September 30, 2010
Updated: March 18, 2011
Notice regarding incompatibility of
certain 3
rd
party DisplayPort video cables
Summary
When using certain incorrectly manufactured 3
rd
party Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cables to
connect a display to a host computer, problems such as the following may arise:
1. Host computer is unable to power on.
2. Host computer is unable to correctly enter sleep modes.
3. Host computer is unable to correctly resume from sleep modes.
4. Display is unable to be turned on or display video correctly.
5. Incorrect display resolution or corrupted video is shown.
This issue has been indentified in several configurations including when displays are connected
to Apple Mac Pro computers, with video cards such as the ATI Radeon 5870 or 5770. However, it
may also impact other Apple products when connected to a display via the Mini DisplayPort
connector. This issue may also impact other non-Apple products that use a Mini DisplayPort
connector.
Impacted models of NEC displays include: PA231W-BK, PA231W-BK-SV, PA241W-BK,
PA241W-BK-SV, PA271W-BK, PA271W-BK-SV, PA301W-BK and PA301W-BK-SV only when
connected via DisplayPort.
Cause
Certain Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cables available in the market were incorrectly
manufactured and do not adhere to the DisplayPort design specification. This defect can cause
the above symptoms to appear. The defective cables may be marked or sold as "DisplayPort
certified" and contain the DisplayPort logo.
These cables are not manufactured or sold by NEC.
Current Status
At this time NEC is still investigating the brands of cables that have this problem, and is working
with the manufacturers to correct their design. Until the full extent of this issue is determined,
NEC is unable to recommend a certain specific model or brand of cable that is guaranteed to be
manufactured correctly.
NEC recommends the following if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms when using a
Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable:
a)
Return the cable to the reseller or manufacturer and ask if a DisplayPort-compliant
replacement is available.
500 Park Boulevard
Suite 1100
Itasca, Illinois 60143
630.467.3000 voice
630.467.3100 fax
www.necdisplay.com
