Poor colour depth/banding with Apple Mini-DisplayPort-to-VGA adaptor?

I'm using the Apple Mini Display Port to VGA adaptor to hook my MBP up to a projector in the theatre where I give lectures.
I am getting colour depth/ banding issues - images seem to be displayed in thousands of colours, rather than millions, creating really bad banding problems.
I know it isn't an issue with the projector - for comparison purposes I tried playing a DVD through a DVD player connected to the projector, and then through the MBP connected to the projector, and the diference in colour depth was really noticeable. In fact it was virtually unwatchable through the MBP.
Is there a preference pane I'm missing somewhere which will increase the colour depth?
Is there a better adaptor than the Apple one that I need to buy?
Or is this a problem inherent in the minidisplay port to VGA conversion process?
Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

If your monitor has DVI input, get the DVI adapter. DisplayPort is digital, DVI is digital, but VGA is analog - the signal conversion will result in a (slight) drop in quality.

Similar Messages

  • Mac mini with Apple Mini Display to VGA adaptor

    Hello,
    I have just purchased a new i5 mac mini, and have started to use it with an HDMI TV. This is great, but I really want to go back to using just my VGA monitor, which is an LGFlatron W2243S.
    So, today, with the HDMI plugged in, I put a Apple Mini Display Port to VGA adaptor into the back of the mac mini, hooked it up to the monitor and great. The monitor was recognised, and it actually appeared as a second display.
    But then, I pulled out the HDMI lead, and that was the start of the trouble. I now cannot get the LG monitor to work - instead it goes into power saving mode. I have proven the VGA cable, and also noted that the display settings do detect the monitor, but it just keeps going into power saving mode.
    Reading on the internet I've found talk of the power from the mini display port being a possible problem.
    At the moment then, the HDMI is still plugged in. Any advice on any settings I should be using to get the mini display -> VGA adaptor to work with the monitor? It is obviously working in some form (a) because I can't believe apple would continue to sell a dud product and (b) because it did occur briefly as a second monitor.

    I've got some more information which I'm hoping might enable someone somewhere to help!!
    So, I've just connected up the monitor again, with success. Both the HDMI and VGA monitor as mirrorred displays.
    Then, I removed the HDMI connection, and the VGA monitor stayed on. I was also able to change the resolution successfully on the VGA monitor.
    Then I restarted the system. The VGA monitor went into standby and wouldn't wake up from power saving mode (therefore was not able to see the password screen).
    Plugged the HDMI back in (as well as the VGA) and restarted. Password screen came up on the HDMI screen. OS started up as normal, then the VGA screen came back to life on mirrored display.
    So there is some level of success occuring now, except on restart. It seems as once the OS loads, it sends the signal to the VGA to switch on, but not on the password screen. Note that I do not want the HDMI screen connected - just the VGA. It's really a TV and I want to use it elsewhere.
    I also downloaded the DP to VGA firmware update, but even with everything plugged in (and ironically with the VGA on and working!) it says that it cannot find a DP to VGA adaptor!!
    This all suggests to me that things work, but that there's something I'm not quite doing right somewhere. My PC connects to the VGA monitor fine, and comes on at power up.
    Thanks in hope.

  • Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor not Mirroring

    13-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) running 10.8.3
    Monoprice Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptors freeze the system (no issues with Monoprice Mini DisplayPort to DVI connected to monitor) so I tried an Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor and that works ok, EXCEPT it doesnt automatically mirror to projectors like older models I have used.
    Is the 13-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) supposed to auto mirror when connected to projectors using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor?
    Thanks for any assistance.

    I havent had a chance to test, yet it looks like if I create the settings for mirroring when the projector is attached to the laptop, the setting should stick moving forward..  I thought it just auto-sensed.  Will try and report back here if there are any changes or to solve the ticket...

  • Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor : Gateway Monitor FPD1760 - Compatible ?

    Hi. Is the Apple, Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor compatible with Gateway Monitors?, I own a Gateway FPD1760 (Specs : http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Gateway-Gateway-Monitor-FPD1760).
    Just wanted to know if I should be going with Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor or) Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter, as I have heard too many complaints about the former.
    Thanks in advance

    If your monitor has DVI input, get the DVI adapter. DisplayPort is digital, DVI is digital, but VGA is analog - the signal conversion will result in a (slight) drop in quality.

  • Apple mini displayport to vga cable. ...doesn't work. help.

    Tried hooking up my mac mini using the apple mini displayport to vga cable to my 22" acer monitor but im getting nothing. At the same time I hooked my tv to the hdmi connection and could see in the display settings on the mini that a dialogue box for the settings for the acer had appeared but no signal on the monitor itself.....any ideas?

