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DIY 5k Monitor - success :-)

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
scoobdriver said:
Anyone with the JRY-W9CUHD-AA1 Board? I have this installed running from Mac Mini M4 , Iv’e wired the original speakers to the board, with a capacitor on the tweeter , was running fine , and was able to switch between Mac mini speakers and the iMac speakers in settings, no volume adjustment though via the Function keys or in settings, other than using the control board.
Tried to get volume buttons working via monitor control and better display , no joy, now the speakers have stopped working completely and I cant work it out ! Can’t get any sound through them at all .
Whats would be the best way to diagnose the issue , not sure if it is software or hardware ?

The other query I have is, the third party brightness control apps , detect the board as DDC , but they are only doing software Dimming / brightness control , Does the board actually support DDC ? , I’m connected on USB C .
Click to expand...
I have the same motherboard, I can't control the audio from any app.

I never turn off two monitors, I use OSX's active corners to put both monitors and sistem to sleep, and when I wake them up I have no problems with the audio. Check the audio settings in OSX.
 
Varming said:
Using these settings and the attached .icc that I took from a live iMac the colors are now as close as can be on my setup. The monitor and the live iMac are both late 2015 iMacs. I've checked with a lot! of pictures in Lightroom on both computers as well as color grids (don't now the correct term). Maybe somebody can use this for their setup as well.View attachment 2455104
Click to expand...
Well, if you use a monitor test calibrator (Calibrite or Spyder), the only adjustment that the software will ask you to make, is modify the brightness, the rest...after the test, i will deliver a specific ICC profile, and you don't have to worry, each monitor with its test and profile will make ir look the same.
 
As I am waiting for my JRY-W9CUHD-AA1 driver board to arrive I have been reviewing the forum and I am thinking of using my old IMAC's power supply to power the driver board, taking the 12 volts it supplies by connecting two wires from a spare output jack I have to positive and negative points on the 12 pin molex connector of the power supply. That way I can continue to use the existing iMac power cord and on/off switch. I would access the driver boards Control Strip via the memory access port. I think this would work, but would it require a two step process to turn the monitor on? iMac power button and then the button on the monitor control board. Or could I permanently wire the driver board to be always in the on state and just use the iMac power button to control power to the display driver board? Would that be possible? Am I missing something? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
I have a new m4 Mac mini, replacing my 2017 27” iMac. I’m thinking of trying to do the DIY iMac to monitor conversion. I’m worried that buying the Samsung ViewFinity S9 or new ASUS ProArt 5K would be step down after years with an Apple Display.

I’ve done some reading, but not exhaustively. Hopefully I can ask some questions that are covered somewhere in the depths of this thread. :)

It seems it’s not too hard to get it working as a display. Are there any key tips for a newbie on this?

Can the speakers also be used?

Can it be made to work with True Tone?
 
@Donald.l.Smith
The original iMac PSU can be used, but it is a bit noisy when compared to other PSUs.
However its operation is undocumented, and there appears to be no way to make the iMac's power switch turn it on and off unless the original logic board is controlling it.
So it will be always on when it is powered, and other builders have connected the iMac's power switch to replace the JRY--AA1's control strip on/off switch.

I don't know how the JRY--AA1 handle power-up, but my R1811 doesn't need the on/off switch to be used.
When the Mac is powered down the monitor goes into deep sleep (after 60 seconds).
I can then switch off the mains power to both Mac and monitor, and when I power up the Mac again, the monitor comes on automatically because it was in standby mode, not switched off.
 
Updated 12/11 to remove the previous table. An updated table is provided in post #2051

Updated 11/29 to correct minor errors in the table. (Thanks @PaulD-UK)

First – Thanks to all the contributors in this thread. I will soon be starting my own project with a 2017 iMac.

After reading practically every page of this thread and reviewing many sites (StoneTaskin, AliExpress, manufacturer sites, etc.), I decided to compile what I thought would be a helpful summary of the various boards and key posts that have helped me as I prepare for my project. See the table provided in post #2051 for a comparison of the boards.

