Well, Apple has some bad news for those who were hoping to daisy chain an existing Apple LED Cinema Display. Although those screens sport a physically identical Mini DisplayPort, they have never been able to support daisy-chaining and will not work when connected to a new Thunderbolt Display. However, they do work with Thunderbolt cables as long as no additional displays are in the chain.

As for the number of Thunderbolt Displays supported by recent Macs, the answer varies depending on the model. MacBook Airs can only support one external Thunderbolt Display in addition to its built-in screen, while MacBook Pros, iMacs, and Mac minis can support two Thunderbolt Displays. But do note that with the lowest-end 13-inch MacBook Pro, attaching two displays would mean disabling the built-in screen, while the highest-end Mac mini with discrete AMD graphics can support two Thunderbolt Displays in addition to a third display attached via its HDMI port.

[via AppleInsider]

Connectivity, meanwhile, uses a single cable that makes hooking up your MacBook Pro more straightforward.  That packs a pass-through power connection for your notebook, together with a Mini DisplayPort (for audio and video) and a USB port to hook up the new Cinema Display’s three port USB 2.0 hub.

As for hard specs, Apple are quoting a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 375 cd/m2 brightness and 12ms response time.  The new Apple 27-inch LED Cinema Display will go on sale in September, priced at $999.

Press Release:

Apple Unveils New 27-inch LED Cinema Display

CUPERTINO, Calif., July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple® today unveiled a new 27-inch LED Cinema Display with stunning 2560 x 1440 resolution and 60 percent more screen real estate than the 24-inch LED Cinema Display. Featuring a built-in iSight® video camera, microphone and speakers, powered USB 2.0 hub, and universal MagSafe® connector, the new LED Cinema Display is an ideal companion for the MacBook® family or a Mac® desktop, and is available for $999.

“With built-in MagSafe charging, iSight camera, speakers, and USB ports, the LED Cinema Display is ideal for MacBook and MacBook Pro users,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With its massive 2560 x 1440 resolution, the new 27-inch LED Cinema Display is a perfect fit with our powerful new Mac Pro, and it gives iMac users an easy way to double their screen real estate.”

The new, larger 27-inch LED Cinema Display features a beautiful 16:9 edge-to-edge glass display on an aluminum stand with an adjustable hinge that makes tilting the display almost effortless. The LED Cinema Display has vivid colors and exceptionally high contrast and uses a premium display technology called in-plane switching (IPS) to provide a brilliant image across an ultra wide 178 degree viewing angle.

Designed as a companion for any Mac notebook or desktop, the 27-inch display includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing, an integrated MagSafe charger to keep Mac notebooks charged, built-in Mini DisplayPort connectivity for video and audio input and a powered three-port USB 2.0 hub so customers can charge their iPhone® or iPod® even when they take their MacBook with them.

The new LED Cinema Display now includes a new ambient light sensor which automatically adjusts the display brightness based on external lighting conditions and uses only as much energy as necessary to provide an optimum viewing experience. Made with mercury-free LED technology, arsenic-free glass and highly recyclable materials, the LED Cinema Display meets stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold status.* The new display contains no brominated flame retardants and all cables and components are PVC-free.

Pricing & Availability

The new LED Cinema Display will be available in September through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $999 (US). The LED Cinema Display requires a Mac with Mini DisplayPort.

*EPEAT is an independent organization that helps customers compare the environmental performance of notebooks and desktops. Products meeting all of the 23 required criteria and at least 75 percent of the optional criteria are recognized as EPEAT Gold products. The EPEAT program was conceived by the US EPA and is based on IEEE 1680 standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products. For more information visit www.epeat.net.

That takes advantage of the 27-inch iMac’s Mini DisplayPort input, which basically allows it to work as a standalone display for an external source.  The AV360 is powered from a USB connection, supports HDCP and stereo audio.

However, while it will accept a 1080p HD input, the AV360 only actually outputs 720p HD to the iMac, which could be a disappointment for some hoping to use the full extent of the 2560 x 1440 display.  The Belkin AV360 will go on sale later this month, priced at $149.99.

