Second display in 2020 27" iMac

[KevWind]

I have just purchased a new iMac 27" i7 with Radon 5700XT graphics
I have on old 27" Apple Cinema Display (that uses two USB A connectors.)
Does anybody know If I can just use two USB ports on the new iMac to run the Cinema Display ?

 

[MarvinHC]

No, the video data only goes through the mini display port (the small almost square one). I used to run two of these on a MacMini - to achieve that I need a converter from the mini display port to HDMI. They are not easy to be found and not very cheap. This one for example:

QGeeM 4K x 2K HDMI Male to Mini DisplayPort Adapter

HDMI TO Mini DisplayPort adapter/ HDMI to Mini DP/ Ultra HD/ HDMI to Mini Display port converter/ HDMI to Mini DP adapter specifications : - HDTV resolution supported: up to 1080p@120hz, 4Kx2K@30Hz - Audio: 7. 1 Channel surround audio up to 192 kHz sample rated - compliant with VESA Dual-Mode Dis...

www.amazon.com

I guess once you have HDMI you can use a HDMI to USB-C converter to connect to your iMac. I will have my new iMac (hopefully) in a week and could give it a try if this works. But I fear it is time to retire the old Cinema Display.

 

[KevWind]

No, the video data only goes through the mini display port (the small almost square one). I used to run two of these on a MacMini - to achieve that I need a converter from the mini display port to HDMI. They are not easy to be found and not very cheap. This one for example:

QGeeM 4K x 2K HDMI Male to Mini DisplayPort Adapter

HDMI TO Mini DisplayPort adapter/ HDMI to Mini DP/ Ultra HD/ HDMI to Mini Display port converter/ HDMI to Mini DP adapter specifications : - HDTV resolution supported: up to 1080p@120hz, 4Kx2K@30Hz - Audio: 7. 1 Channel surround audio up to 192 kHz sample rated - compliant with VESA Dual-Mode Dis...

www.amazon.com

I guess once you have HDMI you can use a HDMI to USB-C converter to connect to your iMac. I will have my new iMac (hopefully) in a week and could give it a try if this works. But I fear it is time to retire the old Cinema Display.

Yes I just looked at the connections and you are correct it's one regular USB and one Square one
Thanks for your suggestion

 

[CWallace]

You can connect the 27" Apple Cinema Display to your 2020 iMac using a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort Adapter. Plug the Mini DisplayPort part of the ACD cable into the adapter and then the USB-C part of the adapter into one of the two USB-C/ThunderBolt 3 ports on the 2020 iMac.

MacWorld recommends this ITD ITANDA one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2ORP84

How to connect an Apple LED Cinema Display to a new MacBook

With a small investment, you can connect a Mini-DisplayPort Apple monitor over USB-C to a MacBook or MacBook Pro.

www.macworld.com

 

[airbatross]

Mophie has Mini Displayport to USB-C cables and works great. No adapters needed. Funny I just connected my old 27" iMac (late 2009) to my Dell work pc and works like charm, full QHD resolution and audio.

 

[KevWind]

You can connect the 27" Apple Cinema Display to your 2020 iMac using a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort Adapter. Plug the Mini DisplayPort part of the ACD cable into the adapter and then the USB-C part of the adapter into one of the two USB-C/ThunderBolt 3 ports on the 2020 iMac.

MacWorld recommends this ITD ITANDA one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2ORP84

How to connect an Apple LED Cinema Display to a new MacBook

With a small investment, you can connect a Mini-DisplayPort Apple monitor over USB-C to a MacBook or MacBook Pro.

www.macworld.com

Thank you , the single Uptab Mini Display port to USB C adaptor, worked great $35 and it was simply plug and play

and now voila' dual screen Pro tools

thanks again