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connecting my display to nmp (cable advice needed)

C

compute

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 11, 2013
125
13
Hi folks,

today after 11 months of waiting for a replacement i received my nmp (6-core base configuration). I would like to ask for some cable advice...i have a Dell ultrasharp monitor that has the following connections:

- DVI-D
- VGA
- HDMI
- Display Port

As the nmp doesn't have VGA...etc is it ok to connect my monitor using the HDMI (monitor) to HDMI (nmp) or is this not a good idea.

In case this is not a good idea what cable/ adaptor/ connection would you guys recommend. Must the cable be Apple approved or should any cable be ok?

Sorry if the question is a bit stupid but i'm not that technical.
 
I don't see a problem connecting the two via HDMI. The Mac Pro has an HDMI out, the display has an HDMI in, so... ;)
 
flatfoot said:
I don't see a problem connecting the two via HDMI. The Mac Pro has an HDMI out, the display has an HDMI in, so... ;)
Click to expand...

sweet, this saves me some money as i still have an HDMI cable laying around somewhere
 
In general, the best option is probably Mini Displayport (Thunderbolt) to Displayport, although HDMI will work too.
 
goMac said:
In general, the best option is probably Mini Displayport (Thunderbolt) to Displayport, although HDMI will work too.
Click to expand...

I did this. The cable was cheap ($15) even at Microcenter.

Try monoprice.com for great prices on a miniDP to DP cable.
 
I have seen some graphics degradation when using HDMI. MDP->DP is the best choice...
 
thnx for replying guys.

went with the HDMI to HDMI but but can't quite get the colors the way i'd like them...don't know if this has anything to do with the cable choice but ive been trying for like two hours but not really happy with the end result...maybe i should give my eyes some rest and try again tomorrow :D
 
compute said:
thnx for replying guys.

went with the HDMI to HDMI but but can't quite get the colors the way i'd like them...don't know if this has anything to do with the cable choice but ive been trying for like two hours but not really happy with the end result...maybe i should give my eyes some rest and try again tomorrow :D
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I experienced. HDMI for computer monitors is a ***** solution...
 
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It'll be best if you tell us what resolution is your monitor instead of the model.

But yeah, a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort will solve any resolution issues
 
My resolution is "1920 x 1200"

Can someone please point out on where to find this cable in the Apple store...apple contacted me today for a follow up and i mentioned this problem...they offered me to send me the cable for free as a compensation for the 11 months of waiting....

i looked in the store but nowhere do i find a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, only a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI...or am i looking over it:confused:

If apple doesn't offer this cable which alternative cable should i ask for them to send me that is better than the HDMI to HDMI

There is the "Displayport -to - Dual link DVI adaptor" but don't know if this is a good option...pretty expensive also.
 
Last edited:
compute said:
Can someone please point out on where to find this cable in the Apple store...apple contacted me today for a follow up and i mentioned this problem...they offered me to send me the cable for free as a compensation for the 11 months of waiting....

i looked in the store but nowhere do i find a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, only a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI...or am i looking over it:confused:

If apple doesn't offer this cable which alternative cable should i ask for them to send me that is better than the HDMI to HDMI

There is the "Displayport -to - Dual link DVI adaptor" but don't know if this is a good option...pretty expensive also.
Click to expand...

Apple doesn't sell one.

Did you even click on the link above? The cable is $3, just buy it, get something else with your free Apple credit.

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-32AWG-Mini-DisplayPort-Cable/dp/B0034X6SCY
 
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compute said:
My resolution is "1920 x 1200"

Can someone please point out on where to find this cable in the Apple store...apple contacted me today for a follow up and i mentioned this problem...they offered me to send me the cable for free as a compensation for the 11 months of waiting....

i looked in the store but nowhere do i find a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, only a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI...or am i looking over it:confused:

If apple doesn't offer this cable which alternative cable should i ask for them to send me that is better than the HDMI to HDMI

There is the "Displayport -to - Dual link DVI adaptor" but don't know if this is a good option...pretty expensive also.
Click to expand...

You haven't told us your useage. However I've not had good colour renditions on HDMI, maybe the colour profile was wrong, something you could look into. If you have a DVI cable knocking about, then Apple also do the passive Mini DisplayPort to DVI, otherwise as others mentioned, Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable is another good option with no interconnects. The expensive Apple cable you refer to is active and is for higher than 1920x1200 rez's and three or more monitors on one machine, but there are alternative active adapters.
 
@Jenzjen, i did take a look at the link but since Apple offered to send me a cable free of charge i didn't order it....turns out they don't have them in the apple store so i just might ask for some sort of apple credit instead.

Found a MDP to DP cable in a local computer store....and yup the color difference is huge in comp. to the HDMI to HDMI....with the HDMI it looked as if the type was set in bold and the yellows were very saturated no matter how i edited the color settings.

@DigitalVT: i'm a book designer and typeface developer.
 
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N19h7m4r3 said:
It's advertised as UHD/4K for max resolution at 30Hz on the HDMI. Where did you get 1080p for the nMP's HDMI??
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right of course. A lot of people are having problems with high resolution connections over HDMI, but it's the monitor or the cable, not the nMP as I said.

Nevertheless, my point was to use MDP to DP because HDMI won't cut it.
 
My experience with HDMI is that it's better than VGA, but really best at driving HDTV content, and not larger resolutions or computer displays.
 
N19h7m4r3 said:
It's advertised as UHD/4K for max resolution at 30Hz on the HDMI. Where did you get 1080p for the nMP's HDMI??
Click to expand...

I was not able to achieve max res on my Dell U3011 over my nMP's HDMI. The issue was not the HDMI cable. I had to go with Apple's miniDP to dual-link (DVI-D) USB powered cable, via a TB port.

EDIT: so I see that Apple says it supports Ultra HD over HDMI 1.4-- Don't know if it was the cable or the display that came up short in my case. An expensive drag, regardless.
 
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I have a nMP on the way, but I have a stupid question. Can the TB2 ports on the nMP connect to a monitor with DVI or DisplayPort via appropriate adapters?
 
bluemonkeyguy said:
I have a nMP on the way, but I have a stupid question. Can the TB2 ports on the nMP connect to a monitor with DVI or DisplayPort via appropriate adapters?
Click to expand...

The NMP can connect to a monitor that has a display port using a good minidisplayport to display port cable.

Minidisplayport fits in the TB port fine. They are both the same size and Thunderbolt is backwards compatible with minidisplayport.
 
isn't that going to eat into the TB bandwidth? (I mean if he uses the TB connector as MDP > DP instead of doing MDP to DVI?)
 
blunti said:
isn't that going to eat into the TB bandwidth? (I mean if he uses the TB connector as MDP > DP instead of doing MDP to DVI?)
Click to expand...

Nope. Why would it? Same bandwidth, whether it's being done on DP or DVI.
 
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