will a Cinema LED display work on a PC?

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · Sep 21, 2009, 10:53 PM

I might be getting my hands on one through a friend for a good price (crossing fingers), and I heard there is a way to get the LED display working on a PC. Apparently you need an nVidia specific signal and obviously an adapter. Can anyone confirm and link me the adapter?

Tipstaff · Sep 22, 2009, 01:24 AM

There are 2 threads I can point you to that might be of help HERE and HERE.

I've seen it working, btw. I have a client that wanted to use the one he had, and I went the route suggested in the one thread about picking up the Nvidia GT 120. The guy wasn't worried about speed, so that was the cheapest way to do this. There are drivers for Vista (32 and 64bit) on the net for it, so it's relatively easy to setup. There's also and AMD HD4870 you can get that has a Display Port on it too that will work on the PC, although it's expensive as hell.

Someone suggested using a DVI to Mini DisplayPort adapter, but that won't work as those adapters aren't DVI to MDP, it's the other way around. It has to do with the fact that the MDP on a Mac, or a card that has an MDP port on it can send out DP and DVI signals, which is why you can hook up a standard monitor via DVI (or by using a DVI to HDMI adapter) to that adapter. DP and DVI signals are incompatible. At least, that's the way it was described to me by the Apple techs.

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · Sep 22, 2009, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

There are 2 threads I can point you to that might be of help HERE and HERE.

I've seen it working, btw. I have a client that wanted to use the one he had, and I went the route suggested in the one thread about picking up the Nvidia GT 120. The guy wasn't worried about speed, so that was the cheapest way to do this. There are drivers for Vista (32 and 64bit) on the net for it, so it's relatively easy to setup. There's also and AMD HD4870 you can get that has a Display Port on it too that will work on the PC, although it's expensive as hell.

Someone suggested using a DVI to Mini DisplayPort adapter, but that won't work as those adapters aren't DVI to MDP, it's the other way around. It has to do with the fact that the MDP on a Mac, or a card that has an MDP port on it can send out DP and DVI signals, which is why you can hook up a standard monitor via DVI (or by using a DVI to HDMI adapter) to that adapter. DP and DVI signals are incompatible. At least, that's the way it was described to me by the Apple techs.

will my existing card work? I did see people mentioning it "worked out of the box".... I was a bit confused. I don't know what the benefits is of display port signals are and why Apple gets away with propriertary connections!

Tipstaff · Sep 22, 2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiGBrOwNPimpsta

will my existing card work? I did see people mentioning it "worked out of the box".... I was a bit confused. I don't know what the benefits is of display port signals are and why Apple gets away with propriertary connections!

There was one other way suggested to me, and that was using a DVI to MDP converter made by a company called Gefen, which you can find right HERE. The idea is to convert the DVI signal, and output it as an MDP one. That converter should work on your existing setup, but I can't say for sure. If I have to do this again for someone I would probably pick one up, and give it a try.

Edit: almost forgot, there is a catch to the converter: max resolution is 1920x1200 if I remember correctly.

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · Sep 22, 2009, 01:40 AM

err seems expensive! and the monitor can only go to 1900x1200. I don't need anything higher anyways for HD content and gaming my card will start crying at that resolution.

Tipstaff · Sep 22, 2009, 01:44 AM

Now you know why I went with the low end GT120. It's essentially just a rebranded 9500GT, which was fine for the guy, and it was cheap too ($150 bucks or so). It was also easier for me to get, and easier for me to return if it didn't work. If I bought the converter, and it didn't work, I'd be stuck with it.

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · Sep 22, 2009, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

Now you know why I went with the low end GT120. It's essentially just a rebranded 9500GT, which was fine for the guy, and it was cheap too ($150 bucks or so). It was also easier for me to get, and easier for me to return if it didn't work. If I bought the converter, and it didn't work, I'd be stuck with it.

ahh damn maybe ill do a bit more research on the convertor. maybe a store might stock it here in the city... but it adds to the cost. My buddy is gettting an amazing hookup on it i dont want to lose out on

Tipstaff · Sep 22, 2009, 01:52 AM

It just occurred to me, but there is one other way to do this. Asus sells a few motherboards that include a DisplayPort on them. I know the P5QPL-VM (Intel 41) has one, as does the P5N7A-VM (Nvidia 730i). The only problem is you'd be running off the onboard video, but that, along with a DP to MDP adapter, should do the trick. Only thing is you are still having to buy something to get it to work.

