Ethernet/Displays/Thunderbolt/Ports

I want to use my imac as a second screen for my macbook pro but my minidisplay port on the macbook pro is being used up by the thunderboltd external harddrive, so even if i bought a minidisplay--> minidisplay cable i wouldn't be able to use it.......at this point i don't care if the displays are mirrored. Obviously using it as an additional monitor would be awesome, but if at this point i can just get these computers to be mirrored without the use of minidisplay port (again, because the thunder bolt hard drive is connected) that would be satisfactory.
Basically what i'm trying to do is is run a DAW software off my macbook pro because it is an i7 and the imac i have is an i3. But for obvious reasons i'd rather use the bigger screen of the imac. But i've connected the interface and the midi cables, all of my usb ports are full, therefore the TB drive has to be connected through the TB port..a.k.a the mini display. thanks!
If the ethernet option is not possible, any ideas on how to use my TB drive while using my imac as an additional screen, simultaniously?

You can use a HDMI to DVI adapter if the display resolution is not greater than 1920 x 1200.
<http://startech.com/Cables/Audio-Video/HDMI/>
or you could use wireless for your network connection.
<http://www.apple.com/airport-express/>
If you use 5GHz, it should be nearly as fast as Ethernet.

Similar Messages

MBP's Retina display & Thunderbolt display?

I plan to upgrade from my MacBook to a MacBook pro and a Thunderbolt Display, need the large screen display and the portability. Will the Thunderbolt display reflect the quality of the MBP’s Retina display?

I have that exact setup with a new MBP Retina and a Thunderbolt 27" Display. I love the setup. But, no, the Thunderbolt is not a Retina display. However, the size of the screen makes up for it with me. I'm sure that Apple will produce a Thunderbolt Retina display within the next year. Probably kinda pricey since the TD is already $1,000, thereabouts.
One thing I did have go wrong on the display was the "All-in-One" display cable which is a permanent cable mounted to the display (i.e. not replaceable by user) and which has two cable connector that connect to your computer (one for computer power and one for a Thunderbolt computer port). Either the cable or some electronics in the TD leading to the cable failed. My symptom was that video was just fine (fooling you to think all is well), but I lost external control to anything plugged into the ports on the display (USB, Ethernet, Firewire, etc). It was as if the hub inside the display wasn't being powered up or something, and it also did not show up on the System Information under USB. The work around was to unplug the Display Thunderbolt cable from the Computer and bypass it with a regular Thunderbolt cable between the computer and the empty display Thunderbolt port.
I love the setup now that my display works fine. One recommendation is to be sure and have an extra Thunderbolt cable on hand.
Regards,
Barry

Thunderbolt port for ethernet adaptor and display

Hi-
As there is only one Thunderbolt port on a MacBook Air, how am I supposed to connect my gigabit adaptor AND a display at the same time?
Thanks.

Unless the display is (Apple's) Thunderbolt Display, which replicates TB as well as providing Ethernet, FireWire, USB, and audio, you might need to live with little less than "Gigabit" and get a USB->Ethernet adapter.

Best way to set up two thunderbolt displays and thunderbolt ethernet on a Late 2013 MBP with only 2 thunderbolt ports?

I have a late 2013 MBP with only 2 thunderbolt ports. I want to set up two external displays (both have usb ports on the back but not thunderbolt so I can't daisy-chain) but one of my thunderbolt ports is being taken up by the ethernet adapter. Is it possible to convert one of my displays to plug into my open HDMI slot? Or is it better to use the two thunderbolt ports for the two displays and switch the ethernet to the slower usb adapter?

You can use a HDMI to DVI adapter if the display resolution is not greater than 1920 x 1200.
<http://startech.com/Cables/Audio-Video/HDMI/>
or you could use wireless for your network connection.
<http://www.apple.com/airport-express/>
If you use 5GHz, it should be nearly as fast as Ethernet.

