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HDMI to Mini Display Port (Apple 24 LED)

G

GizmoDVD

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Oct 11, 2008
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Can anyone help me find the correct adapter for this...

I have a 2012 Mac Mini.

The Thunderbolt Port currently goes into my 27" Thunderbolt Display. I just bought a (used) 24" Apple LED. This has a Mini Display Port. Since I don't think I can daisy chain the 27 to 24...is there a way to get the 24" second display to work using the HDMI slot of the Mac Mini? I can't seem to find the correct adapter.
 
GizmoDVD said:
None of those would work. I need to turn the HDMI slot (female) to a Mini Display Port (female)
Click to expand...

You can't run 3 monitors off of a 2012 mini unless you use a crappy USB to X cable. The hd4000 is only capable of driving two displays per Apple
 
GizmoDVD said:
Can anyone help me find the correct adapter for this...

I have a 2012 Mac Mini.

The Thunderbolt Port currently goes into my 27" Thunderbolt Display. I just bought a (used) 24" Apple LED. This has a Mini Display Port. Since I don't think I can daisy chain the 27 to 24...is there a way to get the 24" second display to work using the HDMI slot of the Mac Mini? I can't seem to find the correct adapter.
Click to expand...

It's technically very difficult to convert HDMI to DisplayPort, I haven't searched for a converter but I would not be surprised if they don't exist.

One option you have is to add another Thunderbolt device after your TBD - for example, a drive or eSATA adapter. Then you can plug a MDP cable into that device. For some reason MDP won't work directly out of a TBD, but will work if there's a device in between the MDP and the TBD.
 
GizmoDVD said:
What do you mean? I can covert the HDMI to a DVI but not to another Display port?
Click to expand...

HDMI is essentially just a miniaturized DVI connector with the addition of digital audio. Making it very easy to adapt one to the other. DiplayPort on the other hand is a more advanced connector. You can output a DVi/HDMI signal from the DisplayPort thanks to its backwards compatibility, but not the other way around.
 
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paulrbeers said:
You can't run 3 monitors off of a 2012 mini unless you use a crappy USB to X cable. The hd4000 is only capable of driving two displays per Apple
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to run 3 monitors, just two - 27" TB and 24" LED.

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FreakinEurekan said:
It's technically very difficult to convert HDMI to DisplayPort, I haven't searched for a converter but I would not be surprised if they don't exist.

One option you have is to add another Thunderbolt device after your TBD - for example, a drive or eSATA adapter. Then you can plug a MDP cable into that device. For some reason MDP won't work directly out of a TBD, but will work if there's a device in between the MDP and the TBD.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that looks like my only option. Damn. Really dumb that I can use a 10 year old Apple Display but not a 5 year old one because Apple won't allow the Mini Display Port to plug into the back of the Thunderbolt Display.

I guess I'll go after that GoFlex Thunderbolt Dock. It looks like I might be able to daisy-chain it properly and I would get the ability to dock external hard drives to it for easy transfers. Not the best option...but probably my best. I guess I should have researched this a bit more before I decided on a 24 LED. Really thought I would be able to find a proper adapter.

Worse comes to worse I'll just sell the 24" and replace it with a 27 TB display.
 
GizmoDVD said:
I'm not trying to run 3 monitors, just two - 27" TB and 24" LED.

----------
Click to expand...

If that's all you are doing, then all you need to do is put a thunderbolt device (such as a hard drive) after your TBD display and then plug your 24" ACD into the Thunderbolt device.

Mini -> TBD -> Thunderbolt device (with two ports) -> ACD

As long as there is a non-display thunderbolt device between the displays you are fine. Many do this with a TBD and a 27" ACD.
 
paulrbeers said:
If that's all you are doing, then all you need to do is put a thunderbolt device (such as a hard drive) after your TBD display and then plug your 24" ACD into the Thunderbolt device.

Mini -> TBD -> Thunderbolt device (with two ports) -> ACD

As long as there is a non-display thunderbolt device between the displays you are fine. Many do this with a TBD and a 27" ACD.
Click to expand...

So I bought the Go Flex Thunderbolt Dock...and after 3 minutes the display shuts off. I guess if there is no hard drive docked it auto shuts down which kills the Display port connection.

Fine, I'll stick an extra bare HDD I have one it. Same problem. Unless I'm browsing the hard drive every 3-4 minutes it just shuts itself down.

Someone must have this and have a reasonable solution or can recommend me a product that will work.
 
GizmoDVD said:
So I bought the Go Flex Thunderbolt Dock...and after 3 minutes the display shuts off. I guess if there is no hard drive docked it auto shuts down which kills the Display port connection.

Fine, I'll stick an extra bare HDD I have one it. Same problem. Unless I'm browsing the hard drive every 3-4 minutes it just shuts itself down.

Someone must have this and have a reasonable solution or can recommend me a product that will work.
Click to expand...

Couldn't you just turn off the hard drive sleep function in OSX? You seem rather hostile when we are trying to help you.
 
paulrbeers said:
Couldn't you just turn off the hard drive sleep function in OSX? You seem rather hostile when we are trying to help you.
Click to expand...

Sorry if it appears that way, this is just very frustrating.

At this point, I'm probably going to just sell it. This is becoming a nightmare to get it to work and I'd rather go back to my old 23" Display that worked just fine (until I eventually buy another Thunderbolt Display)
 
GizmoDVD said:
Sorry if it appears that way, this is just very frustrating.

At this point, I'm probably going to just sell it. This is becoming a nightmare to get it to work and I'd rather go back to my old 23" Display that worked just fine (until I eventually buy another Thunderbolt Display)
Click to expand...

Here is another possible option. I have not personally tried it but it looks like it should work fine.

1. Plug the HDMI to DVI Adapter that came with your mini into the mini's hdmi slot.
2. Per Apple's FAQ (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4214) this should convert the port's max output to 1920 x 1200 to match the 24" ACD.
3. Connect an Atlona AT-DP200 or a Kanex C247DL between the HDMI/DVI adapter and the 24" ACD. These converters are available for less than retail on ebay and amazon.
4. I have seen this setup work on youtube with a mini running 2x24" ACDs. Not sure if the 27" ATD changes anything.
 
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