Using iMac Display as input

So I have a 21.5 inch late 2012, Is it possible to use it as a Monitor to take input from other devices (DVD player , Gaming consoles ,etc) via thunderbolt port (as mini display port is not availabe in 2012 model) ?

Check into using Target Display Mode- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Mac notebooks- How to use your computer in closed clamshell (display closed) mode with an external display, iMac- How to use your iMac as a Target Display Mode display, and Target Display Mode 2011 & Later iMacs.

Similar Messages

  • Using iMac display for other stuff?

    The 24" iMac screen has full HD 1680X1050 Display. Can I use that display like maybe connecting an Xbox 360 with a VGA cable. Is it possible to do that?

    There is no video input port. So you cannot do it directly.
    However, there are numerous USB interface devices on the market. You connect the video signal to the USB device and it feeds into the iMac over USB 2.0. Then you run software to process or display the signal in a window on the screen (or go +full screen+ ). Here are some companies with such products.
    http://www.miglia.com/
    http://www.elgato.com/
    http://daystar-store.com/videoin.aspx
    The exact product you need depends on the type of video input connection you want to use, and what you want to do with that signal.

  • New 27" iMac display allows input - without booting up??

    The new iMac sounds very tempting as a non Mac user.
    Just had one question. (Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere.)
    Can I use it purely as a display without the iMac booting up??
    eg If I also purchase a Mac Mini at a later date can this be used for display?
    This may serve future proof my purchase.
    The following suggests yes:
    "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."
    But if someone can confirm that will increase my confidence here
    Thanks

    Welcome!
    The new models were announced only this week and may not be shipping yet. As everybody here are end users, I doubt anyone can confirm until they start arriving.
    You would do better to watch the Intel Mac forum for user reports of the new models. The one you're now in is for the oldest iMacs with CRT monitors. Intel iMac forums are here:
    http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=189

  • Using iMac display with a second computer

    Hi,
    Is it possible to plug in a PC's video output into the iMac and use it as a temporary display? My idea is to use the iMac but be able to switch to my PC without needing 2 monitors on my desk - just the iMac display. Is this possible?

    Ah, cheers for the info.
    Do you reckon this could work - http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/remote-desktop/default.mspx
    Basically, I just want to use the hardware on my PC for doing 3D modelling in Maya 2008 and 3ds Max (Not supported in Leopard, and the graphics card in my PC is far superior to the one in the iMac), but only have one display on my desk - the iMac, which I'll be using for everything else.

  • Can I use iMac display as an external monitor with a pc?

    I have a Windows laptop with VGA output. Can I connect this laptop's VGA output to mini display port of my 27" iMac?

    This can't be done. VGA is an audio signal and there are no converters to turn it into a digital Display Port (DP) or Mini Display Port (MDP) signal. DVI and HDMI are digital signals (with HDMI having audio and a different physical connector) that can be converted into an MDP signal, but doing so requires an expensive converter or an even more expensive converter and scaler if you want to get full resolution on the target display. The cheaper but perhaps more complicated alternative is to replace your PC video card with a DP/MDP card after which you should be able to drive the 27" iMac display without any converter. Apple didn't include DVI/HDMI input capability in the 27" iMac because that would have required additional circuitry that would have raised the price substantially.

  • Can I and how do connect power mac to imac so I can use imac display

    Is there a way I can use my imac and power mac together.
    My purpose is to use the display of the imac when using the power mac.
    If it possible please be so kind to tell me how to.
    Thank you!

    Hi Howard Herrick;
    I doubt it because to the best of my knowledge you are only going to find connectors on the iMac to connect and external monitor to it not to connect another computer to the iMac's screen.
    Allan

  • Using iMac display as extended desktop?

    Hi,
    is it possible at all to connect a MacBook to an iMac display to extend the desktop (or mirror)?
    Thx
    JP.

    Hi,
    yep it works with one of my laptop, but not the other one for some reasons... still working on that.
    Thanks
    JP.

  • Using iMac 24" Display as an HDTV

    I have always wondered if this were possible through an add-on of sorts, since the iMac itself doesn't have any built in HDMI-in or DVI-in, or any TV-tuner inputs at all for that matter. But since I do not have the money to purchase both an iMac 24" and an HDTV, I was wondering if there's a way I could use the display on the iMac as an HDTV to watch cable programming and play my Xbox 360 on.
    Thanks.
    MacBook   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

    You can use an HDTV tuner like the Elgato EyeTV Hybrid found HERE and that will allow you to view HD content on your iMac.
    I do not know if there is a device that will allow you to hook up your 360 and view the games in HD. The only devices I know about use composite or s-video connectors which will not carry an HD signal.
    Perhaps someone else can chime in.