How to use thunderbolt port with disks and DVI-display

Hello,
today I use a 15" MacBookPro and have attached 1TB LaCie with FW800 (for time machine) and DVI-Display using Mini-port.
Need to add more external disk space and look for Lacie 2 TB with thunderbolt connection (for storing mass of pictures in Raid1 version)
Is it possible to connect the new disk, the other disk with an Thunderbolt->FW800 adapter and the DVI-Display to one thunderbolt port?
What are the options I have, to get all three to work at the same time?

No, or at least not without additional hardware. You have too many end-points for one Thunderbolt chain.
You also have the problem that the Thunderbolt->FW800 adapter is not yet for sale.
If the new disk you get has two Thunderbolt ports (which not all do), you could daisy-chain the Thunderbolt->FW800 adapter behind it, but that adapter has to be at the end of the chain. The Mini-port->DVI adapter likewise needs to be at the end of a chain.
So, you can probably get all three connected at one time by connecting the "1TB LaCie with FW800 (for time machine)" to your FW800 port, while connecting the Thunderbolt->FW800 adapter (when available) to the second port of the new disk. I say "probably" because nobody has the TB-FW adapter yet to try it.
As for doing it on one Thunderbolt port with additional hardware, you might look into third-party docking stations being released in the next few months. The announced prices are in the low-to-middle hundreds. I won't mention brand names, as this is an Apple forum, but they aren't too hard to find by web search.
The highest-priced solution would be the Apple Thunderbolt Display, which gives you a FW800 port for your 1TB drive, a pass-thru Thunderbolt port for your new disk, and of course a 2560x1440 display (plus ethernet and usb2 ports you may not need). It's available now, in the uppermost hundreds. There are some refurbs in the online Apple Store at the moment at 15% off.

Why can't the Thunderbolt port on the rear of the display support a Mini DisplayPort monitor?

I bear no ill will as I knew the situation going in and am happy with my beautiful Thunderbolt display, but I simply cannot understand this lack of a blatantly obvious feature.
Why I must unplug my Thunderbolt display from my MacBook Pro (and lose my USB keyboard, external HDD, and wired ethernet) because my Thunderbolt display - with what appears to be an identical Thunderbolt port on the rear, fully capable of powering a second Thunderbolt display - cannot power my 1080p HDTV through a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adaptor.
I have hoped and hoped for a firmware or software update that would allow this, as it is seemingly an oversight or an anticompetitive measure, but nothing.
Any ideas, workarounds? So dumb.
EDIT: Also, this is not a realistic solution although likely would work: https://discussions.apple.com/message/17662077#17662077 - also strengthens my suspicion of this being an anticompetitive measure more than a technological lacking.

Answer?: http://www.macrumors.com/2011/09/28/apple-thunderbolt-display-teardown-reveals-p lethora-of-hardware-inside/
Still kinda uncool, and seems like a solvable technical limitation.

Thunderbolt Display USB ports not working after 1.2 firmware update

I installed the Thunderbolt Display Firmware Update 1.2 a few days back, and following that update, the USB ports on my display have stopped working completely. The display's Thunderbolt port and Ethernet jacks are working fine, as is the Thunderbolt/power cable connection to my MacBook Air (mid-2011, 11 inch, running OS X Yosemite 10.10.1). Any ideas on a fix?

Do an SMC and PRAM reset.

HT201338 adaptor that accepts both VGA and ethernet cables at the same time that can be plugged into the Thunderbolt port

I have my Apple cinema display connected to my MacBook Air via the Thunderbolt port, but I also want to connect an ethernet cable.
Is there an adaptor that accepts both VGA and ethernet cables at the same time that can be plugged into the Thunderbolt port

I have my Apple cinema display connected to my MacBook Air via the Thunderbolt port, but I also want to connect an ethernet cable.
Is there an adaptor that accepts both VGA and ethernet cables at the same time that can be plugged into the Thunderbolt port

I have a Macbook Pro 13.3 i5 w/ no hdmi port. How can I connect my Mac to TV to watch video, photo ? Is the Thunderbolt port a mini display port where I can use a mini display port to HDMI cable? If not, what are my options??

