Attach two Cinema Displays to MBP?

can i attach two 2004 Apple Cinema Displays (23" 20") to my 15" 2011 MBP? I see some community references to external devices (Matrox or EVGA). Is there no way to do it using just some combination of DVI / miniDV / USB cables adapters? Thanks!

Do your two displays have ADC (Apple Display Connector) ports, or DVI ports? If they have DVI, you can connect one to your MBP's Thunderbolt port with a mini-Displayport-to-DVI adapter and the other to a USB port with an adapter like this:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/VIDU2DVIA/
Note that the USB-connected display will be less responsive than the other.
If your displays have ADC ports, you'll be stringing several adapters together just to get one of them connected, and I'm not certain that it will actually be possible to use either. Thunderbolt-to-ADC is very unlikely to have been tested by Apple, and given the high cost and difficulty of finding the long-discontinued ADC adapters nowadays, it would be a significant gamble for you to undertake the testing yourself.

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Two Cinema Displays + 17" MBP?

Hey all,
Looking to connect two 23" Cinema Displays (the older aluminium version with DVI) to a 2011 17" MBP with an i7/8GB RAM/AMD 1GB video card/Thunderbolt...is it possible? I know about the Matrox DualHead but was wondering if there are any cheaper alternatives (that perferably treat each external display as separate and not just one big stretched screen). Thanks!

I'm looking for the same solution.
I have found this external pci solution but not 100% it will work. I was just gonna buy the raedon card with dual minidp output and run it externally. It says it's Mac compatible I'm just not sure if the video card will fit the enclosure. Heres the link. http://www.magma.com/2slot.asp

Why does final cut x not recognize the sharp PN- K321 monitor ( European version ) as output video monitor and premiere it? Working with two cinema display and PN- K321 and I can not preview the output video at 4K for DisplayPort, whereas with premie

Why does final cut x not recognize the sharp PN- K321 monitor ( European version ) as output video monitor, and premiere yes?
Working with two cinema display and PN- K321 and I can not preview the output video at 4K by DisplayPort, whereas with premiere and after effects I have no problems

Look, you can build an HD DVD with an SD movie, just as you can build an SD DVD with an HD movie. This is not a bug, it is most likely user error. Apple will not be addressing it.
Just start over, and ensure you are building an SD DVD by bringing up the inspector for the disc (click on the background in the Graphical tab).
Make sure SD DVD is selected:
(If you do the same thing on your ill fated project, you'll see that HD DVD is selected)
Build your DVD and you'll be fine.
Patrick
P.S. You will need to google HD DVD and Blu-Ray if you want to understand the difference between the formats. The reason that DVDSP included HD DVD was that its format was similar to SD DVD's. Blu-Ray is something else entirely.

Is it possible to attach two monitors to a MBP using a displayport splitter?

Hello community!
I have done quite a bit on research on this, but haven't found any recent and conclusive answers. My hope is to find a solution and have it documented for others seeking the same.
Goal
I want to attach two external monitors to the miniDP/Thunderbolt port of my MacBook Pro using a DisplayPort (DP) splitter.
Hardware
Macbook Pro, mid 2012 (non-retina), with NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, Mavericks
2x DELL U2412M that support DVI,VGA or Displayport.
What I know
My MBP should support more than two displays
There is a workaround using a USB adapter (my last resort)
There are Thunderbolt "Docking Stations" (e.g. from Belkin) providing several outputs, but don't know if any supports more than one display
DP supports multiple displays as of rev. 1.2 (daisy-chain)
The U2412M
(supposedly) supports DP rev. 1.2
works when attached with DP (tested on both units)
Thunderbolt is backwards compatible with DP (I think the DP signal is multiplexed on a thunderbolt connection)
I found a DP-splitter supporting multiple displays. However, Delock's support could not confirm it working with my MBP (they have no test units)
What I tried
I purchased the DP-splitter and tried to connect both displays to the mac.
Result
While there is a reaction initially, both monitors go into standby.
If I connect only one display to the splitter
DP: works
mDP: Laptop display goes black several times (I suppose OS X is attempting to set up the display), before defaulting to the buildin screen only (Note: Connecting the mDP<->DP cable directly works)
MBP cannot boot if both displays are connected with splitter as WindowServer crashes (there are crash logs, if that would help)
It's possible, that the splitter's mDP port is defective. "My" store suggested bringing it in for replacement. As they are out of stock, however, it'll take a while for a replacement to arrive.
Question / tldr
Has anyone successfully connected two displays to a single mDP/Thunderbolt port without using thunderbolt?
What DP revision does the thunderbolt port support?
Is there anything else I could try?

Melophage,
Thanks for pointing out the PowerDesk software.
For the benefit of any other readers, here's a rough outline of it's functionality:
Divide 'virtual' desktop into sections. (allows maximising to both screens, a single one or even a division of a single screen)
Assign dock to a particular display (or span)
Swap active window and maximize it
Alas, there seems no way to assign the menu bar to a single display.
Quite interesting is the ability to divide a screen's desktop into sections. Applications can then be maximised in these sections, allowing for a "mission control" setup, where you can monitor several applications at once.

