Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

HEADS UP TO 4K DISPLAY USERS

F

fate0311

Suspended
Original poster
Dec 31, 2015
548
451
If you plugging an HDMI cable into an Apple dongle you will NOT achieve 4K @ 60HZ.

You either need a display that has USB-C or you need to purchase a Display Port->USB cable to plug directly into MBP.

HDMI will only give you 30HZ.

edit** If a display is HDMI 2.0 supportive.....I think this is the exception. Can anyone confirm if the display supports HDMI 2.0 then you can infact utilize a HDMI cord straight into an Apple dongle and achieve 60hz?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: AlanShutko
Brookzy said:
The Apple dongle lists a 30Hz limitation in its specs.
Click to expand...

Why the hell would they bottleneck the dongle?

So no one is able to run 60hz unless they purchase a third party HDMI to USB-C cable. This of course under the situation that your display does not have an actual USB-C port.

I think that is BS.
 
fate0311 said:
Why the hell would they bottleneck the dongle?

So no one is able to run 60hz unless they purchase a third party HDMI to USB-C cable. This of course under the situation that your display does not have an actual USB-C port.

I think that is BS.
Click to expand...
You're not the first person to ask...

USB-C does not have enough bandwidth for 4K at 60Hz and USB 3 Gen 1.

Apple decided to include a USB 3 port so it had to be 30Hz.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlanShutko
Brookzy said:
You're not the first person to ask...

USB-C does not have enough bandwidth for 4K at 60Hz and USB 3 Gen 1.

Apple decided to include a USB 3 port so it had to be 30Hz.
Click to expand...

They should have provided a dedicated dongle for a HDMI 2.0 knowing a lot of manufacturers do not offer USB-C compliant displays yet.

Another way for Apple to corner people into buying LG's top tier displays they have been advertising.
 
fate0311 said:
They should have provided a dedicated dongle for a HDMI 2.0 knowing a lot of manufacturers do not offer USB-C compliant displays yet.
Click to expand...

Or, they should make a Thunderbolt 3 version, which has enough bandwidth for USB 3 and HDMI 2 at the same time.
 
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-usb-type-c-to-hdmi-adapter-white/4480802.p?skuId=4480802

I don't see the exact verbatim, but does this support HDMI 2.0?

This is a normally carried in stock adapter from Insignia at Best Buy...I can't find if it supports 60hz though. This could be a work around without having to order something online.

Can someone look into this for me? I searched a bit but could not find any more information that what is already shows on the Best Buy site.
 
“This adapter [USB-C-Digital-AV-Multiport] allows you to mirror your MacBook or MacBook Pro display to your HDMI-enabled TV or display in up to 1080p at 60Hz or UHD (3840 by 2160) at 30Hz.”

What about a 1920 x 1200 display? 60Hz, 30Hz or other (is that even possible)?
 
tomviolence said:
“This adapter [USB-C-Digital-AV-Multiport] allows you to mirror your MacBook or MacBook Pro display to your HDMI-enabled TV or display in up to 1080p at 60Hz or UHD (3840 by 2160) at 30Hz.”

What about a 1920 x 1200 display? 60Hz, 30Hz or other (is that even possible)?
Click to expand...
This article makes it sound like it will do 1920 x 1200 at 60Hz because it considers that "1080p".
The HDMI port on this adapter supports the following:
  • TVs, displays, and projectors that you connect via HDMI
  • HDMI 1.4b
  • 720p and 1080p HDTVs, projectors, and displays at up to 1920 x 1200 resolution
  • 4K Ultra-HD TVs and displays with the following resolutions (learn more):
    • 3840 x 2160 at 30Hz
    • 4096 x 2160 at 24Hz
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: tomviolence
is 30hz a big noticeable diff from 60?

What differences will I see if I'm not a heavy user such as a gamer?


Does 30hz vs 60hz change how sharp text is?
 
What about an ultrawide monitor (3440x1440) that supports HDMI 2.0? Will the dongle be able to push 60hz?
 
fate0311 said:
is 30hz a big noticeable diff from 60?

What differences will I see if I'm not a heavy user such as a gamer?


Does 30hz vs 60hz change how sharp text is?
Click to expand...
It may appear a bit stuttery when you do things like move windows around the screen.

But for comparison, most TV material you watch is playing at under 30Hz (i.e. under 30 frames per second). So you wouldn't notice when watching a movie for example.

It will not affect how sharp the text is.
[doublepost=1480459291][/doublepost]
jiffry1017 said:
What about an ultrawide monitor (3440x1440) that supports HDMI 2.0? Will the dongle be able to push 60hz?
Click to expand...
No. It will only do 60Hz at up to 1920 x 1200.
 
fate0311 said:
Why the hell would they bottleneck the dongle?

