Macbook Pro /w LG Ultrawide External Display Issues

[jwk7]

Hello,

I recently purchased the LG 34WN80C-B 34" Ultrawide [https://www.ebuyer.com/951062-lg-34wn80c-b-34-ultrawide-curved-wqhd-ips-monitor-34wn80c-b] to use as an external display for my Macbook Pro 15" 2018 (Catalina OS) in clamshell mode.

The resolution is 3440x1440 but my problem is everything looks a little blurry/off and the color is rather disappointing. Now, I know I know I should be getting more from this monitor because I have boot camp with Windows 10 installed and the difference is astounding. I'm getting high resolution almost retina quality with great color.

Also, there is no way for me to scale up anything so all my windows are too small and I have to increase the zoom in browsers to be able to see anything.

I have tried USB-C, Displayport 1.4, and HDMI cables and they're all exactly the same.

Am I missing something here? Does Mac OS do something differently to Windows? I'm pretty disappointed with this especially at its price, my old £200 Samsung Monitor looked way better and as a Web Developer, it's important to have a high-quality display.

If there's anything I can try/fiddle with please let me know or an explanation to as why Windows can get the best out of this monitor and Mac OS can't.

Thanks!

 

[Christopher Kim]

What display settings / resolution are you running when you're in macOS? It's possible the "Default for display" is running something weird - if you go to Scaled, and mouse over the current setting, what does it show up on the left under the screen, eg. "Looks like YYYY x YYYY"?

I run an LG 27" 4K monitor, and run it at "Looks like 2560 x 1440", and it looks great. I think your 34" at 3440 x 1440 is basically the same "size" as mine (just wider), so I would think if you're running the native 3440 x 1440, the windows and text should all look a comfortable size.

 

[jwk7]

What display settings / resolution are you running when you're in macOS? It's possible the "Default for display" is running something weird - if you go to Scaled, and mouse over the current setting, what does it show up on the left under the screen, eg. "Looks like YYYY x YYYY"?

I run an LG 27" 4K monitor, and run it at "Looks like 2560 x 1440", and it looks great. I think your 34" at 3440 x 1440 is basically the same "size" as mine (just wider), so I would think if you're running the native 3440 x 1440, the windows and text should all look a comfortable size.

I'm running default for display, nothing changes if I go to scaled and also can't see the text on the left when I mouse over. There's some text saying "True tone is not active because the built in retina display is not being used" - But I guess this is because i'm using an external display.

Not really sure what to do from here.

 

[Christopher Kim]

I'm running default for display, nothing changes if I go to scaled and also can't see the text on the left when I mouse over.

That's really weird - when you say you can't see the text, you mean because the text is so blurry?

In display settings. try holding the "option" key when you click on the Scaled radio button, which brings up the list of all the different resolutions you can display. Do you see 3440 x 1440 there?

It feels like maybe what's happening is that macOS isn't recognizing that you have an ultra-wide monitor, so all the resolutions are the normal 16:9 resolutions (eg. 2560 x 1440), and so when trying to show eg. 2560 x 1440 on a 21:9 ultra-wide monitor like yours, obviously it's stretching out all the text to the point it's unreadable. That's my only thought...

 

[jwk7]

I

That's really weird - when you say you can't see the text, you mean because the text is so blurry?

In display settings. try holding the "option" key when you click on the Scaled radio button, which brings up the list of all the different resolutions you can display. Do you see 3440 x 1440 there?

It feels like maybe what's happening is that macOS isn't recognizing that you have an ultra-wide monitor, so all the resolutions are the normal 16:9 resolutions (eg. 2560 x 1440), and so when trying to show eg. 2560 x 1440 on a 21:9 ultra-wide monitor like yours, obviously it's stretching out all the text to the point it's unreadable. That's my only thought...

Sorry I just meant I can't see the "Looks like XXXX x XXXX" on the left.

The text isn't unreadable it's just very poor, same as the colours and especially in comparison to how it looks on Windows bootcamp.

 

[Christopher Kim]

Can you confirm what resolution macOS is currently displaying? Here's what my Display settings looks like when running my 27" LG 4K monitor at 2560 x 1440.

This is the normal scaled display setting (where you see 2560 x 1440 on the left side). If for some reason, when you mouse over the current view, you don't see the "Looks like XXXX x XXXX" on the left side", then try...

The advanced setting (when you hold OPTION key while clicking "Scaled"), should bring up the list. Click "Show low resolution modes" to get the full list of display resolutions.

What resolution is yours currently showing?

 

[jwk7]

Can you confirm what resolution macOS is currently displaying? Here's what my Display settings looks like when running my 27" LG 4K monitor at 2560 x 1440.

This is the normal scaled display setting (where you see 2560 x 1440 on the left side). If for some reason, when you mouse over the current view, you don't see the "Looks like XXXX x XXXX" on the left side", then try...

