External monitor support

[saulinpa]

Sorry, I didn't mention that the 1280x1440 HiDPI did blank the display which makes sense.

Yes, used the same 5K display for all tests. It is the original non USB-C so can't do that test. How about an old monitor connected via USB-C to DVI adapter? Attached file with 640x480 @ 72 and 75 Hz.

 

[joevt]

Since the Multiport Adapter provides USB 3.0, it means that it only has two lanes of DisplayPort to make a HDMI signal which is enough for 1440p 60Hz 10bpc HBR2 and 4K 60Hz 10bpc HBR3 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 but not possible to do 4:4:4 8bpc for HDMI 594 MHz timing. Even CVT-RB timing 533 MHz might be too much (too close to the 540 MHz limit for HBR3 4:4:4 8bpc?). I don't think the Multiport Adapter does DSC?

Correction: the Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter A2119 does support DSC which can be used to exceed the two lane HBR3 limit. I haven't tested it though. I don't know a method to show what the output pixel format is for M1 Macs - I think I could test the DSC capability with a W5700 connected to an Intel Mac.

I did some testing with my Mac mini 2018 and some DisplayPort to DVI/HDMI adapters at
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ransfers-recommendation.2278473/post-29466205
HDR was not an option with most of them (even a couple that are supposed to support HDR). Do the M1 Macs have different results?

 

[monoah]

Hi,

I have two LG Ultra 5K first gen. monitors and cant get both to work with Mac Mini M1. Tries the Siig HDMI to USB-C adapter but it did not work as well. Can you help me please?

Appreciate it

 

[saulinpa]

Hi,

I have two LG Ultra 5K first gen. monitors and cant get both to work with Mac Mini M1. Tries the Siig HDMI to USB-C adapter but it did not work as well. Can you help me please?

Appreciate it

You are out of luck. The 1st gen LG doesn't support any type of USB-C video. As of now there is no support for dual 5K monitors and since Apple's specs only say the M1 supports a single monitor at 5K there is little hope for any change.

 

[deeddawg]

You are out of luck. The 1st gen LG doesn't support any type of USB-C video. As of now there is no support for dual 5K monitors and since Apple's specs only say the M1 supports a single monitor there is little hope for any change.

Let's not inadvertently give incorrect info.

While the M1 MBA & M1 MBP only support a single external display (unless using displaylink), the M1 Mini supports dual external monitors. See Mac mini (M1, 2020) - Technical specifications (apple.com)

However that doesn't necessarily mean it supports dual 5K displays.

 

[saulinpa]

OK. Text clarified.

And if you are going to quote Apple you should include the caveat that they are still working on the HDMI to DVI support. Otherwise you inadvertently can give some false hope of a Mac mini M1 supporting their configuration.

 

[zappa999]

Hi,
has anyone tried running two LG Ultrafine 5K monitors (at least one of them with USB-C)?
If I understand correctly, one should work natively using either USB-C or TB; the second one using Displaylink and some kind of DP->USB-C adapter.
I am currently running a 27" iMac and one LG UF 27" and would like to replace the iMac with an M1 laptop and another LG 27" UF 5K...
Any thoughts/ experiences/ recommendations?

Christian

 

[petterihiisila]

Hi,
has anyone tried running two LG Ultrafine 5K monitors (at least one of them with USB-C)?
If I understand correctly, one should work natively using either USB-C or TB; the second one using Displaylink and some kind of DP->USB-C adapter.
I am currently running a 27" iMac and one LG UF 27" and would like to replace the iMac with an M1 laptop and another LG 27" UF 5K...
Any thoughts/ experiences/ recommendations?

Christian

I had the same dream, but unfortunately, it doesn't work like that. Ultrafine 5k can only be connected to a TB3 port. Nothing happens from a USB-C port. Also, the M1 will only ever serve one of them at a time. Even a BlackMagic eGPU is a no-go.

I've found a very productive setup with 3 monitors though. Ultrafine 27" 5k in the middle, direct connection. Attached to that is a DisplayLink dock. And to the dock, I've connected two 24" WQHD (2560x1400) monitors, scaled to 2152x1050. These are on both sides of the 5k, like two "side wing" monitors. I've got a stand that has 3 VESA mounts, it stands on one leg. A lot of USB is routed through that single stand and cable. Works great.

So, this means that 1 TB3 cable can connect to all sorts of peripherals and 3 monitors, one of them 5k, and the two others aren't too bad either.

The latest investment was a vertical Brydge Dock. Now it's a drop-in desk setup with no cables to attach. I like it a lot.

 

[joevt]

I had the same dream, but unfortunately, it doesn't work like that. Ultrafine 5k can only be connected to a TB3 port. Nothing happens from a USB-C port. Also, the M1 will only ever serve one of them at a time. Even a BlackMagic eGPU is a no-go.

