Sunday, January 20, 2013

Apple DVI-ADC Adapter Project

Like many of other I also fall into the problem: loving old computers and collecting them is nice but sometimes causing problems. Old technologies without any support and often incompatible connectors and solutions. Like the Apple Cinema Displays with ADC connectors.
Apple Cinema Display 17 inch

Oh, yes, the problem is: there are no ADC-ready computers (video cards) available today. Apple used the ADC connectors between July 2000 and June 2004. I've thought I could buy a DVI-ADC adapter and use my vintage Mac Mini and the same aged Apple Cinema Display.
But this little thing is still over 100€! (Sometimes Amazon sells over 300$...)
To be clean: Apple DVI-ADC is not only connector conversion from one format to another. No. The ADC gives the power and USB to the monitors too.
Apple DVI to ADC adapter
I decided to build this adapter by myself. I found the project won't be complicate but to find ADC connector is not so easy.
The list what I need to buy before do anything:
  • ADC connector (female)
  • DVI connector (female)
  • USB Type-B connector
  • some kind of power connector
  • Power Adapter from 230V to 24.5V 2.5A
  • Testing PCB
After a hard research I find only one (!) company in the World who still sells ADC connector. This is Surplus Sales of Nebraska






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