Connect 2 x 30” Apple Cinema Displays to MBP mid 2012 13”

[1 Ⲭ𑀩ꓭꓞꓵꓠऽ]

Does anyone know how to connect 2 x 30” Apple Cinema Displays to my MacBook Pro mid 2012 13”?

At present i have one of the 30” Displays connected via an apple Mini Displayport to DVI-D dual link adapter (A1036).

Is there a hub or splitter that converts the single mini display port into two so i can use both of the 30” Apple Cinema Displays at full resolution? Or any kind of connectors/adapters/hubs that would allow this?

I can’t seem to find any info on this anywhere.

 

[PaulD-UK]

All I can see is that your MacBook Pro supports ‘an external display up to 2560x1600’.
So it only supports one external display.

 

[1 Ⲭ𑀩ꓭꓞꓵꓠऽ]

Yeah they say that about the M2 MBP but there’s a work around for that.

 

[PaulD-UK]

The work around is called DisplayLink, which is a graphics-over-USB solution.
It may work for you, but I don't know the details.

 

[Amethyst1]

All I can see is that your MacBook Pro supports ‘an external display up to 2560x1600’.
So it only supports one external display.

The Intel HD Graphics 4000 can drive three displays.

Does anyone know how to connect 2 x 30” Apple Cinema Displays to my MacBook Pro mid 2012 13”?

I've outlined how to do it here. (The 2012 Mac mini the post pertains to is identical to that MBP in terms of its GPU.)

 

[1 Ⲭ𑀩ꓭꓞꓵꓠऽ]

I've outlined how to do it here. (The 2012 Mac mini the post pertains to is identical to that MBP in terms of its GPU.)

Thanks!

 

[1 Ⲭ𑀩ꓭꓞꓵꓠऽ]

I've outlined how to do it here. (The 2012 Mac mini the post pertains to is identical to that MBP in terms of its GPU.)

Thanks!

Any suggestions on thunderbolt 3 docks?

 

[PaulD-UK]

Quote: @Amethyst1 "The dock will have two DisplayPort outputs: one straight (mini-)DisplayPort output..."

That seems to imply you need a TB3 dock with a miniDisplayport output, but nearly all the docks with a video-out socket have a DisplayPort output (if they aren't HDMI only...)
That should work with a DP>miniDP adapter.

 

[Amethyst1]

That seems to imply you need a TB3 dock with a miniDisplayport output, but nearly all the docks with a video-out socket have a DisplayPort output (if they aren't HDMI only...)
That should work with a DP>miniDP adapter.

Apple‘s miniDP>DL-DVI adapter (A1306) would need a passive adapter in that case, yes. A TB3 dock that doesn’t have a (mini)DisplayPort output is no good for this setup, neither is one TB1/TB2 dock since you can’t run two monitors off it.

Any suggestions on thunderbolt 3 docks?

I have no experience with them but this list is a good starting point. Make sure it has a detachable (removable) TB3 cable because you need to plug the TB2-to-TB3 adapter into it.

 

[1 Ⲭ𑀩ꓭꓞꓵꓠऽ]

I already have the apple thunderbolt2 to thunderbolt3 adapter and 2 x apple mini display port to dual-link DVI adapters. i just need to get a thunderbolt 1 or 2 cable and a TB3 dock.

So where do i connect the USB A cable of the dual-link DVI adapters into? The TB3 dock?

 

[PaulD-UK]

To a USB-A power supply. The adapter needs a power supply.
They only need to go into a USB-A port on the computer or the dock (where they would get the power they need) if you want any USB ports on the display to be active.

 

[eyoungren]

This is what I use…2023 M2 MBP.

Club dual link to DVI adapter…(note, HDCP off)

Club3D CAC-1510-A USB Type C to Dual Link DVI-D Cable Adapter Support 3840x2160@30hz, 2560x1600@60Hz HDCP Off for Apple Cinema Displays M/F

USB C to DVI-D Dualink adapter without HDCP Support for certain Apple Cinema monitors without HDCP The USB Type C to Dual Link DVI or Single Link DVI Adapter is the easiest solution for connecting your USB Type C source device featuring DisplayPort Alternate Mode to a DVI enabled Monitor or Proje...

www.amazon.com

Club DisplayPort to DL-DVI adapter (HDCP off):

Club 3D CAC-1010-A DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI-D HDCP Off Version Active Adapter M/F for Apple Cinema Displays

This Display DVI-D Dual link Adapter is for certain Apple Cinema Monitors without HDCP support. This adapter does not transmit HDCP signals and works with older Apple Cinema Monitors without HDCP support.

www.amazon.com

For the DisplayPort to DVI adapter you'll need USB power. I recommend (as once suggested by @Amethyst1 ) one of those small iPhone square adapters.

