iMac 21.5" 2011 monitor re use

[kiwisincebirth]

Hi, thanks for the answer.
Is it possible to let the LCD Panel stay inside the iMac and just connect the graphics card with the LCD connector? It doesn't matter if the iMac has to be turned while I'm using the LCD Panel as screen.
This way it would easier for me, since I'm not that familiar with all the electronic stuff.

Edit: Is it maybe possible to get a LED driver board from a new iMac, that supports TDM? I don't know which hardware in the iMac is used for TDM, any thoughts?

So if I understand you, you intend to leave the computer 100% intact, expect route the cable from the LCD out of the iMac, and connect it to a computer running externally.

So if this actually worked and the computer didn't shutdown with some sort of internal error (not saying it would) the issue still remains the 30 pin connecter on the LCD is not a standard display port connector, so you can't just plug it into a computer. It has all the same signals, but the physical connector is different. It is this difference which is the major problem to overcome, as you need to connect each of the wires in the cable to a standard display port connector.

 

[ersterhernd]

Reading this thread. Wow this is a bold idea, but carries high odds of toasting something expensive. I already use an iMac display as a monitor via mini displaport, by way of the Apple LED Cinema Display. Best $ I ever spent on a screen, bar none.

Good Luck if you decide to try this, as kiwi stated above, the 30 pin connector is likely to cause a sizeable hurdle to get over.


Cheers!

 

[C3I2B3I2U5]

Hi, first of all thanks for all the replies and help.

After some research I decided to buy another monitor instead of using the iMac LCD Panel as a screen. Mainly because I'm not very confident with all the electronic engineering and if something went wrong i maybe had to buy a new iMac or at least replace destroyed parts.

I don't know if this would work, I'm no electrician and i don't have that much knowledge about these things either.
Anyway, here is my idea, that theoretically could work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fEECrLOWkE
In the video they're using a Displayport to LVDS Adapter.
I would have tried to extend the LVDS cable from the LCD Panel. In that way the LVDS cable would be long enough to get out of the iMac. I would have done the same thing with the built in LCD to Logic-Board connector
(Maybe through the DVD drive Slot, since you probably don't use your drive that much these days).
That way i could manually replug the LVDS Connectors from the iMac Logicboard and my PC.
I hope this is understandable and sorry if I'm not talking english that well

The only problem would be to get a Displayport to LVDS adapter, since NXP (earlier Philips), is only selling the Chip. Manufacturers like Apple would probably mount the chips on their Mainboards/LCD Boards themselves.

 

[blackiblax]

hey guys i still have my old Imac 2011 (mid) but its way to old

now i have the Product specification of my LCD witch is the LM270WQ1 - Suffix SDE3

Based on the HDP signal came to me a project in the head what I had read here once and had also rebuilt itself

I noticed that as in Kiwisincebirth from the iMac 20 project the pinout is very close to imac 27 mid 2011 or almost identical

we have there TMDS data0 to data2 signals as Lane0 to lane3 here is one more there?

and we have the same DDC SCL and SDA signals as well as HPD

Could it be exactly the same pinout?


would be great if maybe one could give a push in the right direction

because I know only kiwi's project and ersthernd project

 

[kevpatts]

I just bought one of these to attempt the same: https://www.ebay.com/itm/HDMI-DVI-V...-LM215WF3-SDC2-screen-1920X1080-/152524146300

I’m not sure if other components will for inside but will give it a go.

 

[Viperrros]

Have you tried this controller board?

 

[JJanssen]

I did use a controller board from Alliexpress and made my iMac 2011 into a display. It works and it all fits inside! I’m now going to try if I can reporpose the build in speakers.

In the end I want to put a Latte Panda alpha inside to make it a standalone iHackPanda

I'm a total hardware noob BTW. Just followed iFixit to clean the inside and connected the LCD panel cables to the board to make it work

 

[zoomos]

I did use a controller board from Alliexpress and made my iMac 2011 into a display. It works and it all fits inside! I’m now going to try if I can reporpose the build in speakers.

In the end I want to put a Latte Panda alpha inside to make it a standalone iHackPanda

I'm a total hardware noob BTW. Just followed iFixit to clean the inside and connected the LCD panel cables to the board to make it work

I have the same LCD (LM215WF3 SD-C2) and I want to turn my old broken iMac into a android DEX computer you slide your android phone into. was this the converter you bought?

HDMI DVI VGA LCD Controller Board Monitor Kit for LM215WF3-SDC2 screen 1920X1080 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for HDMI DVI VGA LCD Controller Board Monitor Kit for LM215WF3-SDC2 screen 1920X1080 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[JJanssen]

I have the same LCD (LM215WF3 SD-C2) and I want to turn my old broken iMac into a android DEX computer you slide your android phone into. was this the converter you bought?

HDMI DVI VGA LCD Controller Board Monitor Kit for LM215WF3-SDC2 screen 1920X1080 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for HDMI DVI VGA LCD Controller Board Monitor Kit for LM215WF3-SDC2 screen 1920X1080 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Yest that is the same kit I used! It is literally plug and play ones, you want to connect it to the LCD panel

 

[zoomos]

Yest that is the same kit I used! It is literally plug and play ones, you want to connect it to the LCD panel

Awesome, thanks for responding

I have a 2011 iMac 21.5 LCD sitting in my closet, now I can finally do something with it after the GPU crapped out.