Key posts from this thread:
- Post 1409 (R9A18 project by @Kaeslin)
- Too many great posts by @PaulD-UK to count. Here are a couple:
+ 1822 (General board info…)
+ 1602 (Lots of great overall advice…)
+ 489 (his R1811 build)
- Many from @Aiwi, the most comprehensive is 822 (R1811 Project)
- Posts 410 & 411 (Power Button)
- Post 490 (T18 Project by @pSpitzner)
- Post 180 (R1811 Project by @Gold240sx)
- Post 414 (R1811 Project by @LeMelleKH2)
- Post 512 (R1811 Project by @kevinherring)

Driver Board Manufacturer Datasheets
R1811 - http://chiyakeji.com/content/?635.html
R9A18 - http://chiyakeji.com/content/?619.html

Aiwi Github page - https://github.com/aiwipro/5K-iMac-Studio-Display-Stock-Look
Mykola’s guide (March 2022) - https://khronokernel.com/macos/2022/03/01/5K-MONITOR.html

Connector for iMac power plug - https://www.ebay.com/itm/3524571190...3726X1523008Xd8a6f1d6e9adf7e6609408b23fbc0b7a

Finally, I tried to find info on each of the 3 driver chips to support a comparison between them as I think it would be extremely helpful to support decision-making about which board to purchase. Is there anyone in this thread that has access to the details about the capabilities of the driver chips in the table (RTD2718Q, RTD2718QD, MT9801V)?
 
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Has anyone had a chance to see the output of the T18 compared to the new FA1 boards in comparison? I couldn't be happier with my T18 but given they seem unavailable now for these screens I am pondering whether to switch to the FA1 board for my next few conversions.
 
SubDriver said:
After reading practically every page of this thread and reviewing many sites (StoneTaskin, AliExpress, manufacturer sites, etc.), I decided to compile what I thought would be a helpful summary of the various boards and key posts that have helped me as I prepare for my project.
Click to expand...
Since HDMI and DisplayPort have different bandwidth, shouldn't each column get its own Color column?
 
@SubDriver Nice summary. :)
"Is there anyone in this thread that has access to the details about the capabilities of the driver chips in the table"

I don't think there is any difference between the Realtek controller chips used for all the different cards.
I think the difference is in the firmware each manufacturer uses, but there is mention of 'Ruiyu' R1811 chips - which might be of Chinese manufacture (under licence from Realtek???):

This pic is from @Pondering is from his R1811 V4 and shows that it is identified RTD2718Q Taiwan.
StoneTaskin have said this is a 'more expensive' chip. Than what? Ruiyu chips?:

However another Shenzhen 5K board (maybe from the manufacturer of the T19, it looks the same) also has the Realtek Taiwan branding:

The HDMI capabilities of the RTD2718Qxx is not really clear.
However the Chinese PS5 gaming community, who are connecting 4K monitors using the RTD2718Qxx, seem to have delved into this (edited slightly):

"The monitor is suspected of false propaganda.
...the main controller of this monitor adopts Ruiyu RTD2718QD.
It is officially advertised that the HDMI 2.1 interface of this monitor is a full-blooded version of 48Gbps bandwidth.
In fact, the HDM 2.1 interface bandwidth of this monitor is a residual version of 24Gbps.
There are several reasons:
This monitor does not support 4k/120hz 4.2.2 sampling output when connected to the PS5 host, but only supports 4k 120hz 4.2.0 sampling output.
Obviously, this monitor is lower than the HDMI interface bandwidth (32Gbps) of the ps5 host.
Through online inquiry, it is learned that this main controller only supports residual HDMI 2.1 with the maximum bandwidth 24Gbps (6x4 lanes) YCbCr 4.2.0."

Online search confirms this, with this RTD2718Q specs graphic:

RTD2718QD only supports HDMI 2.1 FRL 6Gbs x4, and the bandwidth is only 24Gbs, so it needs DSC to achieve 4K /144 or 5K/60Hz RRV (Reduced rate video) YCbCr 4.2.0 . FRL stands for Fixed Rate Link and is necessary to achieve the higher resolutions such as those above 4k60 as well as the ultra high speed bandwidths up to 48Gbps.

There is a download link to a more detailed data sheet for the R1811 earlier in this thread:

Edited to add info.
 
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PaulD-UK said:
@SubDriver Nice summary. :)
"Is there anyone in this thread that has access to the details about the capabilities of the driver chips in the table"

I don't think there is any difference between the Realtek controller chips used for all the different cards.
I think the difference is in the firmware each manufacturer uses, but there is mention of 'Ruiyu' R1811 chips - which might be of Chinese manufacture (under licence from Realtek???):

This pic is from @Pondering is from his R1811 V4 and shows that it is identified RTD2718Q Taiwan.
StoneTaskin have said this is a 'more expensive' chip. Than what? Ruiyu chips?:

However another Shenzhen 5K board (maybe from the manufacturer of the T19, it looks the same) also has the Realtek Taiwan branding:

The HDMI capabilities of the RTD2718Qxx is not really clear.
However the Chinese PS5 gaming community, who are connecting 4K monitors using the RTD2718Qxx, seem to have delved into this (edited slightly):

"The monitor is suspected of false propaganda.
...the main controller of this monitor adopts Ruiyu RTD2718QD.
It is officially advertised that the HDMI 2.1 interface of this monitor is a full-blooded version of 48Gbps bandwidth.
In fact, the HDM 2.1 interface bandwidth of this monitor is a residual version of 24Gbps.
There are several reasons:
This monitor does not support 4k/120hz 4.2.2 sampling output when connected to the PS5 host, but only supports 4k 120hz 4.2.0 sampling output.
Obviously, this monitor is lower than the HDMI interface bandwidth (32Gbps) of the ps5 host.
Through online inquiry, it is learned that this main controller only supports residual HDMI 2.1 with the maximum bandwidth 24Gbps (6x4 lanes) YCbCr 4.2.0."

