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If these guys can do it with an M1, wouldn't it be sensible that you can do it with the M1 Pro/Max?

I think this will get answered real quick now that these are out in the wild!


MacBook Air M1, Mac Mini M1 are able to run at 144Hz with LG 38WN95C-W
In this video he's connecting displayport, not HDMI 2.1, and he's only doing 1440p, not 4k. If anyone know the story on how to get even just 60fps 4k 444 HDR out of these things into HDMI 2.1 please let me know!
 
A lot of clueless people in this thread. TB ports can only do 40gbps, HDMI2.1 goes up to 48. For an insanely expensive "pro" device released in a market where high end displays are all coming with 2.1 ports, it's a really bizarre choice. But I suppose it's an improvement over no hdmi port at all. But still, what a huge mistake on Apple's part imo.
 
A lot of clueless people in this thread. TB ports can only do 40gbps, HDMI2.1 goes up to 48. For an insanely expensive "pro" device released in a market where high end displays are all coming with 2.1 ports, it's a really bizarre choice. But I suppose it's an improvement over no hdmi port at all. But still, what a huge mistake on Apple's part imo.
I don’t think the 40gbps vs 48gbps is that big of a deal. You can do 4K120hz 10 bit within 40gbps. You can’t get 12 bit color, but no displays really support that yet anyway. Also, if you need to go above 40gbps, there’s always DSC which gives you 3x effective bandwidth.

I’d be happy if the TB4 port supported all of this within its 40gbps limitations.
 
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There is likely a DP to HDMI conversion chip that provisions the HDMI port directly. ( absolutely zero need to roundabout through Thunderbolt complex at all. ). Just doing DP is way simpler and far more cost effective to buy a standard HDMI 2.0b converter. The other way would be for Apple to build their own converter on die and pump the HDMI straight out. If on-die convert then once again simpler and saved die space just to do HDMI 2.0b
I'd guess hdmi converter id on die and that's the reason why it is so old: the die has been in development for several years and hdmi version would be the last thing they would focus on, if there's any time to upgrade before launch (manufacturing).
In the schematics of the next m-chip, this is probably already upgraded.
 
I'd guess hdmi converter id on die and that's the reason why it is so old: the die has been in development for several years and hdmi version would be the last thing they would focus on, if there's any time to upgrade before launch (manufacturing).


Nope.

Step 1 of iFixit tear down

"...Kinetic Technologies MCDP2920 DisplayPort-to-HDMI Converter ... "



It is a discrete converter.

Just like the AppleTV 4K 2020


" ... Kinetic Technologies (formerly Megachips) MCDP2920A4 DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.0 converter ... "


Same parts used in multiple products means lower bill of materials cost for Apple.
If good enough for 4K TVs then will cover the overwhelmingly majority of the conference projectors and random TVs available. And Apple doesn't have to do much new software driver wise.

Apple has said that they only want to do stuff in SoC where other folks don't do a better job. The vast majority of Apple products don't have a HDMI port. Plus this is something that others do more than well enough that Apple isn't going to do something revolutionary better here.



In the schematics of the next m-chip, this is probably already upgraded.

Very probably not. When Apple gets around to implementing DisplayPort 2.0 then maybe. But the number of "more than good neough" DP 1.4 -> HDMI converters Apple can buy off the shelf are just fine. AppleTV 4K probably isn't going to be on a fast path evolution either. ( AppleTV demand would be a bigger driver for change. Otherwise just off the economies of scale track. )
 
So have anyone here tested if the MacBook Pro is capable of outputting a 4K/120hz signal from its TB4 port?

if the MBP is capable of driving an external LCD through its HDMI port at 3840 x 1600 at 120hz or above?

Looking for actual data points. Thx!
 
I already knew greedy APPLE was going to pull something like this. They always add the basic and all the Apple fan boys run to buy it right away then complain after owning it for a few weeks. That's when they realize Apple ripped them off. Next year they will add the HDMI 2.1 port and UHS-III card slot and call it innovation. SMFH!!
 
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And the next random troll who hasn't even read this thread and instead just dumps his nonsense. 🙄
FYI:
1) We are an Apple forum full of "fans" yet HDMI 2.1 vs 2.0 is not a deciding factor for >99% of all buyers
2) HDMI 2.0b is everything but "basic". It's perfectly suitable for its purpose: plug & play projectors and 4K TVs
3) HDMI 2.1 requires 48GB/s bandwidth, but the maximum bus speed is 40GB/s so far.
4) If you really need 6k or 120Hz to survive, you still have three TB4 ports.
 
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So have anyone here tested if the MacBook Pro is capable of outputting a 4K/120hz signal from its TB4 port?

if the MBP is capable of driving an external LCD through its HDMI port at 3840 x 1600 at 120hz or above?

Looking for actual data points. Thx!

No one here knows?
 
And the next random troll who hasn't even read this thread and instead just dumps his nonsense. ?
FYI:
1) We are an Apple forum full of "fans" yet HDMI 2.1 vs 2.0 is not a deciding factor for >99% of all buyers
2) HDMI 2.0b is everything but "basic". It's perfectly suitable for its purpose: plug & play projectors and 4K TVs
3) HDMI 2.1 requires 48GB/s bandwidth, but the maximum bus speed is 40GB/s so far.
4) If you really need 6k or 120Hz to survive, you still have three TB4 ports.
Just a follow up to this PS5 uses 40gb/s or less as I recall(I think it’s 32Gb/s bandwidth) to do 4K HDR @120.
So this HDMI seems like a minor issue but Apple still should have made sure they had an updated chipset
On these laptops.
FWIW I own a 16in M1Pro
 
No one here knows? So have anyone here tested if the MacBook Pro is capable of outputting a 4K/120hz signal from its TB4 port?

I understand this is an old thread- but just to comment -- for those that don't know, when it comes to video bandwidth, it's about more than just the resolution and frame rate.

You also need to account for color bit depth, and if chroma subsampling is being used, and if HDR metadata is present.

To answer your question though, yes. Using DisplayPort (over TB4) you can achieve 4K 120Hz with 10 bit color, RGB 444 (no chroma subsampling) with HDR -- but this requires DSC, display stream compression.
 
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