Dock:

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Docking-Extended-Charging-Ethernet/dp/B0BLNCNCMZ/ref=sr_1_6?crid=FWFGSCVSJ4WP&keywords=ugreen%2Busb%2Bc%2Bhub%2B9%2Bin%2B1&qid=1702586811&sprefix=ugreen%2B9%2Busb%2Bc%2Bhub%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-6&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.17d9e15d-4e43-4581-b373-0e5c1a776d5d&th=1

Note, everything I've listed above functions through my dual-link KVM. I share my two 30" Cinemas between my work MP and my own MacPro.

 

[joevt]

Some newer Apple 30" Cinema HD Displays support HDCP so they don't need the "HDCP off" version. Check the EDID for the HDCP support flag.

Apple's DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI adapter is known for having better quality video output than the Club-3D adapters or similar adapters that use the same Synaptics VMM2320 chip as the Club-3D adapters.
https://insights.club-3d.com/thread...a-and-apple-cinema-display-30-on-mac-mini-m1/

 

[1 Ⲭ𑀩ꓭꓞꓵꓠऽ]

Some newer Apple 30" Cinema HD Displays support HDCP so they don't need the "HDCP off" version. Check the EDID for the HDCP support flag.

Where do i find the EDID for the HDCP support flag?

Is it found within the writing where the EMC No: 2011 is?

 

[joevt]

Where do i find the EDID for the HDCP support flag?

Is it found within the writing where the EMC No: 2011 is?

You use a utility like edid-decode or SwitchResX to extract the EDID from the display. Then you examine the EDID to see what it says about HDCP.

 

[eyoungren]

Some newer Apple 30" Cinema HD Displays support HDCP so they don't need the "HDCP off" version. Check the EDID for the HDCP support flag.

How big a range of 30" models is that then? I ask because my understanding is that all 30" Aluminum CDs are HDCP off. These were discontinued in 2010 and replaced by the 27" model, so not sure where HDCP on comes in.

Apple's DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI adapter is known for having better quality video output than the Club-3D adapters or similar adapters that use the same Synaptics VMM2320 chip as the Club-3D adapters.
https://insights.club-3d.com/thread...a-and-apple-cinema-display-30-on-mac-mini-m1/

Which model is this? And how expensive? I have two of the A1306, which I used with a 2015 MBP, but they do not work with the USB-C shaped ports on the dock I got and the M2 I now use. They also cost about $58 a piece, although they may be cheaper now. That's why I went with the Club.

When I do a Google search for "Apple DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI adapter" all that comes up is the A1306, which is Mini DisplayPort. The hub I mentioned earlier does not have Mini DisplayPort. It has HDMI and DisplayPort - which is again, why I mentioned the Club.

I know you are probably speaking directly to OP's Mac and not my own setup, but in my case the Club adapters are the only things that work directly without getting a bunch of other adapter involved. I've had zero issues with them

 

[joevt]

How big a range of 30" models is that then? I ask because my understanding is that all 30" Aluminum CDs are HDCP off. These were discontinued in 2010 and replaced by the 27" model, so not sure where HDCP on comes in.

Different product IDs with different manufactured dates:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-2007-30-cinema-display.2330633/post-30764829

Which model is this? And how expensive? I have two of the A1306, which I used with a 2015 MBP, but they do not work with the USB-C shaped ports on the dock I got and the M2 I now use. They also cost about $58 a piece, although they may be cheaper now. That's why I went with the Club.

When I do a Google search for "Apple DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI adapter" all that comes up is the A1306, which is Mini DisplayPort. The hub I mentioned earlier does not have Mini DisplayPort. It has HDMI and DisplayPort - which is again, why I mentioned the Club.

I was referring to the Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI adapter. I don't think there are different models of that.
To make them work with USB-C, you need to use a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter.

I know you are probably speaking directly to OP's Mac and not my own setup, but in my case the Club adapters are the only things that work directly without getting a bunch of other adapter involved. I've had zero issues with them

Did you read the thread and look at the example pictures of the green static on dark backgrounds with bright surroundings and then try to reproduce that by moving a black window around a bright background?

 

[eyoungren]

Different product IDs with different manufactured dates:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-2007-30-cinema-display.2330633/post-30764829

Thanks, I'll take a look at that. I think my displays were manufactured in 2007.

I was referring to the Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI adapter. I don't think there are different models of that.

Yeah, that's the device I have two of. It works with the 2015 MBP when I was using that for work.

To make them work with USB-C, you need to use a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort adapter.

