Questions & Answers for USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
238 Questions from the Community
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When will Apple resolve the issues of the external monitor blanking out when connecting through an HDMI cable and the USB-C?!
My monitor blanks out 5-10 times an hour and I either have to unplug the adaptor or the HDMI cable to get it to reconnect. Is there software in the Adapter? If so, how do I update it?
- Asked by Amy P from Somerville
- Apr 10, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate (When will Apple resolve the issues of the external monitor blanking out when connecting through an HDMI cable and the USB-C?!)
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Will a 2017 iMac -> USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter -> HDMI to Dual-Link DVI-D adapter -> Apple Cinema HD 30" Display work at 2560 X 1600 at 60Hz?
Will a 2017 iMac connected to a USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter connected to an HDMI to Dual-Link DVI-D adapter connected to an Apple Cinema HD 30" Display work at 2560 X 1600 at 60Hz?
What about a Macbook Pro?
Thanks
EricAnswerThat will only work at 1280 x 800 60 Hz (Single Link, not Dual Link).
Many (or all) HDMI to Dual Link DVI-D adapters do not actually support Dual Link signals. The female Dual Link DVI-D connector of those adapters has a receptacle that accepts a Dual Link male cable (more pins than Single Link cable), but only the Single Link signal is passed (because HDMI is Single Link). They don't do any conversion at all.
You need a USB-C to mini DisplayPort female adapter. Then you can connect an Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter. You can tell it's a real Dual-Link adapter because it requires extra power which it gets using a USB connection.
You could also use the mini DisplayPort output of a Thunderbolt 3 dock such as the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock.
Or you could use the mini DisplayPort output of a USB-C dock. Some support 4K 30 Hz and USB 3.0. Others may support 4K 60 Hz but only USB 2.0 (because USB-C is slower than Thunderbolt 3 so it can't support both 4K 60 Hz and USB 3.0). Either will work with 2560 x 1600 60 Hz.
The Thunderbolt 3 ports of the iMac and MacBook Pro support both USB-C docks and devices and Thunderbolt 3 docks and devices.- Answered by Joseph V from Fort Langley
- Dec 18, 2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will a 2017 iMac -> USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter -> HDMI to Dual-Link DVI-D adapter -> Apple Cinema HD 30" Display work at 2560 X 1600 at 60Hz?)
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Answer
With my 2016 MacBook: yes! I've got a Dell 27" running at 2560 x 1440 @ 60Hz extending the MacBook's display.
- Answered by Jason D from Yaroomba
- May 15, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (The description says that this can be used to mirror a display, can it also be used to extend a display?)
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Answer
Ran a system report with the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter attached and it shows up under a USB 2 Hub attached to the USB-3 bus. The speed for the adapter is listed at 1.5 Mb/sec while the speed listed for the USB-3 hubs is listed at 5 Gb/sec.
- Answered by Michael M from Huntsville
- Nov 25, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Is the USB port on this adapter operating at USB 2 speeds, or is it USB 3?)
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Has anyone tried this adapter (or the similar VGA adapter) with an Android phone or tablet with USB-C connector?
I'd like to be able to have my Android phone being charged while having it connected to an external USB device that can't charge it (like an external disk or other peripheral). I realize that it's very unlikely that the video port could work, since that would require a specific driver in the phone/tablet, and I don't need that. But if this adapter could provide a standard USB port while allowing charging, that would be very useful.
- Asked by Michael G from Anaheim
- Apr 4, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Has anyone tried this adapter (or the similar VGA adapter) with an Android phone or tablet with USB-C connector?)
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can the macbook charge while this is connected?
- Asked by Raul S from Anaheim
- Mar 22, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (can the macbook charge while this is connected?)
