Luna Display Gains PC-to-Mac Mode, 5K Support and More

[snyp1193]

Just tried this update on my M1M 16" and 2017 27" iMac as a second display. Pretty lackluster, even over a thunderbolt wire (manual 100KB/s/800kbps). Experience the usual lag/pixelation.

Would be fine for still content.

Yeah it’s not great for any video or fast moving work. But for software development and browsing the web it’s good enough for me.

 

[jwhazel]

That would mean the host PC/Mac would have no additional software running. That can’t be right, right?

No, it still requires software on both machines to process KM input, capture framebuffer, do encoding/decoding, etc. The dongle itself mimics a display. Otherwise you need a daemon running in the background to fool the OS into thinking it has a real monitor connected.

You could certainly argue that the dongle does serve as a DRM key by nature, it's just not its primary purpose.

 

[bradman83]

That would mean the host PC/Mac would have no additional software running. That can’t be right, right?

If all the dongle is doing is taking an HDMI video feed and transmitting it to the iPad/Mac to display then that sounds feasible. The Mac/iPad with the display would need software installed, but not the machine you’re extending the display from.

If that’s true then this would be a very appealing solution. I’d love to get an iMac but I can’t justify the desk space if I can’t use it as a display for Windows laptop from work (which, like many corporate laptops, is locked down in terms of being able to freely install software).

 

[4jasontv]

No, it still requires software on both machines to process KM input, capture framebuffer, do encoding/decoding, etc. The dongle itself mimics a display. Otherwise you need a daemon running in the background to fool the OS into thinking it has a real monitor connected.

You could certainly argue that the dongle does serve as a DRM key by nature, it's just not its primary purpose.

That's what I expected. The issue is that you can pick up a dummy display adapter on amazon for $5. If all it's doing is mimicking a display then I should be able to use any dongle, not just theirs. If I have to use their dongle then it's a DRM key. If it's doing something else, it would be nice to know what it is.

 

[noone]

Apple really should bring back Target Display Mode, especially since the new machines can't (currently) run Windows. I'm sure there are a large number of people with an iMac at home who would like to use it as a monitor for their work computer when they're working from home.

 

[MBAir2010]

GOOD!
i can buy a MacBook pro 2010 or 11 instead of an exact '12 for that iPad feature.
what grabbed my attention was how exciting to see the dell XPS 9380 laptop as a model.
but
do i really need this feature?

 

[jwhazel]

That's what I expected. The issue is that you can pick up a dummy display adapter on amazon for $5. If all it's doing is mimicking a display then I should be able to use any dongle, not just theirs. If I have to use their dongle then it's a DRM key. If it's doing something else, it would be nice to know what it is.

So what are you asking for? That they license their software separately so you can buy it and then buy your own dummy display adapter? What is the point?

If it helps you sleep better at night, then by all means think of this as a DRM key. But that's not its primary purpose.

 

[jwhazel]

If I'm using Luna Display from a MacBook Pro in clamshell mode to an iMac, is the webcam on the iMac usable? Also, I read on Luna Display's site that you may have to change your laptop's settings so it won't go to sleep while it's in clamshell mode. Any Luna Display users out there who can speak to this? Thanks!

1.) Webcam is always from the primary, so no it will not work if your primary is in clamshell mode.
2.) I haven't had to adjust any power settings in order to work in clamshell mode.

 

[ader42]

This is an interesting development for sure. Many people with oldish iMacs will now be able to use them as monitors - like the good old Target Display Mode days.

That said, I have one of these dongles sat doing nothing - as until now it has been less useful than simply using Jump Desktop screen-sharing and simple ghost hdmi or usb-c dongles. Using Jump Desktop and ghost adaptors I can have 2 displays (ghost dongles in an M1 Mini) sent to two other displays (iMac and monitor).

However, the prospect of being able to use my Retina iMac as a 5K monitor floats my boat! It looks like my new MBP might become my main machine thanks to Luna Display. MBP with Thunderbolt Display attached, Luna Display to the iMac and Jump Desktop to both the Mini and the second (ghost) display on the iMac. Assuming I can get a ghost adaptor to work on the iMac...

 

[Enlightened Doggo]

Seeing Windows on iMac:

 

[ipedro]

Just tried this update on my M1M 16" and 2017 27" iMac as a second display. Pretty lackluster, even over a thunderbolt wire (manual 100KB/s/800kbps). Experience the usual lag/pixelation.

Would be fine for still content.

You just saved me $100.

I really wanted this solution to work. I have a 2012 27" iMac that has somehow defied the odds and worked so well for me as my main computer for the last decade. I finally replaced it with a MacBookPro M1 Max and would love to continue using my faithful old iMac as its display. But that kind of compression pixelation isn't going to work for me as a photographer.

Happy to be proven wrong but Luna Display is simply not high quality enough to be used as nothing but a temporary work around. Astropad folks are no doubt monitoring this thread, given their MacRumors sponsorship. Please tell us what we're doing wrong. Otherwise, your silence speaks for itself.

