Quick question re thunderbolt/display port

[Oyeve]

One of my clients has a mac air with a thunderbolt. She need to hook it up to a VGA projector. Searching online they say the displayport to VGA adapter will work. is this true? Displayport same as thunderbolt port for single connection?

 

[TheStu]

Yes, the displayport adapters work for Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt has Displayport passthrough, so a Displayport monitor (like the old 27" LED Display) will work on a Thunderbolt system, but a Thunderbolt monitor will not work on a Displayport system.

 

[ViRGE]

Displayport same as thunderbolt port for single connection?

Correct.

Edit: Beaten by Stu. I shouldn't have taken my sweet time

 

[Oyeve]

Thanks guys! I ordered one overnight from Startech.

 

[Tyranicus]

The Thunderbolt port is MiniDisplayPort not full-size DisplayPort.

 

[AkumaX]

...but a Thunderbolt monitor will not work on a Displayport system.

Serious question, but why not?

 

[ViRGE]

Serious question, but why not?

It's the controller at the receiving end of the monitor. The controller on the source has the ability to switch its output from TB to DP, however the chip on the receiving end can only accept TB.

 

[Oyeve]

The Thunderbolt port is MiniDisplayPort not full-size DisplayPort.

Yeah, the apple version of the display port.

 

[TheStu]

Yeah, the apple version of the display port.

I think he was just making it clear about the size differential. Mini Displayport and Displayport are pin compatible.

 

[AkumaX]

It's the controller at the receiving end of the monitor. The controller on the source has the ability to switch its output from TB to DP, however the chip on the receiving end can only accept TB.

so if i got a ATD, i would ONLY be able to use it with TB?

edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Thunderbolt_Display

I see...

 

[TheStu]

so if i got a ATD, i would ONLY be able to use it with TB?

edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Thunderbolt_Display

I see...

You can still get the LED Display I think...

Yea here it is

 

[Tyranicus]

The Thunderbolt port is MiniDisplayPort not full-size DisplayPort.

Yeah, the apple version of the display port.

I think he was just making it clear about the size differential. Mini Displayport and Displayport are pin compatible.

Yes, I was simply pointing out, as it had not yet been mentioned in this thread, that a full-size DisplayPort to VGA adapter will not work.

 

[Tegeril]

Yeah, the apple version of the display port.

No, not the 'Apple' version. The smaller form factor of the DisplayPort connector. This is not an Apple only phenomenon.

 

[ViRGE]

No, not the 'Apple' version. The smaller form factor of the DisplayPort connector. This is not an Apple only phenomenon.

IIRC, Apple designed it and then gave it to the VESA for free.

 

[TheStu]

IIRC, Apple designed it and then gave it to the VESA for free.

I believe that is correct. In fact, the Microsoft Surface Pro is using it. Not Thunderbolt of course, that would be too damn easy and forward looking....

 

[ViRGE]

I believe that is correct. In fact, the Microsoft Surface Pro is using it. Not Thunderbolt of course, that would be too damn easy and forward looking....

To be fair, Thunderbolt under Windows is a complete and utter mess right now. It probably would have caused more problems than it would have solved.

 

[TheStu]

To be fair, Thunderbolt under Windows is a complete and utter mess right now. It probably would have caused more problems than it would have solved.

I don't want to be fair, I want to bitch and moan, as this is the internet!

 

[Tegeril]

IIRC, Apple designed it and then gave it to the VESA for free.

Sure, but he makes it sound proprietary, expensive, unreasonable, etc. It's an attitude that is so frustrating when it comes to things that are none of the above.

 

[TheStu]

Sure, but he makes it sound proprietary, expensive, unreasonable, etc. It's an attitude that is so frustrating when it comes to things that are none of the above.

All he said was that it was the Apple version. It isn't totally unreasonable to assume that it was some sort of Apple specific thing since I can probably count on 1 hand the number of non-Apple products that are using the port.

But just saying that it is the Apple version doesn't imply anything past that it is the Apple version.

 

[Oyeve]

Sure, but he makes it sound proprietary, expensive, unreasonable, etc. It's an attitude that is so frustrating when it comes to things that are none of the above.

Where did I say it was expensive or unreasonable? Man, cant even ask a simple apple related question without the nutbags coming out.

 

[TheStu]

Where did I say it was expensive or unreasonable? Man, cant even ask a simple apple related question without the nutbags coming out.

Ok, I was standing up for you, and then you go and do that crap...

 

[Oyeve]

Ok, I was standing up for you, and then you go and do that crap...

Thanks. Feel free to lock this.