need help: 3 Displays on M4 mini non pro: How ? it´s not working

[streetfunk]

Hello,

i run a base M4 Mini ( base means: the non pro)
I just tryed the first time ever to run a 3rd display.
It´s not working !

connections:
- main display: HDMI -> directly @ mac Mini HDMI in
- 2nd display : HDMI -> USB-C hub -> TB4 dock -> M4mini TB4 in
- 3rd display : HDMI -> TB3 dock -> M4mini TB4 in / or: Usb-C hub ( a 2nd one) -> TB4 dock (same as display 2)
edit: everything is a 2K resolution / 60Hz

Attaching the 3rd display throws out my main display @ HDMI in on the mini.

No three displasy are ever shown. While my 3rd is recognised. Just -again- it throws out my first/main display when i connect it.

No clue what i can do, what to try ?
You have ideas ?


my first display could be connected with USB-C. Just: i have no long enough USB-C cable at hand ( i have some on order though)
Displays 2 and 3 are the same display product. These have HDMI, Display port ( that big sized connecter, similar to HDMI) or VGA, but no USB-C. (edit: but i have no hub or adapter to run the display port connection)

 

[russell_314]

By looking at the wording on the Apple website, I’m kind of wondering if two of the displays have to be over thunderbolt. Someone with more technical knowledge of this could chime in, but the wording seems to point out one display over HDMI.

 

[dmccloud]

The issue is most likely the how the monitors are connected. The last line in the above screenshot is the key here. DisplayPort alt mode is what runs the displays over the Thunderbolt connection. If your monitors support DisplayPort, you can run a DisplayPort to USB-C cable instead of HDMI to take advantage of the additional bandwidth of DisplayPort/Thunderbolt. Compared to DisplayPort, HDMI has noticeable limitations with respect to bandwidth. On the gaming PC side you will often see gaming monitors max out at 120-144Hz on HDMI even if they are capable of 165/180/240Hz over DisplayPort.

 

[streetfunk]

By looking at the wording on the Apple website, I’m kind of wondering if two of the displays have to be over thunderbolt. Someone with more technical knowledge of this could chime in, but the wording seems to point out one display over HDMI.

I agree. That was also how how i understood that.

But i thought that´s what i have.
( I edited it in in my OP: it´s everything just 2K/60Hz )

one Display directly over HDMI
One over HDMI to a TB4dock, then over TB to the mac-mini.
the third same, just an older -just- TB3 dock.

So, i count here only the mac-minis side.
Is that not good enough ?

thanks for the quote: i´ve donne it myself, but it´s not shown in eglish language on my pc

If your monitors support DisplayPort, you can run a DisplayPort to USB-C cable instead of HDMI to take advantage of the additional bandwidth of DisplayPort/Thunderbolt.

See the first part of this post first, please.
So, you say i have to connect my 2nd and 3rd screen over such display port to Usb-C cable ?

You´d say the displays side itself counts here ?

 

[yellowbunny]

I have one connected to hdmi, one usbc to dvi and then iPad on sidecar. No issues here

 

[streetfunk]

i would count "ipad on sidecar" a special case. in my book not comparable to my scenario. But thanks for reporting.


I´m not native english, and i allways just connected my displays in one way or another, and it allways just worked.
I have no understanding what apple/my mac wants to see *exactly* ?
Which side of the connection counts ?
I thought only the mac minis side counts. Am i wrong ?



I mean, i can go shop for some adpaters, cables, etc.
Just, it´s not that easy, i must watch thresholds vs. the items prices to not have the costs for items double or worse, just based on shipping. Can´t buy single cables. need to combine items to make a order sinful.

 

[dmccloud]

I agree. That was also how how i understood that.

But i thought that´s what i have.
( I edited it in in my OP: it´s everything just 2K/60Hz )

one Display directly over HDMI
One over HDMI to a TB4dock, then over TB to the mac-mini.
the third same, just an older -just- TB3 dock.

So, i count here only the mac-minis side.
Is that not good enough ?

thanks for the quote: i´ve donne it myself, but it´s not shown in eglish language on my pc


See the first part of this post first, please.
So, you say i have to connect my 2nd and 3rd screen over such display port to Usb-C cable ?

You´d say the displays side itself counts here ?

If you are using appropriate connections, you can connect three displays without needing a dock at all. One monitor would remain connected to the HDMI port on the Mac Mini, while the other two monitors would run a DisplayPort to USB-C cable, which you would connect directly to the thunderbolt ports on the back of the Mac. That would leave the third port on the back open for the TB4 dock. That would mean far less clutter in the workspace, and a cleaner look overall.

 

[streetfunk]

which you would connect directly to the thunderbolt ports on the back of the Mac.

That´s not possible.
I can connect one display -directly- to the HDMI.
Display 2 and 3 *have* to be connected thru some hubs or docks.
There is no way around that. It´s a music PC ! (the numbers of all the additional stuff that has to be connected too is insane. And i run for realtime audio uses. My TB Audio interface gets for example it´s own TB port. This has priority )



So, no, no direct connections with my 2nd and 3rd display. It´s not going to happen.
What i need to understand is the set of rules vs. how to connect the displays. What works ? What "should" work ?
What´s the determing factors ?


right now, as tested, was my third display recognised.
But how is it even possible that it would throw out my main display ?

 

[dmccloud]

If you can't connect the other two monitors directly to the TB ports on the Mini you would have to go through a TB4 or TB5 dock capable of handling multiple monitors. You would need to ditch the USB-C hubs you mentioned in your original post and connect the displays directly to either the dock or the Mac Mini. With my current setup, I can connect one monitor directly via HDMI, one via the DisplayPort to USB-C cable, and one directly to the DisplayPort connector on my TB4 dock without any issues.

 

[streetfunk]

You would need to ditch the USB-C hubs you mentioned in your original post and connect the displays directly to either the dock or the Mac Mini.

but the usb-C hub in use is connected to my TB4 dock.
I would guess this qualifies on the macs-side as a TB connection.
Or not ? Is the USB-C hub doing something with the signal that i have to ditch it ?
While the display is connected to it by HDMI !....or is that rendering that connection as non viable ?


i have not yet fresh cables here.
End of week i have some USB-C cables.
and need still to order some HDMI-USB-C cables)

 

[dmccloud]

USB-C is a physical connection type rather than a protocol. Just because your hub has USB-C does not mean it supports the bandwidth needed to run your displays at the proper resolution and refresh rate. Keep in mind that Thunderbolt 4 supports 40GBps bandwidth per channel, and Thunderbolt 5 supports 80GBps per channel. In comparison, the Belkin Connect USB-C hub only supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 with a max bandwidth of 10GBps. The Anker 5-in-1 USB-C hub has even less bandwidth, only allocating 5GBps to the USB-C ports. The Sabrent 7-Port USB-C 48W Powered Hub has 7 USB-C ports, but only supports 5GBps per port as well. The Thunderbolt ports on the Mac Mini will support Display Port Alt Mode, which is why I was suggesting the DP to USB-C cable in the first place.