What is the result of connecting a single link (DVI-D) video source to a dual link monitor?

[Alex Hewitt]

Jarod Wilson wrote:
> On 10/14/2009 09:07 PM, Alex Hewitt wrote:
>   
>> Shawn O'Shea wrote:
>>     
>>> On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 5:37 PM, Alex Hewitt <hewitt_tech at comcast.net
>>> <mailto:hewitt_tech at comcast.net>> wrote:
>>>
>>>     I'm trying to connect a new Mac Mini to a Barco monitor. The Barco
>>>     monitor expects a dual link video source (2048 x 1536 /1536 x
>>>     2048) but
>>>     the Mini is outputing single link DVI-D. The Mac sees the monitor as
>>>     having a resolution of 1280x1024. Apple makes a dual link DVI adapter
>>>     but I don't know if this will allow the Barco to work properly. Anyone
>>>     have any experience with this kind of setup?
>>>
>>>
>>> Single-link DVI has less pins/wires and maxes out at 1920x1200
>>> resolution. For higher resolutions, you need the extra wires and can
>>> go to 2560x1600. You need to also make sure that the DVI cable you are
>>> using is dual link as well.
>>> Pictures of connector types:
>>> http://www.interfacebus.com/Design_Connector_Digital_Visual_Interface_DVI_Bus.html
>>> Discussion of single vs dual with resolution information:
>>> "WHAT ARE SINGLE AND DUAL LINKS ?" section of
>>> http://www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_info.html
>>>
>>> -Shawn
>>>
>>>     The Mac Pro does have a dual link video but I'm not sure if that
>>>     system
>>>     would also have the same problem. The Barco site only describes MS
>>>     Windows systems and provides drivers for the same.
>>>
>>>     -Alex
>>>
>>>     P.S. BTW, we did connect a Totoku 3MP display (2048x1536) which uses a
>>>     DVI-D connection and that display worked at full resolution.
>>>
>>>       
>> Thanks Shawn. Good pointers. There is something a bit odd about this
>> though. The Totoku monitor is running at it's native resolution
>> (2048x1536). The Mac gives me the full resolution as a choice in the
>> display preferences. I'll look closely at the connector (miniPort to
>> DVI-D) and see if it's actually dual link. The DVI-I dual link is
>> definitely not working.
>>     
>
>  From http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html
>
> # Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports up to 
> 1920 by 1200 pixels on a DVI or VGA display; up to 2560 by 1600 pixels 
> on a dual-link DVI display using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI 
> Adapter (sold separately)
>
>
>   
Jarod, I think you missed what I was saying. We have a monitor running 
at 2048x1536 resolution. That's higher than the 1900x1200 that the specs 
state. Apple makes a dual link adapter kit which connects to the mini 
display port on the back of the Mini. I have a suspicion that the DVI-D 
output of the supplied adapter can map the higher resolution of some 
monitors (those that use a DVI-D connection).

-Alex

P.S. I'm thinking of carrying the Barco monitor to the Salem Apple store 
and hopefully the Apple folks will let me try out the dual link adapter 
before I actually plunk down the $99 that it costs. I also need to find 
out if the Mac Pro can drive this monitor (we have several of them that 
we want to use).

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