View attachment 920674


The advanced setting (when you hold OPTION key while clicking "Scaled"), should bring up the list. Click "Show low resolution modes" to get the full list of display resolutions.

View attachment 920675


What resolution is yours currently showing?

This is what I see:

 

[Christopher Kim]

That's really odd... I can tell by your screenshot though, the text looks really blurry vs. mine... would drive me crazy!

Only other thing I can think of is enabling font smoothing (System Preferences -> General -> check "Use font smoothing when available" at very bottom)?.

Try this thread to see if any other ideas?

Macbook Pro - External Monitor Blurry Text

Hey i thought it would be worth posting incase anyone is having the same issue. I was trying to run an external monitor out of my MacBook pro retina into a 2K display (via HDMI) and getting horrible fuzzy text....tried everything under the sun with the font smoothing, screen calibration etc etc...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[jwk7]

That's really odd... I can tell by your screenshot though, the text looks really blurry vs. mine... would drive me crazy!

Only other thing I can think of is enabling font smoothing (System Preferences -> General -> check "Use font smoothing when available" at very bottom)?.

Try this thread to see if any other ideas?

Macbook Pro - External Monitor Blurry Text

Hey i thought it would be worth posting incase anyone is having the same issue. I was trying to run an external monitor out of my MacBook pro retina into a 2K display (via HDMI) and getting horrible fuzzy text....tried everything under the sun with the font smoothing, screen calibration etc etc...

forums.macrumors.com

Ha yea, it is. I'm close to sending the monitor back, which is a shame because it's a really nice monitor.

I have font smoothing turned on, and I have also tried a DisplayPort 1.4 to USB-C cable which gives me the exact same results

Not sure what else I can try, it feels like this UW monitor is just not supported on Mac OS somehow?

 

[quackduck]

Ha yea, it is. I'm close to sending the monitor back, which is a shame because it's a really nice monitor.

I have font smoothing turned on, and I have also tried a DisplayPort 1.4 to USB-C cable which gives me the exact same results

Not sure what else I can try, it feels like this UW monitor is just not supported on Mac OS somehow?

Did you get any further with this? I'm having the exact same issues, I did a little digging and was able to get slightly better results with this tool here https://github.com/usr-sse2/RDM, but it's still nothing compared to what my windows 10 machine gets. I'm wondering if I need to get another cable or something, it's astounding that I don't get the nice scaled options and instead just get the dropdown list.

 

[jwk7]

Did you get any further with this? I'm having the exact same issues, I did a little digging and was able to get slightly better results with this tool here https://github.com/usr-sse2/RDM, but it's still nothing compared to what my windows 10 machine gets. I'm wondering if I need to get another cable or something, it's astounding that I don't get the nice scaled options and instead just get the dropdown list.

Nope I’m afraid I didn’t, I sent the monitor back and decided not to bother with a Ultrawide. I don’t think Mac supports them all that well yet.

I tried a high end display port, still the same, a high end hdmi still the same and usb c cable and still the exact same quality but looked great on windows.

I think the problem would’ve been solved if the option to scale everything was there as on windows if you scale down it looks just as bad but if you scale it up it’s fine.

 

[HoosierInFL]

I just purchased an LG 34@N80C-B 34 inch curved monitor for my 16" MacBook Pro. The text on it is horrendous. I've tried all the terminal commands and software that others suggested with no luck. This is on Big Sur. I'm connected via the USB-C connection. It's a damn shame. I love this big, curved monitor, but I can't live with this crappy text rendering.

 

[flupke]

same issue here: Macbook Pro 15'' 2016 in combination with new LG35WN75C-B. 3440x1440 looks horrible, checked and tried all settings. All fonts are pixelized, remembers me CGA standard I tried lower resolution: doesnt help. NOt sure what to blame: Macbook or screen. Any idea how to identify on what side is the issue?

 

[altcatalin]

Same issue with Macbook Pro 13" 2020 and HP 34f or Dell U3415W. Both are 34" IPS panels with 3440x1440.
I am thinking to try a 32" panel, same resolution but smaller size which I guess will have a higher pixel density.

 

[altcatalin]

Same issue with Macbook Pro 13" 2020 and HP 34f or Dell U3415W. Both are 34" IPS panels with 3440x1440.
I am thinking to try a 32" panel, same resolution but smaller size which I guess will have a higher pixel density.

Although it is weird, I use a Dell U2717D - 27" with 2560x1440 resolution, same pixel density as the 34" panels and have no issue.

 

[Christopher Kim]

Everything I've seen on this topic is that macOS is just not good at displaying ultra-wide monitor resolutions. Which feels really odd given it's a strength of theirs with normal 16:9 resolutions...

 

[sdiori]

I'm currently running the LG '5K2K' 34WK95U-W via my 13" 2016 MBP and it looks phenomenal. I briefly tested the ultrawide Samsung CRG9 49" monitor and, try as I might, the text and overall resolution looked abysmal. I, too, chalked it up to Macs not being able to handle screens of that size.

