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Not possible to use Cinema display with the iMac Pro?

gr8pics

gr8pics

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 20, 2008
173
4
I got a a old Cinema display with mini display plug, and i got a imac pro with a TB2 adapter inserted to the USB-c port, but i cannot activate the cinema display.
Is it not possible to use the cinema display with other adapters, or trough any of the other imac pro ports?
 
If it has a a Mini Display port, the TB2 adapter should work.

Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for:
  • DisplayPort 1.2
  • Thunderbolt (up to 40 Gbps)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps)
  • Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI, and VGA supported using adapters (sold separately)

You may have it plugged into the wrong USB-C port. It will depend on any other TB devices you have plugged in. Read this and follow the links if necessary.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208366

I hate using adapters when there's a cable that will do the job.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...-5&keywords=usb-c+to+mini+displayport+adapter
 
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You can use a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter. The Thunderbolt 2 adapter only supports Thunderbolt displays.

From the Apple Store page for the TB2 adapter:

"Note: This adapter does not support DisplayPort displays like the Apple LED Cinema Display or third-party DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort displays. For more information, visit the Apple Support page for the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter."
 
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mikehalloran said:
If it has a a Mini Display port, the TB2 adapter should work.

Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for:
  • DisplayPort 1.2
  • Thunderbolt (up to 40 Gbps)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps)
  • Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI, and VGA supported using adapters (sold separately)

You may have it plugged into the wrong USB-C port. It will depend on any other TB devices you have plugged in. Read this and follow the links if necessary.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208366

I hate using adapters when there's a cable that will do the job.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...-5&keywords=usb-c+to+mini+displayport+adapter
Click to expand...

Tried all the USB-c ports.
How you insert a male mini display port plug into a male mini display port plug? ;)
[doublepost=1550319289][/doublepost]
Zandros said:
You can use a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter. The Thunderbolt 2 adapter only supports Thunderbolt displays.

From the Apple Store page for the TB2 adapter:

"Note: This adapter does not support DisplayPort displays like the Apple LED Cinema Display or third-party DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort displays. For more information, visit the Apple Support page for the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter."
Click to expand...

Could not find an original Apple adapter for this, only third party?
 
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gr8pics said:
I got a a old Cinema display with mini display plug, and i got a imac pro with a TB2 adapter inserted to the USB-c port, but i cannot activate the cinema display.
Click to expand...

Just to check - the 27" LED Cinema display has a captive lead that splits into three connectors - MagSafe, Displayport and USB, and just USB connectors on the back. That won't work with the TB2 adapter. The Thunderbolt display looks identical from the front, but only has two plugs - MagSafe and Thunderbolt - and extra ports on the back - that should work with the TB2 adapter.

gr8pics said:
Could not find an original Apple adapter for this, only third party?
Click to expand...

No Apple adapter - and not a very wide choice of USB-C to Mini DisplayPort dongles (well, lots of very similar looking ones under various brands). If you can't find one known to work with iMac Pro, make sure that it is known to work with the 2017 iMac/MBP - there were some issues with older adapters on these machines which are likely to also apply to iMP. A USB-C to full-size DisplayPort cable with a DP-to-MiniDP dongle should work.

May be a good time to think about whether you also need more/accessible USB and other ports - if so, a hub/dock with DisplayPort might be a contender (there are a few with MiniDP, otherwise its a DP-to-miniDP dongle) - since its only a 1440p display, a USB-C dock would do.
 
theluggage said:
Just to check - the 27" LED Cinema display has a captive lead that splits into three connectors - MagSafe, Displayport and USB, and just USB connectors on the back. That won't work with the TB2 adapter. The Thunderbolt display looks identical from the front, but only has two plugs - MagSafe and Thunderbolt - and extra ports on the back - that should work with the TB2 adapter.



No Apple adapter - and not a very wide choice of USB-C to Mini DisplayPort dongles (well, lots of very similar looking ones under various brands). If you can't find one known to work with iMac Pro, make sure that it is known to work with the 2017 iMac/MBP - there were some issues with older adapters on these machines which are likely to also apply to iMP. A USB-C to full-size DisplayPort cable with a DP-to-MiniDP dongle should work.

May be a good time to think about whether you also need more/accessible USB and other ports - if so, a hub/dock with DisplayPort might be a contender (there are a few with MiniDP, otherwise its a DP-to-miniDP dongle) - since its only a 1440p display, a USB-C dock would do.
Click to expand...

This one maybe?

https://www.kjell.com/no/produkter/...ch0M-AP1MnAMg13o3Rexq4R2uS01hwVhoCG_oQAvD_BwE
 
gr8pics said:
This one maybe?
Click to expand...

That ought to work (if Google's Norwegian-to-English skills can be trusted). In an ideal world, I would look for one that specifically says - in the specifications or reviews - that it is compatible with 2017 Macs, because some of the first generation of USB-C adapters had problems. You might just have to buy one and hope...
 
mikehalloran said:
If it has a a Mini Display port, the TB2 adapter should work.

Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for:
  • DisplayPort 1.2
  • Thunderbolt (up to 40 Gbps)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps)
  • Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI, and VGA supported using adapters (sold separately)

You may have it plugged into the wrong USB-C port. It will depend on any other TB devices you have plugged in. Read this and follow the links if necessary.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208366

I hate using adapters when there's a cable that will do the job.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...-5&keywords=usb-c+to+mini+displayport+adapter
Click to expand...
I have that second plug linked above. Excellent connector for minidisplay port.
 
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Glockworkorange said:
I have that second plug linked above. Excellent connector for minidisplay port.
Click to expand...
The Cinema display has its own fixed cord so cords like this will not work for the OP. He needs a dongle, or dock, that has a female miniDisplayPort socket rather than a male plug.
 
dwig said:
The Cinema display has its own fixed cord so cords like this will not work for the OP. He needs a dongle, or dock, that has a female miniDisplayPort socket rather than a male plug.
Click to expand...

Exactly ;)
 
mikehalloran said:
If it has a a Mini Display port, the TB2 adapter should work.

Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for:
  • DisplayPort 1.2
  • Thunderbolt (up to 40 Gbps)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps)
  • Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI, and VGA supported using adapters (sold separately)

You may have it plugged into the wrong USB-C port. It will depend on any other TB devices you have plugged in. Read this and follow the links if necessary.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208366

I hate using adapters when there's a cable that will do the job.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...-5&keywords=usb-c+to+mini+displayport+adapter
Click to expand...

Mini DisplayPort devices cannot be connected to a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. The Thunderbolt 2 adapter does not pass DisplayPort signals, only Thunderbolt signals.

To connect a Mini DisplayPort device to a Thunderbolt 3 equipped Mac, a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter is all that's needed. Probably $10 on eBay/Amazon.
 
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If you search my old threads I created a thread on how to run an old 30” Cinema Display on my iMac Pro.
 
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