Hyper's Latest Hubs Let You Connect Two 4K Displays to an M1 MacBook Using a Single Port

[MacRumors]

Hyper today announced the release of two new HyperDrive hubs that allow M1 models of the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro to connect to two 4K displays over HDMI in a plug-and-play manner with no drivers required.

There is a 3-in-1 version of the hub with two HDMI ports and a USB-C Power Delivery port for up to 100W of pass-through charging, and a 10-in-1 version of the hub that offers those same ports with the addition of another USB-C port, two USB-A ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, microSD and SD card slots, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Hyper says both hubs deliver dual 4K HDMI video output over a single USB-C connection to M1 MacBook models by using a combination of both DisplayPort Alt Mode and SiliconMotion InstantView plug-and-play video technology. After connecting the hub to the Mac, users must open the HyperDisplay app that appears on the desktop.

Keep in mind that on both of the hubs, one HDMI port supports 60Hz and the other is limited to 30Hz, which may be a dealbreaker for some users.

The 3-in-1 hub is priced at $129.99 in the United States and is available on Hyper's website, while the 10-in-1 hub runs for $199.99.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Hyper. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: Hyper's Latest Hubs Let You Connect Two 4K Displays to an M1 MacBook Using a Single Port

 

[Simmias]

Does this work with the M1 Mac Mini? I can’t see why not, but no mention of the Mini in the product specs.

I have two LG UltraFine 4K monitors, and it would be nice to connect them to the Mini via a single cable (though still no daisy chaining I guess).

 

[Aggedor]

Only one HDMI port offers 60Hz 4K, the other is 30Hz. Can the M1 Macbook Air/Pro even power 2 x 60Hz 4K displays?

 

[pgiguere1]

One of the 2 displays being limited to 30Hz should make this a non-starter for most people.

30Hz vs 60Hz for a computer monitor is a big deal. This technical compromise should not be underestimated. It should be mentioned in the article IMO.

EDIT: Also, I'd be interested in learning more about this "InstantView" technology. The official website doesn't properly explain what it is. Does it compress the image? If so, is the compression lossy? Should be a pretty important factor in your buying decision as well.

 

[tedwill]

This has to be too good to be true. I spent a lot on a HP DisplayLink compatible dock that can do this. Combined with a little black magic and a prayer. I also have two LG UltraFine 4k monitors. I would love to simplify my set up if this truly works.

 

[Aggedor]

One of the 2 displays being limited to 30Hz should make this a non-starter for most people.

30Hz vs 60Hz for a computer monitor is a big deal. This technical compromise should not be underestimated. It should be mentioned in the article IMO.

I agree. 4K at 30Hz is absolutely horrible.

 

[tedwill]

I agree. 4K at 30Hz is absolutely horrible.

My plan has always been to wait for the next generation M1X or M2 chip (whatever they're going to call it) later this year to get full 4k on two additional monitors. On my M1 MacBook, \tThe DisplayLink workaround gives me 60hz on both screens, but it's 1920x1080 which to me is easier on the eyes than 30hz 4k.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Only one HDMI port offers 60Hz 4K, the other is 30Hz. Can the M1 Macbook Air/Pro even power 2 x 60Hz 4K displays?

One of the 2 displays being limited to 30Hz should make this a non-starter for most people.

30Hz vs 60Hz for a computer monitor is a big deal. This technical compromise should not be underestimated. It should be mentioned in the article IMO.

EDIT: Also, I'd be interested in learning more about this "InstantView" technology. The official website doesn't properly explain what it is. Does it compress the image? If so, is the compression lossy? Should be a pretty important factor in your buying decision as well.

Updated article with: Keep in mind that on both of the hubs, one HDMI port supports 60Hz and the other is limited to 30Hz, which may be a dealbreaker for some users.

 

[The Cappy]

Forget the hub. Where can I buy cables like that? No snaking and curling and overlapping. They just sit there in perfectly straight paths, without tape or clips or anything, and at the perfect length! Wow! The future is now.

 

[VictorTango777]

If MacOS properly supported the DisplayPort MST industry standard, Mac users would be able to daisy chain DP monitors or use any of the available MST hubs on the market. When looking at DP MST hubs from different manufacturers, there is usually a “Not compatible with Mac” warning on the page.

This is not a hardware compatibility issue since an Intel Mac booted into Windows works with MST just fine. What is Apple’s reason for still not supporting MST after all these years? It is some petty attempt to “convince” people to buy Thunderbolt monitors?

 

[diggy33]

Still baffles me why Apple doesnt create their own docking solution for their laptop line.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I agree. 4K at 30Hz is absolutely horrible.