Online search confirms this, with this RTD2718Q specs graphic:

RTD2718QD only supports HDMI 2.1 FRL 6Gbs x4, and the bandwidth is only 24Gbs, so it needs DSC to achieve 4K /144 or 5K/60Hz RRV (Reduced rate video) YCbCr 4.2.0 . FRL stands for Fixed Rate Link and is necessary to achieve the higher resolutions such as those above 4k60 as well as the ultra high speed bandwidths up to 48Gbps.

There is a download link to a more detailed data sheet for the R1811 earlier in this thread:

A minor correction: The R8A18 V1 or V1.1 is only HDMI 2.0 4K. Its DP ports only support 5K/60Hz 8 bits with one DP 1.4 cable, 10 bits with two DP 1.2 cables.
And the V1.1 audio power is the same 10w.

Edited to add info.
Click to expand...
@PaulD-UK - Thanks! I updated the table. I thought I had seen somewhere that the V1.1 was able to support 10 bits with one DP 1.4 cable, but I cannot find that info again. Also fixed my typo... the 2W was supposed to be in the AA1 board line. I can't find a definitive wattage for the audio amp for the FA1 or SA1 boards at the moment.

From your response above, it seems as though the RTD2178QD chip would not be optimal for 5K if RGB is important/desired by the user (you only mention a 5K YCbCr capability). Am I reading that correctly?
 
No. The RTD2817Q is fully capable of 5K/60Hz 10 bit RGB 4.4.4 if a DP 1.4 cable or a USB-C/TB3/4/5 alt-mode DP cable is used.
The computer GPU has to support DSC in all cases (Macs after 2019) otherwise a two cable solution is needed.

Not with HDMI, 10 bit RGB at 4K, 8 bits YCbCr 4.2.2 at 5K.

It looks like the FA1/SA1 boards have the same or similar audio chip as the AA1.

The R8A18 only needs two DP 1.2 cables for 10 bits.

Edited, see next post.
 
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PaulD-UK said:
Not with HDMI, 10 bit RGB at 4K, YCbCr 8 bits at 5K.
Click to expand...
RGB and YCbCr use the same bandwidth if you mean YCbCr 4:4:4. When you say YCbCr, you have to specify whether it's 4:4:4, 4:2:2, or 4:2:0.

DisplayPort 1.2 can do 5K60 6bpc (without DSC) but it's difficult to get 6bpc from a Mac.
DisplayProt 1.4 can do 5K60 8bpc without DSC.
With DSC, you only need a DisplayPort 1.2 cable.
DisplayPort 1.2 can do 5K60 8bpc 4:2:2. I'm not sure if there's any DisplayPort 1.2 ports that can do 4:2:0.

For 5K60 HDMI 2.0 10bpc 4:2:0 would work (if pixel clock < 960 MHz).
4:4:4 with DSC@12bpp requires HDMI 2.1 FRL2. That can use the same cable as HDMI 2.0.
4:4:4 without DSC requires HDMI 2.1 FRL4 for 8bpc. Maybe 10bpc if pixel clock < 948 MHz.
 
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Has anyone purchased from LCD Driver Wholesale Store on AliExpress? Just trying to see whether they definitely ship the correct display cables with their FA1 boards and k haven’t been able to get an answer from them yet.
 
SubDriver said:
R9A18 V112 VdcYes-2 (2.0)Yes-2 (1.2)None8 using
one DP 1.4 cable
10 using
two DP 1.2 cables		10 WRTD2718QRealTekNone
Click to expand...
Hi,
Extremely ususeful comparison table.
Since the V1 doesn't support the DP 1.4, you might want to edit the text coloured in red 😊
Additionally the ability for the board to reach decent refresh rates at various resolutions (and ports used) would be useful too.
 
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Brilliant thread. It's great to keep this alive with new boards coming to the market. Read all pages and planning an upgrade of a late-2015 over Christmas and building my parts list :)

I see no one ever mentioned the possibility to reuse the existing camera/mic (which I assume are usb) ... would there be a suitable ribbon cable connector to attach them directly to usb. Would mean less work with the down side of 720p camera.

Thanks
 
@ceraz "...reuse the existing camera/mic (which I assume are usb)..."

