DP/USB-C/Thunderbolt 3/4 to HDMI 2.1 4k@120hz RGB4:4:4 10b HDR with Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3 now possible !

[Theison]

Sorry but can someone explain me what is going on here. Is 4K 120Hz 10Bit too heavy for any USB-C HUB available?

With my new Macbook M2 Pro, Im trying to archive the single cable workflow; one single usb-c hub that is connected to LG OLED C1 48", APOLLO 8 DUO THUNDERBOLT 2 sound device(with apple or startech converter), Keyboard, Midi Keyboard ect.

I bought this expensive UNISYNK usb-c 5port Hub, 8K ready. It does not work. The HDMI port is 8K 60Hz or 4K 120Hz, but in reality i think it only does below 1080p. Even without HDR. Properly because it might be a hdmi 2.0 port.
Also the Apple "USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 converter", doesn't work in the hub.
The converter works fine when plugged directly to the onboard USB-C.
Same with the LG 48", when plugged in internal HDMI port i can get "4K 120Hz HDR".

So i was thinking getting the T4. But it seems even the Caldigit T4 HDMI 2.1 doesn't work properly.
With a little luck the T4 could work with the Apple or Startech "USB-C -> TB2 Adapter".
And then with some more luck i can try the USB-C to HDMI 2.1 from cable matters into a T4 ? Or DP 1.4?

Is the problem actually the mystic apple scaling that always renders double amount of pixels than screen resolution to archive a higher PPI?

4K 120Hz HDR - Fans are spinning on my new MB M2 PRO, wonder if i should upgrade to the M2 Max, because im dealing with 4K 120Hz HDR. CS GO was like 90 FPS..

Thank You All.

 

[mrcobra92]

So could I plug my TB3 dock with DP 1.4 into my Windows laptop to flash this? I don't have anything with full-size DisplayPort port besides my dock. How did you flash it?

I've already received my TB4 -> HDMI 2.1 adapter, but now you've tempted me into trying to free up my thunderbolt port.

In my experience it needs to be flashed on a full windows computer with a full sized displayport out. Any adapter in-between and the flashing software doesn't see it. I'd be happy to flash it for you if you don't have someone who has a machine that can do this if you cover shipping.

 

[mrcobra92]

EDIT to what I said before. it works sometimes. ideally I need it to be consist or easily repeatable.

I have not had this issue. It has worked flawlessly lid open or closed since the day I started using it. What dock or adapter in-between the Mac and displayport to HDMI adapter are you using?

 

[joevt]

Sorry but can someone explain me what is going on here. Is 4K 120Hz 10Bit too heavy for any USB-C HUB available?

With my new Macbook M2 Pro, Im trying to archive the single cable workflow; one single usb-c hub that is connected to LG OLED C1 48", APOLLO 8 DUO THUNDERBOLT 2 sound device(with apple or startech converter), Keyboard, Midi Keyboard ect.

I bought this expensive UNISYNK usb-c 5port Hub, 8K ready. It does not work. The HDMI port is 8K 60Hz or 4K 120Hz, but in reality i think it only does below 1080p. Even without HDR. Properly because it might be a hdmi 2.0 port.
Also the Apple "USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 converter", doesn't work in the hub.
The converter works fine when plugged directly to the onboard USB-C.
Same with the LG 48", when plugged in internal HDMI port i can get "4K 120Hz HDR".

So i was thinking getting the T4. But it seems even the Caldigit T4 HDMI 2.1 doesn't work properly.
With a little luck the T4 could work with the Apple or Startech "USB-C -> TB2 Adapter".
And then with some more luck i can try the USB-C to HDMI 2.1 from cable matters into a T4 ? Or DP 1.4?

Is the problem actually the mystic apple scaling that always renders double amount of pixels than screen resolution to archive a higher PPI?

4K 120Hz HDR - Fans are spinning on my new MB M2 PRO, wonder if i should upgrade to the M2 Max, because im dealing with 4K 120Hz HDR. CS GO was like 90 FPS..

A USB-C hub that support USB 3.x only has 2 lanes of DisplayPort instead of 4.

8K60 is impossible with 2 lanes of DisplayPort 1.4 unless you can get DSC@6bpp. I don't know if 6bpp is a thing. The product says it support only up to 8K30 or 4K120. They don't say what version of DisplayPort is supported. DisplayPort 1.4 is the latest that macOS supports.

4K120 or 8K30 will only be possible with DSC@12bpp (or 4:2:0 8bpc) using CVT-RB timing, not HDMI timing. Do TV's accept non-HDMI timings?
HDMI timing would require DSC@10bpp but I don't know if macOS will attempt anything other than DSC@12bpp. Or it might not attempt DSC at all. I know macOS has a dscTargetBPP option somewhere but I haven't tried it and I haven't checked if Apple Silicon Macs have the same option.

