If anyone ever wanted to see inside 30 inch Apple Cinema Display here it is

[greentofu]

So I was bored at work and wanted to replace the CCFL bulbs on this 30 inch Apple Cinema Display. It was dim and yellowing.

I only opened up this monitor as it was going to be recycled anyways and it had heavy use to it. So this procedure is only worth doing on a spare monitor to learn how to replace certain parts or for tinkering. Not for a perfectly running display that you are using.

Here are the pics.

As you can see there are 3 diffuser panels then underneath them are the actual CCFL bulbs. 16 to be exact. They are soldered on both sides in which one side is soldered to wires and the other to the pcb board strip. At this point you can replace with solder new CCFL bulbs or put a LED conversion light strip in lieu of the CCFL bulbs.

If you put new LED they will last forever whereas the CCFL will get dim again.

But also if your display is yellowing replacing the bulbs may not fix the issue as the yellowing may be a result of one of the three diffuser panels (in my case it was totally yellow). I am not sure what you actually call the panels so I am calling them diffuser panels. There are three sheets.

What I actually recommend if you really want to keep the aesthetic of this monitor is to take out the old screen and keep the casing only. Then put in a Dell 3014t monitor (it still has a thick bezel to snuggly fit in this case) or a present day LG 30 inch monitor (find one that has a thick bezel). Then you can get the best of both worlds the newest led panel which will last forever and the aluminum casing.

 

[Regulus67]

I have one of these screens for my Mac Pro 3.1 So I find it fascinating to see the tech inside.

One thing that really catches my attention is the photo where we can see the driver board.
It looks like it has standard USB ports on it, with cables routed to the 4 USB port outlet.
Could they be used when we rebuild old iMacs with driver cards, as DIY 5k displays?

 

[greentofu]

I have one of these screens for my Mac Pro 3.1 So I find it fascinating to see the tech inside.

One thing that really catches my attention is the photo where we can see the driver board.
It looks like it has standard USB ports on it, with cables routed to the 4 USB port outlet.
Could they be used when we rebuild old iMacs with driver cards, as DIY 5k displays?

It may be possible I have not thought of that usage for these usb components. But have to consider if a more modern usb hub can be used.

 

[marosa32]

So I was bored at work and wanted to replace the CCFL bulbs on this 30 inch Apple Cinema Display. It was dim and yellowing.

I only opened up this monitor as it was going to be recycled anyways and it had heavy use to it. So this procedure is only worth doing on a spare monitor to learn how to replace certain parts or for tinkering. Not for a perfectly running display that you are using.

Here are the pics.

As you can see there are 3 diffuser panels then underneath them are the actual CCFL bulbs. 16 to be exact. They are soldered on both sides in which one side is soldered to wires and the other to the pcb board strip. At this point you can replace with solder new CCFL bulbs or put a LED conversion light strip in lieu of the CCFL bulbs.

If you put new LED they will last forever whereas the CCFL will get dim again.

But also if your display is yellowing replacing the bulbs may not fix the issue as the yellowing may be a result of one of the three diffuser panels (in my case it was totally yellow). I am not sure what you actually call the panels so I am calling them diffuser panels. There are three sheets.

What I actually recommend if you really want to keep the aesthetic of this monitor is to take out the old screen and keep the casing only. Then put in a Dell 3014t monitor (it still has a thick bezel to snuggly fit in this case) or a present day LG 30 inch monitor (find one that has a thick bezel). Then you can get the best of both worlds the newest led panel which will last forever and the aluminum casing.

Nice! In the end did you change the CCFL for high power LED strips? I want to do it with an imac from 24 from 2006. Thanks

 

[ojfd]

That yellow diffuser film really shocked me. Is it all the way so or is it still white-ish around the perimeter where it was covered by frame?
If diffuser became yellow during its lifetime, then it is on LCD panel manufacturer, not Apple. Judging by the sticker, it looks like panel by LG Philips.

 

[Taruga]

That yellow diffuser film really shocked me. Is it all the way so or is it still white-ish around the perimeter where it was covered by frame?
If diffuser became yellow during its lifetime, then it is on LCD panel manufacturer, not Apple. Judging by the sticker, it looks like panel by LG Philips.

Mine is also yellow (still white-ish around the perimeter) and breaks when touched.

 

[gugy]

I still have one that I use daily. 21y. Great display. I want to buy an XDR, but the price is too high. Maybe the upcoming LG 6K.

 

[Riot Nrrrd]

I still have one that I use daily. 21y. Great display. I want to buy an XDR, but the price is too high. Maybe the upcoming LG 6K.

Same. Sadly, my 30” ACD isn’t displaying video anymore. Rear USB ports still work, interestingly enough.

Three Mac shops in Los Angeles have all told me it’s not reparable as they can’t get parts. 😞

 

[gugy]

Same. Sadly, my 30” ACD isn’t displaying video anymore. Rear USB ports still work, interestingly enough.

Three Mac shops in Los Angeles have all told me it’s not reparable as they can’t get parts. 😞

You can find them on Craigslist or OfferUp for around $100-200. The thing is, at this point, it's better to get a cheaper 4k display than invest in the old.

 

[Riot Nrrrd]

You can find them on Craigslist or OfferUp for around $100-200. The thing is, at this point, it's better to get a cheaper 4K display than invest in the old.

I would agree in general but in my specific case I have a 2010 Mac Pro and a 2012 Mac mini that both want to use 2560x1600 as their ideal resolution. Might have to spend that $100-$200 on a Dell U3014 or something instead to try and kill two birds with one stone.