OSX Mountain Lion with NEC 2690 WUXI and SpectraView II = No Communications

[Josh-H]

Would a different colorimeter work?

No. The problem relates to the communications that have been broken by Apple between the graphics card and the display. Since the Spectraview software relies on this communication protocol a different colorimeter will not fix the issue.

[Kit-V]

Thanks, John. Sadly I understand.

Now if there was only a way to coordinate a mass verbal assault on Apple's development team to spur a more rapid OS update .......

Kit

[Craig Lamson]

Thanks, John. Sadly I understand.

Now if there was only a way to coordinate a mass verbal assault on Apple's development team to spur a more rapid OS update .......

Kit

Its an out of production monitor so I don't think there is a desire to fix the problem.  Shame, its a really fine monitor. 

As much as I hated it I just bit the bullet and purchased a PA271W.  Can't really say I like it that much better then the 2690...

[Kit-V]

Craig, I have been fearful that the same issue applies to the P221W as well. I trust that the PA271W is exempt from this issue?

[digitaldog]

I trust that the PA271W is exempt from this issue?

It is. Mine's running fine although a USB cable is necessary under 10.8, no big deal.

[Craig Lamson]

It is. Mine's running fine although a USB cable is necessary under 10.8, no big deal.

Mine too..

[RachelleK]

It is. Mine's running fine although a USB cable is necessary under 10.8, no big deal.

What is the usb cable for?  I have a MacMini and a MacAir connected to the same PA27 without a usb cable running 10.8.  Is this a fix for specific video card?

[digitaldog]

What is the usb cable for? 

Apparently communication of some kind that broke under 10.7/10.8. I was getting a communication error message. I wrote to Will H of NEC (who kindly posts here). He wrote: Apple hosed DDC/CI in 10.8.x and 10.7.5. As soon as I placed a USB cable from display to Mac, it worked.

[Josh-H]

What is the usb cable for?  I have a MacMini and a MacAir connected to the same PA27 without a usb cable running 10.8.  Is this a fix for specific video card?

The USB cable is for communications to allow the Spectraview software to update the LUT's in the monitor. The previous model the 2690 Wuxi handled this communication as part of the DVI communications protocol; which Apple broke with Mountain Lion and has not as yet fixed (are you listening Apple?)

Im actually a hairs breadth away from ordering the 27" model and ditching the 2690 so that I can get back into a color managed environment. My patience has more or less run out waiting for Apple to fix this.

[digitaldog]

(are you listening Apple?)

Pretty sure they are not. We can put this into the same complaint box as our lack of full 10-bit support. They don't care. But you'll probably get some kind of Retina displays from them.

[Craig Lamson]

Apparently communication of some kind that broke under 10.7/10.8. I was getting a communication error message. I wrote to Will H of NEC (who kindly posts here). He wrote: Apple hosed DDC/CI in 10.8.x and 10.7.5. As soon as I placed a USB cable from display to Mac, it worked.

This only applies to Nvidia graphic cards and not ATI.  Run an ATI card and 10.8.2 and your 2690 will work perfectly. At least mine does.

 

[digitaldog]

This only applies to Nvidia graphic cards and not ATI. 

Yup, that's what I'm running. I guess the report I sent to Will H was what promoted him to recommend the USB cable that fortunately worked. That however is so odd that one card would screw this process up thanks to an Apple OS update.

[Kit-V]

Just a quick follow-up question: Do you know if the MacBook Pro with Nvidia card can run an ATI card? Obviously I am looking for an immediate fix.

Thanks.

[digitaldog]

Just a quick follow-up question: Do you know if the MacBook Pro with Nvidia card can run an ATI card? Obviously I am looking for an immediate fix.

My MacBook Pro has the Nvidia card and runs fine after the USB cable is used. I don't think there's any way to change the card in a Macbook Pro, you like me are stuck with the Nvidia.

[Kit-V]

My MacBook Pro has the Nvidia card and runs fine after the USB cable is used. I don't think there's any way to change the card in a Macbook Pro, you like me are stuck with the Nvidia.

Thanks, Andrew. I suspected that was the case. The USB cable would have been a cheap & quick fix if my NEC P221W had a USB port. Hence, my dilemma.

[heinrichvoelkel]

Thanks, Andrew. I suspected that was the case. The USB cable would have been a cheap & quick fix if my NEC P221W had a USB port. Hence, my dilemma.

I'm in the same boat.

[Josh-H]

I caved.. I can no longer live in an un colour managed environment and ordered the NEC PA271W-BK 27"

Given I have dropped the coin, its likely the Apple fix will now only be days away  .

[Kit-V]

Thanks, Josh, for taking one for the team. I'll be sure to post you when the OS X update arrives. 

Kit

[Josh-H]

Yeah it felt like it was my turn to step up and take one for the team...

[Craig Lamson]

Yeah it felt like it was my turn to step up and take one for the team...

Going for the 1920 x 1080 resolution of the 2690 to the 2560 x 1440 of the 271 takes a bit of adjustment...figuratively.  I'll be interested to hear your experiences.