Connecting an Apple LCD to PC

[SuX0rz]

I love the look of the Apple LCDs and I was wondering if it is possible to connect one to a pc. I know that the standard cables are proprietary but are there any conversion cables for a pc?

[Disco_Stu_04]

I have the 23" cinema connected to my PC. I use Apple's proprietary ADC=>DVI adaptor, it runs about $100. ADC is just like DVI except that the LCD gets power from the cable as well.

Go here (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=719874) and read through this thread, I have some pics in there.

There are some 3rd party adapters as well and I think they run around 60-70.

[SuX0rz]

Thanks a lot, just in your opinion is it worth the trouble to get an Apple LCD or should I just look at a more pc friendly option?

Also I checked and the Apple site has the connector for $40 bucks

[Disco_Stu_04]

Fo' shizzle, 60 bux less?! Damn.

There's nothing wrong with the connector and no loss of information so it's gonna display just as well as a PC's.

It's only a cable with a box in the middle, plug it in and there you go. The only problem I have is turning it off. When I am done with it I turn the "monitor sleep mode" timer to 1 minute under the display properties. After 1 minute goes by the video card cuts the signal and the display automatically shuts off. Takes only 10 seconds but I'd rather have a button or something that works but hey, that's the price I paid for a damn nice display.

[SuX0rz]

Thanks a lot for you input, I think I'm going to go ahead and go for the Apple display. I got to save up my cash but it will be the next big buy for my system.

[Disco_Stu_04]

I had picked mine up from CompUSA and I pucrhased their apple care warranty thing where as for 2 years after the purchase date I could get a new screen at no cost. I dunno about the fine print but for $100 it didn't seem to bad of an idea for me.

I will be going back there to get further clarifications but I have gotten a comple scratches on my anti glare coating during a move and perhaps I could use that warranty thing to get it replaced *shrug* something you may want to look into, that's all.

[Chelica]

I do not think is an Apple Care tho. That is a replacement plan for Compusa. IMO it is way better than Apple Care. From customers, they told me that Apple has some shitty service.

[Disco_Stu_04]

You know what, I think you are right on it being CompUSA's program.

One last thing, this display does not output anything less than 800x600 so you won't see your BIOS screen or Windows loading. I keep a old cheap monitor in the closet so that if I get the urge to do some tweeking or something I plug it in make my adjustments and then reconnect the ginormis display.

[Labrador]

hey Disco have you tried out the wicked new Ut2004 demo, on that awesome Display yet ? I would love to see a screenshot of the "Onslaught" game running :)

[Disco_Stu_04]

Haha, yes I have! I think I have invested way too much time in it lol. I'll get you a pic soon.

Hey, update to our previous conversation, I hadn't tried this up until now, at 1600x1200 and above the picture stops scaling and puts out just that, so it doesn't fill up the screen all the way. But then it's like 20".

[Labrador]

Originally posted by Disco_Stu_04
Haha, yes I have! I think I have invested way too much time in it lol. I'll get you a pic soon.

Hey, update to our previous conversation, I hadn't tried this up until now, at 1600x1200 and above the picture stops scaling and puts out just that, so it doesn't fill up the screen all the way. But then it's like 20".

so if a game does support 1920x1200, the monitor wont show the whole game on the whole screen ?
Please post a picture of a game at 1600x1200, and then at 1920x1200 if you would be so kind. Or you can pm/e-mail me

[Disco_Stu_04]

Labrador- you have a PM for the larger pic.

so if a game does support 1920x1200, the monitor wont show the whole game on the whole screen ?

Niet. After 1600x1200 it goes pixel (LCD) for pixel(resolution). So if its 1920x1200 it is the entire screen. At 1600x1200 it only occupies those pixels.



http://pages.zdnet.com/slatts/lowwres.JPG

[Labrador]

I just cleared my pm box, or you can e-mail at
dnowicki4@comcast.net

I would like to please see, two screen shots of UT2004, one at 1600x1200, and the other at 1920x1200. Is the game even playable for you at 1920, thats a pretty steap res to run a shooter, what kind of [H]ardware you running ?

thanks

[Disco_Stu_04]

You got mail...
game runs at about 25 FPS @1920x1280

my specs-
Intel 3.06 GHz
512 MB RAM
9800 Pro AIW

Prometia Phase Change cool at -40 deg C.

[emorphien]

If you're getting it for gaming I'd suggest a montor with a faster pixel response rate.

