Using iMac as external display from Macbook Pro flickers static and crackles.

I'm trying to use my iMac as an external display.
When I plug in my early 2011 Macbook Pro into my Mid 2010 iMac via a Belkin Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort, the iMac screen flickers with static and there's random crackling noises.
Weird thing is, when I try the same thing with a new Macbook Air, everything works perfectly!
Here's a quick video demonstrating what I'm talking about - http://youtu.be/xxTXVRffWwE
Are the two not compatible or do I just have a defective Macbook Pro? The Macbook Pro works fine with the Cinema Display I have in the office...

Huh, It should work like this:
Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Apple Support
iMac Model
Cable Supported
Port on Source Computer
iMac (27-inch Late 2009)
Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt
Actually that table seems illogical. The cable supported is mini to mini display but the port says "or Thunderbolt"
Does that seem contradictory to you?

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null

Hey, I just got my 27" iMac last week and can verify that this works, as of a few minutes ago. I used the cable that converts from DisplayPort (the end that plugs into the iMac) and the mini DisplayPort (the end that connects to the MacBook Pro.
Plugged in the cable and the iMac screen flashed gray for a second, indicating, I guess, that the iMac had detected the external device. Then I could toggle it over with the Cmd-F2 keyboard trick. When you toggle it on, the iMac screen looks like a giant second monitor for the MacBook Pro. When you toggle it off, the screen switches back to your regular iMac desktop. When I first connected the cable, the MacBook screen dimmed briefly with an overlayed thermometer bar I hadn't seen before indicated some sort of calibration, perhaps? That took a few seconds, then it worked like a charm.
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http://lowendmac.com/ed/bashur/09db/dvi-to-mini-displayport.html
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Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
with a mini display to mini display cable. Attach it to the Thunderbolt port on your MBP and to the mini display port on your iMac.
How do I enable TDM?
Make sure both computers are turned on and awake.
Connect a male-to-male Mini DisplayPort or ThunderBolt cable to each computer.
Press Command-F2 on the keyboard of the iMac being used as a display to enable TDM.
Note: In Keyboard System Preferences, if the checkbox is enabled for "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard functions keys," the key combination changes to Command-Fn-F2.

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I know...
This has been posted before, but I have as of yet not found a straight answer. Mostly peoples recommendation is: "Buy a display".
However, I have an older iMac, 20" and I have a newer MBP 15". The MBP has a faster graphics card, better processor and more RAM. But I still like sitting at the table using my iMac, because the comfort of working is better this way.
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Have a nice day

but I have as of yet not found a straight answer.
I think you are getting the straight answer. You need "buy a display" because a display has a video input port. An iMac has a video output port, but NO video input port. Therefore, you cannot use it as an external display, like a regular display.
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You could also use this clever program to use a fast network connection and VNC to display the MacBook Pro's second screen on the iMac screen.
http://www.screenrecycler.com/home.html
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but I have as of yet not found a straight answer.
I think you are getting the straight answer. You need "buy a display" because a display has a video input port. An iMac has a video output port, but NO video input port. Therefore, you cannot use it as an external display, like a regular display.
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http://www.screenrecycler.com/home.html
In your case, the program will create a virtual screen for the MacBook Pro and shares it with the iMac in much the same way as the +screen sharing+ feature. Disadvantages are relatively slow image refresh rate (because the signal is going over the network) and the need to have the iMac turned on and running separately. The speed part will not be that bad in your case, if you use a Cat-5e or better Ethernet cable to connect the two Macs, so that you will have gigabit speed. You can give it a try at no cost to see if it is an acceptable solution (in time-limited demo mode).
I use this program to give my iMac a third display. The +third display+ is an old PC laptop running Linux (Ubuntu).

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I'm inquiring about the compatibility of Apple cinema displays from years past with Macbook Pro 15" Late 2011.
For instance, will all Apple Cinema Displays from, say, 2008 onwards work with my mbook?
They can be had fairly cheaply on the used market.
What is the earliest model that will be compatible?
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Using iMac as external display from Macbook Pro flickers static and crackles.

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