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HDMI 2.1 on macs ,possible?

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macrumors 68040
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Sep 19, 2021
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using a usb-c/tb3-4 to HDMI 2.1 adapter it seems you still can't have HDMI 2.1(4k120) to work

is it the case for m1/pro/max only or even Intel macs have such a limitation?

do you reckon it's something apple may fix/allow if Enough people report it ? I mean historically has apple ever fixed SW/fw mistakes (assuming it's not a physical limitation of the M1 chip )
 
It is actually a physical limitation. Both the 14" and 16" were built with HDMI 2.0. You can use an HDMI 2.1 cable, but due to the hardware itself, you will be limited to 60hz
 
0089294 said:
again,you're saying that the usb-c thunderbolt ports aren't able to provide enough bandwidth for what HDMI 2.1 requires
Click to expand...
No. I'm saying that 2.0 is incapable of the ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION SIGNALING required for HDMI 2.1. They are different protocols. The receiving end sees the 2.0 signaling, not the required 2.1 signaling and blocks access.
 
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fa8362 said:
No. I'm saying that 2.0 is incapable of the ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION SIGNALING required for HDMI 2.1. They are different protocols. The receiving end sees the 2.0 signaling, not the required 2.1 signaling and blocks access.
Click to expand...
cool thank u
my question however never involved the HDMI port but instead the thunderbolt ones ,which I wanted to use with an adapter
 
fa8362 said:
The port is irrelevant. Apple licensed HDMI 2.0, not 2.1. 2.1 is not authorized, so it won't work, regardless of port.
Click to expand...
oh i hadnt got you .

do you have a source for that or is it a deduction from the ports apple effectively put in the mbp ?

the hdmi 2.0 port seems to be recycled from the mac mini,i didnt extrapolate anything else
 
0089294 said:
oh i hadnt got you .

do you have a source for that or is it a deduction from the ports apple effectively put in the mbp ?

the hdmi 2.0 port seems to be recycled from the mac mini,i didnt extrapolate anything else
Click to expand...
Google it. Tons of sources.
 
To answer the question again. No. There is no software that can be used to give you 4K/120hz. The MacBook Pro 14” and 16” are hardware coded to HDMI 2.0.

The Mac Mini HDMI port is limited to 4K/60 as well. There is currently no Mac Product that ships with HDMI 2.1.

it is not possible to make an HDMI 2.0 to function as an HDMI 2.1


www.macrumors.com

New MacBook Pro Models Include HDMI 2.0 Port Instead of HDMI 2.1

Apple in 2016 removed all of the ports from its MacBook Pro models except for Thunderbolt ports, a design that persisted for years -- until today....
www.macrumors.com www.macrumors.com
www.apple.com

MacBook Pro - Tech Specs

See all the technical specifications for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips.
www.apple.com
www.apple.com

Mac mini - Technical Specifications

See all the technical specifications for Mac mini with the M4 or M4 Pro chip.
www.apple.com
 
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Interesting, in general (let's forget about Macs) is thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 not capable of doing HDMI 2.1 through an adapter? is the bandwidth too narrow?

ATM I have both HDMI and Ethernet adapters, but never pictured thunderbolt 4 of having insufficient bandwidth for having HDMI 2.1, also, every HDMI 2.0 port automatically becomes 2.1 for newly release devices, due to how the protocol licensing and naming works, regardless of actual feature subset.

I suspect though, that when Apple releases an HDMI 2.1 port device it will try to support most of the functionality, as they might get a backlash otherwise.
 
apparatchik said:
Interesting, in general (let's forget about Macs) is thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 not capable of doing HDMI 2.1 through an adapter? is the bandwidth too narrow?

ATM I have both HDMI and Ethernet adapters, but never pictured thunderbolt 4 of having insufficient bandwidth for having HDMI 2.1, also, every HDMI 2.0 port automatically becomes 2.1 for newly release devices, due to how the protocol licensing and naming works, regardless of actual feature subset.

I suspect though, that when Apple releases an HDMI 2.1 port device it will try to support most of the functionality, as they might get a backlash otherwise.
Click to expand...
If a computer is equipped with a 2.1 port, a thunderbolt 4 cable/hub/adapter will take full advantage of available bandwidth and provide over 60hz ability while so driving a higher display resolution.

Your second point of 2.0 being automatically being 2.1 is incorrect. Each port is hard coded to meet the industry standard of that port.

HDMI 2.1 supports 48GB bandwidth with a Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable. It can drive 8K60 and 4K120, and resolutions up to 10K.

HDMI 2.0 only supports 18GB of bandwidth.

Once Apple releases their ProDisplay XDR with 120hz, Apple will release Macs with HDMI 2.1 ports which will fully support all 2.1 standards.
 
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hovscorpion12 said:
If a computer is equipped with a 2.1 port, a thunderbolt 4 cable/hub/adapter will take full advantage of available bandwidth and provide over 60hz ability while so driving a higher display resolution.

Your second point of 2.0 being automatically being 2.1 is incorrect. Each port is hard coded to meet the industry standard of that port.

HDMI 2.1 supports 48GB bandwidth with a Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable. It can drive 8K60 and 4K120, and resolutions up to 10K.

