m1 mac mini + dual ultrafine

[phine]

I was wondering whether this setup would work with the new M1 Mac Mini, so I thought I would share in case anyone else out there is wondering the same thing. I've got an M1 Mac Mini with:

• a TB3 cable connected to an LG Ultrafine 5K, and
• HDMI + USB-A => SIIG HDMI to USB-C adapter => LG Ultrafine 4K

Both displays run at their respective native resolutions at 60Hz. Of course, there's only brightness/audio controls on the Ultrafine 5K display.

Here's a link to the HDMI => USB-C adapter that worked for me: https://www.siig.com/hdmi-to-usb-c-port-4k-60hz-converter-adapter.html

 

[roflc0pter]

Do you see a quality difference between the monitors despite them using different ports? I'm assuming you have the bug where it reverts to 4K after waking up from sleep too?

 

[M1gelo]

I'm trying to run two LG 4K displays at 3008 x 1692 in HiDPI which the M1 doesn't let me do.
One is connected via USB-C and the other via HDMI, does your way of connecting make this possible?

 

[phine]

Do you see a quality difference between the monitors despite them using different ports? I'm assuming you have the bug where it reverts to 4K after waking up from sleep too?

No quality difference that I'm able to perceive. I had the 5K => 4K bug, but recently updated to the developer 11.1 RC, and that bug is fixed now.

I'm trying to run two LG 4K displays at 3008 x 1692 in HiDPI which the M1 doesn't let me do.
One is connected via USB-C and the other via HDMI, does your way of connecting make this possible?

I don't see that resolution as an option. My Ultrafine 4K display (connected to my M1 Mac Mini's HDMI port) has these HiDPI options:

• 3840x2160
• 2560x1440
• 2304x1296
• 2048x1152
• 1920x1080 (aka native 4K)
• 1680x945
• 1600x900
• 1504x846 (this is presumably half of what you're looking for)

 

[M1gelo]

I don't see that resolution as an option.

Thanks for checking. My display connected via USB-C does have the option to display 3008 x 1692 HiDPI but unfortunately my display connected via HDMI does not.

I've now set both displays to show 2560 x 1440 but it's not ideal. Twice 3008 x 1692 would be perfect...

 

[phine]

Thanks for checking. My display connected via USB-C does have the option to display 3008 x 1692 HiDPI but unfortunately my display connected via HDMI does not.

I've now set both displays to show 2560 x 1440 but it's not ideal. Twice 3008 x 1692 would be perfect...

You could try SwitchResX

 

[M1gelo]

You could try SwitchResX

I did, I forgot to mention that.
Using SwitchResX I can indeed select 3008 x 1692 as a resolution but everything is very blurry then.
I guess that's because it doesn't show as a HiDPI resolution, my other display connected via USB-C does show as HiDPI.

I'm using 11.1 RC
It seems there's no real solution for this at this point.
Guess I'll have to wait until Apple comes with their next M-chip in the Mini, hopefully supporting more displays via USB/Thunderbolt.

 

[pro-noun]

I was wondering whether this setup would work with the new M1 Mac Mini, so I thought I would share in case anyone else out there is wondering the same thing. I've got an M1 Mac Mini with:

• a TB3 cable connected to an LG Ultrafine 5K, and
• HDMI + USB-A => SIIG HDMI to USB-C adapter => LG Ultrafine 4K

Both displays run at their respective native resolutions at 60Hz. Of course, there's only brightness/audio controls on the Ultrafine 5K display.

Here's a link to the HDMI => USB-C adapter that worked for me: https://www.siig.com/hdmi-to-usb-c-port-4k-60hz-converter-adapter.html

Can you add the model numbers of the displays you are using?

I am trying to get my dual LG 5K's (first gen - 27MD5KA) to work on the M1 mac mini. 1 monitor works good at 5k the other doesn't show up because these models are thunderbolt only. Trying to figure out a solution to get the second monitor to work at all.

 

[eksu]

I think a better route for the 4K Ultrafine would be like a HDMI to DisplayPort adapter + a Huawei VR.2 Cable

 

[phine]

Can you add the model numbers of the displays you are using?