I have a Macbook pro 13.3 w/ i5 that has no hdmi port. I want to be able to connect the Mac to my TV set to watch Video, Photos and files from Mac to TV.
Is the Thunderbolt port similar to a display port or mini display port? Can I use thunderbolt port to connect thru a mini displayport to HDMI cable or converter?
Been trying to locate a USB to HDMI cable or converter (at a reasonable price) but all I found is a displayport or mini displayport to HDMI cable/converter.
What other options are available ?
Thanks a lot for your assistance.

Thunderbolt uses a Mini DisplayPort adapter to send video and audio to HDMI. Here's some on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_8?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-ke ywords=mini+displayport+to+hdmi&sprefix=mini+dis%2Caps%2C249#/ref=nb_sb_noss?ur l =search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=mini+displayport+to+hdmi+with+audio&rh = n%3A172282%2Cn%3A!493964%2Cn%3A541966%2Ck%3Amini+displayport+to+hdmi+with+audio

Thunderbolt port to Mini Display Port to HDMI problem

Ok.. I figured it out (after reading another post of 44 pages of solutions/non-solutions and complaints starting back to 2009 and trying some) It seems as though a simple fix was missing.... I did this and it works just fine...
I have a 27' imac. I used the Thunderbolt port on the back to a MDP to a HDMI to my 55" Vizio HD 1080p TV. It didn't work until......
I called my Boeing engineer son-in-law (who is a very part time mac person (but very smart!) and he had me go to (SEE steps below!)........
I did this and it works just fine...
HERE IT IS STEP BY STEP!!!
1.Open SYSTEM PREFFERRENCES click DISPLAYS. A window opens that will say your mac on the top of the window (mine said- iMac).
2.Then....click ARRANGEMENT (there will be 2 little blue screens inside--1 portrait and 1 landscape view) and check MIRROR DISPLAYS.
3.Now a second window opens with the name of your other display (mine said- VZ55.....which is my TV) (the two little blue screens will now be overlapping).
4.Then go to DISPLAYS on same window and choose your RESOLUTION.
5.Now arrow pack on window to SYSTEM PREFFERRENCES
6.Click SOUND and click on whatever your other display is (mine was VZ55....).
7.Choose your resolution (mine was 1080p) and ****POOF**** there it was.... my computer on my TV!!!
WALLA!
I hope this will help a lot of you! Good Luck All!

Shoudl try deactivating "Automatic graphic switching" from "Energy" pane of system preferences ...
As said on the following : http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1297176

How to connect two DVI screens to Thunderbolt Display's Thunderbolt Port?

Hi everyone,
I have a new MBP and an external Thunderbolt Display. The Thunderbolt Display itself has a Thunderbolt port, and I was wondering if there is anyway to connect to DVI screens to that. My goal is to have the Thunderbolt Display and 2 x 24" Samsung DVI screens connected to my MBP.
Alternatively, has anyone had success using a third party device like the Matrox 2 go to drive multiple monitors from the usb port?
Thanks,
Dave.

You could try a TB>DVI adapter (here's one from Monoprice) but I don't know that it will work - I'm thinking that you could have at least one of your Samsung displays use it. You may also want to see if you can find a HDMI>DVI adapter for your second Samsung display - something like this?
I know that I've seen three monitor set-ups on YouTube - but I'm not sure what was connected to what. Easy enough to daisy-chain ATDs but it gets a bit tougher when utilizing HDMI ports, etc., and I'm not sure about the GPUs ability to drive all three displays.
Oops - sorry - strike that second paragraph - I thought that you were running a Retina display MBP...
Clinton
Message was edited by: clintonfrombirmingham

Mini Display port DVI adapter not working on Thunderbolt Port

For some time I've been using a mini display port to DVI adapter on an slightly older MBP to connect to my HD TV. I recently purchased a MBP with a Thunderbolt port and when I try to connect it to my TV via my mini-display-port-DVI adapter things are not working properly. The MBP is seeing the Philips TV but it isn't listing all the display modes and I'm not able to send any video to it. Does the Thunderbolt port require a new display port to DVI adapter?