No the cameras were USB in 2011 or earlier iMacs, or in the Apple Thunderbolt Display.
There are earlier posts from people who used these.

But from late 2012 the iMac's webcam changed to PCIe, and there has been no way of connecting to these cameras.
I'm not sure of how the mic's were managed but its easier to buy new mics with a USB connection from AliExpress.

Good luck with your planning and build. ;)
 
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I've started. Did the easy first step to check to get to the display info so I can order the right parts. My display is: LM270QQ1

I'm unsure if I get the "LM270QQ1" part or the "HMDI 2.1 Latest Version" part. I assume I'll use DisplayPort -- though I'm unclear since my mini to Apple Studio Display uses a USB-C Thunderbolt 3 port -- so maybe I get the cheaper one with HDMI 2.0?

stonetaskin.com

DIY 5K universal R1811 V.4 Driver Board Transform Your iMac with R1811 Driver Board: Unleash the 5K Screen Potential!

Unlock the full potential of your iMac A1419 A2115 with the revolutionary R1811 Driver Board! If your iMac's motherboard has been damaged, don't worry – the R1811 Driver Board is here to save the day. With this innovative solution, you can convert your iMac's high-quality 27-inch LM270QQ1 or...
stonetaskin.com stonetaskin.com

stonetaskin.com

DIY 5K universal R1811 V.4 Driver Board Transform Your iMac with R1811 Driver Board: Unleash the 5K Screen Potential!

Unlock the full potential of your iMac A1419 A2115 with the revolutionary R1811 Driver Board! If your iMac's motherboard has been damaged, don't worry – the R1811 Driver Board is here to save the day. With this innovative solution, you can convert your iMac's high-quality 27-inch LM270QQ1 or...
stonetaskin.com stonetaskin.com

IMG_7311.jpeg
IMG_7312.jpeg
 
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@DaveF
It's your choice whether you go for the R1811 HDMI 2.0 choice - LM270QQ1 button, or the R1811 HDMI 2.1 choice - the HDMI 2.1 latest choice button.
I think the difference is as much firmware as different hardware, but I don't know of any significant differences in the DP/USB-C performance.

When you order let them know with the Contact Us info@ or web-reply that you have a LM270QQ1 (SD)C1 screen panel, as they may need to know its a C1 panel, which has different colour capabilities than the earliest panels.

Yes that cable should be fine. The R1811 does have all three types of input - DP 1.4, HDMI 2.* and USB-C.
The reason some people prefer to input through the DP ports is that if used with a laptop, using the USB-C input will supply power to the laptop, at maybe a lower charge rate than the regular charger, so they don't want this to happen.

Good luck. :D
 
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PaulD-UK said:
@DaveF
It's your choice whether you go for the R1811 HDMI 2.0 choice - LM270QQ1 button, or the R1811 HDMI 2.1 choice - the HDMI 2.1 latest choice button.
I think the difference is as much firmware as different hardware, but I don't know of any significant differences in the DP/USB-C performance.

When you order let them know with the Contact Us info@ or web-reply that you have a LM270QQ1 (SD)C1 screen panel, as they may need to know its a C1 panel, which has different colour capabilities than the earliest panels.

Yes that cable should be fine. The R1811 does have all three types of input - DP 1.4, HDMI 2.* and USB-C.
The reason some people prefer to input through the DP ports is that if used with a laptop, using the USB-C input will supply power to the laptop, at maybe a lower charge rate than the regular charger, so they don't want this to happen.

Good luck. :D
Click to expand...

Thanks. I sent a question via their Contact Us page with the full panel info. They confirmed the QQ1 board and the DZ-LP0818 constant current board will work.

For HDMI: Does USB-C or HDMI 2.0 / 2.1 support 5K? I assumed I needed DP 1.4 for 5K. I did a quick search of the thread but wasn't finding details on cabling what connections people used.

EDIT: I found your comment on this in October, HDMI 2.1 can possibly do 5K too:
 
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DaveF said:
Thanks. I sent a question via their Contact Us page with the full panel info. They confirmed the QQ1 board and the DZ-LP0818 constant current board will work.

For HDMI: Does USB-C or HDMI 2.0 / 2.1 support 5K? I assumed I needed DP 1.4 for 5K. I did a quick search of the thread but wasn't finding details on cabling what connections people used.

EDIT: I found your comment on this in October, HDMI 2.1 can possibly do 5K too:
Click to expand...
USB-C will support 5K as long as you use a proper cable (e.g., one that is rated for 8K)

Search for “8K cable” in this thread and you should find more info.
 
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Thank you to those who have provided feedback thus far on the table in post #2008. I am hoping to be able to make some updates over the next week or so as I get time.
 
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