HDMI 2.0 only supports 18GB of bandwidth.

Once Apple releases their ProDisplay XDR with 120hz, Apple will release Macs with HDMI 2.1 ports which will fully support all 2.1 standards.
Click to expand...

My understanding was that 2.1 comprises a set of features of which manufacturers may implement just a few or none at all, but maybe this applies just to the display part of the combo and not the source, is that right?

Also, if you have a thunderbolt 4 port, what’s blocking you from a HDMI 2.1 adapter? most Macs don’t even have HDMI ports at all, like the MBA, but they do have TB 4, so what’s the limitation here?
 
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apparatchik said:
My understanding was that 2.1 comprises a set of features of which manufacturers may implement just a few or none at all, but maybe this applies just to the display part of the combo and not the source, is that right?

Also, if you have a thunderbolt 4 port, what’s blocking you from a HDMI 2.1 adapter? most Macs don’t even have HDMI ports at all, like the MBA, but they do have TB 4, so what’s the limitation here?
Click to expand...
It's already been explained.
 
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fa8362 said:
It's already been explained.
Click to expand...
Not adequately. Since the M1 Pro and Max MacBook Pro notebooks are Thunderbolt 4 certified that means that they should be able to use DisplayPort 2.0 since that is part of the TB4 specification. DP2.0 has 80 Gbps bandwidth more than enough for 4k@120Hz. It might be that the required DP2.0->HDMI 2.1 adapters don't exist yet.

Edit: After a little more searching, it isn't clear if TB4 requires DisplayPort 2.0 or just that it optionally supports it. I can't find anything definitive.

Edit2: There is at least one company with a DisplayPort 2.0 to HDMI 2.1 protocol converter. I don't know if there are any released products around it yet. Parade Technlogy: PS196
 
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Apparently the thunderbolt 4 ports are physically capable of displaying 4K@120hz. They can convert DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.1 with an appropriate adapter. However, this is prevented in software by macOS.

It’s been reported that recent Intel macs can output 4K@120 using Windows under Bootcamp. So the hardware is there, but not the software when running macOS.

I’m no expert on this. I’m just summarizing a bit of what I read in this thread:

forums.macrumors.com

Mac mini: 4k @ 120hz?

My report to Apple - please let me know anything I've missed or got wrong! MacOS incorrectly limiting pixel clock to 600mhz on Display Port 1.4 to HDMI 2.1 adapters, preventing 4k120 Description of the problem: Unable to display 4k120 on an external HDMI 2.1 display via a Displayport 1.4 to...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
 
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briko said:
Apparently the thunderbolt 4 ports are physically capable of displaying 4K@120hz. They can convert DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.1 with an appropriate adapter. However, this is prevented in software by macOS.

It’s been reported that recent Intel macs can output 4K@120 using Windows under Bootcamp. So the hardware is there, but not the software when running macOS.

I’m no expert on this. I’m just summarizing a bit of what I read in this thread:

forums.macrumors.com

Mac mini: 4k @ 120hz?

My report to Apple - please let me know anything I've missed or got wrong! MacOS incorrectly limiting pixel clock to 600mhz on Display Port 1.4 to HDMI 2.1 adapters, preventing 4k120 Description of the problem: Unable to display 4k120 on an external HDMI 2.1 display via a Displayport 1.4 to...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
Click to expand...

If they can do it under Windows then there’s no hardware or electrical limitation preventing them from it, I really don’t get why TB4 Macs without any type of HDMI port or license or certification cannot have an HDMI 2.1 adapter.

You have TB4, therefore an adapter can be made that does TB4 -> DP -> HDMI 2.1 if the software allows for it, doesn’t it?
 
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0089294 said:
using a usb-c/tb3-4 to HDMI 2.1 adapter it seems you still can't have HDMI 2.1(4k120) to work

is it the case for m1/pro/max only or even Intel macs have such a limitation?

do you reckon it's something apple may fix/allow if Enough people report it ? I mean historically has apple ever fixed SW/fw mistakes (assuming it's not a physical limitation of the M1 chip )
Click to expand...

Ignore the haters! You can do this :)

You do need an Intel Mac with Thunderbolt 3. Connect an eGPU like the Razer Core X. Add an appropriate GPU with HDMI 2.1 support, like an AMD RX-6800. BOOM!
 
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BeatCrazy said:
Ignore the haters! You can do this :)

You do need an Intel Mac with Thunderbolt 3. Connect an eGPU like the Razer Core X. Add an appropriate GPU with HDMI 2.1 support, like an AMD RX-6800. BOOM!
Click to expand...
well pity I got an m1 then lol

I tried searching about HDMI 2.1 licensing as the other dude said and I haven't found anything like that .

do u have any idea why it's not available on m1 /Intel without dircetey graphics card?
 
Really hoping this gets fixed. Even if I never actually use it, the new MBPs certainly have the power to run 120Hz 4K or even more. Whether it's TB4 to DP 1.4 with DSC, or preferably TB4 to DP 2.0 and/or HDMI 2.1, monitors and TV screens at 4K 120Hz or 8K 60Hz are becoming more common, and are at actually attainable prices already.
 
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