Apple Silicon Macs don't support eGPUs. They support some PCIe devices, but don't have third party GPU drivers yet.
Only the first LG UltraFine 5K (27MD5KA) requires Thunderbolt. The current LG UltraFine 5K (27MD5KL) can also accept USB-C (DisplayPort 1.2 up to 600 MHz pixel clock: 4K60 or 5K39)
An externally powered Thunderbolt 3 add-in card can be used to convert single or dual DisplayPort (dual is required for 5K60) to Thunderbolt but there are some issues with that.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Hello,

I recently purchased an M1 MBP, a Caldigit TS3+, and a Samsung Odyssey G7.

I cannot get the MBP to recognize that it has a monitor connected to it on the dock via DisplayPort.

I've swapped cables, I've set the monitor to DisplayPort 1.2 (from 1.4), and I've even had Caldigit replace my TS3+.

Any ideas?

I broke out my old, possibly dying HP Omen 27. It was instantly recognized and output to.

 

[jdb8167]

Here is my latest saga around external monitors and my M1 MacBook Air in clamshell mode. Recently, the monitor doesn't turn on after sleep (3 out of the last 5 times). But I can get everything working again by using my Mac Pro to share a screen with the MacBook Air. Then the monitor turns on and I can use my external keyboard and trackpad normally.

As soon as I disconnect the sharing connection, I have about 20 seconds before the monitor goes dark and won't wake again. Repeat as often as I like, the same behavior keeps happening. I have a work around though. There is an undocumented pmset parameter that prevents sleep: sudo pmset -b disablesleep 1. I use this when running in clamshell without a power adapter connected but it solves this problem too. I can disconnect the sharing connection and the monitor stays awake. After a bit of time, I can turn this back off with sudo pmset -b disablesleep 0 and the monitor stays on.

So this shows to me that this problem is purely software. It is amazing to me that this has persisted for months and Apple can't fix it when I can find a relatively simple workaround.

Edit: I just updated my bug report to Apple about this workaround but don't expect much feedback.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

I purchased a USB-C to DP cable and plugged it in to the Thunderbolt (Downstream) port on the back of my TS3+ and now we're up and running.

 

[kattskrall]

Anyone figured out how to add custom hiDPI resolutions for 2k screens with displayLink docks? (looking at dell d6000)

 

[zeypher]

Everyone has their own preferences for docks and displays; but may I submit the most reliable method is still probably what I documented here:

#106

#135

#198

@MK500 Thanks for documenting your experience. I've spent a couple hours now searching for a definitive answer on watching video content requiring HDCP when a DisplayLink hub is connected. Does the setup you describe allow for HDCP video content to play while DisplayLink hub is connected? I found one of your posts saying you just unplug the DisplayLink hub and leave your Apple “USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter” connected to watch HDCP video, but ideally I would like to leave my DisplayLink hub connected.

My setup: 13" M1 Macbook Pro and Targus DOCK190USZ. Everything has been great connecting through a single USB-C -> Targus Dock connection, which outputs to two Dell S2721DGF monitors. When I play video requiring HDCP connection the video is black, but I can hear audio.

Thanks!

 

[melvinchia]

I'm using this USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter (DisplayLink Chipset) with an ordinary USB-C Hub (has it's own HDMI + VGA outputs), and am able to get 2 monitors + built-in display working. I also use the Apple Wireless Keyboard + Apple Wireless Trackpad I used with my MacMini previously, and am able to use my MBP-M1 with the lid closed, everything working as intended, except the unlocking of my MBP with my AppleWatch doesn't work (DisplayLink uses Screen Recording which disables AppleWatch unlocking).

USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter (Display Link Chipset), #CD0029

Connecter 1: USB 3.0 A Male Gold Plated Connecter 2: HDMI A Female Cable: Triple Shielded Cable Length: 15CM (include plug & socket two end) Cable Color: White CableCreation USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter is designed to connect an external monitor/ display to your USB 3.0 enabled Apple ...

www.cablecreation.com

 

[colemac]

Hello,

I just got a new MacBook Air M1 and am looking for the best functioning USB C or Thunderbolt hub with dual hdmi and usb 2.0 and usb 3.0. I also want to close lid like I do on my MacBook Air i5 and then have the dual screens that way.

Would you have some suggestions for hubs and could provide me links? There are numerous ones but want to get the right one.

Thanks for your help,

 

[jido]

You won't be able to use dual HDMI as the MacBook Air M1 supports only one external monitor.

Is it to use with another computer?

 

[petterihiisila]

You won't be able to use dual HDMI as the MacBook Air M1 supports only one external monitor.

Is it to use with another computer?

Not true with the correct hubs. Please read up before announcing ”not possible”.

I’ve got a 5k over TB3 and two WQHDs over HDMI on an M1 Air. It’s been working great for months now. As for the hub etc, check my message history, I’ve been beating this drum for a while already.

 

[jdb8167]

Not true with the correct hubs. Please read up before announcing ”not possible”.

I’ve got a 5k over TB3 and two WQHDs over HDMI on an M1 Air. It’s been working great for months now. As for the hub etc, check my message history, I’ve been beating this drum for a while already.

