Apple Studio Display on the mini M2's HDMI?

[Cham2000]

I'm wondering if it's a good idea to hook the Studio Display on the HDMI port of the new mini M2 (instead of a Thunderbolt port), just to save one Thunderbolt (the mini M2 has only two TB4). Is there any "price" to pay by doing this? I guess we'll have to use an adapter, since the display has a standard TB cable? Will there be a video hit or something else (lower refresh rate? Lower resolution? ...), by using the HDMI port instead of one TB port?

 

[BeatCrazy]

You're in for a hard ride.

There's several folks around here trying to use active HDMI to USB-C converters to get an image for the Studio Display. Since the 'input' for the ASD needs to be DisplayPort, getting a DP from HDMI, and converted into USB-C has been a challenge.

I tried with a Club 3D CAC-1336, which should have worked, but didn't.

Native DP outputs (typically from PCs) are much easier.

 

[Cham2000]

You're in for a hard ride.
...

So you say that it isn't a good idea to use the HDMI, and isn't worth it just to save one TB port, is that it?

 

[BeatCrazy]

So you say that it isn't a good idea to use the HDMI, and isn't worth it just to save one TB port, is that it?

Correct.

If you get HDMI to Apple Studio Display to work (with only an adapter), you might be the first person to report success.

If you really need more TB ports, add on a TB4 hub for ~$150.

 

[Cham2000]

Correct.

If you get HDMI to Apple Studio Display to work (with only an adapter), you might be the first person to report success.

If you really need more TB ports, add on a TB4 hub for ~$150.

Ok, this clearly answer my question and close the subject.

Do you have a good quality hub for the mini, that is TB4?

 

[BeatCrazy]

Ok, this clearly answer my question and close the subject.

Do you have a good quality hub for the mini, that is TB4?

I personally use the CalDigit Element Hub: thunderbolt-4-element-hub

Anker and others have cheaper versions, but the CalDigit has been rock solid for me. Can't speak to others.

 

[gazwas]

Using HDMI (if you found a solution) would loose USB-C on the display.

Using a thunderbolt connection to the Studio Display it becomes a big hub, then use the three ports on the screen.

 

[Cham2000]

Using HDMI (if you found a solution) would loose USB-C on the display.

OUCH! This is really bad! Thanks in noticing this! This definitely kills the idea from the start!