New TB MBP & external display issues

[jbrown]

Hi All

I have the New TB MBP and I'm trying to resolve an issue trying to run an external monitor.

I have a Dell S2715h - with HDMI input and an HDMI-to-Thunderbolt 2 cable, and an older Apple Cinema Display ( silver body ) with an Thunderbolt 2 adaptor.

Both run perfectly on my old 2015 MBP.

But they don't work on the new MBP.

I'm using an Apple Thunderbolt 2 - to Thunderbolt 3 adaptor to connect them to the new MBP

Any suggestions gratefully received. 🙂

 

[chabig]

I'm confused. You say the display has an HDMI output, but HDMI is a display input. If you want to connect your new MacBook Pro to an HDMI display, you need a USB-C to HDMI adapter, like Apple's, and an HDMI cable. That's all:

http://www.apple.com/us_epp_148999/...bb770ab187e9898f3c0376b954d9b6dfb0bb12e60a494

To connect the Apple Thunderbolt display, you need a USB-C to Thunderbolt adapter, which Apple also sells:

http://www.apple.com/us_epp_148999/...bb770ab187e9898f3c0376b954d9b6dfb0bb12e60a494

 

[jbrown]

My mistake I should have said HDMI input ( now corrected ).

As I understand you should be able to connect HDMI to Thunderbolt

 

[chabig]

As I understand you should be able to connect HDMI to Thunderbolt

Your new MacBook Pro has Type-C ports. With Apple's adapter (linked above) you can connect an HDMI cable to the Dell display.

To connect your Apple Thunderbolt Display, you plug Apple's adapter (linked above) into a different Type-C port and connect the adapter to the display with a Thunderbolt cable.

 

[jbrown]

Appreciate your help - my cdmi cable is HDMI>Thunderbolt 2. I'm plugging this into an Apple Thunderbolt 2>Thunderbolt 3 adapter, then into my MBP

 

[chabig]

I'm still confused. The signals go from the computer to the display. Can we speak in that direction? It should look like this:

MacBook Pro > Apple USB-C to HDMI Adapter > HDMI cable > Dell display

I think you're using the wrong adapters. Thunderbolt doesn't even enter this picture because the display isn't a Thunderbolt Display, and Apple's Type-C to Thunderbolt adapter doesn't pass mini-DisplayPort signals.

If you're doing this:

MacBook Pro > Type-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter > Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable > Dell display

It won't work.

 

[jbrown]

It is this:

MacBook Pro > Apple USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter > Thunderbolt 2-HDMI cable > Dell display

 

[chabig]

It is this:

MacBook Pro > Apple USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter > Thunderbolt 2-HDMI cable > Dell display

That won't work. The USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter doesn't pass Mini DisplayPort signals.

 

[jbrown]

OK thanks.

It would have been nice if the man at the apple store had known that!!! And the technicians on the Apple help line!

So would a HDMI-to-USBC cable work?

And how can I connect the older Cinema display, who's connector is Thunderbolt 2?

Thanks again

 

[chabig]

I don't think USB-C to HDMI cables exist.

If your Apple display is Thunderbolt, you need the USB-C to Thunderbolt adapter.

But it sounds like your display isn't Thunderbolt. It is Mini DisplayPort, so you need a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter. Apple doesn't sell one. You could try something like this, though: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZU1TXHA/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_31Diwb2JB0CDG