Mac Mini M1 + Apple Cinema Display 30" - anyone got it working?

[Sharky II]

Has anyone got it working?

It seems that the USB-C adaptors that work with Intel don't necessarily work with ARM.

Currently the adaptors - which worked on 13" Intel MBP - will not allow full dual link resolution.

Anyone got it working?

Do you have to buy something this expensive: https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-c...s=Dual-Link+DVI+Adapter&qid=1608291642&sr=8-8

Cheers,

Ed

 

[4bs]

Has anyone got it working?

It seems that the USB-C adaptors that work with Intel don't necessarily work with ARM.

Currently the adaptors - which worked on 13" Intel MBP - will not allow full dual link resolution.

Anyone got it working?

Do you have to buy something this expensive: https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-c...s=Dual-Link+DVI+Adapter&qid=1608291642&sr=8-8

Cheers,

Ed

look for Tripplite..I used one for my old 23” cinema display on my ne MBP. around £40;

 

[Sharky II]

look for Tripplite..I used one for my old 23” cinema display on my ne MBP. around £40;

Thanks! The problem is that the 30" is dual-link DVI, hence the problem/issue with not achieving the full resolution. Has anyone tested the Tripplite with a dual-link DVI connection?

 

[pmiles]

What adapter are you using? Many posts about the 30" Cinema Display working with the Dual-Link DVI/USB-C adapter. Said full resolution and functionality as well.

 

[Sharky II]

Hi there,

I have the Apple mini-display port to dual dvi cable that I've used for years on my old 17” laptop as it has mini-display port. When I got 13" MBP with USB-C, I bought a mini display port to USB-C adapter to connect to the Apple dual dvi cable, and it worked well.

That set up did not work past 1280 res on M1 Mac Mini with 30" ACD.

So I bought another basic mini-display port to usb-c to test and also didn’t go past 1280.

Cheap one, similar to what I had used on mine successfully: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08B647L2X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I then bought a new Startech dual dvi adaptor that replaces the apple dual dvi adapter and which connects to the Mac directly via a usb-c input. That cost £108 and still did not go past 1280, not did the computer give the option to go past that: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07VF1PP8T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So, this is what we've tried so far.

What should we be using? Would love to get this resolved to get my dad's Mac Mini working before Xmas!!

Thanks,

Ed

 

[Sharky II]

Anyone at all using the M1 Mac Nini and a 30" ACD successfully?

If so, please tell us how you did it!

 

[retta283]

Even holding down Option key doesn't show 2560x1600 res in System Preferences? It would seem very odd to me that it'd work with the MBP and not the Mini unless they quietly changed the spec for USB-C between the two. That Starling is an active converter so I am sure that it would work, just depends on whether there was in fact an underlying change.

 

[Sharky II]

Hi, thanks for replying!

I agree that it's very odd - that's why I created the thread!

I'll report back shortly on pressing down option (I'm having to try to fix this 'remotely' due to Covid - I can't go over there and hook it up for my father), but to me it seems like a dual-link issue, as it's showing the 1280 res.

It would be great if *anybody* that is successfully using a 30" could chime in

Cheers,

Ed

 

[Sharky II]

Even holding down Option key doesn't show 2560x1600 res in System Preferences? It would seem very odd to me that it'd work with the MBP and not the Mini unless they quietly changed the spec for USB-C between the two. That Starling is an active converter so I am sure that it would work, just depends on whether there was in fact an underlying change.

Thank you, you had to press the option key to see the proper resolution! Apparently it's all working now, using the original apple adaptor, just in time for xmas.

Thanks again - hope this thread can be useful to someone in the future!

 

[garyniem]

Hi there,

I have the Apple mini-display port to dual dvi cable that I've used for years on my old 17” laptop as it has mini-display port. When I got 13" MBP with USB-C, I bought a mini display port to USB-C adapter to connect to the Apple dual dvi cable, and it worked well.

That set up did not work past 1280 res on M1 Mac Mini with 30" ACD.

So I bought another basic mini-display port to usb-c to test and also didn’t go past 1280.

Cheap one, similar to what I had used on mine successfully: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08B647L2X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I then bought a new Startech dual dvi adaptor that replaces the apple dual dvi adapter and which connects to the Mac directly via a usb-c input. That cost £108 and still did not go past 1280, not did the computer give the option to go past that: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07VF1PP8T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So, this is what we've tried so far.

