rMBP - Text is blurry on external display

[chaseychasem]

For what it's worth, I've had fuzziness problems with a 24" 1900x1200 HP ZR2440w connected to a mid-2012 MBP via native MDP-to-DP, so this isn't exclusive to the rMBP. As the question of single- vs. dual-link isn't relevant in this case, I can only think of two possible causes: (1) poor OS X driver support for third-party displays; or (2) a dastardly synergy between third-party AG coating (I've read that HP and Dell use similar processes and/or suppliers) with OS X font rendering, which for me as a former PC user still requires adjustment even on my internal 15" HR AG display. The latter fact makes me lean toward possible cause #2, at least in cases of mild-to-moderate fuzziness, which is what mine was, but still distracting enough to make someone who spends hours a day writing return the HP monitor.

Post-return I'm waiting for the rumored TBD refresh later this month or next. I swore I'd never go glossy, but right now the sharper text sounds really appealing. I'd rather save AG mode for flexibility on the road and skip the squintfest at home.

 

[ivan98]

For what it's worth, I've had fuzziness problems with a 24" 1900x1200 HP ZR2440w connected to a mid-2012 MBP via native MDP-to-DP, so this isn't exclusive to the rMBP. As the question of single- vs. dual-link isn't relevant in this case, I can only think of two possible causes: (1) poor OS X driver support for third-party displays; or (2) a dastardly synergy between third-party AG coating (I've read that HP and Dell use similar processes and/or suppliers) with OS X font rendering, which for me as a former PC user still requires adjustment even on my internal 15" HR AG display. The latter fact makes me lean toward possible cause #2, at least in cases of mild-to-moderate fuzziness, which is what mine was, but still distracting enough to make someone who spends hours a day writing return the HP monitor.

I suspect it's the OS X graphics driver.

My Dell U2410 24" 1900x1200 monitor + mDP-to-DP cable works perfect with a 2011 MBA (10.8.1 ML) and a 2008 MBP (10.7 Lion), but not with the rMBP. So the odd one out is the rMBP.

And I heard Boot camp has no drivers for the 650M as yet too.

(650M is activated to drive external monitors via DP and HDMI. This is why people using DVI to drive external monitors are OK)

 

[chaseychasem]

I suspect it's the OS X graphics driver.

My Dell U2410 24" 1900x1200 monitor + mDP-to-DP cable works perfect with a 2011 MBA (10.8.1 ML) and a 2008 MBP (10.7 Lion), but not with the rMBP. So the odd one out is the rMBP.

And I heard Boot camp has no drivers for the 650M as yet too.

(650M is activated to drive external monitors via DP and HDMI. This is why people using DVI to drive external monitors are OK)

Well, I'm on an MBP not an rMBP, but if it's related to the 650M, the difference wouldn't matter. Whatever the case, I'm being driven to TBD land, methinks. Provided that Apple supports its own display?

 

[ivan98]

New updates from Apple released on 19 Sep 2012:

MBP Retina EFI Update 1.0: Does not resolve the issue
OS X 10.8.2: Does not resolve the issue

 

[terraphantm]

Can anyone post a picture of what the problem looks like? My 24" NEC looks fine to me - whether I use HDMI or mDP.

My bigger issue is that the laptop occasionally freezes when booting with an external display attached

 

[orrsella]

See post #31.

 

[gowanis]

Add me to the list. Got my rMBP about a week ago and this weekend finally got around to configuring my Samsung and LG 23" monitors. The Samsung is using mini Display Port to DVI, and the LG is using HDMI. Both look just terrible, with jagged fonts.

My intent has always been to buy a 27" Thunderbolt Display, which would solve this problem, but I've been trying to hold off, as consensus is that there are new models coming soon. But with this existing problem with my current displays, I may have to bite the bullet on the TB sooner.

 

[Cache]

Well, I have the same issue, but I'm using a late 2011 model. Basically everything appears 'fuzzy', not just the font. I notice it on images and video too. It looks horrible and it's a real let down for me as I would have loved to enjoy the OS on my 24" philips monitor...

 

[ckole]

Any new updates or ideas on this? I am having the same quality issue. Macbook Pro Retina. I ordered a Displayport to Thunderbolt cable from Monoprice and the screen still looks bad. Connecting a Windows laptop (I tried 2) looks much better. I would really hate to send this back since it seems to be a Mac issue. I really don't want to nor have the funds for a Thunderbolt display. It is twice the cost and only other benefit is that is can power may Macbook.

