Meirro Pro Display 6K (32" glossy, aluminum)

[rafale77]

After watching the video, I noted a few more tidbits.

1. The stand looks like cost reduced version of the Kuycon. The Meirro seems to have given up on mimicking the Apple look and loses the rounded transition between the two pieces. It also has a very short connecting piece to the monitor which would limit some of screens' ablity to tilt. It went for a squarish cable opening which is not great esthetically but also practically to reduce cable strain.

2. The screen itself looks very thick. About the same as the G32P or maybe even thicker. I was hoping for it to be thinner.

3. The impression I am getting is that it is probably as reflective as the Kuycon and I would speculate is they share the same treatment of the panel with its pros and cons.

4. The branding seems to be really etched or silkscreened onto the back. I really hope the production version will skip this.

5. What is uniquely common to the G32P Vs. the other Chinese options, the internal power supply, skipping the power brick and the proprietary stand mounting leveraging a single screw instead of the ugly VESA 100x100 bolt on.

 

[tornado99]

Meirro Review:

Oh look it follows the exact style of Monitor Review I've seen time and time again.

Chinese Reviewer

Brightness - measures it with hardware Colorimeter
Contrast ratio - measures it
Color Gamut - measures it
Uniformity - places the Colorimeter in 9 different areas of the display and measures it
AR coating - shines a flashlight across the display so we see how it handles a concentrated bright light source

Me - wow I really learnt a lot

99% of Western Reviewers

"Oh look shiny shiny".....proceeds to read off spec sheet "This one is 60 Hz, this one is 120 Hz, bla bla bla".

Me - I just wasted 20 minutes

 

[FatLouie]

Oh look it follows the exact style of Monitor Review I've seen time and time again.

Chinese Reviewer

Brightness - measures it with hardware Colorimeter
Contrast ratio - measures it
Color Gamut - measures it
Uniformity - places the Colorimeter in 9 different areas of the display and measures it
AR coating - shines a flashlight across the display so we see how it handles a concentrated bright light source

Me - wow I really learnt a lot

99% of Western Reviewers

"Oh look shiny shiny".....proceeds to read off spec sheet "This one is 60 Hz, this one is 120 Hz, bla bla bla".

Me - I just wasted 20 minutes

Yep, his review was fairly useless, for me anyway. He also kept referring to the USB4 as Thunderbolt 4.
I sent them an email ask if the monitor is UHBR3.5 or UHBR20.

 

[FatLouie]

Meirro has quickly responded to my support request concerning UHBR20, and their reply is:

Our Meirro monitor supports up to UHBR20. Theoretically, there will be no compatibility issues with your Mac Studio M4 Max.

I am impressed they got back to me so quickly. I was expecting a several-day wait. 🙂

 

[tenthousandthings]

[…] Of course the Meirro monitor in the video could be a pre-production model, and not the finalised product?

Great post, thanks! I think it is a pre-production unit — the Thunderbolt mark on the input port may be different in the volume-production design — I haven’t watched the video yet, but I understand the influencer talks about Thunderbolt connectivity, while in the pre-order features and specs Meirro has dropped that. I’m sure the ClickClack support experience handling questions about Kuycon’s claims of “Thunderbolt 4/5” in the G32P is at work here. I think explaining it is a USB4 Version 2 input port with support for DisplayPort over USB-C and UHBR20 (80 Gb/s) has been simplified to just “USB4” and “80 Gbps” …

DisplayPort over USB-C supports either the USB 2.0 hub function found here or a USB 3.1 hub function, so I think there’s hope a future revision might upgrade the hub. I think that true Thunderbolt certification and the higher-end USB 3.2 hub capabilities that come with that are expensive and so it’s understandable that we don’t see that here.

I could be wrong, but I don’t believe you gain any additional video or audio capabilities with Thunderbolt 4/5 support versus DisplayPort over USB-C in terms of the input stream. You get a better USB hub and daisy chain capabilities, but for video/audio input it’s a shared protocol.

 

[PaulD-UK]

@tenthousandthings "I think explaining it is a USB4 Version 2 input port with support for DisplayPort over USB-C and UHBR20 (80 Gb/s) has been simplified to just “USB4” and “80 Gbps” …"

Hmm. RealTek's historical form has been to achieve mass-market higher resolution scaler chips by repurposing older 'good-enough' 4K/HiRate chips with reworked firmware to achieve 5K and probably 6K resolution.

So my suspicion (until we have proper testing) is that when CC's marketing team responds with "up to UHBR20" to the bandwidth question (that @FatLouie asked in the immediately previous post), what that means is UHBR13.5 - up to ~52Gbps in practice.
And if the OSD has an '80Gbps' setting, (as Kuycon's revised firmware has), then that means 'greater than 40Gbp' for the sake of simplicity rather than accuracy.