What should we be using? Would love to get this resolved to get my dad's Mac Mini working before Xmas!!

Thanks,

Ed

Hi Ed,

Found your post by searching for "30-inch Cinema Display with M1 Mac Mini." I have the exact same hardware. I, too, naively bought a DVI to USB-C adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L4SCBNJ/

It did not work. (Turned out it was single-link, supporting only 1920 x 1080). The 30-inch Cinema Display uses Dual-Link DVI for its 2560 x 1600 res.

I reached out to StarTech. They have a Dual-Link adapter—the precise one you linked to above—and the support guy was confident it would work, and if it didn't, there was a firmware update available. Oddly, they could not install the update before shipping me the adapter. And I found out it requires a Windows computer with USB-C, PLUS, you need a special DVI male-to-male cable!

But your experience clearly indicates the StarTech adapter is not the answer. (Did you try the firmware update by chance?)

My wife is a research librarian, adept at scouring the internet. After 30 minutes, she said, "There is no one who has successfully mated the M1 Mac Mini with a 30-inch Cinema Display. No one."

You posted in late December. I'm wondering, writing now on Jan. 22, if you've had any subsequent success.

I've decided to let temporarily mothball the ACD—great as it is—for now, and pair the M1 Mini with a 30-inch 4K Benq. https://www.amazon.com/BenQ-PD3220U-Thunderbolt-Connectivty-Reproduction/dp/B07N4PSVWJ/

I've comparison-shopped this with the LG UltraFine 5K (https://www.amazon.com/LG-27MD5KL-B-Ultrafine-Compatibility-Thunderbolt/dp/B07XV9NQSJ/). The Benq wins: better build quality, larger screen assets for aging eyes, and a superb set of specs.

Meanwhile I'll be looking for any updates you might have on getting that ACD hooked up to new Apple silicon.

Best,

Gary

 

[bigp2]

I’ve been running an M1 mini with an ACD 30 for about six weeks now. I already had the Apple miniDP to dual link DVI adapter, and I got a USB-C to miniDP adapter from amazon and daisy chained them together.
Occasionally it won‘t wake from sleep and I need to unplug the USB-C adapter but apart from that it works fine.

 

[garyniem]

Holy cow, you're the first person to post here who's made it work. I see Apple's no longer making that adapter but it's available used from third parties in the $100 range. And the USB-C to miniDP is readily available and less than $20. It's quite a niche market but I hope someone decides to merge these parts into a single adapter—there'd be good demand, at least amongst readers of the Mac Rumors Forum. Thanks for the info. I do plan on trying this.

 

[pkamb]

I have used this setup for several years at native 2560x1600 resolution:

- Intel USB-C Mac
- USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter
- Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter
- 30" Apple Cinema Display

When I plugged the above into my new M1 Mac, it didn't work. Black screen.

I replaced the USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter with a new one from Amazon:

Biming Type C Headphones-White

Biming Type C Headphones-White

www.amazon.com

This one DOES work in my M1 Mac, along with the above items.

I don't know why this one works and the old one does not. Is there some new spec for adapters that the M1 needs?

I can also confirm that the "Club3D" brand USB-C to Dual-Link DVI adapter works with the M1 Mac. This $50 part is all you need, if you don't already own an Apple Dual Link DVI adapter.

They sell versions with HDCP support ON and OFF. I'm not sure which one works for each type of screen; consider trying both.

Club3D CAC-1510 USB Type C to Dual Link DVI-D Cable Adapter Support 3840x2160@30hz, 2560x1600@60Hz HDCP Support M/F

USB TYPE C TO DVI DUAL LINK SUPPORTS 4K30HZ RESOLUTIONS

www.amazon.com

 

[understudyhero]

Thank you! (I can't even get it to work with my intel Mac unless I use my eGPU - Catalina broke compatibility with my existing connectors)

 

[garyniem]

Yes, it's working!

I just purchased a Club 3D CAC-1510-A USB-C to Dual-Link DVI adapter, for $43.