I am trying to get my dual LG 5K's (first gen - 27MD5KA) to work on the M1 mac mini. 1 monitor works good at 5k the other doesn't show up because these models are thunderbolt only. Trying to figure out a solution to get the second monitor to work at all.

I have the 2019 5K (27MD5KL-B.AUSA) and the 2019 4K (24MD4KL-B.AUSA).

The only way you're going to get that second monitor to work is from the HDMI port at 4K. The thunderbolt ports on this machine will only drive one display.

 

[phine]

I think a better route for the 4K Ultrafine would be like a HDMI to DisplayPort adapter + a Huawei VR.2 Cable

I had a similar setup on my previous Intel Mac Mini:

Mac Mini HDMI out => HDMI to DP adapter (also powered by USB-A) => DP to USB-C cable => Ultrafine 4K USB-C in.

It was supposed to be able to do 4K@60Hz, but I could only ever get 4K@30Hz. It just gave a black screen at 60Hz. Also, it 100% did not work on the M1 Mac Mini.

I actually like the solution I have now better. The conversion from HDMI to USB-C happens entirely in the SIIG adapter.

 

[currocj]

The SIIG HDMI to USB-C adapter [CB-H21711-S1] can only do resolutions UP TO 3840x2160. It cannot handle 5k and 2560x1440 HiDPI is 5K (5120x2880).

I purchased the 24MD4KL-B specifically because it was natively 3840x2160 for that hobbled HDMI port (compared to usb-c DP alt mode). I am running the 24MD4KL-B on the HDMI port with the adapter and a 22MD4K on the usb-c port. I've lost the use the thunderbolt hub on the back of the 24MD4KL-B, but oh well.

I have a blazingly fast mac mini and 2 of the best monitors on the market with razor sharp text and high brightness seen on few monitors. Worth the frankenstein setup headaches.

Looking forward to a Gen 2 Mac Mini for the SAME Price that has 4 usb-c port and tri monitor support, 2 from usb-c and 1 from the HDMI port. Here's to hoping it will take less than 4 years for this dream to come true.

 

[mcryans]

The SIIG HDMI to USB-C adapter [CB-H21711-S1] can only do resolutions UP TO 3840x2160. It cannot handle 5k and 2560x1440 HiDPI is 5K (5120x2880).

I purchased the 24MD4KL-B specifically because it was natively 3840x2160 for that hobbled HDMI port (compared to usb-c DP alt mode). I am running the 24MD4KL-B on the HDMI port with the adapter and a 22MD4K on the usb-c port. I've lost the use the thunderbolt hub on the back of the 24MD4KL-B, but oh well.

I have a blazingly fast mac mini and 2 of the best monitors on the market with razor sharp text and high brightness seen on few monitors. Worth the frankenstein setup headaches.

Looking forward to a Gen 2 Mac Mini for the SAME Price that has 4 usb-c port and tri monitor support, 2 from usb-c and 1 from the HDMI port. Here's to hoping it will take less than 4 years for this dream to come true.

I take it you can still use the usb-c hub of the monitor connected via Thunderbolt, correct? On the one connected through the HDMI port via the SIIG how do you control brightness? Is it set on a default brightness level?

 

[monoah]

Can you add the model numbers of the displays you are using?

I am trying to get my dual LG 5K's (first gen - 27MD5KA) to work on the M1 mac mini. 1 monitor works good at 5k the other doesn't show up because these models are thunderbolt only. Trying to figure out a solution to get the second monitor to work at all.

I have the same issue, two first gen. LG Ultrafine 5K. Were you able to solve the issue?

 

[macguy9990]

I am having the same issue I believe - does anyone have a fix?

I have (1) 5k ultra fine lg gen 1 (2) 4k ultra fine lg bought within last 9 months. Both worked fine with daisychain on macbook pro with usb c.

Now I have a mac mini with the Siig and it just keeps flashing like in the video attached. Detects the screen but then stops, it never fully powers on the 4k.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[macguy9990]

I was wondering whether this setup would work with the new M1 Mac Mini, so I thought I would share in case anyone else out there is wondering the same thing. I've got an M1 Mac Mini with:

• a TB3 cable connected to an LG Ultrafine 5K, and
• HDMI + USB-A => SIIG HDMI to USB-C adapter => LG Ultrafine 4K

Both displays run at their respective native resolutions at 60Hz. Of course, there's only brightness/audio controls on the Ultrafine 5K display.