Press Release:

Belkin Introduces AV360™ Mini DisplayPort Converter for 27″iMac

New converter brings HD content from game consoles, cable, or satellite TV boxes to 27″ iMac

(Playa Vista, CA) -June 21, 2010 – Belkin announces its new AV360 Mini DisplayPort Converter that adapts the signal from an HDMI® audio video source, such as a Blu-ray® player, Xbox®, PS3®, or cable box, to a DisplayPort-compatible signal. The new converter supports high-resolution video and audio, allowing customers to display HD content from external devices on the 27″ iMac.

AVAILABILITY
Belkin’s AV360 Mini DisplayPort Converter for 27″ iMac will be available in late June 2010 in North America, Europe, and Asia.

AV360 Mini DisplayPort Converter (F2CD007) – $149.99
Accepts full 1080p signal, provides 720p to iMac
Delivers stereo audio
HDCP-compliant
Includes the 4 ft. Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort Cable
Includes 4 ft. USB cable (powered by the USB connection)
Designed to complement supported Apple products
Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort Cable , 4 ft (male to male) (F2CD008tt1.5M) – $29.99
Male-to-male cable
Displays content from a MacBook to iMac for an extended desktop

The clever little box means you can hook up any DVI output to the iMac’s Mini DisplayPort input, or indeed to the input of Apple’s recent Cinema Displays too.  It’ll also preserve EDID and HDCP info, meaning there shouldn’t be any copyright-related issues of content not displaying, and it supports resolutions up to 1920 x 1200.

Of course, it’s still not ideal if you were wanting to use an HDMI output, but we imagine Atlona have something to deal with that up their sleeves too.  The Atlona Technologies DP200 is available now, priced at $179.

Press Release:

Atlona Technologies innovative DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter, the DP200, officially compatible with iMac 21.5 and iMac 27″ displays.

Atlona Technologies announces news on their DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter, allowing compatibility with iMac 21.5 and iMac 27” displays.

Atlona Technologies DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter, the AT-DP200, has quickly made an impact on all Mac users as well as the technological world as a whole. This innovative converter has made waves being the first of its kind to eliminate the issues that plagued many Apple users had faced purchasing their computers before 2009, and wanting to use the Apple Cinema 24’’ or any of the newer and upcoming Mini DisplayPort monitors. Atlona technologies officially finished a new round of testing using the iMac 21.5” and the iMac 27” with this unique solution.

Atlona Technologies prides itself on creating the very solutions users need to connect nearly any desired source to any display needed. Seeing that there was indeed a need that had not been met, the first ever conversion box that would allow conversion of DVI to Mini DisplayPort while maintaining the displays optimal resolution was created. Unlike recent copycat products, the AT-DP200 inputs DVI and outputs Mini DisplayPort signal while passing along all EDID and HDCP information. This device converts while allowing your computer to scale to the optimal resolution offered by your display up to 1920 by 1200.

Realizing what a true necessity this product was and the many new monitors continuously in development, Atlona made sure to go directly to the source. The AT-DP200 was put through extensive testing in Apple’s compatibility lab, placing it up against every single Apple computer with a DVI port, and every monitor featuring Mini DisplayPort. The DP200 was also placed through PC interoperability testing with all standard DVI video cards. This device will allow use of any Mini Display port product with and DVI graphics card, meaning the new Apple 24” Cinema Displays, the iMac 21.5” or the iMac 27” can be used by those with DVI Macs.

The Atlona AT-DP200, DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter immediately fell right in line with the rest of the bleeding edge products designed to keep the AV world connected. This unit has finally given all Mac users looking to use their older devises on newer Mac monitors exactly what they have been waiting for. The leading-edge AT-DP200 is officially available today with an affordable MSRP of S179.00.

Those displays, like Apple’s 24-inch Cinema Display, will otherwise not play nicely with notebooks, unless they have the Mini DisplayPort connector themselves.  While it’s straightforward to convert Mini DisplayPort to DVI – Apple themselves sell an adapter, so that current MacBook owners can use their existing Apple Cinema Displays – surprisingly there hasn’t been a simple way to convert in the other direction until now.

Best of all it’s 1920 x 1200 compatible and preserves EDID and HDCP information so you won’t have to worry about copy protection throwing a spanner in the works.  It’ll begin shipping on September 29th, priced at $179.

Press Release:

Atlona Technologies sets new innovative heights in the AV market with the DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter for Nearly Every Mac available.

