Connecting second monitor

[marfrie56]

I realize that with the 27" screen, I have a lot of real estate.
Well, I'm a real estate glutton. I have screens galore from former systems, and instead of letting them all go idle, I'd like to connect a 19" HP (not wide) flatscreen to my iMac. It happens to be the perfect size and aspect ratio for a document or a normally sized web page.
I understand that I need a Thunderbolt to HDMI cable to do this.
Anything else I should consider?
Any drivers, cards, or pookas I need to think about?
Anybody else as much as a real estate hog as I?
Anybody else have multiple monitors on their iMac?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You either need a Mini DisplayPort (MDP) to DisplayPort or HDMI or DVI or VGA adapter, depending on the best interface the 19" display has to offer.

Mini DisplayPort (MDP) / Thunderbolt

Mini DisplayPort is the current digital standard on all current Macs to transfer video to an external display or TV. It has been introduced in 10/2008 with the release of the Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pros and has gradually been adopted on all other Macs.
MDP is capable of transmitting video, and since 2010, audio too. MDP is a miniaturised version of DisplayPort. It is also license free and can support resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600, which Mini DVI and Micro DVI are not able to do.
Since 2011, all Macs come with a Thunderbolt port, which is meant for fast data transfer and also as means to connect to an external display device to mirror or extend the Mac's screen.

To learn more about Thunderbolt (TB) and its compatibility with Mini DisplayPort (MDP): Introducing Thunderbolt​

MDP adapters and cables can be bought online from:

Apple Online Store (or the physical Apple Store)

• MDP to VGA adapter
• MDP to DVI adapter
• MDP to Dual-Link-DVI adapter
• Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support adapter

Monoprice

• Mini DisplayPort + USB to Dual-Link DVI adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter
• Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter
• Mini Displayport Male and USB Male/Toslink Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter
• Mini Displayport Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter - *NOTE* Will only support 2 channel stereo. Will not support 5.1 Dolby Surround like the above adapter.

• Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cables
• Mini DisplayPort to VGA cables
• Mini DisplayPort to DVI cables
• Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cables
• Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cables

Also of interest: "What is "Mini DisplayPort"? Is it an industry-standard? How is it different from or better than Mini-DVI and Micro-DVI?"
​

 

[marfrie56]

The 19" has a standard HDMI port as well as a VGA port.
I don't really know what the MDP will do.
I have a 27" iMac I just bought 2 weeks ago - so it has the thunderbolt connections. Do I need anything beyond a thunderbolt to HDMI cable? That's my question.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

The 19" has a standard HDMI port as well as a VGA port.
I don't really know what the MDP will do.
I have a 27" iMac I just bought 2 weeks ago - so it has the thunderbolt connections. Do I need anything beyond a thunderbolt to HDMI cable? That's my question.

No, you do not need anything else besides an MDP to HDMI cable/adapter, since Thunderbolt is based on that thing and adds additional functionality.

To learn more about Thunderbolt (TB) and its compatibility with Mini DisplayPort (MDP):

​

And because Thunderbolt is based on DisplayPort technology, the video standard for high-resolution displays, any Mini DisplayPort display plugs right into the Thunderbolt port. To connect a DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, or VGA display, just use an existing adapter.