Resolution issues in mirror mode with last model of Cinema display and MBP

I have been using my MBP with a 27 inch Cinema display for the last year in mirror mode. (Both prior to Thunderbolt). Today, the cinema display is only coming up in low resolution while mirrored, but if I exit mirro mode, the reolution on the Cinema display is correct. Any suggestions on how to get back to prior state?
Thanks to anyone who responds!

Same issue here. Since upgrade to Snow Leopard, my 24 Cinema LED Display acts weird with closed lid on my Macbook. It doesn't switch on video at all, only audio seems to work. It is correctly plugged with the special power/USB cable that comes/is attached to the 24 Cinema LED. Also booting the Macbook and immediately closing the lid doesn't
No video at all!
Please help, it seems my external display has become useless...

Moving from Cinema Display to MBP screen.

The iTunes window when I hook up my MBP to my Cinema Display is full screen. When I use my MBP out and about the iTunes window is bigger then the screen and i can't get down to the resize handle and other items sited at the bottom of the screen.
How can I stop this happening an/or resize the iTunes window other than by using the resize handle?

Emceejay wrote:
How can I ... resize the iTunes window other than by using the resize handle?
option-click on the little green button in the upper left corner of the iTunes window.
JGG

Two Cinema Displays?

I have a 15" MacBook Pro. I'm running one 20" Cinema Display off of it. Is there a way for me to add another?

When you say two displays you mean the built in one and the additional Cinema Display I have added, correct? If I want to add a second Cinema Display what additional hardware do I need?

S-Video & Cinema Display on MBP

I've posted this originally in the macBook Pro section but quickly realized that this is as much a FCP question as it is a macbook Pro question. Here's the link to the original post: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=350386
I hadn't really had a need for this before, but today realized that if I'm to properly do video editing, I need to watch my stuff on a TV first. The problem is that I currently have a 23" Cinema display, and love the amount of screen that it lets me use with FCP. But I know that apple said a DVI-S-video adapter is available, but I also wanna use my Cinema display. Is there a way that I could have both??
-Brian

A video feed of your computer display is not going to give you a proper view of your video. You should feed your firewire to a DA converter/deck/camera to get the true signal...
Patrick

3 Monitors with 1 iMac and 2 Cinema Displays conected to Windows Gaming PC Help!

Hi
I want to set up a 3 monitor gaming set up with 1 iMac in the middle and 2 cinema displays either side. This would be a tripple monitor set up.
I am looking to set up a new computer and i want to have 3 monitors. I also want to have an iMac so i want the iMac in the middle and two cinima displays next to each other. i Want to also conect these monitors with a Windows 7 gaming PC.
I want to hook up my very powerfull windows 7 gaming computer wich has 3 SLI GTX 560 EVGA cards. These cards have a display port output.
So i want to run 3 monitors from my gaming machine and i also want to have my iMac use the 3 monitors aswell. I also want to take advantage of the full, maximum resolution. I would get the thunderbolt cinema display monitors.
Gaming comupter has 3 display ports so i need to connect each graphics card to one of the monitors. I then need to conect the two cinema displays to the middle iMac.
I have not bought anything yet i just need to know if i can do this. Need to know stuff like what adapers to buy and what compatabilties.
I need to know if this is posible and how i would do it.
Thanks

Could i use some of these cables?
It says they are thunderbolt conpatable.
http://www.macfixit.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=229
http://www.macfixit.com.au/shop/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=2444

Daisy Chain 2 cinema displays to thunderbolt port on iMac?

Presently I have an iMac (mid 2011). I am running 2 cinema displays thru my 2 thunderbolt ports on my iMac. Is it possible to daisy chain these 2 additional displays to save a thunderbolt port? If so, how would be greatly appreciated.

Only Thunderbolt displays are capable of being daisy chained.
If you had one Thunderbolt Display and a Cinema Display then you could put the Thunderbolt Display first and then connect the Cinema Display into it, but it cannot be done with two Cinema Displays.

Where can I purchase a Logic Board for a 24" Apple Cinema Display?

My 24" Cinema Display started to flicker and black out shortly after I purchased my most recent MacBook Pro. Apple felt that the issue was the MacBook Pro so they replaced it. The problem continued so they suggested I take the Cinema Display to the Genius Bar. The display was out of warranty and the Apple Genius felt the issue was a bad display even after I told him I smelt silicon burning just before it went out completely. He said that he could "depot" the unit and have it repaired for ~$600. Due to the high cost of repair, I chose to purchase a new Thunderbolt Display instead. Recently, I opened the old Cinema Display and found that the Logic Board is fried. I have ordered a new board from 2 different Web retailers. Both accepted the purchase as "in stock" but then stated they could not get the board from Apple. Where can I purchase the Logic Board for a 24" Apple Cinema Display?
Many thanks!

