Console + iMac 27" 2011 External Display

Can i use the iMac 27" mid 2011 as an external display for, let's say, a Playstation 3?

Is this possible for the latest iMac?

Solution 1:

Three things need to align for a game console to send video out and have it be mirrored on an iMac.

First, the iMac needs Target Display Mode.

The 2011 iMac and later run thunderbolt - so you need a legitimate thunderbolt video connection for Target Display Mode to work.

The older iMacs had Mini DisplayPort video out and video in, so you would simply need to get an inexpensive adapter to change HDMI to miniDP (note - most adapters go the other way - take a MiniDP signal and split out HDMI - this would need to function in the other direction.)

I believe PS3 doesn't have native thunderbolt adapter or even a mini DP adapter, so you'd need additional hardware for Macs older than 2011 and I don't know of a box that takes HDMI and converts it into thunderbolt - so you might be out of luck on 2011 and newer iMacs.

Solution 2:

It is possible, but you'll need and adapter/converter to do it.

You can find a HDMI to Mini DisplayPort adapter on some sites, like this one, although it is a little expensive. Other models/types can be found here, for other input types, or Kanex's one.

Editing: right now I'm reading the new iMac tech specs and it is clearly that it does not support input: Mini DisplayPort output with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI (adapters sold separately). Some users on forums are tolding that thunderbolt adapters are not ready and no one even know if it will be possible.

Solution 3:

You could use the Intensity Shuttle from Blackmagic Design to capture HDMI video to Thunderbolt, then use a program running in full screen on the iMac to display the incoming video stream.