IMac to extrernal VGA tv input.

I own a iMac 27" and would like to connect a small tv that i own. Its a Polaroid 15" Tv with an D-Sub (VGA) input. I have bought the mini display to vga adaptor and a male to male vga cable. Hooked it all up and cannot get the iMac to detect the display. I have tried using the vga cable on other monitor and it works (so it is not the cable). I have also tried using the mini display adapter on another mac and it works (so it is not the adapter). I have the TV set to D-SUb source and it says 'no input signal'. I have tried putting the imac to sleep, restarting it, shutting it off and turning it back on. I have read many different posts about iMac not detecting external display but nothing has solved my problem. Any one have any ideas?

The Mini DisplayPort connector does not carry the signal needed for composite output. So while it does work on a computer display that uses VGA (as you proved to yourself), that older TV probably needs the composite signal that is not present. If you used a second adapter that went from VGA to RCA (or S-Video), then connected it to the TV, it would not work for the same reason.
There is a rather long topic thread about how you can do it, but it is not very elegant
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9692969
(the post with the pictures is the solution.)

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IMac multiple monitors VGA Switch

Hi.
I have an iMac 20" early January 2006, a 32inch Samsung LCD TV with PC Input and a 17 inch external monitor.
I wish to use both the TV and external monitor as a secondary monitor for my iMac. Obviously not at the same time.
Would I be able to use a VGA Switch Box to plug both the TV and external monitor into, with the other connection going to the iMac. This was I would be able to choose which Monitor to use?
I think these Switch Boxes are usually used for plugging in devices such as Xbox 360, with the main connection going to the monitor. Basically, PC and Xbox, with the main going to the TV. So basically the question is, can I plug the iMac into the main connection, with the other two monitors from the other two, allowing me to choose which is active?
Here is the product:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/B000J249JC/sr=8-1/qid=1213461171/ref=d pimage0?ie=UTF8&n=560798&s=electronics&qid=1213461171&sr=8-1
Thanks In Advance

Stephen, it has been almost a month since your post and I was hoping to learn something new about our type iMac monitors.
I have checked with AppleCare and several on-line discussions and it seems the only thing that can be added is a "mirror" monitor VGA, which may be what you want. There is apparently no way to increase the "real estate" like on a Windows PC or the new iMacs, Macbooks and Pros.
Hope this helps a little to know others are trying, too.
Ed

Output iPad video to 27" iMac using iPad VGA adaptor?

Hi, I was wondering is it possible to Output iPad video to 27" iMac as an external monitor using iPad VGA adaptor?
Thx.

No. The VGA adaptor is an analog connection and the only inputs are digital Mini Display / Thunderbolt ports depending on your model. It maybe possible with a conversion box of some sort or maybe trying an HDMI to mini display port cable ($44.95) and an iPad 2. The 27' should be able to be used as a second display but the 21 is not. If you have the iPad 2, pick up the cable and the HDMI adapter and try it out. If not, return the cables within two weeks.

VGA/DVI Input

The monitor I use for my PC just went up in smoke, and I'm wondering:
Is there any way I can allow my iMac's display to accept VGA or DVI input? I don't use my PC that often, and the amount I'm willing to invest in a new monitor would only fetch me something mediocre. BAH! I already love my iMac Display and it requires so little desk space...
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Microsoft has this:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/otherproducts/otherproducts.aspx?pid=remotedesktopc lient
It works great. A few catches, but nothing major:
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2.) works for free on windows XP Pro. Not sure if they sell the option on the others or not.
3.) This is kinda funny, you have to have a password on your user and login, then the network shows up and the computer works.
Basically you need to borrow an older IBM CRT (most people give them away) to set it up and then you can use the mac. I just set a standard password I can easily type in.
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IMac MiniDisplay to VGA stops sending signal to Analog Way switcher

We have 3 iMac's, all running Yosemite (10.10.1), that we've recently installed with MiniDisplay to VGA adapters. We've run the VGA's into individual Analog Way switchers that also have Apple TV's and DVD players hooked up to them as well. The issue we're having is that though the Mac sees the "secondary display", the switcher is unable to see signal after waking the iMac from sleep. If we unplug and replug the MiniDisplay port adapter, it will re-detect the displays and the switcher will see signal again.
We are also not able to go up to 1920x1080 even though the switcher supports it and other devices send it.
Any help and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
- James

