Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter, Improved
As mentioned in March, there were serious problems using Apple’s Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter to connect my MacBook Pro (Unibody) to a 30-inch display. This seemed to be a software problem, as other users reported that everything worked properly under Windows (via Boot Camp), and Apple’s support specialists suggested that it might be fixed in a software update. After Mac OS X 10.6 shipped, the problems continued, so I contacted Apple again and they agreed to ship me a newer version of the adapter, with firmware 1.0.2. (You can check your firmware version using System Profiler.) The new adapter seems to fix the major problems with distortion, snow, and flicker.
It’s hard to quantify, but I still feel like the video quality is not as good as connecting via Dual-Link DVI directly. Sometimes gradients and areas of solid color appear a little fuzzy or with a slight pattern of lines.
I’m still seeing the problem where the system forgets the display’s ColorSync profile, making everything appear lighter and washed out. Under Mac OS X 10.5, I could fix this by opening the Displays pane in System Preferences. Under Snow Leopard, I need to open the Displays pane and then click the Colors tab.
It’s still a mystery me why Apple doesn’t ship its own 30-inch display with built-in Mini DisplayPort support. Additionally, despite lots of problem reports in the store and forums, Apple’s phone and retail support staff seem to be mostly unaware of the problems. At least for me, though, they seem to be mostly fixed.
Update (2009-10-05): The flicker problems are not resolved, after all.
10 Comments »
Same here using a late 2007 MBP and 24" Cinema. I have the colour sync problem on one or the other display at least once and sometimes twice per day.
I don't remember having this problem at all on 10.5.
I should probably create an automator action to reset the colour profile, I seem to have to do it often enough.
You have described the same symptoms that I'm seeing with my brand new MBP 17 and Dell 30" monitor. I've only had this a couple of weeks and I'm already tired of unplugging and replugging the connector to fix the distortion each time I resume from sleep. And, I have the 1.02 firmware!
And, I've installed Windows 7 on BootCamp and it simply won't boot while the lid is shut and relying on the 30" display as the primary monitor. I have to unplug it when booting, then plug it in after Windows starts to boot.
I've owned a MBP since 2006 (previous ones were 15" MBPs) and have loved the fact that I could plug in my 30" display directly into the notebook. Everything worked great until this Mini DisplayPort redesign. Now I have to carry around 3 different dongles in case I need to plug into something else.
These kinds of issues with a new redesign just compound the problem. I expect more from Apple. After all, it's their hardware, their OS. Aren't these kinds of issues supposed to be alleviated by going with their top-of-the-line hardware?
I'm still not happy, even with the 1.02 firmware update. I'm headed to the Apple store to voice/vent my frustrations.
I have the same problem with ColorSync on my 2.5GHz Penryn MacBook Pro (non-unibody). Half to 2/3 of the times I wake my laptop from sleep, the ColorSync settings are gone and I have to go into System Prefs and reset them. I also have had to click on the "Color" tab since upgrading to Snow Leopard.
I figured I was the only person having this problem. Good to know I'm not.
You can remind the OS of the fact that the monitor has a ColorSync profile by putting the display to sleep and waking it. The easiest way to do this is control-shift-eject. Hth.
Ben: That helps—thanks.
Michael, Does this problem also occur while running windows on the macbook pro? Is it an OS issue or simply an issue with the adapter? Any updates in this matter? I would like to get a new macbook pro but definitely will not unless this problem is fixed, as I use a 30" monitor.
You are describing the problem since I have purchased my new MBP with the Dual Link monitor a week ago. I am such a MAC junkie. I love their stuff. This really has been quite troublesome. As others have reported, their local Genius Bar, which is normally fantastic basically denied the issue and wanted me to drop off my MBP and cable. My biggest problem seems to be vertical snow on my monitor a few times a day. Someone on the MAC board suggested plugging the Dual Link USB into an externally powered device such as a hub or I purchased the Iphone usb wall plug adapter. None of these things have helped. I found this link by searching for mac book pro 30 inch dual flicker. Thanks again for documenting this so well. I have never minded paying extra for quality. In my previous examples, MAC stood for quality. This issue just sux....
Greg
Raleigh, NC
I'm another Dell 3007, MBP 15, and DL DVI adapter victim... I tried using the 9600GT graphics option, with it working for about a day before it crapped out. The suggestion of using CTRL+SHFT+Eject is fantastic. Losing the window position and having to pull cables was driving me crazy.
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Even when you use a plain vanilla MacBook Pro, just with the integrated LCD, I experience the problem with the ColorSync settings. Once in a while my colors are completely wrong and I have to do the steps you describe (opening System Preferences and going to the Color tab...)
So I think this particular problem might not related to the Mini DisplayPort adapter.