Thanks. I just received that one today. So weird...When I connect that adapter to my TS4 and use my OEM Dell HDMI 2.0 cable, I get nothing. The monitor won't even light up. i just tested my other Plugable brand Dp to HDMI adapter too, and I get nothing again. Perhaps mu TS4 is on the fritz. Ugh.
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Caldigit TS4 Dock
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Are you using the correct Thunderbolt port on the dock, and the correct Thunderbolt cable, to connect the TS4 to your computer?
Yeah, everything else works on the dock. I used the cable that CalDigit provided. I tried all thress TB4 ports on the MBP too.
Yes, two HBR2 adapters/displays would be best for connecting to displays to single Thunderbolt port.
If your computer supports DSC and supports two displays per Thunderbolt port (M1 and M2 Macs do not support two displays from Thunderbolt, but M1 Pro/Max/Ulltra do) then you can connect two 6K60 Apple Pro Display XDR or two 5K60 Apple Studio Displays since those both use single HBR2 connection when DSC works.
There's no software to do that. If you can find documentation for the Thunderbolt controller then you could maybe create some code to force a HBR3 connection to switch to HBR2 but I don't know if you would have to make changes to OS drivers to propagate the change so that the next connection will allow HBR2. The USB4 spec may have the info but I don't know if it applies to Apple Silicon USB4 controllers since those USB4 controllers are integrated into the CPU instead of as PCIe devices. The code may need to be implemented as a kext which may require modification to security settings.
You can force HBR3 to work at HBR2 if you first connect an HBR2 display. When you do that, there's only enough bandwidth remaining for HBR2 so a connection that allows HBR3 would be set to HBR2.
Another method may be to connect the HBR3 adapter/display through a HBR2 MST hub. This method won't require you to reconnect the displays after reboot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Version_2.0
This is why it's preferable for docks not to contain HDMI adapters - because there's always a newer version of HDMI and you want to be able to upgrade the adapter if a newer HDMI spec arrives with desirable features - features that can be used from a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter.
I don't think any DisplayPort to HDMI adapters support GSync or FreeSync? In that case you would want to use HDMI directly from a GPU instead of through a dock.
Gotcha! Thanks for all the help understanding this!
I think that's what must be happening. None if the adapters use HBR 2. Crazy.
Well, i have an instinct that there was something amiss with the TS4. I decided to purchase another one (with plans to send one back), and I received it today. Sure enough, the DP works fine on the new one! I get the Retina Scaling thumbnails just fine with the DP to HDMI adapters! I returned all the DP to DP cables, but I would imagine they work fine too. WTF?! Dang. What a long long journey!
I will probably just get an appropriate DP to DP cable now, and return everything else. I may even consider dumping the TS4 at this point, and using something else.
I sent a message to CalDigit support team, explaining the solution and expressing my dissatisfaction on their ability to provide timely support. This could have all been avoided. Though, I wouldn't have learned as much as I have.
Thanks again (everyone!) for all your help getting to the bottom of this issue! I really appreciate this community!!
It would be interesting to compare a DPCD report using each TS4 to see what differs - to verify the link rate and link lanes in each case, or anything else that might differ.
Oh. Gotcha. Dang. I'll see if I can locate a friend with an Intel mac. I have an old iMac, but only has TB2 ports on it. Assuming that won't work, right?
TB2 Mac will be limited to HBR2 and I don't think Thunderbolt 4 docks work well from Thunderbolt 2 Macs anyway.
Is it possible to run triple displays with this dock (without a display link adapter) ?
I was thinking of using a display port to two HDMI/DP cable like Startech MST14DP122HD or MST14DP122DP ?
Context : My setup is currently a MBP M1 13 with T3+ dock and a USB to two DP adapter (display link inside). My monitors are: Studio Display and 2 LG DualUp. I am moving to a MBP M2Max and would love to get rid of display link but still use a single TB cable for everything.
I was thinking of using a display port to two HDMI/DP cable like Startech MST14DP122HD or MST14DP122DP ?