I did not try the $69 DVI adapter that Monoprice sells since I am unsure if that would truly make a difference or not. Product ID 6904. I have tried extend, mirror, and clamshell and none look any better.

I know it won't look like the retina display. With a Window notebook hooked up it is very usable. With my Macbook it is not.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[1belvedere]

No updates that I'm aware of

Using a Mini Displayport to DVI solved the problem for me and many others. The problem seems to be the Mac incorrectly thinking the display is a television. Go under "About this mac" and choose "More Info," then in the full system report, look under Displays/Graphics. On a Macbook with integrated and discrete graphics, two controllers show up, and you need to look under the NVidia discrete graphics. See if it says "Television: Yes." If so, that's the issue. The colors are "washed out" looking and subpixel font rendering doesn't function properly (hence blotchy text). If you're using 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 resolution, you don't need the $69 adapter, but can by just fine with the $29 adapter. You can get them off Ebay for much less than $29, too. For some reason, going through an adapter, the Mac doesn't think the display is a TV.

 

[terraphantm]

Using a Mini Displayport to DVI solved the problem for me and many others. The problem seems to be the Mac incorrectly thinking the display is a television. Go under "About this mac" and choose "More Info," then in the full system report, look under Displays/Graphics. On a Macbook with integrated and discrete graphics, two controllers show up, and you need to look under the NVidia discrete graphics. See if it says "Television: Yes." If so, that's the issue. The colors are "washed out" looking and subpixel font rendering doesn't function properly (hence blotchy text). If you're using 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 resolution, you don't need the $69 adapter, but can by just fine with the $29 adapter. You can get them off Ebay for much less than $29, too. For some reason, going through an adapter, the Mac doesn't think the display is a TV.

Strange. Going through HDMI or dP/DVI gets me the same thing listed there.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M:

  Chipset Model:	NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M
  Type:	GPU
  Bus:	PCIe
  PCIe Lane Width:	x8
  VRAM (Total):	1024 MB
  Vendor:	NVIDIA (0x10de)
  Device ID:	0x0fd5
  Revision ID:	0x00a2
  ROM Revision:	3688
  gMux Version:	3.2.19 [3.2.8]
  Displays:
LCD2490WUXi:
  Resolution:	1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
  Pixel Depth:	32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
  Display Serial Number:	82103524YA  
  Main Display:	Yes
  Mirror:	Off
  Online:	Yes
  Rotation:	Supported

Wonder why some people have them detected as TVs and some don't

 

[ninetyCent]

Possible fix

I have a MacBook Air and I was experiencing similar problems with an external monitor.

Here's a link that fixed it for me. Let us all know if it solves it for rMBP:

http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20090828224632809

 

[PacificRimJob]

I used the command line prompt for font smoothing and it seems to have helped quite a bit.

 

[1belvedere]

There are two issues here.

1. On some monitors, font smoothing is not enabled by default, and has to be turned on. This has been hashed over many times in the forums.

2. Some monitors are incorrectly detected as televisions, which renders font smoothing ineffective and ruins colors. This seems to affect HDMI and DisplayPort connections only.

#1 has an easy fix that involves setting the AppleFontSmoothing property from the terminal. #2 currently requires using a DVI or VGA adapter. I submitted a bug report to Apple. They sent me an application that records all display parameters and compiles them into a report. I ran the application and sent them the report. That was about 2 weeks ago. No word yet, but the latest update from Apple has not fixed the issue.

 

[TheSafetyLemur]

Not sure about your specific displays, but I was having issues with my 24" Sony and I was able to fix the issue by turning the Sharpness setting all the way down on the display (technically, it's a TV, but I'm assuming most monitors are going to have similar settings). Maybe adjusting your settings there if they are available could help.
This was bugging the hell out of me, so I'm really glad I got it fixed!

 

[pasadena]

I have the same problem with a IIyama monitor. Mostly with text. I had to fiddle a bit to get to acceptable level (with both reinstalling the display's drivers and setting the font smoothing to minimum), but it's still blurry.

The GPU detects it as a TV, and it drives me nuts. Isn't there any way we can force that setting ?

I just installed the new update from the Mac Store, which contains newer drivers for the GPU, rebooted and cleared the NVRAM (hold Command+Option+P+R at boot before the gray screen appears, and release when you hear the boot music a second time). It seems to be marginally better, but still not as it's supposed to be, far from it.

