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 !

[MMcCraryNJ]

Thank you all SO much for the combined efforts and work on this issue!

I just found this thread two days ago while doing a random Google search to see if this was still an issue. An Apple Support thread linked to this thread. After much reading, decided to try this all out.

- 16" MacBook Pro M1 Max
- LG GX 65" OLED
- Anker USB-C-HDMI 2.1 Adapter (VMM7100-based) purchased from Amazon US here (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG56WQN9?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)
- Certified HDMI 2.1 Cable I already have installed in-wall for my TV

My current TV/HDMI cable is for testing purposes only. I am in the market for a 42" C2, but wanted to get the Anker adapter and flash it first.

Used Parallels Desktop 18 with a fresh Windows 11 install. Used the tool from the Windows Store that is noted in OP.
Backed up the default firmware
Flashed VMM7100 from the OP
Set LG's HDMI input to PC, turned on Deep Color.
Everything aside from VRR (as was noted) works perfectly, including HDR.
As noted, after firmware upgrade, it is now Plug and Play with no EDID modifications necessary.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! An equivalent display with DP costs many hundreds of dollars more in the US right now, plus these LG TVs are fantastic. Now I can go for the 42" C2!

Future step is to purchase a CalDigit TS4 and use the DP method, however that's on the backburner for now as I already have a TS3 Plus and can't see the need to immediately get the TS4 at this point.

This has been a very long time coming, thank you so much again!

 

[Zorast]

The new LG OS 2023 (C3,G3,...) have an 4:4:4 Passthrough option on HDMI Setting. It's the same like PC Mode.

 

[twireonenix]

So... I bought this cable, the '8k' version. Then I used the direct dp to hdmi firmware version. And there was this mistake. The one in the image attached. Now the cable does not output any image, and when I try to run the vmmdptool says that 'can not find synaptics mst dp hub ic'. How ****ed I am? Is the cable bricked?

This was before:

This was after.

 

[spinedoc77]

Will this work on the 8gb M2 Mac Mini's that Apple neutered to not output 120hz?

Also, will this enable HDR? On my LG CX for some reason I don't have the HDR toggle in display settings or in Better Display when using a USB-C to HDMI cable, but if I use a HDMI to HDMI cable then HDR is usable. I do have HDR on in the LG settings (deep color).

 

[sarieri]

I got the anker typeC to hdmi adapter and the Cable matters DP to hdmi adapter, both work with Caldigit ts4 dock, but they are not stable. Sometime I unplug the hdmi cable and replug it, it’s not RGB 444 10bit anymore. Instead, it goes to YCBCR 422 8bit. Not sure what’s going on here but I think it’s probably something wrong with the caldigit dock.

 

[manulmode]

I got 120hz working perfectly on my lg c1 with 4:4:4 RGB! Has anyone had success in getting VRR to work?

 

[vigeoh]

would this help with a problem I have:
- MBP M2 connected to LG C2 via hdmi to play mkv 4K uhd films. Doesn’t look good, sim colpurs and too dark
- play same files via plex and it looks amazing

Would doing the trick in this thread help with 4K mkvs playing properly via my MBP

 

[szeller]

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.

Thanks for your information. Is K20A the model name of WD19TB you are using? Which Type-C port are you using to connect the Type-C adaptor (Is the type C port marked with DP sign on the back panel?)

 

[spinedoc77]

Hmm this isn't working for a 8gb M2 Mac Mini. Flashed the Cable Matters VMM7100, verified the .112 firmware was installed. I can't get 120hz, 10bpc, I can't even get 4k/HiDPI anymore which my previous cheapie dongle did (at least both BetterDisplay and Apple settings only show 4k as a LowDPI option, although I the TV says it's 4k). Only good news is that I can now get HDR, where before I couldn't. This is on a LG OLED55CXAUA.

FYI this also bricked an existing DP to HDMI adapter I had on my Windows PC, I'm not sure if I flashed it by accident or something else happened. So make sure you unplug any other adapters you might have plugged in.

 

[sarieri]

It looks everything is working when first plugin the cable, but sometimes it becomes YCBCR 422 8BIT after waking up from sleep.

 

[hellotonothing]

+1 for working VMM7100 !

Would anyone be kind enough to send a FW that would potentially work for the VMM6212/VMM6210 ?

Appreciate you guys and thanks for the awesome tips so far.

Quick Edit :

I was able to make my little HUB work properly with the VMM6210 chip, giving me 10 bits 4:4:4 and 4k 120hz on my LG C1 48 inches.

Cheers!

 

[pxpxpx]

Just registered to thank you very much for your effort, much appreciated!!

Bought recommended Anker (VM7100) + AmazonBasics HDMI 2.1 (I'm located in Europe). After flash everything is working smoothly on OLED42C2 (4k120Hz + HDR).

E: Test from https://www.rtings.com/images/test-materials/2017/chroma-444.png is successful

Again, thank you!!

 

[Zorast]

Iam in contact with CM for the standby issue, but it seems to be better working with Ventura 13.4 like i mention here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/dp-usb-c-thunderbolt-3-4-to-hdmi-2-1-4k-120hz-rgb4-4-4-10b-hdr-with-apple-silicon-m1-m2-now-possible.2381664/post-32195816

 

[sarieri]

Iam in contact with CM for the standby issue, but it seems to be better working with Ventura 13.4 like i mention here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/dp-usb-c-thunderbolt-3-4-to-hdmi-2-1-4k-120hz-rgb4-4-4-10b-hdr-with-apple-silicon-m1-m2-now-possible.2381664/post-32195816

Have you ever experienced degrading to YCBCR 422 8bit after reboot. I have both CM vmm7100 DP to HDMI adapter and ANKER vmm7100 typeC to HDMI adapter and I found them almost always degrade to YCBCR 422 8bit after reboot. (They are pluuged to TS4 adapter). Waking from sleep seems to have no such problem though.