Here's a link to the HDMI => USB-C adapter that worked for me: https://www.siig.com/hdmi-to-usb-c-port-4k-60hz-converter-adapter.html

How did you get this to work? I have the exact same set up and have the 5k via TB3 USB C wire. I then bought the SIIG for my ultrafine lg 4k, and it just keeps flashing and not turning on the monitor. Any help is appreciated! Thank you

 

[currocj]

I have the 22" Ultrafine and the 24" Ultrafine both running flawlessly with the M1 Mac Mini. Use the SIIG HDMI to USB-C adapter on the slightly higher resolution 22" Ultrafine. The reason I do this is because I want use of the thunderbolt hub in the back of the 24" Ultrafine via usb-c. Since the 22" runs through the adapter, its hub is nullified.

I have two use cases: for work I go into VMWare Horizon Client at full resolution and do HiDPI on windows. Looks great, crisp and clear.

For pure Mac OS, I change the resolution to HiDPI on both monitors. Interestingly, the 22" Ultrafine will run at 2048x1152 HiDPI which I thought was 4096x2304 through the SIIG adapter. Anyway, both monitor looks fantastic in this mode, crisp and clear.

Not the 'perfect' setup, but will the screaming fast M1 processor, its the best I can do today. Like others, I'm looking forward to 3 or 4 monitor support from future Mac Minis. Also, I can't WAIT for the new 14" or 16" macbook pros with at least 2x external monitor support via usb-c and not this hobbled HDMI + 1 usb-c support.

 

[allanwu917]

I have the same issue. I have 2 Dell 32" ultra sharp monitors with my M1 Mac mini and only one monitor can do 3008x1692 while the other monitor hooked up with HDMI can only do 3840x2160 and 2560x1440, the 3008x1692 is not an option. I think it's a pixel doubling resolution limitation for the M1.

For now I'm just running both displays at 2560x1440 but ideally I'd like to use both at 3008x1692.

 

[monoah]

I have the 22" Ultrafine and the 24" Ultrafine both running flawlessly with the M1 Mac Mini. Use the SIIG HDMI to USB-C adapter on the slightly higher resolution 22" Ultrafine. The reason I do this is because I want use of the thunderbolt hub in the back of the 24" Ultrafine via usb-c. Since the 22" runs through the adapter, its hub is nullified.

I have two use cases: for work I go into VMWare Horizon Client at full resolution and do HiDPI on windows. Looks great, crisp and clear.

For pure Mac OS, I change the resolution to HiDPI on both monitors. Interestingly, the 22" Ultrafine will run at 2048x1152 HiDPI which I thought was 4096x2304 through the SIIG adapter. Anyway, both monitor looks fantastic in this mode, crisp and clear.

Not the 'perfect' setup, but will the screaming fast M1 processor, its the best I can do today. Like others, I'm looking forward to 3 or 4 monitor support from future Mac Minis. Also, I can't WAIT for the new 14" or 16" macbook pros with at least 2x external monitor support via usb-c and not this hobbled HDMI + 1 usb-c support.

Do you use SwitchResx? I have two Ultrafine 5K and only one is working, the one that is connected to the siig adapter is not working at all. Tried to use SwitchResX and it did not help? is there any thing that i am messing? what is your monitors settings?

 

[macguy9990]

Do you use SwitchResx? I have two Ultrafine 5K and only one is working, the one that is connected to the siig adapter is not working at all. Tried to use SwitchResX and it did not help? is there any thing that i am messing? what is your monitors settings?

I dont know what that app is but assume its controlling resolutions.

We are having the same problem so at least we know it's not just us...basically our mac mini can only power 1 lg ultra fine display regardless of 4k or 5k set up it seems like. The Siig adapter is not working for both of us at all.

One thing I tried, is unplug the USB C for the Utlrafine display and then try only using SIIG...It still does NOT work.

Any ideas on how to just get the SIIG working by itself? Maybe if we get the SIIG working on its own first, then we can try to get 2 going.

for now, the SIIG is worthless and not usable at all...

