DP/USB-C/Thunderbolt to HDMI 2.1 4k@120hz RGB4:4:4 10b HDR with Apple Silicon M1-M4 now possible !

[phoenix-mac-user]

Hello all, just today i got my cable matters adapter https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08MSWMXT4, from what i read in the main post based on The new one is the 201388-A = VMM7100" my adapter should be VMM7100, which as i read should be plug and play. So i have a lg c9 55 inch tv and i want for the love of god to get 4k 120hz working on my macbook air m1. So i plug the new adapter with a high end (certified) hdmi 2.1 cable to my macbook air m1 and no matter what i do, i cannot get the resolution of 3840 x 2160 to show more than 60hz only with 1920 x 1080 low Dipi can i see more than 60hz. What am i missing?, please help me.

Did you update the firmware? it will be plug and play after, but the firmware update still needs to be completed to make it plug and play.

 

[Steyt]

Did you update the firmware? it will be plug and play after, but the firmware update still needs to be completed to make it plug and play.

Oh that means that i have to complete the listed steps including:

1. Windows PC with USB-C DP capabilities.
   3.1. (only VMM7100) Using Parallels will only work when using MicrosoftStore VMMHIDTool (Don't forget to activate the USB ports of your Win Image and additionally activate the port every time up you boot the Win image)

If so, luckily i have a windows pc and i see that it has a usb c port at the back on the motherboard, judging from the specs of the motherboard specifically the point: "- ASRock USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s)" it seems as if i have the correct port available. I will try to follow the steps and report back.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Oh that means that i have to complete the listed steps including:

1. Windows PC with USB-C DP capabilities.
   3.1. (only VMM7100) Using Parallels will only work when using MicrosoftStore VMMHIDTool (Don't forget to activate the USB ports of your Win Image and additionally activate the port every time up you boot the Win image)

If so, luckily i have a windows pc and i see that it has a usb c port at the back on the motherboard, judging from the specs of the motherboard specifically the point: "- ASRock USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C Port (10 Gb/s)" it seems as if i have the correct port available. I will try to follow the steps and report back.

That probably won’t work, as the adapter needs to be displaying/connected for video, and your ASRock port doesn’t support video output.

 

[Steyt]

That probably won’t work, as the adapter needs to be displaying/connected for video, and your ASRock port doesn’t support video output.

You are right, my motherboard does not support it. I guess my only option is to take this route:

Windows PC with USB-C DP capabilities.
3.1. (only VMM7100) Using Parallels will only work when using MicrosoftStore VMMHIDTool (Don't forget to activate the USB ports of your Win Image and additionally activate the port every time up you boot the Win image)

or find someone with a windows pc or laptop that supports usb c alt mode

 

[BeatCrazy]

or find someone with a windows pc or laptop that supports usb c alt mode

This seems like the simplest option.

 

[Steyt]

This seems like the simplest option.

I will try to leverage the trial version of parallels and do it from that way. I cannot think of anyone that has a windows pc/laptop with a usb c that supports alt mode in my circle. An alternative thought is there some kind of cheap adaptor to make this work with a standard usb c port on a windows pc?

 

[Steyt]

It worked!, i just got the trial for parallels and followed the steps and flashed the firmware now i can get 120fps in 4k. I still have some questions, in better display i am only getting the option of 8bit even when having hdr on, on the macbook air, am i missing something or is it my tv(lg c9)?, Also on better display the max HiDPI resolution i can set is 3008 x 1692 and the native resolution of 3840 x 2160 is in the LoDPI and it does make a noticeable difference in sharpness is this normal?. Since everything would be so small from where i would be watching/using i guess i am better off using 2k 120hz rather than 4k 120hz.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I will try to leverage the trial version of parallels and do it from that way. I cannot think of anyone that has a windows pc/laptop with a usb c that supports alt mode in my circle. An alternative thought is there some kind of cheap adaptor to make this work with a standard usb c port on a windows pc?

Not really. DP-Alt Mode is hard to do outside the silicon level. Some motherboards with Thunderbolt support a manual workaround, but it’s more complicated than buying an adapter.

 

[Yiliblack]

I've been following this thread for so long and now I can finally report that thanks to everyone I'm using my MBA m1 with an LG C2 in 4k 120hz. Thank you so much to everyone!

 

[mr_mpeg]

Thanks everyone for all the work! 10bit 120hz unlocked on my macbook pro m1
I'd just wanted to add that although my pc can't send a monitor signal over the usb-c port (3.1 gen2)
i was able to flash the anker adapter with the firmware. Only worked with the flashtool from the microsoft store though... maybe that helps someone else that hasn't access to pc with alt mode.

ps. so there wasn't also any display connected. Just the adapter on the usb-c port.

 

[Steyt]

Thanks everyone for all the work! 10bit 120hz unlocked on my macbook pro m1
I'd just wanted to add that although my pc can't send a monitor signal over the usb-c port (3.1 gen2)
i was able to flash the anker adapter with the firmware. Only worked with the flashtool from the microsoft store though... maybe that helps someone else that hasn't access to pc with alt mode.

ps. so there wasn't also any display connected. Just the adapter on the usb-c port.

How did you get 10bit?, to my it only shows 8bit no matter what.

 

[mr_mpeg]

How did you get 10bit?, to my it only shows 8bit no matter what.

Flashed the Anker adapter with this firmware VMM7100_4kRGB120hz10b_V7_02_112.fullrom
That was all... No display connected whatsoever.