"DisplayPort over USB-C supports either the USB 2.0 hub function found here or a USB 3.1 hub function..."
The way USB 3.x works is that hi-speed channels have to be either video or data, but TB3/4+ tunnels both streams down the same wires which allows flexibility.

Previously RealTek has hard-wired all (four) USB-C input Hi-speed channels directly to the scaler chip's video inputs, meaning that without USB4 hardware (which I think for video means TB4+ chips) there can't be any flexibility.
Only the USB 2 data channels are available for non-video use.

I suspect that low-end 'USB DP Alt mode' 5K/120+ or 6K/60 monitors are benefitting from the fact that <1m TB4 and TB5 cables are physically identical - but higher quality for TB5.
Only >1m active TB5 cables have different electronics.

So in effect they are getting ~UHBR13.5 rates by pushing UHBR10 spec (i.e. USB4 V1 DP1.4a) hardware to the limit.
And any upgraded protocol-specific handshaking signalling required to get higher resolution transfer rates from the Mac are being 'spoofed' by the 80Gbps firmware toggle in the RealTek chip... Something like that. 😉

Unfortunately there probably won't be any tear-down videos of any of these aluminium monitors anytime soon, as the only way into the case is like Apple's iMacs - removing the panel adhesive.

 

[tenthousandthings]

"DisplayPort over USB-C supports either the USB 2.0 hub function found here or a USB 3.1 hub function..."
The way USB 3.x works is that hi-speed channels have to be either video or data, but TB3/4+ tunnels both streams down the same wires which allows flexibility.

Previously RealTek has hard-wired all (four) USB-C input Hi-speed channels directly to the scaler chip's video inputs, meaning that without USB4 hardware (which I think for video means TB4+ chips) there can't be any flexibility.
Only the USB 2 data channels are available for non-video use.

I suspect that low-end 'USB DP Alt mode' 5K/120+ or 6K/60 monitors are benefitting from the fact that <1m TB4 and TB5 cables are physically identical - but higher quality for TB5.
Only >1m active TB5 cables have different electronics.

So in effect they are getting ~UHBR13.5 rates by pushing UHBR10 spec (i.e. USB4 V1 DP1.4a) hardware to the limit.
And any upgraded protocol-specific handshaking signalling required to get higher resolution transfer rates from the Mac are being 'spoofed' by the 80Gbps firmware toggle in the RealTek chip... Something like that. 😉

I'm certain you know this, but one thing worth explaining is that the USB 2.0 channels are two separate wires inside Thunderbolt 3/4/5 and/or USB4 cables, so they're independent of the various wires used for Thunderbolt and DisplayPort data and control functions. So I believe the Apple Pro Display XDR, the Kuycon G32P/G32X, and the Meirro Pro 6K all use those two wires for their USB hub function, separate from the primary video/audio/charging functions.

See the various teardowns at ChargerLab, including the 1.8m Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable (video) and the less-expensive 1m Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable (photos)

Looking at our 6K WikiPost list, I see two "USB 3.0" (5 Gb/s) hubs (remember the WikiPost mostly just records what the manufacturer claims, YMMV), in the JapanNext and the Alogic. I suppose that could be the next step for Meirro. USB 3.0 has been renamed USB 3.1 Gen 1, so it's a bit confusing. You'll notice neither of them claim to be "Thunderbolt" monitors. These are DisplayPort over USB-C with USB 3.1 hub function (as opposed to USB 2.0 hub function.) Regardless, the point is that they don't use the separate USB 2.0 wires.

 

[PaulD-UK]

@tenthousandthings "Looking at our 6K WikiPost list, I see two "USB 3.0" (5 Gb/s) hubs (remember the WikiPost mostly just records what the manufacturer claims, YMMV), in the JapanNext and the Alogic. I suppose that could be the next step for Meirro."

OK. I can sort that out, as JapanNext is a 'budget' company taking every shortcut it can, whilst 'talking the marketing talk' of the big boys... 😉

Below is the website image of the 6K JapanNext's port layout.

Into it I've inlayed an identically-ported MediaTek reference design-based port layout of the 'initially-4K, but with 5K firmware' board** that I guess is now 'initially 4K, but now 6K'. Haha.

The way it works is that the 'KVM' hub on the board has a blue (USB 3.0) USB-B input-only connection from the Mac, and two USB-A (3.0) output ports to attach either i) USB 3.0 data devices, which are connecting to the computer via the USB-B port, or ii) USB 2 Keyb'd and M'se to control whichever computer is attached to the video input selected - including the USB-C input - or any USB 2 data devices/webcams etc.

If the HDMI or DP input is selected then the USB-B connection to the computer is driving the K and M, or any USB 3.0 devices attached.
If the USB-C input is selected, then the USB-A ports revert to USB 2 and any attached K and M are able to control the Mac.