 

[macguy9990]

The SIIG HDMI to USB-C adapter [CB-H21711-S1] can only do resolutions UP TO 3840x2160. It cannot handle 5k and 2560x1440 HiDPI is 5K (5120x2880).

I purchased the 24MD4KL-B specifically because it was natively 3840x2160 for that hobbled HDMI port (compared to usb-c DP alt mode). I am running the 24MD4KL-B on the HDMI port with the adapter and a 22MD4K on the usb-c port. I've lost the use the thunderbolt hub on the back of the 24MD4KL-B, but oh well.

I have a blazingly fast mac mini and 2 of the best monitors on the market with razor sharp text and high brightness seen on few monitors. Worth the frankenstein setup headaches.

Looking forward to a Gen 2 Mac Mini for the SAME Price that has 4 usb-c port and tri monitor support, 2 from usb-c and 1 from the HDMI port. Here's to hoping it will take less than 4 years for this dream to come true.

please tell me how to do this with SIIG... it just flashes, please see my video in this thread

 

[monoah]

I have shipped siig adapter with fedex from US to UK for 100$ + 45$ for the price of it 😂 and it is useless. My LG ultrafine 5K monitors are 1st gen. so they are only thunderbolt 3, they don't even work with USB-C. I have tried LG Ergo 32" 4k which has USB C and HDMI. Using Siig it keep flashing exactly like you, with hdmi it works fine but the 5K is a higher resolution now the 32" ergo 4k feels a downgrade for me, i am using the 5K over thunderbolts and the 32" ergo over HDMI.

I guess we either have to wait for new adapters or a new mac mini or maybe a trick. I will only buy monitors with multi input sources from now on! as the 32" ergo works with any input...

 

[macguy9990]

I have shipped siig adapter with fedex from US to UK for 100$ + 45$ for the price of it 😂 and it is useless. My LG ultrafine 5K monitors are 1st gen. so they are only thunderbolt 3, they don't even work with USB-C. I have tried LG Ergo 32" 4k which has USB C and HDMI. Using Siig it keep flashing exactly like you, with hdmi it works fine but the 5K is a higher resolution now the 32" ergo 4k feels a downgrade for me, i am using the 5K over thunderbolts and the 32" ergo over HDMI.

I guess we either have to wait for new adapters or a new mac mini or maybe a trick. I will only buy monitors with multi input sources from now on! as the 32" ergo works with any input...

man, what a bummer! I also paid like $70 or so for the SiiG...I tried reaching out with no reply regarding this matter.

 

[macguy9990]

I was wondering whether this setup would work with the new M1 Mac Mini, so I thought I would share in case anyone else out there is wondering the same thing. I've got an M1 Mac Mini with:

• a TB3 cable connected to an LG Ultrafine 5K, and
• HDMI + USB-A => SIIG HDMI to USB-C adapter => LG Ultrafine 4K

Both displays run at their respective native resolutions at 60Hz. Of course, there's only brightness/audio controls on the Ultrafine 5K display.

Here's a link to the HDMI => USB-C adapter that worked for me: https://www.siig.com/hdmi-to-usb-c-port-4k-60hz-converter-adapter.html

Hey were you able to get this to work? We are stuggling to get it working- we'd love some support if you have a moment

 

[simcoxjt]

Hey were you able to get this to work? We are stuggling to get it working- we'd love some support if you have a moment

I was having the same issue you were where the system thought two monitors were connected, but the one with the Siig adapter would not turn on. Turns out the adapter won't work with a Thunderbolt 3 cable. I plugged in a cheap USB-C cable and the monitor came on. I was working at this for days... The problem now is that I only have 3, very poor, resolutions to choose from and the holding option on the keyboard when clicking scaled doesn't offer more resolutions. At least I was able to get both monitors to turn, now working on figuring out the resolution issue. The fact that both these monitors worked with my 2013 macbook pro, but I can't get them to both work with a brand new mac mini is maddening. Why would Apple release a DESKTOP computer that can't easily power two monitors? If you have the right combination of monitor inputs and cables it may be possible to get it working, but it's not easy like it used to be...