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so the problem is only with the old ADC Displays, not with the "normal" 2004+ Cinema HD Display?
Got a 23" Aluminium Cinema HD and wanted to connect it in 90° rotation via the HDMI-DVI adapter to the new Mac mini as a secondary screen for reading and working on documents

Yes the problem is only with old ADC Apple Cinema Displays.
 
It sounds like the problem is that the ADC screen was using analogue video rather than DVI-D video. The DVI connector on the ADC-DVI is capable of carrying both analogue and digital video signals but HDMI only carries digital. I suspect that you could get the ADC to work by using a thunderbolt to VGA connector and then trying to get the VGA into the ADC.

Thats my guess at the root cause anyway.
 
It sounds like the problem is that the ADC screen was using analogue video rather than DVI-D video. The DVI connector on the ADC-DVI is capable of carrying both analogue and digital video signals but HDMI only carries digital. I suspect that you could get the ADC to work by using a thunderbolt to VGA connector and then trying to get the VGA into the ADC.

Thats my guess at the root cause anyway.

The DVI-ADC adapter's male DVI plug only has DVI-D pins. Thus ADC screens only use and accept DVI-D signals.
 
The DVI-ADC adapter's male DVI plug only has DVI-D pins. Thus ADC screens only use and accept DVI-D signals.

Thank you Intell for your accurate information and help. I believe it when Apple says that the signal has to run through too many adaptors. Just too many connections to push digital voltage through. It's as simple as that.
 
Thank you Intell for your accurate information and help. I believe it when Apple says that the signal has to run through too many adaptors. Just too many connections to push digital voltage through. It's as simple as that.

Apple's excuse doesn't fit though. Other Macs with a mini-DisplayPort to DVI adapter and a DVI to ADC adapter work with the screens. My guess, it that's is a firmware or software problem.
 
so the problem is only with the old ADC Displays, not with the "normal" 2004+ Cinema HD Display?
Got a 23" Aluminium Cinema HD and wanted to connect it in 90° rotation via the HDMI-DVI adapter to the new Mac mini as a secondary screen for reading and working on documents

I've been following this thread but wanted to clarify as I'm interested in getting a new 2012 Mac Mini for use with my aging (but still perfectly viable) 23" Apple Cinema HD Display (Aluminum) [with ADC connection; released mid-2004].

Assuming I have both the Apple DVI to ADC AND mini-DisplayPort to DVI adapters, would this monitor work with my setup? If anyone here has tried it with this specific model Apple display, please do let us know.
 
The aluminimum screens never had ADC connections. Only the acrylic screen did.

Ah, indeed—thank you, Intell!

I've since discarded the monitor's original box/manual and haven't actually looked behind my computer since the initial setup years ago. Just inspected it now and it certainly is a DVI connection. Looks like this 23" screen will have a few years of life left.

Followup question: is the HDMI to DVI adapter that's included with the new 2012 Mac Mini sufficient for connecting to this display or should I also pick up an additional Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter as well (i.e., is one better than the other)?
 
I hope this won't be an issue with other monitors that require two adapters. Specifically, I'm going to have to use an analog to digital DVI adapter along with either an HDMI/DVI or Mini Display Port/DVI cable for my Wacom Cintiq. $3700 for a new Cintiq is not in my plans. :confused:

I currently use an MDP->DVI adapter on my 2011 iMac out to a Cintiq 21UX (and previously used a miniDVI->DVI->C21UX setup on my 2009 iMac) with no problems, FWIW.
 
Absolutely positive it will not work with an Apple Cinema Display with ADC (even with the Apple ADC to DVI adaptor). Had a senior tech on the phone who got a hold of Engineering and they said because of the HDMI to DVI and the DVI to ADC there was signal loss and as such the monitor is no longer supported. Apple Cinema Displays without ADC will work with the new Mini.

If this is a only a signal loss issue, I wonder if going through an active HDMI extender device would work? Though it may work, might be too expensive.
 
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