MBP 14 & 2 Studio Displays

[flapflapflap]

Hi all,

In order to have a dual Studio Display & MBP 14 setup, I'm assuming each Studio Display will need to have its own TB3 cable connected to the MBP. Anyone know if I can get full resolution if I connect the MBP to the Studio Displays via OWC's TB Dock (https://www.owcdigital.com/products/thunderbolt-hub)?

 

[KPOM]

Hi all,

In order to have a dual Studio Display & MBP 14 setup, I'm assuming each Studio Display will need to have its own TB3 cable connected to the MBP. Anyone know if I can get full resolution if I connect the MBP to the Studio Displays via OWC's TB Dock (https://www.owcdigital.com/products/thunderbolt-hub)?

I don't think it will, because the hub just splits the Thunderbolt port's capacity between the 3 ports. It still may be useful to get the hub if you think you will want to connect multiple devices to your remaining TB4 port.

 

[Amethyst1]

[...] Anyone know if I can get full resolution if I connect the MBP to the Studio Displays via OWC's TB Dock [...]

A single Thunderbolt 3/4 stream can carry two DisplayPort signals and each Studio Display requires two for 5K 60 Hz 10bpc so you'd need four signals for two Studio Displays at 5K, which just aren't there.
It's not been established yet whether the Studio Display can do 5K 60 Hz 10bpc via a single DisplayPort 1.4 plus DSC signal - if it can, it may be possible to connect both to the dock and get 5K.

 

[flapflapflap]

A single Thunderbolt 3/4 stream can carry two DisplayPort signals and each Studio Display requires two for 5K 60 Hz 10bpc so you'd need four signals for two Studio Displays at 5K, which just aren't there.
It's not been established yet whether the Studio Display can do 5K 60 Hz 10bpc via a single DisplayPort 1.4 plus DSC signal - if it can, it may be possible to connect both to the dock and get 5K.

Thanks, in that case the easiest, least expensive way, from my POV, is having both displays directly connected to the MBP. Clamshell is cool, but I prefer having the lid open so in terms of arrangement and cable management, I think I'll need to set the MBP in the middle, below the displays or to the right.

 

[Aidoru2K]

A single Thunderbolt 3/4 stream can carry two DisplayPort signals and each Studio Display requires two for 5K 60 Hz 10bpc so you'd need four signals for two Studio Displays at 5K, which just aren't there.
It's not been established yet whether the Studio Display can do 5K 60 Hz 10bpc via a single DisplayPort 1.4 plus DSC signal - if it can, it may be possible to connect both to the dock and get 5K.

I think this is a Thunderbolt 3 issue only. CalDigit clearly states that their Thunderbolt 4 products (Element Hub and TS4) support up to *two* 6K/60 displays on M1 Pro and M1 Max, while the old TS3 Plus dock is limited to a single 5K/60.

 

[flapflapflap]

I think this is a Thunderbolt 3 issue only. CalDigit clearly states that their Thunderbolt 4 products (Element Hub and TS4) support up to *two* 6K/60 displays on M1 Pro and M1 Max, while the old TS3 Plus dock is limited to a single 5K/60.

?

Thanks! will check this out

 

[Amethyst1]

CalDigit clearly states that their Thunderbolt 4 products (Element Hub and TS4) support up to *two* 6K/60 displays on M1 Pro and M1 Max, while the old TS3 Plus dock is limited to a single 5K/60.

AFAIK Thunderbolt 4 still carries only two DisplayPort signals per port, so only two signals are going into the dock or hub.

The Pro Display XDR can do 6K60 via a single DisplayPort 1.4 HBR2+DSC signal, so two signals are sufficient for two XDRs in that case.

It's not been established yet whether the Studio Display can do 5K60 via a single DisplayPort 1.4 HBR2+DSC signal as well. If it can, two can (probably) be run off the hub/dock. If it cannot, only one can be run at 5K60 off the hub/dock — or possibly two, at 4K60 each.

This is all speculation until someone tests it of course.

 

[Amethyst1]

It's not been established yet whether the Studio Display can do 5K60 via a single DisplayPort 1.4 HBR2+DSC signal as well.

Ars Technica have tested the Studio Display via a non-Thunderbolt connection and claim to have attained 5K60.
No word on whether it’s 8 or 10 bpc, i.e. whether DSC is working but if that’s accurate it’s a better result than with the UltraFine 5K already.

 

[Amethyst1]

Update: The Studio Display can use a single DisplayPort 1.4 HBR2+DSC signal for 5K60 10bpc, so running two off a TB4 dock/hub should be possible — if the Mac’s GPU supports DSC and DSC is working.