Atlona Technologies reaches new heights in the technological world with the DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter allowing the use of new Mini-DisplayPort enabled monitors (such as Apple 24’’) on DVI machines

Atlona Technologies has taken the technological world by storm with their latest innovative and unique product, a DVI to Mini DisplayPort converter. The issue at hand was the was many Apple users who purchased their computers before 2009 had been running into a wall when considering purchasing an Apple Cinema 24’’ or any of the new Mini DisplayPort monitors being released this year and next. Mac forums all over the internet have been a buzz with users trying to verify if DVI was compatible with Mini DisplayPort. One by one these users all inevitably come to the same conclusion; Computers using DVI are not compatible with monitors using Mini DisplayPort , making it impossible to use any of the new displays offered by manufacturers such as Apple, Dell, or CinemaView with DVI computers. Going from Mini DisplayPort to DVI is simple, and many products are already on the market allowing this conversion, including Atlona’s AT13026, however; there are no products on the market that allow the opposite conversion, until now.

Atlona Technologies has answered the call with the first and only conversion box that will convert DVI to Mini DisplayPort while maintaining the displays optimal resolution and HDCP compatibility. Atlona’s new AT-DP200, which starts shipping next week, inputs DVI and outputs Mini DisplayPort signal while passing along all EDID and HDCP information. This device converts while allowing your computer to scale to the optimal resolution offered by your display including 1920 by 1200 or 1280 by 800. Sparing no expense and taking no chances, Atlona made sure The AT-DP200 was put through extensive testing in Apple’s compatibility lab, putting it up against every single Apple computer with a DVI port, and every monitor featuring Mini DisplayPort. Atlona Technologies also put this product through PC interoperability testing with all standard DVI video cards. This device will allow use of any Mini Display port product with and DVI graphics card, meaning the new 24” Cinema Displays from Apple can be used by users with legacy Macs.

Atlona Technologies prides itself on manufacturing solutions for almost every conceivable issue that one may face in any AV system, and felt that it was time to overcome this obstacle. “This new product will boost Apple sales for their 24 inch monitors…” says Atlona Product Manager Michael Khain, “where users who purchased before the format change were previously unable to upgrade to the Cinema Display, now with this new converter their market just got that much bigger.”
Mac tested and Mac approved, the new AT-DP200 DVI to Mini DisplayPort falls right in line with the rest of the bleeding edge products designed to keep the AV world connected and will undoubtedly give all Mac users exactly what they have been waiting for. The new AT-DP200 will start shipping next week (Sept. 29th) with an MSRP of S179.00.

The CinemaView 47 also gets four USB 2.0 ports, and runs at 1920 x 1080 resolution with 500 cd/m2 brightness, a 4,000:1 contrast ratio and 4ms gray-to-gray response time.  Its smaller sibling is the CinemaView 24, a 24-inch 1920 x 1080 display again with four USB 2.0 ports and a Mini DisplayPort, with 300 cd/m2 brightness, 1,000:1 contrast ratio and half the gray-to-gray response time.

Finally, Collins America have announced the CinemaView TV, a compact TV tuner box with two HD tuners with picture-in-picture, that can output to either HDMI or Mini DisplayPort.  It includes both powered and non-powered 5.1 channel Dolby Digital surround sound outputs, analog and digital audio inputs, and component/composite video, plus an RF remote control.

The CinemaView 24 will go on sale in October this year, priced at $499.  The CinemaView 47 and the CinemaView TV will follow in January 2010, priced at $1,499 and $399 respectively.

[via Electronista]

The three initial CinemaView displays will be sized at 19 inches with 1440×900 resolution, 20.1 inches at 1650×1050 and 24 inches at 1920×1080. The prices are $299, 399, and $499 respectively. All displays have 3 USB 2.0 ports, a passthrough stereo audio jack, and an all in once cable to connect them to your new Unibody Mac, or desktop. No built in webcam however, and it looks like we’re going to have to live with glass screens, so anyone that doesn’t want glossy is out of luck. The displays are a good semblance of the Apple Cinema Displays with an aluminum and black motif.

Apple made the Mini Display Port free to license soon after the new port was announced. They did this with the intention of allowing other companies and manufacturers to produce products to work specifically with Macs, especially LCD displays. There could be non-Apple computers to utilize the connection standard as well, since the MDP is free to license, and there are no restrictions on product type.  Currently, only the most recent refreshes of Apple computers have the Mini Display Port.

Want to get your hands on one? You can make reservations at CinemaView for one.