Using Apple's 23" HD Cinema Display on PCs?

rsilverman asks: "I recently bought the 23" Apple Cinema Display, which I am using on my TiBook, and I'm loving it! Now, I would like to also connect it to my Intel box running Win2k (perhaps ultimately using a digital video switch box). I thought this might be relatively simple -- I went out and bought an AGP video card with the same chip set as is in some Macs, the nVidia GeForce Ti, and it listed the monitor's highest resolution as supported. No go. Tried the Radeon 7500 -- also no go. The monitor backlight powers up, but no picture. Then I read some more, and judging from what I was able to find (and don't really understand), the monitor's resolution (1920x1200) is near the edge of what can be done using the DVI standard. Does anyone out there know more about this? Got it working?"

"Cards tend to support that resolution and higher only with analog signalling, not digital. I've seen claims that it can be supported using some kind of non-standard timing ('pushing data during the blanking interval'), which I assume is a driver issue. Then there's 'dual-link DVI' -- using two of the usual DVI data links in parallel (still over a single connector, just using more pins). The Apple specs do not mention whether the monitor is single- or dual-link. At the moment, my best bet appears to be the 3DLabs Wildcat VP or III cards (one of which supports dual-link). However, they're very expensive, and I'm still not sure it will work."

Comments

I think you are looking for

[medcalf]

this

Try Gefen

[wchin]

I would give Gefen a serious look. Their DVI to ADC Conversion Box is the only one on the market that I know of that claims support for the 23" HD Cinema Display. Apple's, Dr. Bott's, and the Formac converter boxes all disclaim use with the 23" HD display. If nothing else, they should be able to help you with selecting the right graphics card.

Coming in late on this but...

[aztektum]

A friend of mine works for CompUSA and after noting an Alienware rig that was tested in Max PC a couple months ago running with a 23" Apple display, he said that Compusa actually carries converters for this. I haven't seen them myself, but I would think most of their stores would have them if ours does.

What do you think?

[biglig2]

I reckon if we tell him he needs the convertor about... say 5 more times ... his head will explode with frustration.

Then we go to his house and steal the display.