MBP16 and USB-C monitor-out issues

[dhazeghi]

I recently received an MBP16 for my work and am having a lot of trouble getting my external monitors (HP LP2065 and Samsung T204, both using DVI) to work with it. These monitors worked fine with my 2013 rMBP 13 using mini-Displayport-to-DVI adapters.

First I tried using the Apple Thunderbolt 3-Thunderbolt 2 adapter, attached to the mini-Displayport connector. No dice. After reading more carefully, it seems the TB3-TB2 adapter will only display video for TB2 monitors, not via mini-Displayport).

Next I tried a Benfei USB-C-to-DVI adapter. Either attached directly to the computer or via the Caldigit TS3+ docking station, I get no video output on either monitor.

Thinking it was either a bad adapter, or a bad combination (laptop + adapter + monitor), I tried the Monoprice 4-in-1 USB-C video adapter. On one monitor I get nothing (not detected at all). On the other, it blinks a few times and then goes dark.

Is there something special about USB-C monitor adapters or the MBP16 not supporting DVI output? I've never had this kind of trouble before.

 

[carestudio]

did you try your original set up monitor -> dvi-to-mDP adapter -> mDP-to-usb-c adapter -> MBP16 or to dock -> MBP16?

 

[robvas]

DVI is just HDMI without audio so an adapter will work. USB-C to HDMI then an HDMI to DVI adapter

 

[dhazeghi]

After a lot of fiddling, I have been able to get things to work. The key seems to have been to abandon the DVI inputs on the monitors.

USB-C to VGA works pretty reliably. Unfortunately the CalDigit only has one USB-C port capable of driving a monitor, so I also needed a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter. With that I'm able to drive run both monitors off the CalDigit.

The issue seems to be at least partly related to the MBP as when connected to my Mac Mini, I can run the HP LP2065 off a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter with an HDMI-DVI cable.