G4 PPC Towers with Modern Monitors Adapter

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joevt

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Mar 5, 2023
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But for best results, you want to keep the signal digital. Don't all/most G4 towers have DVI output? That's equivalent to HDMI up to 165 MHz (HDMI 1.1 ≈ 1920x1200@60Hz). You just need a passive DVI to HDMI adapter for that. Beyond that you're dealing with Dual Link DVI (up to 330 MHz) which will require a Dual Link DVI to DisplayPort adapter. This is near HDMI 1.4 bandwidth (340 MHz) and can do 2560x1600@60Hz or 4K 30Hz.

I don't think the DVI outputs of Power Macs include audio, so you would need some kind of HDMI audio embedder or inserter to get analog audio to a display that supports audio.
 
Slimes

Slimes

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Jul 26, 2023
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Apparently there are pixel clock limitations which keep the resolution lower than what a VGA signal can provide. Good example is the Mac Mini G4.

forums.macrumors.com

Mac Mini G4 will not output to HDMI via DVI

I've picked up a Mac Mini G4 and it definitely works ok but I cannot get it to output a signal to HDMI on a monitor or an HDTV. I'm met with a black screen or the "no signal" warning respectively. Through a process of elimination, I have already ruled out any issues with the DVI to HDMI cable: I...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com

"This 135 MHz pixel clock limit for non-coherent displays only applies to DVI; VGA has higher limits (pretty much necessarily, because CRT monitors require more blanking which drives up the required pixel clock for a given mode). I've been able to drive 2560×1024 at 60 Hz from my G4 mini's VGA output. According to my calculator, that's a pixel clock of 218 MHz using CVT or GTF timings. For that matter, I've also been able to drive 3840×2400 at 13 Hz from my G4 mini's DVI output but that's only a 125 MHz pixel clock using CVT-RB timings and thus, safely within the mini's limit."

I also found that a DVI-D to Vga Adapter simply didn't work, and a DVI-D to HDMI adapter left me with a black screen after boot. After using a DVI-A to VGA adapter everything worked.

I experienced the same with DVI out on PowerMac G4 towers.
 
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S. Pupp

S. Pupp

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Apr 2, 2023
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I use something similar for the same reason - I can get 1080p via a VGA-HDMI adapter, which is unobtainable via my MDD G4’s DVI.
 
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The early Powermac G4s I have include either TNT Pro or Geforce MMX 2 & 4, all of which include VGA and ADC, but no DVI. DVI started showing up at MDD and their Radeon 9000s. I was considering this cheap adapter as a solution for my Blue & White actually which has only VGA out at the moment. This would help with connecting it to a broader range of displays.
 
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Slimes

Slimes

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I tested the device on my B&W G3 Tower. Works good.

Anyone know where to find a ADP (Apple's round DVI knockoff) to DVI Adapter? I used to have one, but lost it. The digital to vga signal seems to center the screen better than straight VGA.
 
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Slimes said:
I tested the device on my B&W G3 Tower. Works good.

Anyone know where to find a ADP (Apple's round DVI knockoff) to DVI Adapter? I used to have one, but lost it. The digital to vga signal seems to center the screen better than straight VGA.
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Those adapters are the A1006. I have collected a few over the years. You can find them on ebay pretty regularly however they're pricey. Ive found a few on shopgoodwill.com for better prices however the best pricing is if you can find bundled with an old screen - for example I got another for free effectively bundled with a 22" acrylic Apple Cinema DIsplay purchase on Craigslist.
 
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