What i can say though is that apple somehow cuts corners with "pro Motion" while I see text is sharper while scrolling and the ufo test shows 120fps. It's not everything at high refresh. Windows feels far more fluid in the whole OS.

 

[apfel27]

Looks like the same adaptor. How did you try to flash it?

Diffrent ways. With VMMHIDTOOL on windows and also on parallels windows. Also from downloads in this thread. on both systems.

 

[Zorast]

Ok, so this worked great using the Anker 518 adapter. Thanks @AironMan and others who put this together. I have a question though - How do I enable Auto HDR on Macbook? When I turn on HDR for the LG C2, everything is too bright and vivid, and the picture settings is changed to the HDR one. I prefer to browse and code in the SDR mode. And only use HDR for movies etc. Is that possible or do I just have to do it manually? Thanks though!

I don't know any way for that. Only original Apple Displays can do that. Apple...

So plz. make a request to Apple in feedback hub so they know that we user want a support on non Apple Displays.

 

[Zorast]

It looks like with MacOS Sonoma the 10bit issue is gone. I always get 10bit days Also there is no problems in wake up or fallback to 4:2:0 anymore. Plz test and report. Iam using the VMM7100 CM 201388-A with a TB 4 Station.

 

[Zorast]

And if theres something new in supported Adapters or Docks plz send me an PM so i will update the post. Thanks!

 

[Zorast]

There are a couple of GitHub projects that use Hammerspoon to automatically turn on and off LG OLED TVs when you wake/sleep your Mac

U can also use the "Always On" in LG settings.

 

[UWUCHAN]

And if theres something new in supported Adapters or Docks plz send me an PM so i will update the post. Thanks!

Going to PM you but I have the following working:

M2 max + Sonnet Echo 20 TB4 Dock + Cable Matters & Anker Adapters + 8K Cable + Odyssey Ark @4k 120hz
I am getting a black screen at 165hz for both adapters, hoping there will be a solution sometime.

Dock:

Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock

The Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock is a Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock with Three Thunderbolt 4 Ports, M.2 SSD Slot, HDMI 2.1 Port, 2.5Gb Ethernet Port, Eight 10Gbps USB Ports, and More! It is compatible with Apple M series Macs; Thunderbolt 3 Intel Macs; Thunderbolt 3 and 4 Windows computers; Thu...

www.amazon.com

 

[macmaker20]

Has anyone gotten the Cable Matters adapter to work on a Neo G9? I can't even get 5120x1440, let alone 120hz.

 

[kooki2]

Recently got a 16 inch M2 Max 32 GB / 1 TB.

And I was wondering why I couldn't do 4k / 120 hz with the thunderbolt dock I had while my previous AMD ultrabook could do 4k / 120 hz easy with the same hub.

The tweaks in the forum helped me get around that and now I get 4k/120 with modified EDID.

TV: LG C148
Laptop: M2 Max 32 GB / 1 TB
Hub/Dock: CableCreation 6 in 1 dock: https://amzn.eu/d/ati5GW5

VMM6100 firmware. I have attached the original firmware, original EDID and modified EDID.

Hello
I bought same USB-C hub as you and trying to flash the firmware but couldn't do it
Would you please help explain how did you do? I tried to use VMMHIDTOOL via MS store and the app provided by Cablematters but none of that couldn't detect the HW to update

Here's is the product I bought: https://www.amazon.com/-/ko/dp/B0B5CFPDD2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

[Zorast]

Without verification with pictures that u have 4k@120hz 4:4:4, i can not confirm any information about hubs our docks that works.

 

[Zorast]

Going to PM you but I have the following working:

M2 max + Sonnet Echo 20 TB4 Dock + Cable Matters & Anker Adapters + 8K Cable + Odyssey Ark @4k 120hz
I am getting a black screen at 165hz for both adapters, hoping there will be a solution sometime.

Dock:

Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock

The Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock is a Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock with Three Thunderbolt 4 Ports, M.2 SSD Slot, HDMI 2.1 Port, 2.5Gb Ethernet Port, Eight 10Gbps USB Ports, and More! It is compatible with Apple M series Macs; Thunderbolt 3 Intel Macs; Thunderbolt 3 and 4 Windows computers; Thu...

www.amazon.com

Thanks! How did u manage the one click switch between the devices?

 

[exounx]

+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!

How?

 

[chargerinthebox]

Without verification with pictures that u have 4k@120hz 4:4:4, i can not confirm any information about hubs our docks that works.

Hello
I bought same USB-C hub as you and trying to flash the firmware but couldn't do it
Would you please help explain how did you do? I tried to use VMMHIDTOOL via MS store and the app provided by Cablematters but none of that couldn't detect the HW to update

Here's is the product I bought: https://www.amazon.com/-/ko/dp/B0B5CFPDD2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Hey, the vmmhidtool from ms store likely has sandboxing enabled. Did you try to run it as admin? I did the whole process from a windows laptop. And I downloaded the firmware packages from the 1st post directly from the Steps section. It has the flash tool already, you don't need the MS Store one.

 

[chargerinthebox]

Btw for all you folks using Parallels or any other hypervisor, you have to pass through the USB hub to Windows everytime it disconnects and connects (which it will a couple of times during the firmware upgrade as well). I don't know if there's a way to auto-attach the hub to windows directly everytime it's connected to the Mac.