 

[Zorast]

Have you ever experienced degrading to YCBCR 422 8bit after reboot. I have both CM vmm7100 DP to HDMI adapter and ANKER vmm7100 typeC to HDMI adapter and I found them almost always degrade to YCBCR 422 8bit after reboot. (They are pluuged to TS4 adapter). Waking from sleep seems to have no such problem though.

Have u disable BD wake up functions?

 

[carestudio]

I got the anker typeC to hdmi adapter and the Cable matters DP to hdmi adapter, both work with Caldigit ts4 dock, but they are not stable. Sometime I unplug the hdmi cable and replug it, it’s not RGB 444 10bit anymore. Instead, it goes to YCBCR 422 8bit. Not sure what’s going on here but I think it’s probably something wrong with the caldigit dock.

did you try the usb pd firmware 4208 that caldigit released the other day? https://downloads.caldigit.com/
saw some online posts and claimed the new PD firmware 4208 did improve monitor or dongle's compatibility with Apple silicon

 

[Toss4]

Just upgraded to the Anker VMM7100 adapter and FIBBR 8K Fiber Optic HDMI Cable from the CM VMM6100 and no more disconnects (Macbook Pro M1 Max 16" and 42" LG C2)! Hallelujah! 👌👌

 

[Mac_Ninja]

I got the CableMatters 201388-A = VMM7100, flashed the firmware (successful, 100% completed). Disconnected and reconnected, but it's bricked now. It no longer has any video connection, and running the tool again displays "Can not find Synaptics MST DP hub IC". I used a Dell XPS laptop, connected to the charger. I guess there's nothing I can do now. I'll try to get the Anker model.

This is also my experience. Curious if the Anker one worked for you?

 

[dharmaone]

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.

****. I flashed my Anker USB-C -> HDMI dongle with the wrong FW (the dp -> hdmi one from OP's post).

Now it's not displaying video or recognizing the dongle at all. Is it possible to recover the FW? It says "Spyder chip is not connected" when I try to run VMMHIDTool and won't start the app


EDIT: Managed to get it working, just needed to click on VMM7100 USB connection from Parallels! Reflashed with the correct FW, works again!

 

[rolandvessalius]

Thanks for your information. Is K20A the model name of WD19TB you are using? Which Type-C port are you using to connect the Type-C adaptor (Is the type C port marked with DP sign on the back panel?)

I am using the Thunderbolt port. The DP port can't support the 4k @ 120hz.

 

[rolandvessalius]

****. I flashed my Anker USB-C -> HDMI dongle with the wrong FW (the dp -> hdmi one from OP's post).

Now it's not displaying video or recognizing the dongle at all. Is it possible to recover the FW? It says "Spyder chip is not connected" when I try to run VMMHIDTool and won't start the app


EDIT: Managed to get it working, just needed to click on VMM7100 USB connection from Parallels! Reflashed with the correct FW, works again!

I am glad you were able to recover the dongle!

 

[cppguy]

This is also my experience. Curious if the Anker one worked for you?

Guys it works! I flashed the correct firmware on the Anker (7100) and I got 120Hz 10bit HDR on my LG C2.

My previous failure was because I downloaded the wrong 7100 file (the DisplayPort to HDMI one). I can't recover from flashing the wrong firmware, it's a total loss of a perfect adapter. It was not the fault of Cable Matters but mine. It's embarrassing, I call myself C++ guy, an experienced engineer, yet I still made this mistake.

If you have the Cable Matters adapter and hesitate due to my previous message, don't. Just be careful!

Checklist:
1. Make sure you're NOT installing the DisplayPort (DP) firmware. The file should have no DP in it.
2. Disconnect everything except the power cable and the one and only adapter that you're flashing.
3. Connect the TV with a good quality cable before launching the VmmHIDTool.

 

[cppguy]

Incredible, I was able to repair the "bricked" Cable Matters adapter where I flashed the wrong firmware.

I downloaded VmmHIDTool from the Microsoft store (https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/vmmhidtool/9PDS6MLXXS7S?q=uva) and it worked, I was able to flash the correct firmware and now I have two working adapters at 10bit 120Hz!

Those who have accidentally bricked their adapter, try to flash from the Microsoft Store version of the software.

 

[sarieri]

Have u disable BD wake up functions?

I tried dozens of time and it looks like results varies in a random pattern with/without disable BD wake functions. Sometimes after reboot, it is RGB 444 10bit, other times, it’s YCBCR 422 8bit. Sometimes YCBCR becomes RGB after toggle on and off HDR functionality on Mac, sometimes it won’t help. No idea what’s wrong here.

 

[sarieri]

I tried dozens of time and it looks like results varies in a random pattern with/without disable BD wake functions. Sometimes after reboot, it is RGB 444 10bit, other times, it’s YCBCR 422 8bit. Sometimes YCBCR becomes RGB after toggle on and off HDR functionality on Mac, sometimes it won’t help. No idea what’s wrong here.

And it looks like this might be something wrong on the Caldigit side. If I plugged in the Anker typeC to HDMI converter to Mac directly, it ALWAYS reboots with RGB. But not if I plug it on TS4. Everytime after reboot, TS4 seems to negotiate different speed to Display.