You will see in JapanNext's port description, that what I have taken about 6 lines to describe is summarised as '2.0 KVM' for the USB-B port's description, but it's blue form factor shows it has the 9 wire USB 3.0 configuration.

And my 5K DIY monitor with the newest card works this way. 🙂
Only a TB4/5 chip on the board gets over this limitation.

Of course high end brands are free to commission whatever scaler-board hardware they want, to work in their own configuration.
But it seems to be a law of physics that 5/6K over USB-C DP-Alt mode requires the full bandwidth of all the USB-C high speed data lines, leaving only the additional USB 2 lines for data.

**Manufactured by Shenzhen JRY Xinxian Technology Co.

 

[TheTypist123]

seems like someone already got the Meirro Pro Display, a customer review has been posted: Meirro Reddit Thread

 

[thenewepic]

But it seems to be a law of physics that 5/6K over USB-C DP-Alt mode requires the full bandwidth of all the USB-C high speed data lines, leaving only the additional USB 2 lines for data

it depends on DP version. Even two lines of UHBR10 would be enough for 6K@60 (with DSC) and two remaining hi-speed lines could be used for USB 3 10Gbps. But unfortunately the board used in this monitor doesn’t support USB 3 at all.

 

[thenewepic]

I think explaining it is a USB4 Version 2 input port with support for DisplayPort over USB-C and UHBR20 (80 Gb/s) has been simplified to just “USB4”

I hate their marketing BS. DP Alt mode (even UHBR20) doesn’t equal USB4. Period. This monitor doesn’t support USB4. It supports DP Alt mode plus USB 2. That’s it.

 

[iokevins]

Even two lines of UHBR10 would be enough for 6K@60 (with DSC)

Almost in every situation, I think you're right. 2 lanes UHBR10 = 9.6725 Gbit/s × 2 = 19.345 Gbit/s data rate. 6144 × 3456 (16∶9 ratio) at 60 Hz 10 bpc (30 bit/px) uncompressed = 39.83 Gbit/s data rate. DSC with the most conservative output size of 16 bit/px reduces data rate by a factor of 1.875, resulting in final compressed 21.24 Gbit/s data rate, just a bit more than 2 lanes & 19.345 Gbit/s.

DSC output sizes of 14/12/10/8 bit/px drop the compressed data rate below 19.345 Gbit/s ✅

https://linustechtips.com/topic/729...sion=dsc16bpp&calculations=show&formulas=show

 

[Renfy]

I hate their marketing BS. DP Alt mode (even UHBR20) doesn’t equal USB4. Period. This monitor doesn’t support USB4. It supports DP Alt mode plus USB 2. That’s it.

There is some misunderstanding here. Check out Meirro official site, no claim/marketing on upstream port being USB4. In connectivity: there is USB-C UPSTREAM × 1 · 80 Gbps and Up to 96 W host charging.

There is clearly some gap in understandings here and Meirro could have done a better job explaining, but there is no misleading marketing here. There is some compression, yes, so the full term should be "USB-C — DisplayPort Alt Mode, 80 Gbps, 96W PD, compatible with Thunderbolt 3/4/5 and USB4 hosts".

More importantly, in this case, with downstream ports being USB 2.0 and no daisy chain support, having USB4/TB4/5 adds only artificial complexity and is practically irrelevant.

 

[Renfy]

Oh look it follows the exact style of Monitor Review I've seen time and time again.

Chinese Reviewer

Brightness - measures it with hardware Colorimeter
Contrast ratio - measures it
Color Gamut - measures it
Uniformity - places the Colorimeter in 9 different areas of the display and measures it
AR coating - shines a flashlight across the display so we see how it handles a concentrated bright light source

Me - wow I really learnt a lot

99% of Western Reviewers

"Oh look shiny shiny".....proceeds to read off spec sheet "This one is 60 Hz, this one is 120 Hz, bla bla bla".

Me - I just wasted 20 minutes

Good point, what would you say are the key elements of a "good" monitor review?

 

[Renfy]

But it seems to be a law of physics that 5/6K over USB-C DP-Alt mode requires the full bandwidth of all the USB-C high speed data lines, leaving only the additional USB 2 lines for data.

Not quite a law of physics — more an economics gap. Two lanes can carry 6K@60, but it's host-dependent: HBR3-class Macs need DSC down around 8bpp (~10.7 Gbps into ~13 Gbps of 2-lane payload), which is mathematically fine but needs validation across older Macs; DP 2.1 hosts do it comfortably. It also requires a mux support. Meirro will potentially explore the 2+2 with 6K in the next iteration, along with downstream 3.0 ports.

 

[tornado99]

Good point, what would you say are the key elements of a "good" monitor review?

