iMac G5 and 20" ACD

[Scottyk9]

My 20" clear plastic ACD at work may be replaced. I was considering bringing it home and using it with my iMac G5, and using the screen spanning hack to use both screens.

Here is the proposed setup:
iMac - Apple VGA display adapter - VGA to DVI adapter - DVI to ADC

I have the DVI to ACD adapter from Apple from when I 1st bought my powerbook, and would buy the apple VGA adapter. What I do not know about is the VGA to DVI adaptor - I have seen some advertised for as much as $300.

It strikes me that there are far too many adapters in this setup.
My questions are:
Will this work?
What kind of VGA to DVI adapter do I need?
Is there an anticipated deterioration in picture quality if this does work?

Thanks for your insights.

 

[Platform]

Well don't know all your questions but i dont think that the VGA-> DVI is 300 bucks.. A lot let proberly 😉

Edit: was thinking the wrong way with DVI->VGA 😱

 

[chaosbunny]

As far as I know these VGA to DVI adapters cost around 300 bucks. I have a similar problem right now and did some research. They are that expensive because they have to translate the analog signal into a digital one. What I found are not just simple cable connectors, there is a small box too.

I don't know if there is a cheaper solution. If there is, I'd be glad to know too! 😕

 

[andrewfee]

How about just buying an adc to vga adapter?

http://www.smalldog.com/product/41077/ss

edit: I think that cable goes the wrong way around, it's for using vga monitors on adc cards.

 

[Scottyk9]

Thanks for the replies. $300 is pretty steep for a simple adapter, but I can't get the thought of having dual 20" screens with my iMac. Does anyone know if there is any signal degradation with the use of this adapter?

Edit: I guess I'm looking at getting something like this...
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1310

Edit II: and another link for those who are interested: http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/editors/2004/10/imacscreenspanning/index.php

 

[AstroManLuca]

You know... take the money you'd get from selling the ADC display ($600+?) and add to it what you'd spend on a VGA-ADC adapter ($300) and that's a Dell 2005FPW right there. The 2005FPW is a 20" widescreen LCD that has both DVI and VGA inputs, so you can easily use it on an iMac.