Apple has a minidisplay to vga adapter which i'm assuming will work.
Yes, it will work fine!
Would it be better to use vga or composite for watching movies and using the computer through the projector?
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Composite, S Video, Component, VGA, DVI/HDMI/MDP (these last 3 are essentially the same quality)
Is there such thing as male-male vga cable and would it send the signal properly from the imac to the projector?
Yes, they are extremely common, and it will work fine. I would be surprised if there wasn't an extra cable of this sort already in the projector bag. It is standard gear for all of my office's projector sets.
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Connect a Monitor to my iMac with MiniDisplay - VGA cable

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always dvi!
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2nd Display Support:
Mirroring Only*
2nd Max. Resolution:
1024x768*
Details:
Apple reports that this system has a "VGA output port for video mirroring on an external display or projector", and supports output resolutions of "640 x 480 pixels at 60Hz, 800 x 600 pixels at 75Hz and 1024 x 768 pixels at 75Hz". However, the hardware is capable of using an external display in dual or "extended desktop mode", Apple just blocked the capability in firmware to protect sales of more expensive Macs. Unsupported third-party hacks are available.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac_g5_2.0_20.html
The port is actually Mini-VGA...
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=apple+mini+vga+to+vga&tag=googhydr-20& index=aps&hvadid=7263599887&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=157245001668280529 38&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_3j1o7iu5si_b

Can the iMac 24 display support 2 inputs i.e. can I conncet my Mini?

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thanks.

As there is no video input on the iMac, you cannot use the iMac as a display for the mini, but check out the program Steve mentions. I use Microsoft's Remote Desktop to control my PCs from my Mac and CotVNC is supposed to be even better.

Really need imac 21.5 with video input!!!

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http://www.apple.com/feedback/

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USB.
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I have a new iMac. I'm using Migration Assistant to transfer files. My old computer spontaneously shut down. I restarted it and am trying to use Migration Asst again, but each computer is waiting on input from the other one. What do I do?

Let me see if I've gotten this right! You want to remove an account from BOTH machines? Do this for your new machine first, then for the other.
Click the Apple logo on the top left of the screen, System Preferences, Users and Groups (under Systems), unlock the lock in the window if its locked (you need to know the password), select the user that you wish to remove, and click the - sign next to the + sign for Login options. A window will pop up with some options. Select Delete this user and securely, and click 'Delete user'.
After this, do an update from the App Store.
Thats all there is to it.
For the other machine repeat the process except for one thing. Before you delete the user in this case YOU, you will have to give Administrator priviledges to your son bu checking the box 'Allow user to administer this computer'.
Do NOT do anything from Finder ... if you dont know how to fix the consequences of the problems caused.
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My iMac thinks a VGA monitor is connected, and that it's the main

Hello,
I have been looking around this forum, and the web, for an answer to my problem. I haven't found one yet.
My problem is that I sometimes connect my TV to the iMac, using the appropriate adapter, and now the computer states that a "VGA Display" is always the main monitor, and the iMac Display is the secondary, even if there is no other display connected.
System profiler says, under Graphics/Displays:
Chipset Model: GeForce4 MX
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
VRAM (Total): 64 MB
Vendor: nVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0189
Revision ID: 0x00a3
ROM Revision: 2032
Displays:
iMac:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1440 x 900
Depth: 32-bit Color
Built-In: Yes
Core Image: Not Supported
Mirror: On
Mirror Status: Hardware Mirror
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
VGA Display:
Resolution: 1400 x 1050 @ 60 Hz
Depth: 32-bit Color
Core Image: Not Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: On
Mirror Status: Master Mirror
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
I have reset PRAM, Open Firmware, created new user accounts, and totally wiped the hard drive and reinstalled Tiger. Still, the stupid "VGA Display" is ever present.
Thanks a million in advance to anyone who can help me out of this mess.
iMac G4 17" 1Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6)
iMac G4 17" 1Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

hi,
i understand what's your problem because it's the same for me.
it's about 2 years that i call Apple and they don't know how to solve it !
In this 2 years they change me motherboard, connector/cable TV,
but everytime the same problem return !
After that i used my iMac to mirror my photos in tv and unplug the adaptator, my iMac think that there is a Vga monitor... but it didn't !
If you go in the system profiler/monitor you'll see the the mirror is on.. strange.
i'd try also with 3rd part software to change the option monitor but... nothing.
i'll hope that we can solve it !
sorry for my english.. bye

IMac CRT and VGA adapters

I would like to connect an iMac CRT to a SMARTBoard. The SMARTBoard has a VGA connection. Someone at the Apple Store told me that I didn't need an adapter b/c the CRTs had VGA connections. I have checked several iMac CRTs from various years, and I have only found USB, Firewire, ethernet, phone line, microphone, and speaker connections. Does anyone know of a way to connect these old iMacs to VGA cords?
Thanks