    Try resetting the PRAM.
    Shut down your Mac.
    Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
    Turn on the computer.
    Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
    Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
    Release the keys.
    (from http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379)

  • Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter flickers

    I have 2 Samsung SyncMaster 23 in, HD Displays connected to my Mac Mini. The Display connected via the Mini DP to VGA adapter flickers erratically. This started happening after installing the latest upgrade of OSX Mountain Lion. I called Apple support, they gave me a list of steps to try to fix the problem, which I followed to the letter, to no avail. The problem is annoying, to say the least. I tried to find out if there was a firmware update for the adapter, but I am running the latest firmware (1.03).
    I would appreciate any help to solve this issue.

    Thank you for your message.
    1. Both monitors only have VGA input.
    2. The other adapter, Mini-DVI to VGA has always worked properly.
    3. The Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter is an Apple original product I bought at an Apple store. I bought 2 adapters.
    4. Actually I have 2  Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapters: The one I use with my Mac Mini, and another adapter I use to connect my Mac Book Pro to a Panasonic projector.
    5. I have tried using both adapters, and the flickering problem is present using either adapter.
    6. I believe the flickering problem is definitely something that needs to be addressed and solved by Apple. The adapter is its product, and should work as advertised, no matter what version of OSX I am running. Please remember that there was no flickering before I upgraded to the latest OSX Mountain Lion.
    7. I do not believe buying an adapter from another manufacturer, as you suggest, would solve the problem.
    Thank you for your help.

  • X1 connectivity problem with old VGA beam projector using mini displayport to VGA adaptor.

    Hi all,
    I would like to ask you how to connect this X1 with VGA projector as well.
    actually, X1 has a external interface specification as  mini displayport 1.1a.
    So I bought mini displayport to VGA adapter from MAC store.
    (Actually, Lenovo Korea office doesn’t sell this adapter directly on Korea, even in the future.)
    and try to connect both of LED monitor and beam projector.
    LED monitor was worked as well. but, this adaptor doesn't work with VGA projector. TT
    Please help me how to work this adaptor with projector as well.
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    Hi everybody. I was having the same issue here, but I bought a Mac minidisplayport to VGA adapter. It worked on my Monitor but it was not working on my clients VGA beam projectors. But today I figured out a way to make it work, and it is pretty easy; just change your laptop screen resolution.
    When you connect the mini Dport to VGA adapter to the projector VGA receiver cable, just change your laptop screen resolution to 1024x768 (maximum) and the projector will receive the signal with no problem.
    This is the best solution that I found, because is easy to find a Mac/Apple Mini display Port to VGA adapter.
    Hope this works for you too.
    Regards,
    J.

  • No Apple Remote or Apple Mini-DVI to VGA Adaptor included with new MacBooks

    Hi!
    I just picked up a new (black) MacBook yesterday from the Apple Retail Store in Meadowhall (Sheffield). I was quite surprised to open the box and find that the Apple Remote and Mini-DVI to VGA adaptor cable are now optional items and no longer included in the package. Okay, they're not expensive (an extra £30.00 to add both of them), but I just thought I'd mention it to let potential customers know.
    I have to say that I'm very pleased at the speed bump and the 250GB hard drive though (you can never have too much space). Also good to have 2GB RAM out of the box (rather than paying an extra £90.00 for the 2GB model). Excellent!

    bford0001 - 15% restocking fee? Did you buy it from an Apple Retail store? I bought a black MacBook from them just under two weeks ago (a 2.2 with 160GB HD and 2GB RAM) and they let me take it back and walk out of the store without charging me anything!
    One other thing I have noticed - why has the L2 cache dropped to 3MB from 4MB? I know the processor is more powerful, but doesn't that mean it would just about level out, because of the reduction? I noticed the same for the £1,299.00 MacBook Pro and that on the other two models, it's gone up to 6MB. Anyone know how this would change the performance?

  • Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adaptor for my iMac app?

    I installed my Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter to my iMac and connected it to a ViewSonic Pro 8500 DCP projector and was unable to get the image on my iMac projected on to the screen.  Do I need an app for this and if so how do I obtain one?

    No. No 'app' is required. Check the display resolution you have set. It's likely the Mac is not able to detect the max resolution of the projector you've connected it to. You may have to set the display resolution manually.

  • Can I use the mini displayport to vga adaptor with the xbox vga cable to connect my xbox 360 to my macbook pro?

    I'm trying to find a way to connect my xbox 360 to my mackbook pro. I've searched the internet and found that I can use a eagle eye device but, its to expensive. So after looking at the xbox website, I found a vga adaptor for my xbox and an vga to mini displayport and I was wondering if this would work.

    The minidisplay port is output only. It's not going to show anything from your xbox.

  • Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter longer than 4 inches?

    My ViewSonic monitor no longer works with my Macbook Air. Did work for six months. Pretty sure it's the knock off cable - loose in Thunderbolt. The only genuine Apple cable I can find is four inches. Are you kidding me? Anyone know if there is a longer one? Thanks.