Let me be clearer; I've got the MDP-DVI adapter connected to a cable that is DVI on one end and HDMI on the other. I've got both laptops so I can compare side by side. I plug in the MDP-DVI adapter to the old laptop and all works well; I plug it into the new laptop and while the laptop does see the TV, the display modes for it are all 1080p which is wrong I don't see any desktop image on the TV unlike when I plug it into the older laptop. This is very disappointing as I expect things to just work with Apple products.

Connecting Cinema Display with mini display port to macbook pro with thunderbolt port

I am trying to connect a 27" cinema display (2010) that has a mini display port cable out of the back, into my macbook pro (2013) with thunderbolt ports. The mini display port cord fits into the thunderbolt port on the Macbook Pro, however the macbook pro does not detect the cinema display and the cinema display does not have any picture on the screen. The USB plugs in fine and sound comes out, and I have the adapter for the magsafe to magsafe 2 and that works fine, it just the actual display. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!

Hello mmholt,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like there’s no video on an Apple Cinema Display that’s connected to your MacBook Pro, and you’re wondering if the configuration is supported. It is supported, take a look at the article linked below for more information.
Thunderbolt ports and displays: Frequently asked questions (FAQ) - Apple Support
1. Can I connect a Mini DisplayPort monitor or monitor using a Mini DisplayPort adapter to a Thunderbolt port on my Thunderbolt-equipped Mac?
Yes. A Mini DisplayPort display or a display connecting with a Mini DisplayPort to VGA, DVI, or HDMI adapter will work just like it was connecting to a Mini DisplayPort connector when plugging in directly to the Thunderbolt connector on your Apple computer. Click here for more information on Mini DisplayPort connections and adapters.
Also, this article provides a lot of great information and troubleshooting tips that will resolve most issues related to video external displays.
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays - Apple Support
So long,
-Jason

My Thunderbolt-port equipped 15" Macbook Pro (Early 2011) works with other monitors but not with my Thunderbolt Display.

I just got a thunderbolt monitor and excitedly, I plugged my early 2011 thunderbolt port equipped 15" Macbook Pro (running 10.8.2) into it and... no image on the monitor.
Ok, so I know that the TB display works because I plugged a mid-2012 13" Macbook Pro into it (running 10.7.5) and it works perfectly. In fact, I'm using it to type this message right now.
Other details:
- in both the displays preference pane and about this mac/system info, the 15" mbp recognizes the display, yet... no picture either clamshell open or closed. restarted with it plugged in and not plugged in, no difference. also? sound comes through the monitor.
- ALSO, i plugged in a mini displayport monitor into the 15" port, and it displayed fine, so the port seems to be doing something.
see my conundrum?

It should just work - if it's not working with your 2011 model (works just fine with my 15" late 2011, right out of the box) I would get in touch with AppleCare as soon as possible and see what the senior techs may have to say...
Clinton

Anyone else having trouble connecting MBP with thunderbolt port (TBp) and 27"iMac with mini display port (MDp)

I have a 27" Imac.i7 with mini displayport and MBP13 i5 with thunderbolt port. Some time ago I tried to connect my old MBP with miniDP to The 27"iMac I Failed so did the apple centre they refunded cable costs and said I'd be contacted by Cupertino. That was 9 months ago, now replaced MBP with 13 inch(**** I can use my iMac as display!). Does not work phoned Fast Lane very helpful guy called JIM emailed me some software/firmware update links. Still no display linking. One of the links was for a couple of updates for a TBp equiped 27" iMac mine is only MDp equiped. Failing to find any MDp updates in apple support. Anyone have any Ideas! My lad has a later 27"i5 he uses Xbox 360 no problem on his but it wont look at my MBP.
Beginning to feel like some of the kit that went with a fully loaded 5500 worked eventually. Computer and FM radio, Photography kit fine, video capture audio capture forget it. Too many crashes and resets made it impractical.

Check discussion from Linc Davis on this thread
Problems with Preview
Similarly preview hangs opening files

Ethernet/Displays/Thunderbolt/Ports

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