 

[Gizmotoy]

Yeah, should have mentioned. Tried that and various other settings, no dice. The test was recorded with bandwidth set to maximum (100KB/s/800kbps)

That's not the maximum, that's the minimum.

 

[keigo]

I would also love to know this. A

Same here, my desk not big enough to place too many monitor and I would also love to work on company laptop from my imac as monitor so long it does not require admin right to run.

 

[DanTSX]

Would love to use my new iMac as display for my work notebook PC. Would also love to get the ugly low-res monitor the company gave me to supplement the notebook off of my desk.

The new iMac screens are gorgeous. But if the PC needs software changes, I know my IT dept won't ever allow this.

 

[Boomhowler]

Hmm, nice for a free update, but the 45Hz limitation on the 5K is a bit of a bummer. But I'll have to test it to see if I can stand it maybe it can work for "administrative tasks" at work, or something.

 

[StrangeNoises]

Yeah, should have mentioned. Tried that and various other settings, no dice. The test was recorded with bandwidth set to maximum (100KB/s/800kbps)

you'd think if you can put a dedicated thunderbolt cable between the two it could go a *bit* faster than that...

 

[patsfan83]

You just saved me $100.

I really wanted this solution to work. I have a 2012 27" iMac that has somehow defied the odds and worked so well for me as my main computer for the last decade. I finally replaced it with a MacBookPro M1 Max and would love to continue using my faithful old iMac as its display. But that kind of compression pixelation isn't going to work for me as a photographer.

Happy to be proven wrong but Luna Display is simply not high quality enough to be used as nothing but a temporary work around. Astropad folks are no doubt monitoring this thread, given their MacRumors sponsorship. Please tell us what we're doing wrong. Otherwise, your silence speaks for itself.

I’m using it with my M1 mini and a non-retina 27” over thunderbolt and there is zero pixelization.

 

[MBAir2010]

seems to me this is a software bait
for their yearly subscription fee on a graphic design program most already have.
even not, what REALLY does this software do?
share screen from iPad to and from a Mac is already there
while continuity depends on the software in both sources.
the thought sounds great but the reality seemed non-important.
I Guess for those who have the extra $ and need to send screens images to every device might be fun for a while.

 

[justperry]

can turn a Mac into a secondary display for a PC

Who the F wants to do that.....

 

[4jasontv]

So what are you asking for? That they license their software separately so you can buy it and then buy your own dummy display adapter? What is the point?

If it helps you sleep better at night, then by all means think of this as a DRM key. But that's not its primary purpose.

My point is that it’s primary purpose is DRM, even if it has an alternative function.

But yes, they should sell the software separately. Using a DRM key limits the customer to one device at a time. That’s not a choice developers should have. Allowing any dongle ensures customers can use the software they paid for as they wish.

Alternatively, if they really want this to be a hardware product then they should open source the software so customers can repair their product should.

 

[svish]

PC to Mac is a very interesting feature.

 

[Boomhowler]

Ok, now I have tested in on a MacBook Air (m1), using an iMac 5K as the display. I ran it over thunderbolt, assuming it would give the highest bandwidth, and I am disappointed.

First; the frame rate is not great at 45 Hz. It is choppy at default and when I tried running a 1080p video in full screen, the frame rate dropped to ~ 3 fps.
I also got some weird compression "lag" when using Mission Control with only five windows. When the windows moved, the resolution dropped significantly and it took a short while for it to catch up again after they had stopped working.

Also, the Air used about 150% CPU when something was animated on the screen (tested with testufo.com, for example), which is quite a heavy hit.

I really wanted this to work

 

[snyp1193]

For those on a 27" iMac, I think i found a good compromise for Retina Quality/Frame Rate. If you go into Luna settings and select max resolution 4K, max refresh rate 60hz and then under Settings -> Displays -> Scaled -> 2560x1440, this makes it looks "retina" (I can't tell the difference between 4k and 5k) but allow you to keep 60hz.

Make sure to restart Luna Display for the 4k to take effect.

 

[ader42]

But 2560x1440 is a quarter of the resolution… and is not 4k… maybe I misunderstand what you are saying…

I can get 2560x1440 with screen sharing (or Jump Desktop) without Luna… I can tell the difference between 2560x1440 and 5120x2880

Luna can also only use one “monitor” and only one Luna can be used on a single primary Mac - which are a significant limitations so without the higher retina 5k perfromance might as well use VNC or Jump Desktop…

I’ll have to test it out for myself to see when my MBP arrives.

 

[jwhazel]

My point is that it’s primary purpose is DRM, even if it has an alternative function.

But yes, they should sell the software separately. Using a DRM key limits the customer to one device at a time. That’s not a choice developers should have. Allowing any dongle ensures customers can use the software they paid for as they wish.

Alternatively, if they really want this to be a hardware product then they should open source the software so customers can repair their product should.

Show me this $5 display emulator on Amazon that supports 5k.