So those guys from the beginning and with Dell U2720Q. What is actually your connection type? YPbPr is usually a result of connection via HDMI, while RGB is DP’s area. I plan to switch to Mac mini M1, but not any time soon and I was confused with this post.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Anyone have a monitor that can run in RGB color mode with Mac Mini M1?
- Thread starter jelu77
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Neat, I hadn't actually come across that one in my research. It has basically the same specs as my U3219Q so I wonder if it's a different panel.
It does seem a bit risky for me to purchase based on how Mac OS happens to work now, if this area is as buggy as it seems who's to say it'll keep working with future updates.
@aednichols
If I remember correctly the Panel is the same as the „LG 32ud99“ which was rated pretty good.
BUT a warning: MacOS on my M1 Mini does not give me all the scaling options as with my intel MPB - especially if it is connected over hdmi. But the monitor itself is really really great.
If I remember correctly the Panel is the same as the „LG 32ud99“ which was rated pretty good.
BUT a warning: MacOS on my M1 Mini does not give me all the scaling options as with my intel MPB - especially if it is connected over hdmi. But the monitor itself is really really great.
I have tried:
- USB-C to DP
- USB C to USC C
- TB3 to TB3
- HDMI to HDMI
Same result = YPbPr
My Dell U2717D looks great and is in YPbPr mode according to its OSD.
Displayport connection via Caldigit TS3+.
Not really sure what problem is needing to be solved?
I did adjust font smoothing, as I've to with prior macOS versions. See https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/disable-font-smoothing-in-macos-big-sur/
Displayport connection via Caldigit TS3+.
Not really sure what problem is needing to be solved?
I did adjust font smoothing, as I've to with prior macOS versions. See https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/disable-font-smoothing-in-macos-big-sur/
I'm almost in the same boat but with iPad Pro 11 2018 so far (do not have Mini M1 yet). Today's both test connections via USB-C > HDMI 2.0 and directly USB-C > USB-C gave the same result — YPbPr. Frankly, I see here just a nominal issue. I've been working on Dell U2718Q for 3 years via USB-C > HDMI 2.0 cable and did not have any issues with colors besides Dell was a bit warmer than the built-in MBP display. As well as I did not have a reason to complain about the font aliasing. Now U2720Q was managed in terms of color and I'm pretty happy with it. But I'll keep in mind during the upgrade to something M1-based.
The problem is that analog YpbPr is not the optimal signal for a PC monitor. Even if it looks ok, USB C RGB signal (Displayport) will look better.
I don’t know why Mac Mini M1 (and other apple computers) read some monitors as TV’s, and send YpbPr to the monitor, especially for Dell it seems to default to this despite Dell support RGB 4:4:4 as well, explained in below link.
https://spin.atomicobject.com/2018/08/24/macbook-pro-external-monitor-display-problem/
From Dell monitor manual:
Input Color Format. Allows you to set the video input mode to:
• RGB: Select this option if your monitor is connected to a computer (or media player) using the USB Type-C, DisplayPort, or HDMI cable.
• YPbPr: Select this option if your media player supports only YPbPr output.
Consensus seems to be that RGB is the best signal for a computer monitor, I don’t know how much better it would be vs YpbPr on my Dell U2720Q since I can’t get RGB to work. But I would like to know and would like to have the option to try. It should be a simple fix for Apple to have a switch in display settings to select either RGB or YpbPr output, same as Nvidia and AMD. This issue has been going on for more than 10 years with Mac computers and external monitors, users have made scripts (which no longer work for M1) to fix this problem. Should not have to be like that.
Here is another discussion: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...play-fuzzy-fonts-colors-ypbpr-vs-rgb.2276345/
The YPbPr color space was designed for analog hardware, but continues to exist in digital hardware for backwards compatibility.
My problematic Dell display (which I’m returning) states in the manual that YPbPr is suitable for use with DVD players that do not support RGB.