[Disco_Stu_04]

Shit, if you are that hardcore get a CRT, all LCDs ghost. ;)

There will always be something better. The pixel refresh rate is way more than adequate with this thing.

[Labrador]

Originally posted by Disco_Stu_04
You got mail...
game runs at about 25 FPS @1920x1280

my specs-
Intel 3.06 GHz
512 MB RAM
9800 Pro AIW

Prometia Phase Change cool at -40 deg C.

is that with all game options maxxed ? and how about that 9800-Pro is AA + Af enabled ?

[Disco_Stu_04]

Erm lezzie here...in the game everything was maxed...

AA...I have the slider set at "Balanced" whatever that works out to be.


Cat ver 4.1

[emorphien]

Originally posted by Disco_Stu_04
Shit, if you are that hardcore get a CRT, all LCDs ghost. ;)

There will always be something better. The pixel refresh rate is way more than adequate with this thing.

Generally I've found the ghosting on the Apples to be worse that most 25ms panels out there. I'd suggest getting a chance to try one out before you jump on buying this model. I forget what the panels in the Apple displays are rated as, at least 25 but like I said they seem a whole lot slower than that.

Of course, a CRT would be better, they're better for a lot of things still. But my migraines weren't improving so now I use both, and stare at the LCD most of the time.

[Disco_Stu_04]

Do you remember which model? Back in the day of the 21" the refresh rate was about 50ms...that was bad ju ju. I think the 21" debut in 1998 or something.

The 23" is fine, noticable...only if you are looking for it (like any lcd really). Just watching a movie or playing a game I don't notice a thing and the Air Force is planning on trusting me with expensive aircraft- my eyes don't lie.


My tear jerking story of shopping for LCDs. It took a while I had a budget of about 2k so...-
It began in Best Buy. I had played Medal of Honor allied assult on a 19" Samsung a few times and the grey's were horrible, that thing was ghosting out the wazzoo and that was rated 25ms, I was not impressed. Scratch the Samsung (oddly they design the LCD for Apple I think)

So I went online. I read tons of reviews of every brand and make and never found anything that appealed to me. Things were looking mediocre. There was a new 16ms display out at the time but it looked physically ugly.

Then one time I went into CompUSA for the 300th time in my life and just standing at the entrance my eyes meandered over to the Apple section and there it was the 23". I had seen it many times before and toyed with it but never really considered it.

I went online looking for reviews and didn't find much, it seemed to work just fine in the store and some websites guessed the pixel response time at 25ms which in my opinion, after having this display for over a year, is dead on.

So now, when peeps are asking questions about it, I will help as much as I can cause I had found jack from anywhere in terms of reviews or advice. Maybe I should do one, get all those testing programs and benchmarking apps and go at it.

[SuX0rz]

I do plan doing some gaming and right now I have a 19" NEC FE950 CRT. The biggest reaon I'm looking for an LCD is because I do a lot of lanning and would like a lighter load. I like the apples becuase I think that they look great both on screen and form factor. Is ghosting really going to be that big of an issue?

[emorphien]

Originally posted by SuX0rz
Is ghosting really going to be that big of an issue?

That depends on your taste, which is why I recommend trying one out. In just about every category there are better panels than what Apple has, they're due for an update in their model line.

[Disco_Stu_04]

For me, the guy who games on weekends and writes code all week, this thing satisfies me to no end.

Can I tell you that you will be just as satisfied? No, I am not you.

I can take a good guess and say that odds are you will have no problems with it because even to me, a nothing-but-first-person-shooter-fella, that this thing rocks...for me. I was irritated on the Samsung in Best Buy because of its ghosting, not on this, and both of these are rated at 25ms.

I honestly, in any game, cannot see any ghosting. It doesn't stand out. I can see ghosting when I have a dark background on a webpage and run the mouse across it at a medium pace and pay careful attention to it.

BOTTOM LINE!!!
You will have to see for yourself I guess. I took a gamble and won. I asked the lady at CompUSA, because I was very _concerned_ that I wouldn't like it for gaming and she said that within 14 days or something I could return it for a full refund. That's all I needed, I took it home, set it up, and whola, I was satisfied.

Suxorz- you said you wanted something to carry to a Lan party, this thing weighs in at 25 lbs. It's pretty heavy, but its very space efficient for its size. You gotta weigh the pros and cons :D pun intended.

[SuX0rz]

Thanks for the help, I'm going to give it a shot and see if I like it when I get the cash.