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.chris.

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 12, 2009
16
0
Hi everybody,

As I am not really using my 24" Cinema Display right now, I am thinking about hooking it up to a 3rd Gen Apple TV. I already own an active converter that allows me to connect HDMI sources to the MiniDP-equipped ACD:
(http://www.amazon.com/Kanex-HDMI-Mini-Displayport-Converter/dp/B003LGOWNQ)

Since the maximum output of the Apple TV is 1920x1080 and the 24 ACD will only accept input at 1920x1200 (or a few other incompatible resolutions) I was wondering if any of you knew some kind of a workaround?

My ideas so far:
1) Using an active "scaler" that converts 1920x1080 content to 1920x1200, essentially adding black bars at the top and the bottom - but the ones I can find online are almost as expensive as a new TV
2) Getting my hands on a firmware update for the ACD that adds 1920x1080 to its EDID. But: Even if there were such a thing as an unofficial firmware update, I am not a fan of the idea

Anyone got a better idea? I realize I could simply buy a regular TV and have the solution right there, but I was hoping to be able to repurpose the ACD.

Thank you!
 
Last edited:
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Hi everybody,

As I am not really using my 24" Cinema Display right now, I am thinking about hooking it up to a 3rd Gen Apple TV. I already own an active converter that allows me to connect HDMI sources to the MiniDP-equipped ACD:
(http://www.amazon.com/Kanex-HDMI-Mini-Displayport-Converter/dp/B003LGOWNQ)

Since the maximum output of the Apple TV is 1920x1080 and the 24 ACD will only accept input at 1920x1200 (or a few other incompatible resolutions) I was wondering if any of you knew some kind of a workaround?

My ideas so far:
1) Using an active "scaler" that converts 1920x1080 content to 1920x1200, essentially adding black bars at the top and the bottom - but the ones I can find online are almost as expensive as a new TV
2) Getting my hands on a firmware update for the ACD that adds 1920x1080 to its EDID. But: Even if there were such a thing as an unofficial firmware update, I am not a fan of the idea

Anyone got a better idea? I realize I could simply buy a regular TV and have the solution right there, but I was hoping to be able to repurpose the ACD.

Thank you!

Have you tried it? I'm guessing the screen will just show the 1920x1080 image centered with black bars
 
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If you find a solution, i'm interested, i have the same problem with a old Cinema Display (with 1600x1024 definition)
 
Thanks for the responses.

I used SwitchResX to force my Mac to output a 1080p signal - you are right, the ACD displays the content in a letterboxed format with black bars. Great!

This looks promising; I will go ahead an order an Apple TV. I will report back once it has arrived.
 
It's not a good idea.

If you force with a Mac, i think you use the scaler of the graphic card.

When you send 1920 x 1 080 with SwitchResx, the Graphic send a 1920x1200 image.

With the Apple TV (and console, etc.), there is no scaler, they assume that the display has a scaler, and Apple display have *no* scaler.
 
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