Context : My setup is currently a MBP M1 13 with T3+ dock and a USB to two DP adapter (display link inside). My monitors are: Studio Display and 2 LG DualUp. I am moving to a MBP M2Max and would love to get rid of display link but still use a single TB cable for everything.
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They've just released the Apple firmware updater for the dock. It's worth running the new firmware...
You can connect two computers to a Thunderbolt dock but only one of them can talk to the devices connected to the dock. Both computers can do Thunderbolt IP networking to each other through the dock. If one of the computers was a 2011-2014 iMac then the other Mac can do Thunderbolt Target Display Mode through the dock to use the iMac's display. I think it would be possible to do Thunderbolt Target Display Mode to a display connected to the dock but Apple hasn't created software to perform that feature.
I use my TS4 with my personal MBP, work MBP and my personal Windows desktop (which has a Thunderbolt 4 port). I send my display and speaker signals through it, so that I have a one cable solution for my entire desk.
The best I've been able to do is shown in the photo below.
I've got a Thunderbolt cable for the laptops - whichever one I'm using sits in a stand and the cable is plugged in. Then there's a separate cable attached to the PC. I've bound the two together behind the TS4 using some velcro tape, and when I want to use the computer that's not plugged in, I just swap out the cables in the upstream port.
It's not as hands-free as you're looking for, but I don't think anything is going to be.
Hi folks,
I'm interested in buying the TS4 for my M1 Mac Mini, but I've read a lot of issues with the dock disconnecting and freezing the computer when it "sleep/wakes". I also read about some Enthernet problems as well.
It looks like Caldigit has finally released a Mac update to fix these problems. I've been reading through this thread, but I don't seem to see anything about this update. Anyone tried it yet? Are things working correctly now? I'd like to know the update is working before I ship this thing. If I have to return it I'll lose the $50 duty charge.
I'm not looking to add another monitor, just connect an Atem mini, Stream Deck, and some SSD drives for editing. The card reader, headphone jacks and extra USB C ports are definitely handy as well. This Dock seems to be the best one out right now, of course depending on if these issues have been resolved or not.
If you've tried the new M1 Mac update from Caldigit please let me know how things are working.
Cheers!
I'm interested in buying the TS4 for my M1 Mac Mini, but I've read a lot of issues with the dock disconnecting and freezing the computer when it "sleep/wakes". I also read about some Enthernet problems as well.
It looks like Caldigit has finally released a Mac update to fix these problems. I've been reading through this thread, but I don't seem to see anything about this update. Anyone tried it yet? Are things working correctly now? I'd like to know the update is working before I ship this thing. If I have to return it I'll lose the $50 duty charge.
I'm not looking to add another monitor, just connect an Atem mini, Stream Deck, and some SSD drives for editing. The card reader, headphone jacks and extra USB C ports are definitely handy as well. This Dock seems to be the best one out right now, of course depending on if these issues have been resolved or not.
If you've tried the new M1 Mac update from Caldigit please let me know how things are working.
Cheers!
I didn't update either, as I haven't wanted to update the OS to Ventura. Anyone else update the TS4 yet?
I had updated back in July using the Windows updater version.
For me, the ethernet port on the dock does not work as expected. It is intermittent, slow, and disconnects at times, - so skipped using it and connected the ethernet cable directly to my machine.
Sleep / Wake issues - no issues whatsoever unless I've got my WD-drive plugged. It then occassionally crashes and restarts. So, the WD drive is connected directly as well to the computer, with no issues there.
I'm mainly using the dock for 2 external monitors and occasional thumb-drive / memory cards. It's solid in those regards.
I had been in contact with support last year for a few months, and was advised that the mac update should resolve all the issues. But, sadly, just learned that it's the exactly the same firmware as the Windows. Will keep an eye on if they ever push out another update beyond 39.1
Documentation says it's for units made before Aug 2022. You may not need the update depending on when yours was purchased.
I got mine last week, and the firmware was still on 38.x. I updated to 39.1 without problems. So worth to check the firmware version on the dock.