Some kind of measurement is essential. For example the Asus 6K is rated at 450 nits but in reality gets as bright as 700 nits.

Also, to measure uniformity in some way. For example:

It's not difficult to make a bright monitor, but a bright uniform one is much harder.

 

[PaulD-UK]

Not quite a law of physics — more an economics gap. Two lanes can carry 6K@60, but it's host-dependent: HBR3-class Macs need DSC down around 8bpp (~10.7 Gbps into ~13 Gbps of 2-lane payload), which is mathematically fine but needs validation across older Macs; DP 2.1 hosts do it comfortably. It also requires a mux support.

I was being flippant, it is definitely an 'economic' choice, and a consequent design decision to make the best choices from the economically possible (available) alternatives.
Brands that design to a specification of their own choice end up with a ~$2000 launch price. 😉

"Meirro will potentially explore the 2+2 with 6K in the next iteration, along with downstream 3.0 ports."

That's very good to hear, product improvement... 🙂
That also includes the essential software development - "...needs validation across older Macs..." - to make it work seamlessly with the Mac ecosystem.

 

[thenewepic]

Check out Meirro official site, no claim/marketing on upstream port being USB4

are you sure about that? Because I've checked:

 

[Renfy]

That's very good to hear, product improvement... 🙂

Yeah, I know. This industry needs some disruption, at least some meaningful change. Too much spec talking, too little user-centric basic product improvements, IMO.

 

[Renfy]

are you sure about that? Because I've checked:
View attachment 2642913

You are right. Good catch. This should be fixed.

 

[Renfy]

Some kind of measurement is essential. For example the Asus 6K is rated at 450 nits but in reality gets as bright as 700 nits.

Also, to measure uniformity in some way. For example:

It's not difficult to make a bright monitor, but a bright uniform one is much harder.

I see. I think like all communication, quality of the review ( a form of communication ) has to be assessed with the viewers in mind. I'm an engineer, so I personally agree with you, anything short of a comprehensive rigorous quantitative performance test is not "good", but for certain viewers, I believe Pete's review is useful. Besides, a review is a show, so from that perspective, a show needs "drama", which by definition should be less "reasonable" to excite, and numbers don't help.

 

[tenthousandthings]

I think explaining it is a USB4 Version 2 input port with support for DisplayPort over USB-C and UHBR20 (80 Gb/s) has been simplified to just “USB4” and “80 Gbps” …

I hate their marketing BS. DP Alt mode (even UHBR20) doesn’t equal USB4. Period. This monitor doesn’t support USB4. It supports DP Alt mode plus USB 2. That’s it.

You are right. Good catch. This should be fixed.

To be fair, as @Renfy said, the specs (attached) don't say that. I gather my understanding of what "USB4" means is flawed, and claiming that is like claiming Thunderbolt support. I would expect Meirro to fix this promptly, since it's a simple matter of changing "USB4" to "USB-C" in the "Ports" feature description.

As I noted, this whole discussion is reminiscent of our old discussion of the G32P and confusion with regard to its "Thunderbolt 4/5" claims. Meirro deserve credit for listening and *not* simply repeating those claims.

 

[thenewepic]

I would expect Meirro to fix this promptly, since it's a simple matter of changing "USB4" to "USB-C" in the "Ports" feature description

yeah, I hope they remove all the remaining mentions of USB4 from the website. Otherwise, it would look like the port description was intentionally written in such an ambiguous way. People who aren't very tech-savvy might think this monitor has USB4 functionality.

 

[bluesteel]

I just returned two LG 32U990A-S 6K monitors. Had major panel uniformity issues, and the amount of sparkle/grain over a white background was ridiculous. The Meirro has got my interest, but the connectivity options bother me. I plan to keep the monitors for like four years at least. Wish this had real TB4/5 and USB3 ports, and something akin to Apple’s nano texture for antiglare would be nice too. Really want a 32” 6k monitor with a thin and even bezel with no logo on the front. Damn you LG, lol. That monitor ticked so many boxes for me.

 

[Renfy]

I just returned two LG 32U990A-S 6K monitors. Had major panel uniformity issues, and the amount of sparkle/grain over a white background was ridiculous. The Meirro has got my interest, but the connectivity options bother me. I plan to keep the monitors for like four years at least. Wish this had real TB4/5 and USB3 ports, and something akin to Apple’s nano texture for antiglare would be nice too. Really want a 32” 6k monitor with a thin and even bezel with no logo on the front. Damn you LG, lol. That monitor ticked so many boxes for me.

It seems that all major consumer electronics brands are starting to deprioritize their consumer monitors, including Apple (backing out 32 inches 6K) and quality control been more unstable in recent years (anecdotally, I don't have data to back this claim). I don't quite understand why.