With DSC, 8bpc or 10bpc or 12bpc doesn't matter since they all compress to 12bpp, except some (most?) MST hubs won't decompress 10bpc or greater. I don't think your USB-C hub has a MST hub since it only has one display output port. The DisplayPort to HDMI 2.1 adapter should accept a compressed signal anyway, so a MST hub wouldn't need to do decompression.

You should use a Thunderbolt dock or hub since they will have full bandwidth DisplayPort output.

 

[derpaufler]

Oh man... THANK YOU SO MUCH! I love my MacBook Pro M1 Max, but I was so disappointed, that it had no HDMI 2.1. I bought so many adapters to reach full 2160p120, 10-Bit and RGB 4:4:4 but I had no luck. Then I finally, after nearly 1,5 years of searching, found this thread. Wow! I flashed the USB-C to HDMI 2.1-Dongle (Cable Matters) via my Desktop PC with Windows 11, which has two Thunderbolt 3 on its Mainboard. It worked perfectly and now I can use my LG C1 with the maximum bandwidth possible.

Again: Thank you so much for creating this firmware or, at least, to inform about it. Nice!

 

[n1ko]

Thanks for these tips! I bought the Anker dongle and after flashing the firmware its working perfectly with M1 Max macbook and LG C2

One small side-effect I noticed. LG's G Hub starts to crash every time the dongle is connected. Reinstalling etc didnt make a difference. No idea what its trying to do with the dongle...

Anyone else noticed the same, eg LG G Hub throwing a red big banner saying critical error everytime the dongle is connected?

 

[damian.pereira]

Does this anker adapter work for 4k120hz 4:4:4 10b? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Adapter-144Hz-MacBook-Pixelbook/dp/B0BG5BJ8SX

It is mentioned in the first post, so I think it does have the VMM7100 chip, but there are comments saying the anker only supports 4k120hz 4:4:4 8bit, can anyone confirm? And is the firmware file the same?

 

[n1ko]

Does this anker adapter work for 4k120hz 4:4:4 10b? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Adapter-144Hz-MacBook-Pixelbook/dp/B0BG5BJ8SX

It is mentioned in the first post, so I think it does have the VMM7100 chip, but there are comments saying the anker only supports 4k120hz 4:4:4 8bit, can anyone confirm? And is the firmware file the same?

Yes, I just bought the same one and it works perfect 10bit. Betterdisplay shows 8bit (was mentioned as bug on this thread somewhere) but checking from display (LG C2 in my case) and eg chroma subsampling tests its indeed 10bit

 

[damian.pereira]

Yes, I just bought the same one and it works perfect 10bit. Betterdisplay shows 8bit (was mentioned as bug on this thread somewhere) but checking from display (LG C2 in my case) and eg chroma subsampling tests its indeed 10bit

Thank you for the confirmation!

 

[clarketus]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for this great thread. This allowed me to get 4k@120hz + HDR working on my LG G3 with MacOS Ventura 13.3.1, whereas previously the max that was working was 4k@60hz + HDR or 4k@120hz with no HDR.

I have a question as I have noticed an issue that is happening for me that no one else has mentioned here, which is after changing to the custom firmware it seems that the HDMI audio device in MacOS provides no sound to the TV. The device is visible as an output in the MacOS audio device selection but there is just no sound coming out of it. Using the original adapter firmware, the HDMI audio works fine. As a workaround I have had to run a cable to a different sound output.

I have tried both:
* USB-C>HDMI 2.1 - VMM7100 - Cable Matters 201388-A
* DP>HDMI 2.1 - VMM7100 - Cable Matters 102101

Some additional information that is probably relevant about my setup:
* I am actually running this on a hackintosh, so this is Intel MacOS and not the Arm/M1/M2 version of MacOS. I realize this thread is focusing on solving issues for M1/M2 devices but for some reason this fix seems to apply to my setup also.
* I have an AMD RX6900XT GPU with DisplayPort, HDMI 2.1 and USB-C outputs on the graphics card. The USB-C output has allowed me to use either the USB-C adapter mentioned, or the DisplayPort adapter.
* I am also dual booting Windows 11 on this setup. In Windows 11, the custom firmware on the DP>HDMI 2.1 seems to allow 4k@120hz + HDR to also work, and the HDMI audio WORKS with the custom firmware. For the USB-C>HDMI 2.1, HDMI audio also works with the custom firmware, but 4k@120hz + HDR seems to show a black screen and the highest that works is 4k@60hz + HDR.

So apologies if this question is a bit of a tangent from the existing discussion. I was just wondering if anyone had any insight about the HDMI audio issues.

Thanks!

 

[DAppleYlan]

Hi guys!

Dylan here from the Netherlands. I’ve searched, talked to support from Apple, Anker, LG, Dell and Caldigit asking why I can get 4k at 144hz with DP on my M1 MPro but not 4k at 122Hz with HDMI 2.1 via HDMI 2.1 dock in my home office. Finally I found this thread!!

