Using HDMI rather than USB C - any visual downsides ?

[deckard666]

I currently have one of my usb c plugged into my 4k Lenovo monitor which then acts as a hub for more usb stuff but i was thinking of using the HDMI out and freeing a usb c port - besides losing the hub is there any downside to the display for this - my 4k only runs at 60hz 4k anyway...

 

[meson]

I can't say that I noticed any visible difference on my LG 32" 4k when experimenting with hdmi and DisplayPort connections with my M1 mini. The one notable difference was that connecting via DisplayPort over usb c offered more options for scaled resolutions.

That said, Apple's implementation of hdmi can be kind of flaky. Users have reported some strange screen behaviors with hdmi connections, often resolved with switching to a usb c connection. However, I also think some of the bugs have been worked out through OS updates as well, because there are far fewer complaint threads popping up these days.

Give it a try for a few days and trust your own eyes.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you get the display resolution and refresh rate that you want, I doubt there will be any "visual discrepancies" between USBc and HDMI. Be aware that there's such a wide range of speed/quality variations in HDMI cables, one cable might be better than another.

For 4k, try what you have and see if it works.
If I had to buy a replacement, I'd be looking for "high-speed, HDMI 2.0".

Perhaps others will comment based on personal experience.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think USB-C uses DisplayPort protocol.

So visually there should be no difference. Personally, I never seen a difference between HDMI, Display Port, or USB-C.

Capabilities like Refresh Rate, HDR, Dolby Vision, Audio, and etc, is a differ story.

 

[joevt]

Does your display support 10bpc or HDR? HDR requires 10bpc.

HDMI 2.0 cannot do 4K60 at 10bpc without switching to chroma sub sampling 4:2:2 or 4:2:0.

DisplayPort 1.2 can do 4K60 at 10bpc up to 576 MHz. 4K60 for HDMI is usually 594 MHz so you need to make sure the display is not using an HDMI timing.

 

[Bazza1]

It's a 'known issue' at Apple Support / Apple Communities, but there are cases where connectivity to a monitor (brand doesn't seem to matter) via the Mini's HDMI may result in screen randomly going to black then (eventually) restoring. Nothing to do with either monitor or OS's screen settings.

I fell victim to that myself, and the workaround is using one of the Mini's USB-C ports. Problem resolved immediately. It was a pity to lose that port, but I have a powered hub to accommodate the loss.

 

[leifp]

Personally, I try to connect my Macs principally or solely with DisplayPort over USB-C. Every issue I have ever encountered on displays is from HDMI. (There aren’t many and most are little more than niggles, but I have them with HDMI and don’t have them with DisplayPort so…)

pet peeve: USB-C is a descriptor of the physical port, not of its capabilities. You can have USB2.0 and up, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort and more using USB-C connectors… the capabilities of the cables and of the protocols matters. Heck, you can even have power delivery only, no data, via USB-C… PEBKAC to the fore thanks to a non-universal universal…