  • Using iMac as external display with MBP, can this be done?

    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.
    Now seeing that I have both, is it possible to connect the two, and use the iMac for a display? Preferably without having to buy a whole lot of expensive cables, applications or do strange hacks risking hurting myself or my computers
    Thanks all
    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.
    You could give the iMac a video input using a USB interface device, but the cost of such a device that would provide good quality video into the iMac would cost about the same as (or more than) a low cost LCD display. And it would probably not be ideal in terms of performance.
    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
    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).

  • Using iMac as external display on MBP (Lion)

    I'm trying to use my 27" iMac as the external monitor for my MBP, both running Lion.  I saw an article (support.apple.com/kb/PH4469; seems to be unavailable now) and said I just need to hit command+F2 once the computers are connected (using thunderbolt to thunderbolt cable). However, Command+F2 doesn't appear to have any effect.
    Please advise.
    TIA,
    David

    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.
    You could give the iMac a video input using a USB interface device, but the cost of such a device that would provide good quality video into the iMac would cost about the same as (or more than) a low cost LCD display. And it would probably not be ideal in terms of performance.
    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
    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).

  • Imac display input suggestion

    It would be nice to see some input's on the imac display.
    I would like to hook my game consoles into the display and play them if I wanted. Even if it was an option at purchase time I think it would be great.
    Right now I have to decide ..new tv? or new imac.... Yes it would be splendid if I was able to afford both but the reality is that I can't afford both.
    How many other people would find this a useful option?

    Yes, I'd like such an option. In particular, I'd like a DVI input so that I could use the iMac display as a monitor for another computer.
    I used to have my iMac at the office, and my G5 with a Dell 2405 at home, but I decided I'd rather have the bigger screen at work, so swapped the two systems. That worked great--until the first time I remembered that I have a Windows PC under my desk for gaming at home. The Dell has multiple inputs, so it was no problem, but with the iMac at home, if I want to game on the Windows box, I've got to go borrow the monitor from my server in the other room. Ugh!
    PowerMac G5 1.8 GHz single CPU, iMac 20" Intel, PowerBook G4 1.5 GHz 17"   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

  • How can connect my macbook pro mid 2012 to my imac 21.5 inch mid 2010 ?? I want to use imac like a display for macbook.

    How can connect my macbook pro mid 2012 to my imac 21.5 inch mid 2010 ?? I want to use imac like a display for macbook.

    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.

  • Putting iMac display to sleep, when using TV as a screen.

    I have just connected my iMac to my 42" Panasonic 1080p TV, the connection was easy and is working fine. My questions relates to putting the iMac display to sleep when using the TV as a monitor, if I am watching You Tube, Sky Player or a DVD, I intend to use my TV as the monitor. Is it possible for the iMac to puts its display to sleep, whilst leaving the TV on. I played around with this today, however was unable to manage this.
    Regards Craig

    Hi Craig
    There is no way to independently sleep either the iMac's Display or an attached Display/TV. However if in the Display Arrangement Preferences you set the attached Display or TV to be the Main Display and turn Mirroring Off, then FrontRow and the Full Screen Mode app's like, DVD player, QuickTimePlayer, etc. will black out the unused iMac display.
    Dennis

  • Using iMac 2011 to display a PC

    Dose anyone using iMac 2011 to display a PC by Mini displayport to VGA(or DVI) cable!
    I used a Mini displayport to VGA cable and press commead+F2 button, but it was nothing happen.
    that is the cable I've used.
    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB572Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MTA4MzU1NDg
    Should I change other cable? or it just can't be work!!
    Tks,

    You cannot use a 2011 iMac in Target Display mode.
    Target Display only works with the 2010 iMac.

  • How do you use multiple displays with a MacBook Pro and iMac

    I have an iMac and a MacbookPro laptop both upgraded to OS X 10.9 (Mavericks).  I'd like to use multiple displays with them.  Can I do this without an Apple TV?  They are both on the same network.  If I can, can someone please give some instructions on how this can be done?
    Thanks!

    Both computers have ports for external monitors. Check your user manuals. Only one display can be added to the MBP, but newer iMacs have dual Thunderbolt ports.
    Do your own Google research to learn what to do, but reading your manuals should be all you really need. It' not rocket science yet.

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