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · Sep 22, 2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

It just occurred to me, but there is one other way to do this. Asus sells a few motherboards that include a DisplayPort on them. I know the P5QPL-VM (Intel 41) has one, as does the P5N7A-VM (Nvidia 730i). The only problem is you'd be running off the onboard video. You should be able to run the display using the onboard video of those boards along with a DP to MDP adapter. Only thing is you are still having to buy something to get it to work.

you didnt see a few months ago i had to change the mobo, and i didnt take an offer on a free case because i was so lazy to reassemble everything. I was implied to be a fool not to do so lol... long story. So I do want to avoid such a cost and so much labour for a monitor

Tipstaff · Sep 22, 2009, 02:08 AM

I hear ya. Wish I had an easier, or less costly solution for you.

Knowing how good the monitor is, you could always take the monitor, and wait until you can come up with something. Hell, if your friend could get you 2 of them, sell one off for a profit to pay for what you need to get the other working.

Sep 21, 2009, 10:53 PM	#1
BiGBrOwNPimpsta DH's #1 Hustla and Pimp Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Dirty Dot Posts: 7,224 Rep Power: 64 System Specs	will a Cinema LED display work on a PC? I might be getting my hands on one through a friend for a good price (crossing fingers), and I heard there is a way to get the LED display working on a PC. Apparently you need an nVidia specific signal and obviously an adapter. Can anyone confirm and link me the adapter? __________________ Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music \| Logitech Z-5500 THX 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers \| 2 Lite-On 20x S-ATA Burners \| ATI TV Wonder Elite \| Logitech G7 Mouse \| Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard

Sep 22, 2009, 01:24 AM	#2
Tipstaff DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Toronto Posts: 5,532 Rep Power: 95 System Specs	Re: will a Cinema LED display work on a PC? There are 2 threads I can point you to that might be of help HERE and HERE. I've seen it working, btw. I have a client that wanted to use the one he had, and I went the route suggested in the one thread about picking up the Nvidia GT 120. The guy wasn't worried about speed, so that was the cheapest way to do this. There are drivers for Vista (32 and 64bit) on the net for it, so it's relatively easy to setup. There's also and AMD HD4870 you can get that has a Display Port on it too that will work on the PC, although it's expensive as hell. Someone suggested using a DVI to Mini DisplayPort adapter, but that won't work as those adapters aren't DVI to MDP, it's the other way around. It has to do with the fact that the MDP on a Mac, or a card that has an MDP port on it can send out DP and DVI signals, which is why you can hook up a standard monitor via DVI (or by using a DVI to HDMI adapter) to that adapter. DP and DVI signals are incompatible. At least, that's the way it was described to me by the Apple techs. __________________ >><< Last edited by Tipstaff; Sep 22, 2009 at 01:33 AM.

Sep 22, 2009, 01:40 AM	#5
BiGBrOwNPimpsta DH's #1 Hustla and Pimp Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Dirty Dot Posts: 7,224 Rep Power: 64 System Specs	Re: will a Cinema LED display work on a PC? err seems expensive! and the monitor can only go to 1900x1200. I don't need anything higher anyways for HD content and gaming my card will start crying at that resolution. __________________ Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music \| Logitech Z-5500 THX 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers \| 2 Lite-On 20x S-ATA Burners \| ATI TV Wonder Elite \| Logitech G7 Mouse \| Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard

Sep 22, 2009, 01:44 AM	#6
Tipstaff DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Toronto Posts: 5,532 Rep Power: 95 System Specs	Re: will a Cinema LED display work on a PC? Now you know why I went with the low end GT120. It's essentially just a rebranded 9500GT, which was fine for the guy, and it was cheap too ($150 bucks or so). It was also easier for me to get, and easier for me to return if it didn't work. If I bought the converter, and it didn't work, I'd be stuck with it. __________________ >><<

Sep 22, 2009, 01:52 AM	#8
Tipstaff DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Toronto Posts: 5,532 Rep Power: 95 System Specs	Re: will a Cinema LED display work on a PC? It just occurred to me, but there is one other way to do this. Asus sells a few motherboards that include a DisplayPort on them. I know the P5QPL-VM (Intel 41) has one, as does the P5N7A-VM (Nvidia 730i). The only problem is you'd be running off the onboard video, but that, along with a DP to MDP adapter, should do the trick. Only thing is you are still having to buy something to get it to work. __________________ >><<

Sep 22, 2009, 02:08 AM	#10
Tipstaff DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Toronto Posts: 5,532 Rep Power: 95 System Specs	Re: will a Cinema LED display work on a PC? I hear ya. Wish I had an easier, or less costly solution for you. Knowing how good the monitor is, you could always take the monitor, and wait until you can come up with something. Hell, if your friend could get you 2 of them, sell one off for a profit to pay for what you need to get the other working. __________________ >><<