    STOOOOOOPID! Just figured this out. Dipstick... 

  • HT3235 MacBook Air is connected to an external monitor via Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter.  At one time it worked just fine, now when I plug the monitor into the Mac, the mac screen goes blue and nothing appears on the monitor.

    This monitor works, on a PC.  Could the connector be bad or the port on the Mac Air?  Any ideas?

    You have the display set in Extended Desktop mode with the MacBook as the main screen. In System Preferences>Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the TV and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Just click on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor. That will make the second monitor your main screen.
    You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook.
    Or if you want to use the MacBook’s keyboard and trackpad to work on the MacBook screen while showing it on a TV you can check the Mirror Display box on the lower left hand side of the Arrangement tab under the two monitors box.
    If you can’t see your MacBook screen because it’s broken or the backlight is off use the F7 key to switch between Extended Desktop and Mirror Display.
    (From the MacBook User Guide: F7 (video mode toggle key) Switch between dual-display mode (extending the desktop across the built-in display and an external display) and video-mirroring mode (presenting the same information on both displays).

  • Nvidia 7300GT card compatible with Apple's DVI to VGA Adaptor?

    To rephrase, is the Mac Pro's stock Nvidia 7300 GT card able to support the Apple DVI to VGA connector which would allow me to connect a Viewsonics CRT? And will that card also allow me to connect a second CRT for dual monitors?
    A temporary setup for a few months until I buy new Apple Displays...
    Many thanks,
    John

    The card used with the adapter allows use of standard VGA monitors. There is always the chance that it won't, due to some irregularity, but I doubt it. Many have posted using VGA monitors and having no issues. Apple issues the adapter for your type of scenario.
    Michael

  • 2013 27" iMac using mini displayport to VGA, external monitor off center.

    I recently purchased a new 2013 iMac 3.5 i7 and connected two external monitors. The minidisplayport to DVI adaptor works fine on one monitor but the minidisplayport to VGA is off center on the 2nd monitor. There is a 2" black band on the left side of the screen. I've replaced the adaptor, cable and tried on two different monitors. I've also tried repositioning image in the monitor settings which it can't move far enough. It only happens on 1920 x 1024. Any other resolution is fine. Other than that it works fine, but this space is going to drive me nuts. Because these are 23" monitors I really would like the highest resolution possible. I'm stuck. Any thoughts?

    Update: I switched to DVI and it worked perfectly. I guess there could be an issue with the mini displayport to vga adaptor on the 2013 iMac. I also tested it on a 2012 mac mini and the vga operated as it should.

  • Macbook Pro mini-DisplayPort to VGA input on a VIZIO SV422XVT

    I am attempting to use my Vizio SV422XVT with my MacBook Pro via the VGA input. I've followed KatanaBook's advice in this post, but I still can't get it to function correctly.
    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=12380071#12380071
    I've created a custom resolution using SwitchResX with the parameters specified in the SV422XVT manual, but I still get a 'no signal' response on the TV.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you.

    ARiccitelli, have you tried running the [Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter firmware update|http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mini_DisplayPort_to_VGA_FirmwareUpdate] to ensure that your adapter has the latest firmware revision?
    I don’t have a Vizio monitor, so I can’t offer any advice regarding it; is your adapter known to work with other VGA-compatible monitors at your preferred color depth, resolution, and refresh rate?

Maybe you are looking for

  • Difference of value in reports

    Hello Experts,        my company is doing business in two currencies(euro and usd) but i need to display usd in reports. now iam having a report in which result of promotion is minorly different in the copa jump query of same promotion but intresting

  • Rosettanet STK credentials file in TomcatRN\webapps\rosettanet

    Hi, I'm working on integration of Rosettanet STK with XI. Scenario is PIP0C1 from STK to XI. I was going through the blog - /people/shabarish.vijayakumar/blog/2006/06/14/close-encounters-with-the-rosettanet-stk . At Step 6, where do specify the login

  • Does anyone resize images to fit InDesign Rectangle Frame tool?

    My question is based on some booklets that we have created in the past. We have some very large images all 300 ppi, but when shrunk down they tend to have an effective ppi of 500 or greater. Part of me feels that when the effective dpi is large, that

  • MacBook Pro won't start at all - clicking noise with black screen

    Early 2011 MacBook Pro won't start: makes clicking noise after power button is held down, but no screen movement and after click, sounds like computer just stops working. Already did a SMC reset, and undid battery to try to run on charger power only.

  • Delete one of the backend systems

    Hello, The GRC system connected with two ERP system. One is DMO, the other is TO3. The DMO is a test system,there a lot of users and roles. The background job of Management Report will analyse all the system, it could not only focus on TO3. I want to