My monitor's EDID is correctly read. Using Windows, be it with another laptop or in Parallel Desktop, the display is perfect.

I will try to switch it to DVI, since I have the adaptor for another monitor. BUT this is not an acceptable solution for me. I can't spare a TB port, and I need the sound from the monitor... Besides the monitor that has a problem is 1920x1200.

 

[dsantos032]

I am experiencing the same issue using a HP 2311x LED Monitor.

Can everyone please open a case with Apple regarding this issue?

I called Apple Support and they stated that they can not guarantee results when using third party products. -If we buy a 2,000+ machine, we should not be having this issue. The fix to buy a 1,000 apple monitor is not a good answer.

Can everyone please open a Apple Support Case!!!!!!

 

[Xenn0X]

have same issue with an asus monitor.

use mini dp to dp cable.
text is blurry.
using a hdmi to dvi adapter gives me picture perfect but using the thunderbolt port with mini displayport cable gives me fuzz.
also monitor is recognized as a TV.. and can choose 1080P but not 1920x1080 resolution when using option key on scale button.

ASUS VE278:
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Display Serial Number: C1LMTF050964
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Rotation: Supported
Connection Type: DisplayPort
Television: Yes

 

[mkborregaard]

Same problem here, what to do

Hi, am having exact same problem: Font is fussy, colors are tinted slightly rosy (yes I did calibrate the display as well as I could), doesn't look nice. I use a very nice 24' HP LP2475w monitor, and yes, it is 1920x1200 like all the other posters. I have tried just hdmi, which was so awful that it was useless. I then bought an hdmi to dvi cable because other posters seemed to have been helped by this, and it helped somewhat, but still looks ugly. It looks perfect with my windows laptop connected.
My computer is an rMBP 13', used in clamshell mode. The machine does not seem to think my monitor is a television:
Intel HD Graphics 4000:

Chipset Model: Intel HD Graphics 4000
Type: GPU
Bus: Built-In
VRAM (Total): 768 MB
Vendor: Intel (0x8086)
Device ID: 0x0166
Revision ID: 0x0009
Displays:
HP LP2475w:
Resolution: 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Display Serial Number: PLC02501DM
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Rotation: Supported

Help!

 

[ryanschmidt]

While it does work for me using a cheap, basic mDP->DVI cable, that's not enough. It should work with an mDP->DVI cable, just like it does on my 3 and a half year old MacBook.

Can you clarify this? You mentioned the same cable does and doesn't work. I think it's just a simple typo. Thanks!

 

[yg17]

Can you clarify this? You mentioned the same cable does and doesn't work. I think it's just a simple typo. Thanks!

My bad. Works with mDP-DVI, not with mDP-DP

 

[ryanschmidt]

My bad. Works with mDP-DVI, not with mDP-DP

Thanks. I've read through the entire thread and have done some digging on my own but I'm still unclear as to what the real issue is.

Are you saying that if all of these people in this thread (I have yet to buy my rMBP) would use mDP->DVI, it works fine? Also, have you personally tried HDMI->DVI?

My goal is to run 3 external displays with an rMBP to replace my current Mac Pro setup. I've confirmed by multiple sources that you can do this (including this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJhvyLB_Tbw) but not until finding this thread did I know there was an issue with the text rendering.

 

[mcdonst1]

This did the trick for me...

I had the same problem described by many on an HP2335 at work with my MBA13. I used the font smoothing change described below, open and closed the laptop and after the screen refreshed, things were NOTICEABLY better. Thanks for sharing!

I also found that adjusting the font smooth helped.

You can force OS X to use LCD font smoothing on all displays with this Terminal command:
defaults -currentHost write -globalDomain AppleFontSmoothing -int 2

And to restore the default:
defaults -currentHost delete -globalDomain AppleFontSmoothing

 

[jackmarkn]

How do you have your display set up?

 

[hakant]

using DVI instead of HDMI improves a lot

A couple of days ago I bought an HP Pavilion 23xi led monitor. Connecting from my Macbook Retina 15 through the HDMI cable gave me an awful experience. As described in this thread many times. Blurry text etc.

Thank god I had a spare Thunderbolt to DVI adapter, switching to the adapter and connecting to the monitor through DVI almost solved the problem. I still think it's not as good as connecting a Windows machine but the difference is very negligible, I don't mind it anymore.

I'm curious why HDMI causes a terrible output.