Then your hub is DisplayLink and it has some serious limitations. The biggest one for most people is no HDCP for protected video. You might want to mention that.

 

[petterihiisila]

Then your hub is DisplayLink and it has some serious limitations. The biggest one for most people is no HDCP for protected video. You might want to mention that.

If there are serious limitations, I've yet to encounter them, coming from a MBP16 5500M + eGPU. As of writing this, using the 5k ext screen, I'm also watching a 4k video on the right from YouTube, and whatever resolution Netflix works at on the left screen. The same 3 ext screens I had with the MBP16. The DisplayLink process is consuming 60% of one core, out of 8 cores.

If Netflix isn't protected with HDCP, what is? All video sources I've ever tried work on all 3 displays. What are the other serious limitations you've experienced? For me DisplayLink is a bit like a flight of a bumblebee: some say it shouldn't float, yet it clearly does, as far as I can tell from personal experience.

There are minor limitations (listed in previous posts), but I've yet to encounter a serious one, using M1+DisplayLink to make a living in a graphics-intensive line of work for many months now. And so it's not true to say "You won't be able to use dual HDMI as the MacBook Air M1 supports only one external monitor" without adding asterisks and color behind that statement.

As for @colemac's question, I've had pretty good luck with a Lenovo Hybrid USB-C/USB-A Dock.

 

[jdb8167]

If there are serious limitations, I've yet to encounter them, coming from a MBP16 5500M + eGPU. As of writing this, using the 5k ext screen, I'm also watching a 4k video on the right from YouTube, and whatever resolution Netflix works at on the left screen. The same 3 ext screens I had with the MBP16. The DisplayLink process is consuming 60% of one core, out of 8 cores.

If Netflix isn't protected with HDCP, what is? All video sources I've ever tried work on all 3 displays. What are the other serious limitations you've experienced? For me DisplayLink is a bit like a flight of a bumblebee: some say it shouldn't float, yet it clearly does, as far as I can tell from personal experience.

There are minor limitations (listed in previous posts), but I've yet to encounter a serious one, using M1+DisplayLink to make a living in a graphics-intensive line of work for many months now. And so it's not true to say "You won't be able to use dual HDMI as the MacBook Air M1 supports only one external monitor" without adding asterisks and color behind that statement.

As for @colemac's question, I've had pretty good luck with a Lenovo Hybrid USB-C/USB-A Dock.

Netflix 4K is almost certainly HDCP protected but since I don’t currently subscribe and I don’t have a DisplayLink hub I can’t verify. Most (all?) DisplayLink hubs are only 4K 30 Hz.

 

[Amethyst1]

Two bad there aren't any non-MST DisplayPort video wall processors/splitters/matrix switchers/video wall controllers/signal switches.

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DualHead2Go Digital SE | External Multi-Display Adapter | Matrox Video

DualHead2Go Digital SE external multi-display adapter adds up to 2 DVI monitors to your computer by connecting to your system's DisplayPort video output.

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TripleHead2Go DP Edition | External Multi-Display Adapter | Matrox Video

The Matrox TripleHead2Go DP Edition external multi-display adapter adds up to three DisplayPort monitors to your laptop or desktop computer.

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Capable of driving four displays from one signal, Q185 is a multi-monitor designed to power any video wall configuration from any HDMI video source.  TAA compliant SKU available.

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FYI

 

[joevt]

https://www.matrox.com/en/video/products/gxm/dualhead2go-series/digital-me
https://www.matrox.com/en/video/products/gxm/dualhead2go-series/digital-se
https://www.matrox.com/en/video/products/gxm/triplehead2go-series/dp-edition
https://www.matrox.com/en/video/products/video-walls/quadhead2go-series/q185-appliance

These are all low-res garbage limited to DisplayPort 1.2 input that are meant for displays that are to be viewed from 20 feet away...
1) two displays: 3840x1200
2) two displays: 2560 x 2048, 3840x1200, 4096 x 1152
3) two or three displays: 3840x1200, 4096 x 1152, 5760 x 1080
4) four displays: 1920x4320, 3840x2160, 7680x1080, 7680x7680?? (with DisplayPort 1.2, 8Kx8K would be limited to 12-14Hz).

They would be sufficient for @Diode's dual 1080P USB-C monitors but he would need to add a couple HDMI to USB-C adapters like the Club-3d CAC-1332.

I would like a modern multi display adapter that does DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3 + DSC 8K120 input with support for HDR so that we can work around Apple's crappy tile display support. It should be able to do stuff like 5K60, 4K144, 8K60 to dual link SST displays.

 

[Amethyst1]

These are all low-res garbage limited to DisplayPort 1.2 input that are meant for displays that are to be viewed from 20 feet away...

They sure are - but anything "better" seems to require MST sadly.

 

[mrgreen4242]

Is there a Thunderbolt dock/port replicator that will support 3440x1440 @ 100hz, or even 75hz? I have a little USB-C port rep that is limited to 50hz and it's unusably laggy.