Trouble Connecting M1 Mac Mini to 30" Cinema Display

[Burnsey2]

Hi everyone. I have a 30inch Cinema Display with a Dual Link DVI adapter with displayport and USBA output that I've connected to my M1 Mac Mini via a minidisplay port to USBC adapter (this one) and I'm getting no signal.

The monitor light flashes quickly three times which according to my googling means:

short, short, short – The display is detecting either a wrong video format, or an unsupported resolution. Verify that your equipment is compatible, and then restart the computer. If the issue continues, reset the PRAM. If you have reset the PRAM and are still getting the error, shut down the computer, power cycle the Cinema Display, then turn the computer back on.

I'd appreciate any help in connecting this display to my M1 Mac Mini, for those of you who have successfully done it (with the dual link DVI adapter).

Thank you.

 

[MattA]

I don't have the M1 Mini and currently use the 30" ACD on the 2014 Mini, but there are USB-C -> dual link DVI adapters out there.

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

The system will boot at 1280x800, but you can go into displays, press option, and the 2560x1600 option will appear.

Good luck! I'd like to know if this works, as I'm holding out for a Mac Mini with M1 Pro/Max processors, and would like to know if I can still use my 30" monitor.

 

[anshuvorty]

I don't have the M1 Mini and currently use the 30" ACD on the 2014 Mini, but there are USB-C -> dual link DVI adapters out there.

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

The system will boot at 1280x800, but you can go into displays, press option, and the 2560x1600 option will appear.

Good luck! I'd like to know if this works, as I'm holding out for a Mac Mini with M1 Pro/Max processors, and would like to know if I can still use my 30" monitor.

I doubt it will work. I believe Apple has marked the ACD as obsolete, so they don't offer support for it either in hardware or software.

 

[Burnsey2]

Is there anyone here who has successfully connected a Cinema 30" with a dual link DVI adapter to an M1 machine with just a displayport to USBC adapter?

 

[usagora]

Have you seen this?

The problem is, the dock he's using is very expensive. But maybe this will shed some light on the situation. It's not an M1 machine, but I'm not sure if it matters.

 

[MattA]

I doubt it will work. I believe Apple has marked the ACD as obsolete, so they don't offer support for it either in hardware or software.

There are multiple reviews on that adapter at amazon where people are using their 30" ACD with their M1 Minis. It's still supported in Monterey, as I'm using one right now.

 

[Jazz-e]

These are the adapters I currently use. However they don't sell the Apple adapter anymore.
Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter

About the Apple Mini DisplayPort adapters - Apple Support

Use these adapters to connect a Mac that has a Mini DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, or Thunderbolt 2 port to a display that uses a DVI or VGA cable.

support.apple.com

USB C to Mini DisplayPort Adapter UPTab 4K@60Hz USB-C Thunderbolt 3 to MDP Adapter with Power Port for New M4 MacBook Pro/Air, iPad Pro, Mac Mini M4, iMac, and More (Silver)

www.amazon.com

I use this second one for my LED 24" Cinema monitor

Cable Matters Bi-Directional DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort Adapter - 6 Inches, DP Male to Mini DP Female Adapter Cable, Not Compatible with Apple/Mac Monitor or Other Thunderbolt Display/Monitor

The Cable Matters DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort adapter provides a convenient way to connect a PC with DisplayPort output to a monitor with Mini DisplayPort input. The adapter also functions to connect a computer with Mini DisplayPort to a monitor with DisplayPort input. Con...

www.amazon.com

Haven't tested this one but looks like a clone for the Apple adapter

BolAAzuL Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter White - USB Supported - 2560X1600 DVI Adapter

Mini DisplayPort Dual-Link DVI USB Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter with USB *1

www.amazon.com

BTW I found these adapters after reading an article here:

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

Hope this helps

 

[dnth8particap8]

I doubt it will work. I believe Apple has marked the ACD as obsolete, so they don't offer support for it either in hardware or software.

Actually it does work, does require a few work arounds but it does work as I am using it typing this response now. I was fortunate enough to find the dual link adapter Apple used to manufacture on eBay I paired that with ASL (All Smart Life) MDP to USB type C, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TZTMBG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 plugged it in and it came up at its native resolution. Now it wasn't perfect at first. I did get the occasional flicker that did require additional google searches along with YouTube videos that basically instructed me to tighten and secure all the wiring along with un-pluging and repluging and restarting my Mac which did seem to work for the most part.

 

[Burnsey2]

Just to update this thread, I was able to connect my 30" ACD to my M1 Mac Mini using this Displayport-USBC adapter from primecables (Canada):

Shop Leading Cables & Electronics in Canada - PrimeCables

PrimeCables.ca is Canada’s leading source for cables and tech accessories. Trusted for fast delivery and top value for home and office use.

www.primecables.ca

If you are unable to get it to work with a similar cable, it means the cable itself does not work, not the method. I bought a similar cable from Amazon that did not work, but this one did. So you just need to find a more credible cable.

 

[IAlberta]

I have a 30" Cinema Display with the Apple Dual Link DVI adapter with displayport and USBA output that I've connected (just this morning) to my base spec M1 Mac Mini using the above "Burnsey2 Approved Adapter" and indeed.......it just works....!! 👍

 

[rsamms]

I just connected an ACD 30" to a Mac Mini m1, using the Apple Dual Link DVI adapter with displayport and USBA output and this Displayport-USBC dapter

It worked well.

 

[EugW]

I just connected an ACD 30" to a Mac Mini m1, using the Apple Dual Link DVI adapter with displayport and USBA output and this Displayport-USBC dapterView attachment 2112539
It worked well.

"HDCP off" is only needed if the ACD 30" doesn't support HDCP. However, if you have a later model ACD 30" (2007ish or later), it's better to have HDCP on, so you can watch DRM-protected streaming video.

There are two different 30" ACD model ID numbers.

 

[zhpenn]

doe this still work after upgrading to Ventura 13.2.1?
people found MacOS Ventura has broken USBC - Display port Cinema Display monitors
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254339783

 

[InuNacho]

I don't have a 30" ACD but I do have a DVI monitor hooked up to my Mini.
Here is my chain and maybe it can help you.

M2 Mini - Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock (40AC) - HDMI - HDMI/DVI adapter.

This Lenovo Dock can be had used for pretty cheap. I found mine at a Goodwill with PSU for $12. eBay looks like $30-40.
Note that I cannot get 4K 60hz out of this solution but it works great as a port multiplier and way of driving my secondary display.

Since this isn't powering the Mini you could probably skirt a lower wattage power supply for the dock. I've done this before on a Targus dock.

 

[yezza]

doe this still work after upgrading to Ventura 13.2.1?
people found MacOS Ventura has broken USBC - Display port Cinema Display monitors
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254339783

My later version 30” ACD + M2 Pro Mini works very well with the Club3D “HDCP Off” adapter and Ventura 13.2.1.

 

[zhpenn]

thanks for the info

 

[Kaptajn Haddock]

How about connecting the ACD 30” to a 4K Apple TV. Is that doable?

 

[rsamms]

Is there anyone here who has successfully connected a Cinema 30" with a dual link DVI adapter to an M1 machine with just a displayport to USBC adapter?

Yes. I have connected both a MAC Mini M1 and a Mac Studio to the 30" ACD using the :

I've been using the Studio with the ACD at 2560 X 1600 for 4 months. Works flawlessly. zero issues.

 

[Kaptajn Haddock]

What about that HDCP (DRM) issue. Are you able to watch movies on Amazon and Disney on that setup?