Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

couleurs

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 2, 2012
15
4
Australia
Long time lurker, first time poster here...

Anyway, I've got a MacBook Pro Retina (2.6/16/256) connected to a Dell U2713HM display via a Mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable running 10.8.2.

Problem:
Each time I boot or reboot the Dell screen stays in sleep mode until I physically push a menu button on the monitor and it wakes up instantly. I have no problems if I put the MBPr to sleep and wake it up, both screens come on fine.

The other issue is that the MBPr seems to be sending the wrong signal to the Dell as the input colour format is YPbPr instead of the usual RGB and it's being identified as a television (?) in system profiler (see screenshots).

Tests:

* Resetting the NVRAM/PRAM - no change
* Resetting SMC - no change
* Resetting the Dell monitor - no change
* Turning off Dell Energy Smart + DDC/CI settings - no change

* OS X 10.8 - no change
* OS x 10.8.1 - no change
* OS X 10.8.2 - no change

* mDP to DVI cable - works fine but resolution is limited to 1920x1200
* mDP to HDMI cable - works fine but resolution is limited to 1920x1080p

Workaround:

I've managed a workaround and confirmed that it's not the mDP to DP cable or Dell monitor by wait for it... installing Windows 7 via Bootcamp. :eek:

After I loaded the necessary drivers from Apple and rebooted both monitors came on fine. Also, after checking the Dell's OSD it verified that a proper RGB signal was being sent while running 2560x1440 just like it should.

Conclusion:

I can't believe 10.8.2 still has bugs like this? I had a 2009 MBP + Dell U2410/U2710 and never had any issues in 10.6 :confused:

Anyone else experience anything like this with their external display? I can't be the only one...
 
Last edited:

macNewbie02

macrumors regular
Mar 4, 2012
185
0
Hey.

I'm thinking about buying the Dell U2713HM as an external display for my rMBP 15'(base model), would you recommend it? Hopefully the issues will be solved for you, I'll keep reading this thread.
Also, can you please link me with the adapter you use to connect it to your rMBP?

Thanks.
 
Last edited:

iLukeJoseph

macrumors 6502
Dec 20, 2011
263
0
Have you tried calling apple or dell yet?

It is a little odd that OSX thinks the Dell is a TV as opposed to a computer monitor. The signal it is sending is not "wrong". As there is nothing "wrong" with YPbPr (it is considered component signal). The difference between that and RGB is YPbPr uses the dynamic range of 16-236 and RGB is 0-255 (but it can be set to 16-236). And no one is not better than the other.

My first step would be calling Dell. Or even searching on the dell forums. You might not be the only one that has ran into it.

I hate to say it, but for better or worse if you want to guarantee compatibility get a Apple display.

Oh and is there a setting in your monitor to "force" a RGB connection?
 

couleurs

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 2, 2012
15
4
Australia
Hey.

I'm thinking about buying the Dell U2713HM as an external display for my rMBP 15'(base model), would you recommend it?

Also, can you please link me with the adapter you use to connect it to your rMBP?

I'd recommend it 110% if it didn't have this issue with the rMBP but if you can put up with it (for now at least) then go for it. I picked mine up for $559 on sale.

I'm using a mDP to DP 1.1 cable from Circuit Assembly: http://estore.circuitassembly.com/p...isplayport-Adapter-Cable.html?setCurrencyId=2

Also ordered a mDP to DP 1.2 cable from Lenovo to see if it'll make any difference: http://shopap.lenovo.com/SEUILibrar...A63430D1FC3BB&hide_menu_area=yes#.UJXfYGlraGo

I'll update this thread once it arrives.
 

macNewbie02

macrumors regular
Mar 4, 2012
185
0
I'd recommend it 110% if it didn't have this issue with the rMBP but if you can put up with it (for now at least) then go for it. I picked mine up for $559 on sale.

I'm using a mDP to DP 1.1 cable from Circuit Assembly: http://estore.circuitassembly.com/p...isplayport-Adapter-Cable.html?setCurrencyId=2

Also ordered a mDP to DP 1.2 cable from Lenovo to see if it'll make any difference: http://shopap.lenovo.com/SEUILibrar...A63430D1FC3BB&hide_menu_area=yes#.UJXfYGlraGo

I'll update this thread once it arrives.

Hey, and thank you very much for your input! I'm glad you like it and I really hope you resolve your issues with it - I'm sure going to look forward hearing your journey.

Also, I'd like to ask you, if you read Anandtech's review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6308/dell-u2713hm-unbeatable-performance-out-of-the-box

He also praised the display.