AnswerIf it's a MacBook or 13" MacBook Pro, yes the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter can charge it. However the 15" MacBook Pro needs a full 85W to be able to operate fully *and* charge the battery, so if you have that model you will NOT be guaranteed a battery charge through this adapter. After being very frustrated by my laptop not charging I finally found support doc HT207256: "MacBook Pro can receive a maximum of 60W of power through the Apple USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter or USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. For the best charging performance on MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016), connect the power supply directly to your Mac."
- Answered by Stefan W from Lynn
- Oct 13, 2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (can the macbook charge while this is connected?)
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Can I charge as well as use HDMI port on the USB-C AV Multiport adapter?
Charging with Multiport adapter
- Asked by Christopher B from Wivenhoe
- Apr 15, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (Can I charge as well as use HDMI port on the USB-C AV Multiport adapter?)
AnswerIf it's a MacBook or 13" MacBook Pro, yes the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter can charge it. However the 15" MacBook Pro needs a full 85W to be able to operate fully *and* charge the battery, so if you have that model you will NOT be guaranteed a battery charge through this adapter. After being very frustrated by my laptop not charging I finally found support doc HT207256: "MacBook Pro can receive a maximum of 60W of power through the Apple USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter or USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter. For the best charging performance on MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016), connect the power supply directly to your Mac."
- Answered by Stefan W from Lynn
- Oct 13, 2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can I charge as well as use HDMI port on the USB-C AV Multiport adapter?)
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Answer
Good news: it is USB3.0
Looking in System Information can be confusing. It appears as a couple of devices: "USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter" shows as a device under USB2.0 Hub but it also adds a USB3.0 Hub device (which is that USB port).
I also confirmed by checking the pins in the port (it has the additional USB3.0 ones) and with some sample file transfers from a USB3 flashdrive (and I got the same speeds I get from a clearly labeled USB3.0 adapter).- Answered by Brendan D from Milford
- Mar 28, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (What type of "standard USB" port is on this adapter? USB 2.0, USB 3.0?)
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Can I daisy-chain more two or more USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapters?
If I wanted two standard sized USB ports, or wanted to connect two HDMI monitors, can I simply use two of these adapters connected to each other (via the USB-C passthrough port)?
- Asked by Henk K from Palo Alto
- Mar 9, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (Can I daisy-chain more two or more USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapters?)
Best Answer:No
All ports can be used simultaneously -- please note the USB C limitations below.
The far left port is USB C Power input. It will not accept data input or data output.
The middle port is HDMI which outputs video and audio with the following specs:
1080p at 60Hz
UHD (3840 by 2160) at 30Hz -- Commjonly referred to as 4K.
The far right port is USB 3.0 A data in and out.- Answered by Alex N from Chicago
- Nov 2, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can I daisy-chain more two or more USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapters?)
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Will this allow connection to a printer (USB)?
- Asked by S H from Onancock
- Mar 19, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (Will this allow connection to a printer (USB)?)
AnswerYes. You may use it to connect any USB device to the mac.
- Answered by Christopher S from Haddonfield
- Mar 24, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this allow connection to a printer (USB)?)
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Can this be daisy chained to get multiple HDMI monitors?
I figure this is a competitor to the microsoft surface products. The surface pro 3 paired with its docking station produces two mini-display ports for two external monitors. Does the new macbook have the capability to daisy chain two of these dongles together to get two external monitors via HDMI/VGA?
- Asked by David S from Gainesville
- Mar 9, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (Can this be daisy chained to get multiple HDMI monitors?)
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It is possible to use a USB Hub in addition to this adapter?
- Asked by Jason K from Asheville
- Aug 23, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (It is possible to use a USB Hub in addition to this adapter?)
AnswerYes, it's possible to use a hub.
- Answered by Stefan W
- Jan 21, 2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (It is possible to use a USB Hub in addition to this adapter?)
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Can you daisy chain these for attaching multiple monitors ?
Can you daisy chain these to give 2 x HDMI out of the Macbook or is there a better way to achieve this i.e. connect 2 x HDMI external monitors to the Macbook for home office use ?
