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HDMI output on 2014 Macbook Pro 13"

estabya

estabya

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 28, 2014
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I have spend the last 45 minutes trying to find a definitive answer to this question, but with no luck.

I have the base model 13" 2014 Macbook Pro. I need to know if the HDMI supports supports 2560x1440 (WQHD) at 60Hz. I know I can use the Thunderbolt with a Mini-DP to DP cable, but I specifically want to know about the HDMI. From what I have found Apple indicates that the HDMI supports 1080p/60Hz, UHD/30Hz, and 4K/24Hz but there is no indicaiton of the refresh rate for WQHD.
 
Apple specifications list, as you say, 3840x2160 30 Hz. If you then cross reference that with the capabilities of each HDMI revision, you will see that the version that brought that capability was 1.4. Thus the machine has HDMI 1.4, and that will quite comfortably do 1440p 60Hz.

Another method would be to calculate the bandwidth required for the two resolutions and refresh rates. You'd arrive at the conclusion that 1440p 60Hz requires less bandwidth than 2160p 30 Hz, and therefore that any standard which supports the latter also does the former.
 
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JTToft said:
Apple specifications list, as you say, 3840x2160 30 Hz. If you then cross reference that with the capabilities of each HDMI revision, you will see that the version that brought that capability was 1.4. Thus the machine has HDMI 1.4, and that will quite comfortably do 1440p 60Hz.

Another method would be to calculate the bandwidth required for the two resolutions and refresh rates. You'd arrive at the conclusion that 1440p 60Hz requires less bandwidth than 2160p 30 Hz, and therefore that any standard which supports the latter also does the former.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input.

I know that it supports the desired resolution and refresh rate in theory, but I am also aware that in the past Apple has implemented software restrictions in OS X concerning video output. For example, I know that some older Macbook Pros could output 1440p under Windows, but not OS X. I was hoping to hear from someone who had actually tried it and knows whether or not it works.
 
estabya said:
Thanks for the input.

I know that it supports the desired resolution and refresh rate in theory, but I am also aware that in the past Apple has implemented software restrictions in OS X concerning video output. For example, I know that some older Macbook Pros could output 1440p under Windows, but not OS X. I was hoping to hear from someone who had actually tried it and knows whether or not it works.
Click to expand...
- I'm sure someone has tried it. But to be perfectly honest, 1440p at 60Hz is a pretty unexotic resolution. I'd be downright staggered if your machine couldn't do it on its HDMI port. Hell, even the rMB does it unproblematically via HDMI (converted through its DP in its USB-C port, it's true). And I'm pretty sure it's been officially supported since the very first MacBook Pro in 2006 with its ancient DVI port.

Also, if they were to restrict it in software, it'd be pretty strange to allow 2160p but not 1440p.
 
JTToft said:
- I'm sure someone has tried it. But to be perfectly honest, 1440p at 60Hz is a pretty unexotic resolution. I'd be downright staggered if your machine couldn't do it on its HDMI port. Hell, even the rMB does it unproblematically via HDMI (converted through its DP in its USB-C port, it's true). And I'm pretty sure it's been officially supported since the very first MacBook Pro in 2006 with its ancient DVI port.

Also, if they were to restrict it in software, it'd be pretty strange to allow 2160p but not 1440p.
Click to expand...

Prepare to be downright staggered. :p

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4021089?tstart=0

Users in that discussion are not able to use 1440p at 60Hz over HDMI on a 2012 MBPr 15"... but only in OSX. It works fine in Windows. This was on Lion though, so I'm hoping this has been fixed since then.

I guess I will just have to try it out if I don't hear from anyone. I'm going to get a screen with HDMI and DP, so worst case I can just use a TB port. I would just prefer to use HDMI so I can keep a second TB device connected. (Neither of my drives have dual TB ports.)
 
estabya said:
Prepare to be downright staggered. :p

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4021089?tstart=0

Users in that discussion are not able to use 1440p at 60Hz over HDMI on a 2012 MBPr 15"... but only in OSX. It works fine in Windows. This was on Lion though, so I'm hoping this has been fixed since then.
Click to expand...
- Thanks for that. Pretty outdated information, though, so I doubt it applies to your more recent machine and the latest OS X. Besides the support of the MBP and OS X, the monitor and the cable used also need to support it (and far from all 1440p monitors actually do), though it does seem some of those users weren't able to get the proper resolution despite having the correct equipment. But it also seems the consensus in the thread is that Mavericks fixed everything.

I still think you're good.
 
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