It's also possible with a tray loader but you'd need a "old Mac" to VGA adapter >and I've never done it. I have some set up on my workbench. I'll go try it right >now and see how it looks.
Yup that works fine. You pull the access panel by removing one screw and pull that hatch with the small handle. The video cable is the rectangular one with the two clamping screws.(be careful tightening those, it's easy to snap them at their shoulders) You pull that off and plug you adapter in there.
The problem will be finding the right adapter with the proper resolution and sync. I have some adjustable ones with mini dip switches that are very handy.
Richard

Problem with iMac mini DVI output to TV via VGA

Hi
I've searched these forums and Googled but haven't found the answer to this problem!
Basically, I'm trying and so far failing to connect an iMac that I bought in mid 2007 (v 5.1, OS X 10.6.5) to a new HD TV (Sony KDL-32EX403). I'm using a Mini DIV to VGA adaptor from the iMac with a VGA cable that goes into the 'PC' input round the back of the TV. When I try and select the 'PC' function from the inputs menu on the TV, the icon is greyed out.
No matter what I try - turning mirroring on and off, changing resolution, unplugging, restarting - it makes no difference. Weirdly the display menu does acknowledge that the Mac is connected to a Sony TV and gives a list of resolutions to choose from.
However... when I tried connecting my PC notebook using the straight VGA cable (output on the PC, input to the TV) the image appears fine. So I took the cable out of the PC, screwed on the VGA-DVI adaptor and plugged it back into the Mac and it worked! However when I switched back to TV mode I could not switch back to PC input, the icon was once again greyed out.
Sigh...
I see no reason why this doesn't work without this awkward workaround so if anyone can help or has had a similar problem please shout!
Thanks
Message was edited by: philbrownuk

I have my Macbook (early 2008) hooked up to a 19-inch TV I use as a second desktop. You won't find any cords that go straight from mini-DVI to HMDI, and even if you do I wouldn't recommend them. You'll have to get an adapter cable that goes from mini-DVI to DVI and then get a DVI to HDMI cable. I got the Apple-made adapter (about $20) even though it's more expensive because apparently third party ones can have problems. You can get a DVI to HDMI cable anywhere, they can run expensive but I got one off Amazon for less than $10.
That connection is video only so yes, you'd need a different connection for sound. As to how you hook the sound up, it depends on what you want to use for sound. If you want the sound to come from the TV speakers then you'd have to use a different cord than if you wanted to hook it up to a sound system. If you let me know I can explain what you'd need to do for that. Hope this helped

IMAC Displayport HDMI INPUT for Wii, PS3, XBOX360 etc

The iMAC supports to use its 27" monitor as an external monitor for other devices through its Mini Displayport that supports both output AND input.
There are many HDMI adapters for the Mini Display adapter but I want to know if a special adapter is required for input and what are the specifications/standards/name for the adapters, contacts and cables that are required?
Specifically I am going to use the 27" display for gaming consoles mentioned above (Wii with the Wii2HDMI adapter).
What do I need to know to write down on my shopping list? Thanks!

At this point I think that you are all wishing & hoping, but are perhaps operating on hype. Yes the 27" iMac is the first iMac with a video import. It has a bi-directional mini-DisplayPort. Various models of Macs have had mini-DisplayPorts for video output since 2008. It is not a new port on Macs.
There are a number of adapters for this port, some made by Apple, some made by a number of 3rd party Mac accessory manufacturers. Currently you can buy the following adapters; mini-DisplayPort to DVI (D), mini-DisplayPort to VGA, mini-DisplayPort to Dual-link DVI (D), and mini-DisplayPort to HDMI. There is also a mini-DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort cable. The other thing to remember is that the mini-DisplayPort does not carry audio.
However, if you go to the Apple iMac webpages you will find that Apple is very specific about how you can use the mini-DisplayPort at this time. This is what it says;
Mini DisplayPort.
The Mini DisplayPort lets you connect an external display, including the Apple LED Cinema Display, to your iMac. On the 27-inch iMac, the same port offers input, too. So you can connect any external source that has DisplayPort output — including a MacBook or MacBook Pro — and use your iMac as a display. (emphasis mine)
So Apple is saying that currently you can use the 27" iMac as a display for devices with mini-DisplayPort output, such as another Mac, like one of the notebooks. Meaning that you can use the 27" as an external monitor for a MacBook Pro with a mini-DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort cable.
Anything that you have read at outside websites with reviews about the new iMac and hooking up a Wii, a PlayStation, a Blu-Ray DVD, etc is pure speculation at this point and there is no guarantee that patching mini-DisplayPort adapters to other technology standard cables, such as DVI or HDMI, will provide the proper input to use the 27" as a display.

IMac to extrernal VGA tv input.

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