If you're second monitor is used primarily for static images or stock/investment apps, it could certainly be tolerable.

 

[mark-in-mk]

Still baffles me why Apple doesnt create their own docking solution for their laptop line.

Imagine the cost of that ! If they can charge £699 for some wheels for a Mac Pro and £949 for a monitor stand the sky is the limit.

 

[Brammy]

My spare monitor is an old 1080p monitor, so this is right up my alley.

 

[Joniz]

One of the 2 displays being limited to 30Hz should make this a non-starter for most people.

“Most people” probably don’t have two 4K displays.

Can it do 60Hz on two non-4K displaysL

 

[zantafio]

deal breaker

 

[DavidSchaub]

Is there any details on HOW they're doing this?

Given that nothing has come up before, I have difficulty believing that they're actually getting the OS to output a 3rd display without additional drivers.

Now, what they *could* be doing is: The M1 can output 6K 60Hz (20,358,144 pixels), which is sufficient to run TWO 4K monitors (8,294,400 pixels each, 16,588,800 pixels total) worth as a *single display*, and their hardware is then chopping that display down to TWO separate monitors? Perhaps the 30Hz is a limitation of their chopping silicon that breaks the single display into two???

 

[jaytv111]

Is there any details on HOW they're doing this?

Given that nothing has come up before, I have difficulty believing that they're actually getting the OS to output a 3rd display without additional drivers.

Now, what they *could* be doing is: The M1 can output 6K 60Hz (20,358,144 pixels), which is sufficient to run TWO 4K monitors (8,294,400 pixels each, 16,588,800 pixels total) worth as a *single display*, and their hardware is then chopping that display down to TWO separate monitors? Perhaps the 30Hz is a limitation of their chopping silicon that breaks the single display into two???

Hyper says both hubs deliver dual 4K HDMI video output over a single USB-C connection to M1 MacBook models by using a combination of both DisplayPort Alt Mode and SiliconMotion InstantView plug-and-play video technology. After connecting the hub to the Mac, users must open the HyperDisplay app that appears on the desktop.

It's using USB data for the second HDMI port, the first uses DP Alt mode. So with the M1 you're using up the 1 external display limit on DP Alt, and the other is a virtual graphics card connected over USB.

 

[uptownnyc]

Forget the hub. Where can I buy cables like that? No snaking and curling and overlapping. They just sit there in perfectly straight paths, without tape or clips or anything, and at the perfect length! Wow! The future is now.

Photoshop sells those

 

[entropys]

Still baffles me why Apple doesnt create their own docking solution for their laptop line.

Apple wants you to use thunderbolt, and expects you to buy a Thunderbolt Display with a built in dock. All the Apple execs can afford that no probs, why can’t the plebs?
If only Apple supported MST.

 

[ikramerica]

If you're second monitor is used primarily for static images or stock/investment apps, it could certainly be tolerable.

Yep. I throw pdfs and plans up on the second monitor and 30 is fine.

Wonder if it can do 2k at 60?

 

[jido]

Yep. I throw pdfs and plans up on the second monitor and 30 is fine.

Wonder if it can do 2k at 60?

Yes it can do 60Hz in 2k.

The specs say "adaptive compression", and it has hardware video decode for different formats.

4K Ultra High Definition and Low Power | Silicon Motion

Silicon Motion graphics display SoC provides an improved combination of better graphics capability, low latency, efficient data processing and low-power consumption. And is a more cost effective solution for USB display and embedded applications.

www.siliconmotion.com

 

[tripwu]

Showing an image of it driving 2 6k pro displays is pretty misleading.

 

[ColBatGuano]

Does this work with the M1 Mac Mini? I can’t see why not, but no mention of the Mini in the product specs.

I have two LG UltraFine 4K monitors, and it would be nice to connect them to the Mini via a single cable (though still no daisy chaining I guess).

You won't be able to connect to LG ultrafine monitors via a single cable using this. It outputs HDMI, and the Ultrafines only accept Thunderbolt as input.

You could buy the OWC thunderbolt 4 hub which gives you an extra 2 thunderbolt ports to do this though.

 

[asdfjkl;]

If MacOS properly supported the DisplayPort MST industry standard, Mac users would be able to daisy chain DP monitors or use any of the available MST hubs on the market. When looking at DP MST hubs from different manufacturers, there is usually a “Not compatible with Mac” warning on the page.

This is not a hardware compatibility issue since an Intel Mac booted into Windows works with MST just fine. What is Apple’s reason for still not supporting MST after all these years? It is some petty attempt to “convince” people to buy Thunderbolt monitors?

Amen!