I was very interested to read this document. I think there is a problem with the Cinema Display and that it is frying the computer.
My husband bought each of us a macbook pro. His was hooked up to the cinema display. After about a year, his MBP started to suffer intermittent failures where it would suddenly shut off and have to be hard rebooted. After 2 years, the power or logic board on his MBP completely failed. He bought a new MBP and a Thunderbolt display, and I inherited his Cinema Display for use with my original MBP.
After one month of use with the cinema display, my MBP started to have the same problems. It has to be hard rebooted almost every time I disconnect or reconnect with the cinema display. I went to the Genius bar, and they confirmed that my MBP logic board needs to be replaced; I'm just holding out until spring break to take it back in, as they say it may take a week. Fortunately, I have AppleCare for my MBP.
Our cinema display is 3-4 years old, but it looks like, even though it appears to be working, I should probably get rid of it. I can't keep frying computers!
I'm posting this because I'm wondering how many others are experiencing this problem.

HT2811 Cinema Displays 27", blank screen and doesn't come on.

I have two Cinema Displays 27" on a Mac Pro, one display powers up and works fine, the other stays blank with the light blinking three times. Short, Long, Short, meaning my power adaptor is wrong, but switching adaptors doesn't work.
I have read the Apple article about the monitor things it's using the wrong adaptor. But mine I've been using is the correct one for the size and it even works when I switch adaptors and leads with my working display.
Not sure how to fix this. I've tried unplugging everything, and plugging one thing in at a time and restarting to try and isolate any problems.
Any suggestions?

Hi Rocky Rakoon,
Thank you for your post, and welcome to the Apple Support Communities.
I understand that your Apple Cinema Display is not turning on upon startup. I'd like to reset the following, as it may resolve your issue:
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
You may also want to reset your computer's PRAM:
OS X Mountain Lion: Reset your computer’s PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11243
Note: Resetting PRAM may change some system settings and preferences. Use System Preferences to restore your settings.
For more troubleshooting directly related to the Cinema Display, see this resource:
Apple Cinema Display: Troubleshooting steps
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2810
Thanks,
Matt M.

Can't find option to unlock brightness button lock on Cinema Displays

Greetings
Mac OS X 10.5.4
Mac Pro running two Cinema Displays, a 20" and a 30".
The 20" brightness buttons work.
The 30" brightness buttons are locked out.
Go to System Prefs>Displays> and I don't see anywhere to unlock the brightness buttons.
Sorry if stupid question -
where is the unlock?
Thanks
GFB

OK, called Apple and solved problem:
In order to have control over the monitor, the USB cable must be connected!
Learn something new everyday!
I was not using the USB slots on the back of the monitors, so I has never connected the USB cables on the monitor snake to the computer.

Can I Use Dual Apple LED 24 Cinema Displays?

I have a macpro(2008) and want to use two Apple LED 24 Cinema Displays.
How can I connect my macpro and two cinema displays.
GT120has one miniport. It's it better to buy two GT120?
or Should I buy DVI to miniport converter?
Message was edited by: mosquito7979

Hi-
Can I Use Dual Apple LED 24 Cinema Displays?
Yes.
Either another graphics card or an Atlona box;
http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-DVI-to-Mini-DisplayPort-Converter-p-17859.html
Either way will get your 24" LED displays connected.
If you use FCP, the box would be better......

Weird video corruption when connecting to 27" Display Port Cinema Display

I'm not sure whether this is a Mountain Lion issue, a hardware issue with the MacBook Pro retina, or a 27" LED cinema display issue (non-Thunderbolt). Last night, when I had brought my MBP-r home from work and connected it to my Cinema Display, the MBP didn't appear to wake up when I hit a key on the external keyboard (Apple's wired keyboard). I opened the lid of the MBP, and I saw this:
Disconnecting the externa display did not help, nor did putting the MBP to sleep and waking it up again. Eventually, I had to hold the power key down to shut it down. There are no directory or permission errors on the SSD. I'm running Mountain Lion 10.8.3.
This isn't the first time I've seen this problem, but it's the first time that required a forced restart.

Thanks for your reply. I will explore your suggestions. I have a MacBook not a MacBook Pro. Does that affect your advice?
A 2007 MacBook also has mini-dvi so nothing is changed.
I have asked about the problem at the Apple store with a cinema display specialist.
Apple stores have "cinema display specialists"?
They don't know what the problem is and suggest I bring the MacBook in to be checked. They didn't identify any compatibility problem.
Which is why I question the words "cinema display specialists"!
We know that the display works fine because we are able to operate it with a MacBook Pro (2011). But any further suggestions welcome.
Those machines have mini-diplayport (or is it thunderbolt by 2011? -- doesn't matter). So no adapters necessary and you know your display works. But the video out ports are "apples and oranges" here (mini-displayport vs. mini-dvi). The object your "game" is how to connect (female) mini-dvi to to a (male) mini-displayport display (don't even think about the thunderbolt display).
I've given you all the ideas I could think of, except when it comes to finding adapters or converters of various "flavors", it's google, google, google.

Attach two Cinema Displays to MBP?

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