Here are my settings:

 

[Christopher Kim]

I'm currently running the LG '5K2K' 34WK95U-W via my 13" 2016 MBP and it looks phenomenal. I briefly tested the ultrawide Samsung CRG9 49" monitor and, try as I might, the text and overall resolution looked abysmal. I, too, chalked it up to Macs not being able to handle screens of that size.

Wow that’s a sweet monitor! If that’s the case then, I dunno what’s the issue with all the other ultrawides... maybe something to do with your monitor specifically / higher resolution ultra-wides working? 🤷‍♂️

 

[djordje@atlialp]

Hi folks,

I came up with the same issue in my brand new LG 34WN80C-B and my MacBook Pro 16". With HDMI connection the image quality is great. But when I use USB-C it is horrible.

After hours of searching and debugging, I found out that LG offers a software for the LG monitor (LG OnScreen Control). You can find the software on the product page of the monitor: https://www.lg.com/de/support/produkt/lg-34WN80C-B.

Install the software and reboot your mac. Afterwards I was able to fully control the image and quality of my monitor and the image is now as beautiful as with the HDMI connection.

Best,
Djordje

 

[caffein8dnotopi8d]

Hi folks,

I came up with the same issue in my brand new LG 34WN80C-B and my MacBook Pro 16". With HDMI connection the image quality is great. But when I use USB-C it is horrible.

After hours of searching and debugging, I found out that LG offers a software for the LG monitor (LG OnScreen Control). You can find the software on the product page of the monitor: https://www.lg.com/de/support/produkt/lg-34WN80C-B.

Install the software and reboot your mac. Afterwards I was able to fully control the image and quality of my monitor and the image is now as beautiful as with the HDMI connection.

Best,
Djordje

I think its been a while since the original was posted but I wanted to thank you for posting this. I have the 29 ultrawide in my Best Buy cart and was rather scared after reading this thread. But thanks to your post will be ordering it.

my MacBook Pro doesn’t have usb-c anyways so I’d be using over hdmi.

 

[moabal]

Hi folks,

I came up with the same issue in my brand new LG 34WN80C-B and my MacBook Pro 16". With HDMI connection the image quality is great. But when I use USB-C it is horrible.

After hours of searching and debugging, I found out that LG offers a software for the LG monitor (LG OnScreen Control). You can find the software on the product page of the monitor: https://www.lg.com/de/support/produkt/lg-34WN80C-B.

Install the software and reboot your mac. Afterwards I was able to fully control the image and quality of my monitor and the image is now as beautiful as with the HDMI connection.

Best,
Djordje

Hi.

I tried exactly this and I do not see any improvement. What exactly are you adjusting in your settings? Appreciate the help in advanced.

I see no difference between HDMI or USBC to DisplayPort.

 

[Zebulon76]

Hi,

I installed the latest version of OnSreen for Mac (4.51) and the 11.2.3 MacOS patch and the quality is still awful.
Someone try the beta of 11.3 to see if we have an improvement?

 

[damilhare]

Hello,

I had this issue with my LG 34WN80C-B 34 inch 21:9 Curved UltraWide WQHD IPS Monitor and I use a Macbook Pro 16-inch, 2019.

I was planning on returning it, but unchecking the "High Dynamic Range" option seems to work for me!! I hope this helps someone.

 

[aesthetic]

Hello,

I had this issue with my LG 34WN80C-B 34 inch 21:9 Curved UltraWide WQHD IPS Monitor and I use a Macbook Pro 16-inch, 2019.

I was planning on returning it, but unchecking the "High Dynamic Range" option seems to work for me!! I hope this helps someone.

****FIX****

Made an account specifically to chime in to confirm same as @damilhare before. I spent an accumulative 8-10 hours troubleshooting the same issue on my 34WN80C-B. So, so many (failed) combinations involving HDMI, hubs, adapters, DisplayPort, etc. Finally fixed the issue via directly connecting via USB-C and then DISABLING 'HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE'. I cannot emphasize my level of relief when I finally saw those smooth, crisp fonts... heh

ADDITIONALLY, I had a second 34" LG model without a native USB-C port, the 34UC88-B. I had the same problems with it until I tried a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter that supported 4K@60Hz (I got one by "Uni" off Amazon for $15.99). Worked like a charm.

ONE MORE TIP!!! While obviously different users will have different comfort levels, I concluded it to be a "sweet spot" to also reduce the monitor brightness (which defaults to 100%) down to ~80%. Everything was perfect after that. Good luck!

 

[HUSEarLamBoNgE]

I had to sign up to reply here so that i can give my feedback.

1. Unchecking the *Dynamic Range* was a real fix.
2. Installing Mac OnScreen app has improved the screen resolution a lot.