- Asked by Chris H from Bristol
- Sep 1, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (Can you daisy chain these for attaching multiple monitors ?)
AnswerFor the Macbook Air, you cannot daisy chain monitors through the Thunderbolt/MiniDisplay Port Connect. You can however use a USB 3.0 to HDMI converter (you will need to install the associated driver) like this one: SIIG USB 3.0 to HDMI/DVI Multi Monitor Video Adapter. Once you install the driver and restart the computer, the Macbook will detect the second monitor and you can configure the monitor layout.
I had bought a pair of Dell U2417H monitors and was surprised when they would not work in a daisy chain configuration. I am also very happy that this solution worked as it has turned my wife's Air into a much more powerful workstation.- Answered by Christian R from Sugar Land
- Aug 26, 2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can you daisy chain these for attaching multiple monitors ?)
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Does this adapter support digital audio that would be compatible with a 7.2 receiver?
- Asked by Alberto H from Winter Garden
- Mar 4, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate (Does this adapter support digital audio that would be compatible with a 7.2 receiver?)
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does the HDMI port support audio as well as video on a separate monitor
- Asked by Andry D from Seabrook
- May 4, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (does the HDMI port support audio as well as video on a separate monitor)
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Answer
No, you need to plug them two separate ports
- Answered by Mehmet Esat B from Riverside
- Mar 21, 2017
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can these be daisy chained to support two (or more) external monitors on the MacBook?)
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Answer
The iPad Pro has a single Lightning connector - it's not possible to plug a USB-C adapter into a Lightning connector.
- Answered by Gabriele R
- Jun 15, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter be used with an iPad pro or is it only for macbooks?)
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How do I use the 5 magsafe and magsafe 2 units I own with these USB C devices?
Using Magsafe
- Asked by Horst T from Old Greenwich
- Oct 29, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate (How do I use the 5 magsafe and magsafe 2 units I own with these USB C devices?)
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Can the USB-C ports on this be used interchangeably (reversed) and still provide full connectivity to the new Macbook?
I use and love my Rain Design mStand for ergonomic and thermal dissipation with my MBP. I have a dongle for the DisplayPort to hdmi for an external monitor. I have noticed that because of the mStand it seems to place vertical stress on the DisplayPort on the side of the MBP. The port bears the weight of the dongle and the cord that connects to it all day, every day.
I imagine this adapter was designed to have the single USB-C "tail" plug in to the port on the side of the MacBook and then have the various cords come out of the three ports on the opposite side to the various devices/power. I am wondering if it is possible to get a single USB-C cable that would run from the Macbook to the adapter and then have the adapter act as more of hub at the base of my external monitor. This setup would also improve cable management by keeping the clutter of three cables further away from where I would be connecting to the MacBook.- Asked by Brian M from Bayside
- Mar 10, 2015
- Flag as inappropriate (Can the USB-C ports on this be used interchangeably (reversed) and still provide full connectivity to the new Macbook?)
AnswerI tried something very similar and it did not seem to work. I plugged the tail into the Apple power brick and then connected the cable between the adapter and my MacBook. It didn't power USB-C or USB-A connections, and the laptop didn't seem to register the adapter at all, as far as I could tell. I didn't specifically test the HDMI, but it seems unlikely.
- Answered by Emily H from Portland
- May 12, 2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can the USB-C ports on this be used interchangeably (reversed) and still provide full connectivity to the new Macbook?)
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will the USB port work with an external CD/DVD player
I have a Cocopa USB 3.0 External CD Drive, CD/DVD-RW Drive, CD-RW Rewriter Burner. It plugs into the USB port and the power lights up and the disc turns, but it does not appear in "Finder" . The player works fine plugging it into a USB port on an older Mac laptop.
- Asked by Scott D from Palm City
- Feb 4, 2018
- Flag as inappropriate (will the USB port work with an external CD/DVD player)