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MBP w/o Touch Bar: can't get full res on external display

E

eurobum

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 4, 2012
83
2
Hey all.

I have a MBP late 2016 without touch bar. It should, according to specs, be able to output up to 5K 60 Hz resolution via HDMI.

I have a Dell U2711 display with a maximum resolution of 2560x1440. On my old (2011) MBP it ran full resolution via DisplayPort.

Currently, the 2016 MBP will only output 1080p on the Dell display via HDMI. Both the Genius I talked to when buying the MBP and specs on Apple's support page state it can run up to 5K via HDMI.

The HDMI cable is 2.0 and only about 20" long. 2.0 should support 4K (4096x2160 at 60 Hz)

Anything I'm missing?
 
Last edited:
eurobum said:
Hey all.

I have a MBP late 2016 without touch bar. It should, according to specs, be able to output up to 5K 60 Hz resolution via HDMI.

I have a Dell 2711u display with a maximum resolution of 2560x1440. On my old (2011) MBP it ran full resolution via DisplayPort.

Currently, the 2016 MBP will only output 1080p on the Dell display via HDMI. Both the Genius I talked to when buying the MBP and specs on Apple's support page state it can run up to 5K via HDMI.

The HDMI cable is 2.0 and only about 20" long. 2.0 should support 4K (4096x2160 at 60 Hz)

Anything I'm missing?
Click to expand...

What adapter are you using to connect to USB c??
 
Thank you, forgot about that:

Apple's own: USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter

It has a USB-C in, HDMI out, normal USB in
 
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This adapter allows you to mirror your MacBook or MacBook Pro display to your HDMI-enabled TV or display in up to 1080p at 60Hz or UHD (3840 by 2160) at 30Hz
Click to expand...

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter

So it should at least be able to get 1440p at 30 Hz
[doublepost=1489669554][/doublepost]Annoying. Thanks for the answer. Will take it back today and see what they say

Samuelsan2001 said:
This one

http://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MJ1K2ZM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?fnode=8b

It has terrible reviews and it seems that it has issues with hdmi port. Not looking good for that adapter take it back to Apple and get something else would be my recommendation.
Click to expand...
 
Frustrating. Went and they offered my money back. I opted to try one more and if that one didn't work they'd offer me a full return. Guess what, didn't work either.

Now I've ordered an identical adapter but from a different brand. Chances that's bunk as well?

$2K for a brand new laptop and already issues out the box. Terrible costumer experience.
 
Why are you trying to use HDMI? Why not use the DisplayPort as you did before? A lot less grief with that port.

There have been reports with some devices that one must press option to get the resolution choices. Don't know if that applies here.
 
Tried pressing option in the displays settings. A lot more resolutions appeared but they were all lower ones.

I want HDMI because I have to get it anyways for a projector that I use with the computer. Worst case, I will have to get both an adapter for HDMI and a USB-C to DisplayPort cable like you mention ... what sucks about the latter is that I can't find a "dongle" that has USB-C to DP plus an additional USB-C input for power.

Two USB-Cs on a $2K laptop is ridiculous. I need the dongle/adapter to have power because the other USB-C port will be used for a USB hub

Some courageous design choices they've made

Sanpete said:
Why are you trying to use HDMI? Why not use the DisplayPort as you did before? A lot less grief with that port.

There have been reports with some devices that one must press option to get the resolution choices. Don't know if that applies here.
Click to expand...
 
Have you tested the HDMI cable to ensure it will work at the desired resolution? That may be the problem. Which cable is it?

The machine you bought is the bare-bones version. All the others have more ports, but a lot of people will do fine with just two. You will too, most likely, when you manage to get working parts.
 
It's a quirk with your monitor. A quick Google pulls up thousands of people with the same issue.

It looks like for 1440p via HDMI that monitor requires you to force a custom 1440p resolution input. It defaults to 1080p on the HDMI port, but is not technically limited to that. I'm not sure how you'd achieve that on a Mac - possibly SwitchResX?
 
Thanks. Gave it a go, SwitchResX, didn't work. Seems like 1440p is an option, but can't choose it



andy9l said:
It's a quirk with your monitor. A quick Google pulls up thousands of people with the same issue.