In his review, however, he also talks about something which I think you might read, here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6308/dell-u2713hm-unbeatable-performance-out-of-the-box/3

"When testing the Dell U2713HM my standard way, using a 2010 Macbook Air, my initial performance numbers were not very good at all. Some investigation found that on the MacBook Air when using DisplayPort sends YCbCr color information instead of RGB color information, and so I was getting worse results. ..." - Keep on reading as I think you described this problem too.
 

couleurs

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 2, 2012
15
4
Australia
It is a little odd that OSX thinks the Dell is a TV as opposed to a computer monitor. The signal it is sending is not "wrong". As there is nothing "wrong" with YPbPr (it is considered component signal).

I think it's using YPbPr because OS X thinks it's a TV not a monitor otherwise it would default to RGB? Both of my old U2410/U2710's always ran an RGB signal unless I forced YPbPr/Component.

I've tried forcing RGB on the U2713 and all it does is turn the entire screen green and pink :(

My first step would be calling Dell. Or even searching on the dell forums. You might not be the only one that has ran into it.

I hate to say it, but for better or worse if you want to guarantee compatibility get a Apple display.

Yep, I've tried contacting both Apple and Dell. Apple says talk to Dell and Dell says talk to Apple.

I did come across other forums that mention the exact same issue:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4131661?start=0&tstart=0
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/peripherals/f/3529/t/19418573.aspx

I'd spend the extra cash to get an Apple Thunderbolt Display but as they're soon to be updated so there's no point. Also, I need the extra USB 3.0 ports as I've just upgraded my external storage from FW800.

I think it's either a Thunderbolt/Nvidia driver issue (or both?) considering the above forum posts. It seems it's not MBPr specific either, rather a problem with Thunderbolt Macs.

Plus, everything works fine in Windows 7 which is pretty ironic...
 

couleurs

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 2, 2012
15
4
Australia
Hey, and thank you very much for your input! I'm glad you like it and I really hope you resolve your issues with it

No problem!

I'll update when I get that mDP to DP 1.2 cable from Lenovo to see if it makes any difference but I doubt it will.

"... using a MacBook Air when using DisplayPort sends YCbCr color information instead of RGB color information" - Keep on reading as I think you described this problem too

Good catch with Anandtech's review.

Anand goes further and says:

"Using a StarTech MiniDP to DVI adapter let me drive the Dell at full resolution but in the RGB colorspace. This issue didn’t happen with an ATI or NVIDIA card, so I have to think it was something specific to the MacBook. When using this display, make sure to check the video signal format, as it handles RGB much better."

Could it just be a Thunderbolt issue rather than anything to do with the GPU?
 

rev.b

macrumors regular
May 1, 2009
232
0
Portugal
That's odd, as I have a Dell U2711 also connected by a mini-DP to DP cable and it works just fine. But it's a 17" MBP with Radeon 6570M.

If it works fine in windows, I'm guessing Nvidia OS X drivers are to blame.

PS: a workaround would be getting a mini-display port to Dual-DVI adapter.
 

iLukeJoseph

macrumors 6502
Dec 20, 2011
263
0
I think it's using YPbPr because OS X thinks it's a TV not a monitor otherwise it would default to RGB? Both of my old U2410/U2710's always ran an RGB signal unless I forced YPbPr/Component.

I've tried forcing RGB on the U2713 and all it does is turn the entire screen green and pink :(

That's exactly why it is using the component colorspace. And if you are seeing green/pink when forced, OSX is ONLY seeing it as a TV. I was hoping when you force your monitor to RGB, OSX might re-sync to RGB.

Looks like your monitor does have dual link DVI so get a adapter and that should take care of it.
 

couleurs

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 2, 2012
15
4
Australia
That's odd, as I have a Dell U2711 also connected by a mini-DP to DP cable and it works just fine. But it's a 17" MBP with Radeon 6570M.

If it works fine in windows, I'm guessing Nvidia OS X drivers are to blame.

PS: a workaround would be getting a mini-display port to Dual-DVI adapter.

Weird. Thanks for that.

It looks like Nvidia drivers are to blame after all since you're not having any issues with an ATI GPU + Thunderbolt.

Why can't we update graphics drivers ourselves instead of having to rely on Apple?

Nvidia even supply Unix v304.60 drivers which are only slightly behind Windows v306.97 drivers yet OS X 10.8.2 is still using older 295.30 drivers...

Also, a m-DP to Dual-Link DVI adapter is $120 here :(
 

couleurs

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 2, 2012
15
4
Australia
Last edited:

macNewbie02

macrumors regular
Mar 4, 2012
185
0
That's odd, as I have a Dell U2711 also connected by a mini-DP to DP cable and it works just fine. But it's a 17" MBP with Radeon 6570M.

If it works fine in windows, I'm guessing Nvidia OS X drivers are to blame.