I'm guessing it has to be an Apple adapter then, because I tried one from Belkin in October of last year. It didn't work.

Did you read the thread and look at the example pictures of the green static on dark backgrounds with bright surroundings and then try to reproduce that by moving a black window around a bright background?

I'll get back to you on that. Right now my work Mac is sleeping, so I'll see what I can come up with tomorrow when it's on.

For now, I will just say that I produce graphic design work every day that includes a lot of variable backgrounds, many of which are black or dark colored. This is work done in QuarkXPress 2022, so I am also often moving dark or black colored objects around as well. I've not ever seen any green static.

I'll get back to you tomorrow.

 

[eyoungren]

Different product IDs with different manufactured dates:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-2007-30-cinema-display.2330633/post-30764829

OK. So, if we assume that week 17 of 2007 is the earliest start date of the 'newer' model, then both of my displays are HDCP On.



But they are both functioning with an HDCP Off version of Club's adapters, so perhaps that makes some sort of difference in not experiencing any of the green static stuff on black backgrounds that you mention.

 

[eyoungren]

Did you read the thread and look at the example pictures of the green static on dark backgrounds with bright surroundings and then try to reproduce that by moving a black window around a bright background?

OK, so again I am not OP and I am operating a 2023 M2 MBP. 2015 MBP is behind the 2023. Both of these are work issued.



The displays.



A black object dragged around a QuarkXPress 2022 document with a black background (I zoomed in). Both monitors.

No green static.

The dock.



The Club adapters. Left Cinema Display is attached directly to the MBP, right Cinema Display is using the DisplayPort to DVI Dual Link adapter I linked to above (Club).


The KVM (Dual Link) that shares the Cinema Displays between my MacPro and my work M2.


Don't know what to say, I cannot reproduce green static with these Club adapters. The possible explanation, as I mentioned above, is that both my displays were part of that silent update and are HDCP ON.

🤷‍♂️

 

[1 Ⲭ𑀩ꓭꓞꓵꓠऽ]

You use a utility like edid-decode or SwitchResX to extract the EDID from the display. Then you examine the EDID to see what it says about HDCP.

Okay i just had a look at this and have no idea.

 

[1 Ⲭ𑀩ꓭꓞꓵꓠऽ]

OK, so again I am not OP and I am operating a 2023 M2 MBP.

I was asking specifically about how to connect dual ACD's to a single MiniDisplayPort as I couldn't find anything already posted on here. There's a bunch of threads already that talk about connecting to USB-C.

 

[Amethyst1]

Okay i just had a look at this and have no idea.

Download and open SwitchResX. Select the Cinema Display on the left. There will be an "Export EDID" button in the right part of the window. Click on that and save the EDID as a text file. Attach it to a post using the "Attach files" button.

 

[eyoungren]

I was asking specifically about how to connect dual ACD's to a single MiniDisplayPort as I couldn't find anything already posted on here. There's a bunch of threads already that talk about connecting to USB-C.

Before the M2, I used the 2015 MBP that is in one of the pics. That's fairly close to your Mac I believe (2012 I think you said). To get my two Cinemas to work with that MBP I had to use two A1306 Apple adapters. For power, you plug them in to those little iPhone power bricks (the square ones).

But my 2015 MBP was a 15 inch, and Apple may have gimped your 2012 because it's a 13" right? Apple gimped the 13" that work gave me, which is why I have to use that dock I linked to that has DisplayLink.

But because I mentioned I use Club adapters that brought out a side discussion and I apologize for that.

Assuming I've read your situation correctly, you're going to need a Thunderbolt 2 or 3 dock that has DisplayLink. I don't have any recommendations for that. But you can get at least one display working with the A1306 and whether there was a silent update or not to your Cinema Display that Apple adapter should work.

 

[Amethyst1]

Assuming I've read your situation correctly, you're going to need a Thunderbolt 2 or 3 dock that has DisplayLink.

No DisplayLink shenanigans necessary. Just one Thunderbolt 3 dock.

Before the M2, I used the 2015 MBP that is in one of the pics. That's fairly close to your Mac I believe (2012 I think you said).

The difference is your 2015 Retina MBP had two Thunderbolt 2 (DisplayPort) outputs and one HDMI output; connecting two external displays was a piece of cake.
OP's 2012 non-Retina MBP only has one Thunderbolt 1 output that carries two DisplayPort streams, so a Thunderbolt 3 dock is necessary to extract them and drive two displays.

i just need to get a thunderbolt 1 or 2 cable and a TB3 dock.

This dock might be worth looking at — it has two full-size DisplayPort outputs, so two DP>miniDP adapters should do the trick.