Is the new MacBook Pro Display 10-bit colour?

[aldinho]

So comparing the Lg ultrafine 4k and 5k displays, the 4k has 8-bit while the 5k has 10-bit. When connected to a 2016 MacBook pro 13", would there be a difference in color between the 4k and 5k ultrafine's? Both 4k and 5k monitors have 218 PPI, 500 nits brightness, and wide p3 color gamut. Only difference is the 8-bit vs 10-bit. Would that translate to the 5k having better image quality or is the difference not discernible when outputting from the 2016 MacBook mentioned above?

basically my question is does the 5k Lg ultrafine have better image quality than the 4k or not really?

 

[Sanpete]

So comparing the Lg ultrafine 4k and 5k displays, the 4k has 8-bit while the 5k has 10-bit. When connected to a 2016 MacBook pro 13", would there be a difference in color between the 4k and 5k ultrafine's? Both 4k and 5k monitors have 218 PPI, 500 nits brightness, and wide p3 color gamut. Only difference is the 8-bit vs 10-bit. Would that translate to the 5k having better image quality or is the difference not discernible when outputting from the 2016 MacBook mentioned above?

basically my question is does the 5k Lg ultrafine have better image quality than the 4k or not really?

Both will operate on 8-bit color from the MBP, so no difference in color. Or at least not on the basis of bit-depth. I don't know which is better in other terms.

 

[aldinho]

Both will operate on 8-bit color from the MBP, so no difference in color. Or at least not on the basis of bit-depth. I don't know which is better in other terms.

Thanks so much for the reply, I've been trying to find someone who understands this, because all of apple support has no clue regarding this lol, it's been such a struggle.

So the MBP will only output 8-bits on both? That means that the 5k would not be using it's 10-bit capability? Does it not upscale to 10-bit or anything like that? I'm really trying to figure out if the 5k would give me better picture/video quality in any way? if they indeed are the same, then I'll just save my money and get the 4k one.

 

[Sanpete]

Thanks so much for the reply, I've been trying to find someone who understands this, because all of apple support has no clue regarding this lol, it's been such a struggle.

So the MBP will only output 8-bits on both? That means that the 5k would not be using it's 10-bit capability? Does it not upscale to 10-bit or anything like that? I'm really trying to figure out if the 5k would give me better picture/video quality in any way? if they indeed are the same, then I'll just save my money and get the 4k one.

Ha, well I just realized I was flat wrong, so don't thank me yet! It appears the MBPs do support 10-bit color on external monitors.

That means the 5K display will have more gradations of color within the same range of color the 4K has. Normally you won't be able to see a difference, but when there is a very gradual shift from one shade to another, it can happen that artifacts you might see on the 4K monitor wouldn't appear on the 5K. The artifacts called banding appear as sharp gradations of color where it should be a smooth transition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colour_banding

 

[aldinho]

Ha, well I just realized I was flat wrong, so don't thank me yet! It appears the MBPs do support 10-bit color on external monitors.

That means the 5K display will have more gradations of color within the same range of color the 4K has. Normally you won't be able to see a difference, but when there is a very gradual shift from one shade to another, it can happen that artifacts you might see on the 4K monitor wouldn't appear on the 5K. The artifacts called banding appear as sharp gradations of color where it should be a smooth transition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colour_banding

Hmm I see. But does the difference justify getting the 5k monitor (it's almost double the price of the 4k). When playing 4k videos for example, would the 10 bit 5k display have less artifacts/color banding during transitions of scenes and transition of colors, etc? And does the 10-bit advantage apply to everything being displayed on the monitor (when connected to MBP), or just when playing HDR 10 content specifically?

 

[leman]

Hmm I see. But does the difference justify getting the 5k monitor (it's almost double the price of the 4k). When playing 4k videos for example, would the 10 bit 5k display have less artifacts/color banding during transitions of scenes and transition of colors, etc? And does the 10-bit advantage apply to everything being displayed on the monitor (when connected to MBP), or just when playing HDR 10 content specifically?

The increase in image quality will of apply to everything. And no, it doesn't justify getting a 10-bit monitor unless you are a professional photo editor working with wide color images.

 

[aldinho]

The increase in image quality will of apply to everything. And no, it doesn't justify getting a 10-bit monitor unless you are a professional photo editor working with wide color images.

I don't do any photo editing or any professional photo/video stuff. I just want the best picture when playing 4k videos, 1080p vids, and just using it as a desktop monitor for my 2016 MBP 13". But am I correct in that most stuff doesn't even utilize the 10-bits of colors, so the 8-bit will be more than sufficient? That would even include 4k vids i assume.

So unless I'm doing video/photo editing, which I'm not, I wouldn't really see a discernible difference between the 4k 8-bit, and 5k 10-bit monitors, correct?

 

[Sanpete]

Right now there's not a lot of content being shown in 10-bit color, but that will change, no doubt. It's hard to say how noticeable the difference will be because not many people have experienced the difference in everyday use to comment on it. There are also ways that 8-bit monitors can simulate 10-bit color to avoid banding, and I don't know if the 4K monitor in question will do that.

There are no doubt other differences of quality between the two models you're looking at. I'd just read the reviews and go from that.

 

[therealseebs]

I've got a monitor which can actually do 10-bit, and my drivers can actually do 10-bit... But some applications can't and blow up horribly.

Interestingly, the way they look really weird is exactly like a lot of the "display glitches" people have reported.

 

[athletejmv]

Does anybody know whether the new MacBook Pro Display is 10-bit colour?

I don't remember anyone at the event saying anything like 'it can show 1 billion colours'
The specifications on apple.com don't mention whether it is 8-bit or 10-bit.

I returned the 5k (revised version with extra shielding- February 2017 production model) for the 4k Ultrafine. The 5k I had had hues of green and pink that are present in many of the new late 2016 MacBook Pro screens. The 4k also doesn't have a fan running in it or the big forehead chin. It also has less wobble to it. If you don't have to have a 27" screen, you're much better off with the 4k 21" IMO. You'll need an external webcam though if you use FaceTime. There is an ambient light sensor built into the 4k and 5k versions.

Unfortunately, the 4k exhibits slight green and pink hues on some, but much less obvious/noticeable.