Hooking up a Cintiq to a 2011 iMac: which adapter?

[Swift Sketcher]

So the 2011 iMac has a thunderbolt port only for hooking stuff in, and the cintiq needs either dvi or vga to work. But I wanted the opinion of people more knowledgeable than me on the matter on which adapter I should get, and which will give me a better picture.

I was also eyeing this off-brand dvi to mini display port adapter which is super cheap! Almost too cheap vs. the apple brand one, making me wary of it functioning, even though the reviews are pretty good.
http://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-F...Laptop/dp/B003BHHIA4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Anyway, any advice on the matter is welcome, thank you!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You need a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter (not the other way around), just like the adapter you linked to.

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 can be bought online from:

MDP to VGA adapter from Apple
MDP to DVI adapter from Apple
MDP to Dual-Link-DVI adapter from Apple

Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support adapter from the Apple Online Store

Mini DisplayPort + USB to Dual-Link DVI adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter from Monoprice - *NOTE* This product does NOT support audio for Macs that outputs audio through the Mini DisplayPort.
Mini Displayport Male and USB Male/Toslink Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter from Monoprice
Mini Displayport Male and USB Male Audio to HDMI Female Converting adapter from Monoprice - *NOTE* Will only support 2 channel stereo. Will not support 5.1 Dolby Surround like the above adapter.

Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to DVI Cables from Monoprice
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cables from Monoprice​

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?"
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[Swift Sketcher]

You need a Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter (not the other way around), just like the adapter you linked to.

Cool thanks for the info!
I guess I'll order the cheap one and see how that fares. And I guess that means I should go with DVI vs. VGA then?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Cool thanks for the info!
I guess I'll order the cheap one and see how that fares. And I guess that means I should go with DVI vs. VGA then?

As the Cintiq has a DVI port, AFAIK, go with DVI. But I don't know if the two smaller models have DVI too, and not just the big and third model. Maybe check on the Cintiq homepage or:

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[Artful Dodger]

I have a Cintiq hooked up and as stated above just buy/use this unit and it will be fine and work well. Just make sure your iMac detects the Cintiq display.

 

[Swift Sketcher]

Yep, just got the above adapter today and it works flawlessly! At $5 bucks it's a steal vs. apple's. Let's hope it holds up. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[crylic]

I'm having some major problems right now regarding this exact topic. I bought a 3rd party dvi to thunderbolt adaptor and it did not work at all, after trying everything i decided to call wacom and see what the deal was. They told me that for dvi to thunderbolt, im not likely to find many options that work, they did suggest Kanex brand tho, saying that they have 100% success with them.

I have a friend that has a vga to thunderbolt, i just tried it now and it seems to work, it's apple brand, so i'm going to go and buy an apple brand dvi to thunderbolt and see how that does me. If it's no good I may be stuck with the vga option.

 

[redache]

I'm having some major problems right now regarding this exact topic. I bought a 3rd party dvi to thunderbolt adaptor and it did not work at all, after trying everything i decided to call wacom and see what the deal was. They told me that for dvi to thunderbolt, im not likely to find many options that work, they did suggest Kanex brand tho, saying that they have 100% success with them.

I have a friend that has a vga to thunderbolt, i just tried it now and it seems to work, it's apple brand, so i'm going to go and buy an apple brand dvi to thunderbolt and see how that does me. If it's no good I may be stuck with the vga option.

I've had no issues with Neet® Cables, so I advise trying those before putting all the money in for an Apple one .