inputs to send TB video. There is a delay making these devices because the TB dev kits will not be available to complete the device testing until Sept. That said, these converts wont be available for a few more months at best, and will likely be expensive ($150+).
 
anyone with the actual displays in hand now, tried anything like this?
 
duckduckgoose just let me know this display DOES NOT WORK on mini displayport.... but fine (obviously) over thunderbolt. he said it wasn't even recognized or anything on a circa-2008 MBP with DP.

all credit goes to him for this discovery and being the first person to give a definite answer....he just received his display
 
catalyst6 said:
duckduckgoose just let me know this display DOES NOT WORK on mini displayport.... but fine (obviously) over thunderbolt. he said it wasn't even recognized or anything on a circa-2008 MBP with DP.

all credit goes to him for this discovery and being the first person to give a definite answer....he just received his display
Click to expand...

sorry, I'm not sure this answers my question. I am wondering if I can take something like a Comcast cable box (HDMI out) and connect it to the Thunderbolt display using the Apple thunderbolt to HDMI cable.

I realize everyone is saying this is highly likely a no, but I am just looking for a confirmation
 
gnychis said:
sorry, I'm not sure this answers my question. I am wondering if I can take something like a Comcast cable box (HDMI out) and connect it to the Thunderbolt display using the Apple thunderbolt to HDMI cable.

I realize everyone is saying this is highly likely a no, but I am just looking for a confirmation
Click to expand...

No, not yet. Devices to do this conversion should start hitting the market this fall.
 
HDMI output through TB in

Looking forward to hearing sth about this. I am willing to connect an HDMI out of the SONY Z Power Media Dock to my existing TB iMac. This is crazy but I run a pure Mac netowrk in my home, also use the LaCie TB 2TB solution but I like to save on a new display and use the iMac as part of my dock station.

Thanks for everything,

Landam;)
 
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