Club3D CAC-1510-A USB Type C to Dual Link DVI-D Cable Adapter Support 3840x2160@30hz, 2560x1600@60Hz HDCP Off for Apple Cinema Displays M/F

USB C to DVI-D Dualink adapter without HDCP Support for certain Apple Cinema monitors without HDCP The USB Type C to Dual Link DVI or Single Link DVI Adapter is the easiest solution for connecting your USB Type C source device featuring DisplayPort Alternate Mode to a DVI enabled Monitor or Proje...

www.amazon.com

This is the one with "HDCP OFF." (Early Cinema displays did not support the HDCP standard.) This worked with my 2004 Apple Cinema HD display to connect to my 2020 M1 Mac Mini. (Note that the I've got the USB cable from the Cinema Display connected to the Mac Mini.) And yes, you do have to hold down the Option key when selecting "Displays" from system preferences, which will bring up the 'hidden' 2560 x 1600 option. The monitor will start up in 1280 x 800. Don't freak out; it's normal. As of Feb. 4, 2021 there are 19 adapters on Amazon. They seem to go out of stock regularly, so you might want to act quickly. It should be noted that, while the Cinema HD display is certainly capable and kicked ass in its day, it is not going to fully exploit today's systems. Big Sur is really designed for 4- and 5K resolutions, like the iMac 5K or the LG UltraFine 5K monitor. But, breathing new life into a 30-inch monitor for $43 is a pretty sweet deal. Also, the M1 Mac Mini is blazing fast.

Best,

Gary

 

[turbineseaplane]

Those monitors are still bloody gorgeous...

XDR is nice for sure, but I just love the classic and more understated enclosure of the 23 & 30 ACD's

 

[turbineseaplane]

How's 2560x1600 looking these days?

Still pretty nice?

 

[pkamb]

How's 2560x1600 looking these days?

Still pretty nice?

Better resolution than a 5k iMac. Just not Retina.

Works for me... there aren't many better options.

 

[wolfmanberg]

Also new Mac mini M1 (MacBook Pro 2012 finally packed it in). Using original Mac dual link cable (which has worked for me for a good 12 years plus). Then using Choetech 60hz USBC to DVI converter. Works in lower resolution to boot up (though not every time). When it does, I then press the alt key and choose 2560 x 1600 option and the 30" Cinema Display just goes black. Any ideas why that might be the case?

Have now ordered the cable as per @garyniem's pictures. See if that works. thank you all.

 

[mentaltom]

Hey All. Fascinating reading your discussions around this and I am pleased that everyone managed to get their monitors working eventually through trial and error. I went through the exact same thought process that I had the wrong mdp to USB C adapter from Amazon until realising that I needed to force additional resolutions in system preferences.

Since then it’s worked at full resolution like a charm. Luckily I already had a genuine Dual Link to Mini DisplayPort cable from Apple (£50 on eBay) so I just needed to add this adapter to get converted to USB C/4. Same setup for a Cinema Display on my usb c windows laptop. Needless there is a lot of odd lengths of cable behind my desk!

Only issue I have now is that every time I turn on the machine, I seem to need to power cycle the USB power to the apple adapter to get the monitor to wake - any solution for that? It has become a little less random on big sur 11.2

here is my setup now!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Beautiful setup!! Wow

 

[mentaltom]

Thank you. I’ve just thought of something even more insane - wonder if anyone has managed to get the mini to drive 2 x 30” displays? I intend to try when I stop working at home abs being forced to use windows

 

[turbineseaplane]

@mentaltom

I'm curious - in 2021 here, do you still love and enjoy 1600p resolution on those babies?

Do you get tempted by the 4k/5k/6k stuff at all?
(cost aside)

 

[mentaltom]

@mentaltom

I'm curious - in 2021 here, do you still love and enjoy 1600p resolution on those babies?

Do you get tempted by the 4k/5k/6k stuff at all?
(cost aside)

I do still love it yes, I know I could get far higher resolutions these days, but for the amount of screen real estate I would be looking at $2000+, contained in plasticy black cases no doubt.

My all metal colour calibrated cinema displays were $100 each with $80 worth of adapters, are bright abs pin sharp. Going back to when they were new, Apple built them to without cost consideration.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I do still love it yes, I know I could get far higher resolutions these days, but for the amount of screen real estate I would be looking at $2000+, contained in plasticy black cases no doubt.

My all metal colour calibrated cinema displays were $100 each with $80 worth of adapters, are bright abs pin sharp. Going back to when they were new, Apple built them to without cost consideration.

hear hear!
Totally agree with you