Thunderbolt controllers multiplex one or more individual data lanes from connected PCIe and DisplayPort devices for transmission via two duplex Thunderbolt lanes, then de-multiplex them for use by PCIe and DisplayPort devices on the other end. Thunderbolt 2 port on MacBook Pro with Retina display. Thunderbolt 1 and 2 use the same connector as Mini DisplayPort (MDP), whereas Thunderbolt 3 and 4 reuse the USB-C connector from USB. Up to six peripherals may be supported by one connector through various topologies. Thunderbolt combines PCI Express (PCIe) and DisplayPort (DP) into two serial signals, and additionally provides DC power, all in one cable. It was initially marketed under the name Light Peak, and first sold as part of an end-user product on 24 February 2011. It has been developed by Intel, in collaboration with Apple. Thunderbolt is the brand name of a hardware interface for the connection of external peripherals to a computer. HS1TX(P) of the source is connected to HS1RX(P) of the sink. The cable is actually a crossover cable, it swaps all receive and transmit lanes e.g. This is the pinout for both sides of the connector, source side and sink side. Thunderbolt 4: 4× PCI Express 3.0, DisplayPort 2.0, USB4.Thunderbolt 3: 4× PCI Express 3.0, DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.1 Gen 2.

Thunderbolt 2: 4× PCI Express 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2.

Thunderbolt 1: 4× PCI Express 2.0 DisplayPort 1.1a.

This leads me to believe that there is something within the software 'inhibiting' the use of this cable.

I find this very strange, as the product specifications of the Thunderbolt-HDMI cable implied it would easily work for my Macbook Air. Many of the forums I have read say there should be an 'Arrangement' tab, but this is not appearing on mine. However, when looking in System Preferences/ Displays, there is no trace of any external screen. When connected to the TV via the Thunderbolt-HDMI cable, a blue screen briefly appears on the Macbook. I tested to see if it was the cable which is the problem by connecting it the Thunderbolt port of a laptop supporting Windows 7 and it worked PERFECTLY on my Samsung television. I have scrolled and read through a VAST amount of forums and so-called 'help pages' on the internet but can't find anything that works for me, however there do seem to be many people with the same or similar problems. I have spent all day trying to get my Macbook Air (OS X 10.8.4) to display on various televisions via a Thunderbolt-HDMI cable, however I am yet to suceed.

Lightning bolt to hdmi