It looks like for 1440p via HDMI that monitor requires you to force a custom 1440p resolution input. It defaults to 1080p on the HDMI port, but is not technically limited to that. I'm not sure how you'd achieve that on a Mac - possibly SwitchResX?
Click to expand...
 
Sanpete said:
Have you tested the HDMI cable to ensure it will work at the desired resolution? That may be the problem. Which cable is it?

The machine you bought is the bare-bones version. All the others have more ports, but a lot of people will do fine with just two. You will too, most likely, when you manage to get working parts.
Click to expand...

How can I test it? The vendor says it's high speed HDMI 2.0, which should support 4K/60 Hz.

I just received a similar adapter from a different brand -- it still will only go to 1080p. Must be an issue with connecting to this specific display.

Next month I'm probably getting a 4K display: http://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/BDM4037UW_93/brilliance-4k-ultra-hd-lcd-display-with-multiview/overview ... if HDMI won't work on that I guess I'll have to get a DisplayPort to USB-C cable. I don't see any USB-C splitters/hubs, which would be nice in this case
[doublepost=1490016962][/doublepost]UPDATE:

Got 1440p working with SwitchResX, however the output on the screen doesn't look "smooth" like it's supposed to
[doublepost=1490018140][/doublepost]https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/need-help-connecting-dell-u2711-to-2016-mbp.2016370/

The above link suggests the display simply can't output 1440p via HDMI but only DisplayPort. Not really an issue, since I'll be getting that new display soon.

Any way to see if it's the same for the (newer) Philips one I'm getting? Specs here:

http://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/BDM403...-hd-lcd-display-with-multiview/specifications

Optimal resolution is 3840x2160 @ 60 Hz. It doesn't say anything specific about what inputs yield what resolutions. It does have two HDMI inputs where one is 2.0 -- doesn't that indicate it should be able to output 4K/60Hz with the proper cable + adapter?

- cable, according to vendor, is good for 4K/60 Hz
- HDMI adapter is good for up to 5K/60 Hz
- new MBP from late 2016
- 4K display with HDMI 2.0

It does have 2 x DisplayPort as well, so if all fails I'll just try that, but HDMI would be a more practical solution for me
[doublepost=1490018477][/doublepost]
 
Last edited:
BarracksSi said:
Remember when you had separate HDMI and DisplayPort sockets on a laptop?
Click to expand...

Tell me about it.

I have a rMB and the Apple USB-C to HDMI adapter, no problems pushing 60Hz to my Acer 27" using HDMI or DVI

But now my desk looks like this:

VGA/DVI Acer 22" Monitor
DVI/DisplayPort/HDMI Acer 27" Monitor

Then I have a ThinkPad T420S, 12" 2015 rMBP, 13" 2013 rMBP

You should the see the pile of adapters I have now. DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI...

I can plug any of my screens in but it was nice when I just had one cable to worry about, or even just VGA/DVI and MiniDP/DisplayPort back in the day.
 
eurobum said:
Got 1440p working with SwitchResX, however the output on the screen doesn't look "smooth" like it's supposed to
Click to expand...

You mean movements of the cursor and scrolling aren't smooth? May only be at 30 Hz. You need 60. If you mean the fonts don't look smooth, that's a different issue.

eurobum said:
It doesn't say anything specific about what inputs yield what resolutions. It does have two HDMI inputs where one is 2.0 -- doesn't that indicate it should be able to output 4K/60Hz with the proper cable + adapter?
Click to expand...

Yeah, should be fine.
 
No not jerky, movements are fine (including video) so not a refresh rate issue -- you can also set the refresh rate in SwitchResX quite easily. I'm away from home at the moment, so I can't check with the display connected, but I'm pretty sure it was 60 Hz. Everythng just look like it's not supposed to be this resolution. Not crisp like normally with this display at that resolution. If I take a screen shot and look at it from the MBP's retina display it looks completely normal -- as it should, so it's just how the display outputs it

I guess it's understandable seeing the display is five or so years old. Really hope you're right about the other one

Sanpete said:
You mean movements of the cursor and scrolling aren't smooth? May only be at 30 Hz. You need 60. If you mean the fonts don't look smooth, that's a different issue.



Yeah, should be fine.
Click to expand...
 
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