I’m using a M1 Pro MacBook Pro, but I’m not as technically educated as you guys, I’m more of a plug-n-play type of guy haha! No offence to you, I’m jealous and envy your levels of technical electronic knowledge!!

Is there someone willing to modify an 7100 adapter for me and ship it to my adres in the Netherlands? And will this work with my newly arrived Caldigit TS4 connected with my M1 Pro MacBook Pro?

I will give you €30,- for the sake of helping me out, and because I value your technical knowledge !

Meaning I will pay the Product, Shipping and an additional fee that’s for you to keep! And just for internet safety measures, because on the internet you’ll never know who you’re dealing with haha, I will pay this 30,- after receiving and reviewing a correct working modified adapter!!

If you do want to help me out, please let me know! I will be super happy if someone can!

EDIT:
I also have a Dell XPS 13 with 2 TB4 connections, so that means device wise I’m be able to flash this device myself. Is there someone who is willing to help me, like share the steps live through screen sharing. This way I think I can pull it off myself with some help .


Dear Regards,
Dutch Dylan

 

[DAppleYlan]

Yes, I just bought the same one and it works perfect 10bit. Betterdisplay shows 8bit (was mentioned as bug on this thread somewhere) but checking from display (LG C2 in my case) and eg chroma subsampling tests its indeed 10bit

Is this Anker Plug & Play, or does it need to be modified like the cable matters adapter?

 

[Zorast]

Read the OP plz

 

[nexx27]

Wow! Thank you very much!

Oled, 42 inch, macos 120hz monitor for a fraction of an apple monitor xdr and even studio display! Wow! Wow! Just ordered the lg c2 because of that! Thanks!

 

[DAppleYlan]

Read the OP plz

I’ve read the original post, but not all steps are clear to me.

 

[jonfoxnj]

Ok, so in the OP you say TB3/4 docks work. I'm running M1Max --> Belkin TB3 Dock --> CM VMM7100 --> HDMI Cable --> LG CX48.... Only getting 4k 60. If I plug direct into my macbook I’m getting 4k 120. Is there anyway to get 4k 120 over the Belkin TB3 dock or I need to either upgrade or plug direct?

 

[joevt]

Ok, so in the OP you say TB3/4 docks work. I'm running M1Max --> Belkin TB3 Dock --> CM VMM7100 --> HDMI Cable --> LG CX48.... Only getting 4k 60. If I plug direct into my macbook I’m getting 4k 120. Is there anyway to get 4k 120 over the Belkin TB3 dock or I need to either upgrade or plug direct?

Does your Belkin TB3 Dock have Alpine Ridge or Titan Ridge?

Alpine Ridge is limited to HBR2 link rate. Titan Ridge can do HBR3 link rate.

Alpine Ridge requires Thunderbolt connection to the computer.

Titan Ridge can do USB connection to the computer.

The CM VMM71100 probably requires HBR3 link rate for 4K120. HBR2 + DSC could also get 4K120 but I don't know if macOS + Alpine Ridge + VMM71100 will do it.

 

[nexx27]

Any idea on how to ALSO include digital audio into the hdmi output through the usb-c dp adapter?

 

[StarLord21]

Anyone recently purchase Cable Matters converter from Amazon (US/Canada) and got 201388-GRY?

 

[n1ko]

I’ve read the original post, but not all steps are clear to me.

Anker needs to be also flashed in Windows. No other steps required

 

[StarLord21]

Anyone tried the male version of Cable Matters DP to HDMI 2.1 here?

 

[nexx27]

Any idea on how to ALSO include digital audio into the hdmi output through the usb-c dp adapter?

I think the right question is: - does the usb-c adapter includes digital audio in the signal to the hdmi cable? (I intend to pass the connection through my pioneer receiver)

 

[Zorast]

Does your Belkin TB3 Dock have Alpine Ridge or Titan Ridge?

Alpine Ridge is limited to HBR2 link rate. Titan Ridge can do HBR3 link rate.

Alpine Ridge requires Thunderbolt connection to the computer.

Titan Ridge can do USB connection to the computer.

The CM VMM71100 probably requires HBR3 link rate for 4K120. HBR2 + DSC could also get 4K120 but I don't know if macOS + Alpine Ridge + VMM71100 will do it.

I will update the OP with this information.

To all :

Plz share infos about Docks/Hub which works and i will update the OP. Thanks!

 

[rolandvessalius]

MacBook Pro M1 Max + Dell WD19TB Docking Station was able to output 4K@120Hz on my LG C2 TV after updating the CM VMM7100 adapter firmware.

For someone accidentally flash the wrong firmware on the CM VMM7100 adapter (ex. DP to HDMI instead of Type-C to HDMI). You can recover it using VmmHIDTool from the Microsoft store.

 

[n1ko]

I can confirm the invert that OWC TB3 Dock doesnt work at 120Hz (60Hz of course fine). Using Anker 518 (VMM7100)

So what was speculated about link rate is likely true