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Late 2012 mini, ultrawide 2560x1080p monitor w/no DisplayPort

Enoch_Root

Enoch_Root

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 31, 2015
22
15
I just bought an ultra wide 29" LG monitor (IPS) that has a max resolution of 2560x1080, but has two HDMI connectors with no DisplayPort. So I bought a Belkin mini DisplayPort to HDMI dongle, and I'm now utilizing the displayPort on the Mac Mini, but I'm still 'stuck' at 1920x1080.

Curiously enough, when I click "About This Mac", under the Display tab it is showing that my monitor is a 34" LG running at 1920x1080 resolution.

I have a 29" monitor though.

How do I get the Mac to fire on all the cylinders it's capable of firing on, to deliver me the 2560x1080?

Thoughts? Threats of violence?
 
probably replace the monitor and get one that has display port???

get a better dongle??


if you want resolutions above 1920x1080 you need a powered active adapter.
 
rigormortis said:
probably replace the monitor and get one that has display port???

get a better dongle??


if you want resolutions above 1920x1080 you need a powered active adapter.
Click to expand...

I want to avoid replacing the monitor, because (in part) I bought it via Amazon.

Can you expound on the 'powered active adapter'?

Something like this?
 
To resolve this: I bought the following active adapter (not powered, or rather, no power source associated with it)..

http://www.accellcables.com/product...-to-hdmi-1-4-active-adapter?variant=729676057

It now provides 2560x1080p resolution. Granted, the 1080p portion of the resolution is a limitation of the monitor itself.

It doesn't have audio pass-thru the way the Belkin does, but you just plug your external speakers into the headphone jack to resolve that issue.
 
So I have a 2011 Mac Mini, and I just got an ultrawide monitor that does support DVI. I used a TB to DVI adapter and DVI cable. I only get 1080p. Is this an issue with how I've got it hooked up? Or is it the 2011 Mini? Will some other adapter work for me?
 
DeltaMac said:
The only chance that you will have to get full resolution through DVI is to make sure that you have TB (mini DisplayPort) to dual-link DVI. Here's an example - http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6904
also from Apple - http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MB571LL/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter

It is an active (powered) adapter, so more expensive to get the dual-link DVI.
Click to expand...

That's crazy expensive. This will work though? I'm not sure it's worth it for me, I'd al out rather sell the mini for a couple hundred. Add that to the $100 for cable and with a couple hundred more I could get a new Mini. I'm assuming a new Mini will support this monitor? How would I hook up a new Mac Mini to get the proper resolution?

Thanks for the help
 
Do the newer Mac minis support a display like this out of the box? Via usb? Or still need a different cable?
 
You would get the best information if you can tell us which brand and model display you have.

I would not use a USB graphics adapter for anything - too much lag in the video signal with USB.

The HDMI port on the 2014 mini supports up to 4096 x 2160 - and you would need to have an HDMI cable that supports HDMI 1.4 - not all do.
If your display has Displayport or even Mini Displayport, then connecting to that through the Thunderbolt port would support up to 2560 x 1600
So, either HDMI or Thunderbolt would get you there with the right cable. No need for the more expensive powered adapters.
 
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DeltaMac said:
You would get the best information if you can tell us which brand and model display you have.

I would not use a USB graphics adapter for anything - too much lag in the video signal with USB.

The HDMI port on the 2014 mini supports up to 4096 x 2160 - and you would need to have an HDMI cable that supports HDMI 1.4 - not all do.
If your display has Displayport or even Mini Displayport, then connecting to that through the Thunderbolt port would support up to 2560 x 1600
So, either HDMI or Thunderbolt would get you there with the right cable. No need for the more expensive powered adapters.
Click to expand...

Thanks. It's a LG 29UB55 display.
 
Enoch_Root said:
I just bought an ultra wide 29" LG monitor (IPS) that has a max resolution of 2560x1080, but has two HDMI connectors with no DisplayPort. So I bought a Belkin mini DisplayPort to HDMI dongle, and I'm now utilizing the displayPort on the Mac Mini, but I'm still 'stuck' at 1920x1080.

Curiously enough, when I click "About This Mac", under the Display tab it is showing that my monitor is a 34" LG running at 1920x1080 resolution.

I have a 29" monitor though.

How do I get the Mac to fire on all the cylinders it's capable of firing on, to deliver me the 2560x1080?

Thoughts? Threats of violence?
Click to expand...
SwitchResX
 
I had one of those for mine. I returned the monitor because it always displayed a little bit squat, no matter how I set it up; but it was only noticeable if you were A/B -ing monitors or using photo editors. I ended up with a Viewsonic 27" Superclear.
 
I know this post is a bit old but...

I have a 21:9 screen connected to my Mac Mini Late 2012 and I am only getting 1080p even with a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI 4K cable. I tried the same cable with a Macbook Air and it works perfectly fine.

My next attempt is to use a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable. I find "Active Adapters" way too expensive :(
Never thought I would face so many issues with this old Mini... let's hope this goes well.

If there are any tips please let me know.
 
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