Does Macbook Air M1 support 10bit video output via DP altmode (USB-C)

[imp3rator]

Does Macbook Air M1 support output 10bit color output via USB-C (or DP altmode) ?

I use a usb-c to displayport 1.2 cable

This article (probably only one) doesn't proof anything https://singhkays.com/blog/apple-silicon-m1-hdr-10bit-billion-colors/

Because HDR checked in settings doesn't mean 10bit output.
ProResX shows output "billion of colors" on my 8bit philips LCD as well
And I have quite smooth grading in test 10 bit picture from that article...

Apple didn't put any info about colors in M1 Air and M1 Macbook Pro specs... only output billions of colors in Macbook Pro 14" M1 Pro and support "billions of colors" for Macbook Pro with Intel... and info about "millions" of colors in Air 2019....

And in article setup he use

• 2020 Mac Mini M1 connected through a HDMI cable

But HDMI 2.0 can't use full 4k60hz 4:4:4 10bits...

Does someone have 30bits in system information like in attached screenshot in M1 Air or M1 Pro connected via usb-c - displayport or usb-c to usb-c via displayport alt mode...or connected to thunderbolt 3 display ?

And for someone who has "30bits" in system information - no matter if have intel or m1 - do you have 30 bits everytime or only if you use 10bit image, or app with open 10bit image or video... ?

 

[joevt]

I believe macOS doesn't do HDR unless it's 10bpc.

The 30-bit description you see in the screenshot only refers to the framebuffer pixel depth. I don't know of anywhere in macOS that shows the output pixel depth except the AGDCDiagnose command on Intel Macs (doesn't work on M1 Macs).

Is there a difference in the output of ioreg -fliw0 > ioregtest.txt between HDR and non-HDR mode? Any differences might lead to an indicator of the pixel depth.

 

[imp3rator]

I believe macOS doesn't do HDR unless it's 10bpc.

Play HDR video on Mac - Apple Support

Support for high dynamic range (HDR) video, such as HDR movies and TV shows from Apple or other providers, requires the latest version of macOS, a compatible Mac model, and an HDR10-compatible display, TV, or projector.

support.apple.com

Ok so we can expect that HDR content can be played on HDR10 device / monitor in 10bits...

But what about image in 10-bit pallete ? Preview in MacOS does support 10-bit colors. Can someone try to open that file / picture on 8bit and 10bit (8bit+frc) display if you see a difference ?
Or If you put 10bit picture as a wallpaper ?

10 Bit Output Support | Image Science

What 10 bit video output is, why it matters and how to get it working.

imagescience.com.au

Direct download file : 10 Bit Test Ramp Test file to confirm if you have a successfully working 10 bit video system.

I tried it on Philips Philips 288E2A 4K 10bit monitor with usb-c to display port cable...but gradient was not smooth as I expected...(it was same as my 8bit philips monitor) I would try 10bit display in Windows but Intel UHD 620 probably won't support 10bit output via usb-c (yoga notebook)

 

[StoneJack]

MBA display can't show HDR but the processor can output HDR image to HDR compliant monitor over DP or HDMI.

 

[imp3rator]

I just want to know If I can use a "10bit (8bit+FRC)" colors on monitor (Or If it is advantage if I buy a new one) Or should I care more about wider gamut ? (e.g. 95-98% P3)