So no one is able to run 60hz unless they purchase a third party HDMI to USB-C cable. This of course under the situation that your display does not have an actual USB-C port.

I think that is BS.
Click to expand...

I've used a Club3D adapter for thunderbolt to HDMI, going from a 4K iMac to a 4K TV. It worked at 4K/60Hz in Windows only. So it was a Mac OS issue.

They do make an adapter for usb-c to HDMI. Could try that.
 
nevermind **** Apple. POS.

****ing unusable laptop is going back.
[doublepost=1480460340][/doublepost]Not to mention my "C" key double strokes 3/4 time I use it...always have to fix spelling errors. ****ing POS.

****ing thing is going back.

Piece of ****.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: trifid
fate0311 said:
nevermind **** Apple. POS.

****ing unusable laptop is going back.
[doublepost=1480460340][/doublepost]Not to mention my "C" key double strokes 3/4 time I use it...always have to fix spelling errors. ****ing POS.

****ing thing is going back.

Piece of ****.
Click to expand...
Tell us how you really feel :eek:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Macintosh IIcx
trifid said:
30hz is 100% unusable, don't even try it, it's stutter-hell
Click to expand...

I agree with this. We've got a few people at work who were using 4k monitors over HDMI and getting 30 Hz, and they were going crazy. Switching to DisplayPort and they're happy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: trifid
I have the Apple HDMI adapter which I've used with my 12" MacBook as a temporary solution with my Dell P2715Q. 1080p @ 30Hz is a waste of the display.

I need a DP-USB C cable for my tbMBP which I can't seem to find for a reasonable price. Might rather ditch the display altogether and start saving for the Ultrafine, because the display on the 15" tbMBP is already very usable and I hate having to have multiple cables running over my desk - the only way you can use the Touch Bar is by having the laptop in front of the monitor.
 
sunapple said:
I have the Apple HDMI adapter which I've used with my 12" MacBook as a temporary solution with my Dell P2715Q. 1080p @ 30Hz is a waste of the display.

I need a DP-USB C cable for my tbMBP which I can't seem to find for a reasonable price. Might rather ditch the display altogether and start saving for the Ultrafine, because the display on the 15" tbMBP is already very usable and I hate having to have multiple cables running over my desk - the only way you can use the Touch Bar is by having the laptop in front of the monitor.
Click to expand...
I just ordered this as it stated it was compatible with the 2016 MBP, and one of the reviews specifically mentions the compatibility versus the HDMI-USB C dongle. Unfortunately all my stuff is coming early next week, so I won't be able to test it until then-- but this dongle was fairly inexpensive relative to the others I was looking at.

DP-USB C: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K51GM46/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
S
fate0311 said:
nevermind **** Apple. POS.

****ing unusable laptop is going back.
[doublepost=1480460340][/doublepost]Not to mention my "C" key double strokes 3/4 time I use it...always have to fix spelling errors. ****ing POS.

****ing thing is going back.

Piece of ****.
Click to expand...
Someone's got their panties in a bunch.
 
Thanks for that cable tip Mxbzz. I wonder which one of these would be a better fit and actually provide the full 4K resolution:

1) https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...keywords=thunderbolt+cable+to+display+port+4k
a) Looks like this should work.
b)
31yhLpt33sL._SS40_.jpg


2) https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...ords=thunderbolt+cable+to+mini+displayport+4k
a) I am unsure if this is TB2 compatible
b)
41CO-UBGjZL._SS40_.jpg


3) As a last resort, I could go for this one but only if I had to:
a) https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...ords=thunderbolt+cable+to+mini+displayport+4k
b)
41szPUEv2kL._SS40_.jpg
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
willgreene99 said:
Thanks for that cable tip Mxbzz. I wonder which one of these would be a better fit and actually provide the full 4K resolution:

1) https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...keywords=thunderbolt+cable+to+display+port+4k
a) Looks like this should work.
b)
31yhLpt33sL._SS40_.jpg


2) https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...ords=thunderbolt+cable+to+mini+displayport+4k
a) I am unsure if this is TB2 compatible
b)
41CO-UBGjZL._SS40_.jpg


3) As a last resort, I could go for this one but only if I had to:
a) https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...ords=thunderbolt+cable+to+mini+displayport+4k
b)
41szPUEv2kL._SS40_.jpg
Click to expand...

I believe you need an active adaptor like the one I posted above and another member, not just cables if you wanna go hdmi 2.0
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back