Different displays handle signal processing differently. Reports on this forum range from “YPbPr looks great” to “YPbPr is unusable”.
I don’t think that’s down to individual preference, people who post on a forum about their display are probably pretty discerning.
If you’re happy with your setup, that is great and you can ignore us complainers
I’m curious why you don’t consider to return your Mac? Do you have issues with M1? Because I don’t have any of them with my U2720Q. Though I don’t have anything with M1.
It's not clear to me whether Dell, Apple, or both are technically at fault. Ultimately it doesn't matter, because the setup doesn't do what I want. I do feel kind of bad shipping an enormous display back halfway across the country, though.
Even if I exchanged my M1 Air for an Intel Mac, the display still requires the unofficial EDID workaround - which could break with a future Mac OS update. Arguably, it already broke in Big Sur on Apple Silicon.
Also, my work MacBook Pro is due for a refresh next year and I won't have a choice, it will almost certainly be Apple Silicon.
Why? U3219Q is not so far from U2720Q. I suppose it should work with Intel Mac and RGB out of the box as U2720Q does. I didn't use any scripts to manage EDID.
Performance on Intel Macs is not relevant to me, because I expect not to have any left in use by the end of 2021.
My point is not in Intel Mac. M1 is the main issue here so far. So why return the display.
After experiencing an M1, I'm never buying an Intel Mac again. I don't care what is "technically" at fault.
I agree with you and my target of the upgrade is also Apple Silicon based solution but I have a time ahead. Maybe everybody has to wait until it will be fixed on Apple side and has to submit the issue directly to Apple Support. But not to jump among monitors available on the market. Of course some of them TB3-based would be better but as far as I know the choice of them is not so numerous.
@deeddawg - this is good to know. Would it be possible to connect using a regular dongle instead of the Caldigit (if one is handily available?) and update if display quality remains the same?
In general, if you work with text (and excel) for long durations, are you comfortable with the overall experience? I am new to Macs (bought a M1 Air), but I am told that some recent intel ones also had the YPbPr issue, which was solvable through a EDID patch.
I guess YPbPr display quality differs from monitor to monitor
Thanks!
In general, if you work with text (and excel) for long durations, are you comfortable with the overall experience? I am new to Macs (bought a M1 Air), but I am told that some recent intel ones also had the YPbPr issue, which was solvable through a EDID patch.
I guess YPbPr display quality differs from monitor to monitor
Thanks!
Your lucky day, I happened to know where my direct USBC to Displayport cable was sitting.
No apparent difference to my eye. Snapped a couple handheld phone photos that may be helpful. One using the direct cable and one using the TS3+. Both are Displayport and I verified YPbPr via OSD. Note - any color differences would be due to autowhitebalance; the monitor was visually identical whichever way I had it connected.
Although I don't use Excel on this monitor, I do lots of text based stuff (web / email / etc) and it's been perfectly fine.
Note - I've adjusted my font smoothing as mentioned before, and I've also tweaked the "sharpness" setting in the monitor's OSD controls. 50% seems to be the sweet spot.
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I have a Dell U2518D monitor and it works really well with my 2018 Mac Mini (RGB patch) and Windows 10 work laptop. Really sharp, and great colors.
With M1 Mac Mini, the difference is noticeable. The colors feel a bit off and fonts are definitely fuzzier. I also tried Big Sur on my 2018 Mac Mini (with RGB fix) and felt it was better.
I have not heard back from Apple regarding an Override file to detect this monitor in RGB mode.
With the help from n0dragon in this thread: M1 Mac External Display - Fuzzy Fonts & Colors - YPBPR vs RGB I managed to get my M1 Mini into RGB mode, all I did was to activate Smart HDR in the OSD menu and rebooted. HDR switch must have triggered something making the Mac Mini think the Dell U2720Q it is a monitor and not a TV……..useful info for all Dell U2720Q owners, and yes it does look better.....