PS: a workaround would be getting a mini-display port to Dual-DVI adapter.

Hey,

Why would getting a mini-display port to Dual-DVI adapter help in this situation?

Also I don't understand why he can't use the integrated 4000HD graphics card?
 

couleurs

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 2, 2012
15
4
Australia
Update:

I've tried installing the new Nvidia 304.10 driver manually with some success. It fixes the wake (from boot/reboot) issue but I'm still not getting an RGB signal.

Why would getting a mini-display port to Dual-DVI adapter help in this situation?

Also I don't understand why he can't use the integrated 4000HD graphics card?

A mDP to D-DVI adapter converts the mDP signal to a "standard" DVI (1980x1080) or D-DVI (2560x1600) signal so the monitor thinks it's just connected by DVI and avoids Thunderbolt/MiniDisplayPort altogether.

* http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter?fnode=53
* http://www.kanexlive.com/c30

Also, the integrated Intel GPU turns off as soon as you connect an external monitor. I don't think it could handle 2880x1800 and (up to) 2560x1600 at the same time.
 
Last edited:

macNewbie02

macrumors regular
Mar 4, 2012
185
0
Update:

I've tried installing the new Nvidia 304.10 driver manually with some success. It fixes the wake (from boot/reboot) issue but I'm still not getting an RGB signal.



A mDP to D-DVI adapter converts the mDP signal to a "standard" DVI (1980x1080) or D-DVI (2560x1600) signal so the monitor thinks it's just connected by DVI and avoids Thunderbolt/MiniDisplayPort altogether.

* http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter?fnode=53
* http://www.kanexlive.com/c30

Also, the integrated Intel GPU turns off as soon as you connect an external monitor. I don't think it could handle 2880x1800 and (up to) 2560x1600 at the same time.

Thanks! :)

OK, so let me get this:

Theoretically, if I'd want to buy this monitor and to have no issues at all - I simply need to:

1. buy the monitor
2. buy the mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter from Apple
3. connect the the DVI cable included with the monitor to the mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-adapter
4. connect it to the rMBP to the Thunderbolt plug and also connect the USB as well

am I correct?
 

macNewbie02

macrumors regular
Mar 4, 2012
185
0
Yep!

Personally, I would get the Kanex adapter (http://www.kanexlive.com/c30) or the Monoprice adapter (http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=6904&seq=1&format=2) as they have much better feedback from users than the official Apple adapter which seems to have a lot of problems with flickering/resolution/etc.

Thanks man :)

I'm not sure which monitor I'll buy in the end. I'm torn between cheap 24 Inch (like the Dell 2412M) and waiting for the next version of the ATD or buying now this monitor.
 

macNewbie02

macrumors regular
Mar 4, 2012
185
0
Thanks man :)

I'm not sure which monitor I'll buy in the end. I'm torn between cheap 24 Inch (like the Dell 2412M) and waiting for the next version of the ATD or buying now this monitor.

OK, quick update: I decided and bought the Dell 2412M.
 

mthq

macrumors newbie
Oct 26, 2010
9
0
Hi guys

I have similar issue with my MBA 13" 2012 - mainly display sleep.

2 weeks ago I had U2410 and was using mDP to VGA that supported 1900x1200 display sleep worked as ie should. Didn't like the anti-glare so exchanged it for u2713HM.

Now 2713 on the same cable the screen dosen't go to sleep but freezes with "paused" screen saver. Screen saver goes 3min then display sleep should be 7min. On MBA all works good.

Now got the mDP to DP cable and got full resolution but the problem didn't go away - still MBA screen goes to sleep and on Dell it freezes up on screen saver

Thats a serious issue for me and would appreciate any help.
 

couleurs

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 2, 2012
15
4
Australia
I have similar issue with my MBA 13" 2012 - mainly display sleep.

Thats a serious issue for me and would appreciate any help.

This procedure fixed my sleep/wake issues:

1. Run a software update or download the new Macbook Air/Macbook Pro 2.0 update: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1609
2. Unplug your monitor and do a PRAM reset: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
3. Plug in the monitor once the Macbook has booted to the desktop
4. Reset monitor settings via OSD
5. Restart

Hope this helps :)
 
Last edited:

couleurs

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 2, 2012
15
4
Australia
Update:

I received a DisplayPort 1.2 cable from Lenovo and there's no difference from the 1.1 cable I was using before.

Still hoping Apple sorts out the input colour format issue (YPbPr/RGB) in 10.8.3! Otherwise everything works fine now.

Where did you get it from for $559?

I got it from Dell online. They usually have a 30% off sale every few weeks.
 

mthq

macrumors newbie
Oct 26, 2010
9
0
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.