Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

HDMI 2.1 on macs ,possible?

SpitUK said:
I have the 16” M2 Max and received this USB4 hub today with HDMI 2.1.

www.amazon.co.uk

SATECHI USB4 6-in-1 Multiport Adapter - USB-C PD Charging, 8K HDMI, USB-A & USB-C Data Port, 3.5mm Audio Jack, Ethernet Port - Compatible with M2 & M1 MacBook, 2021 iPad Pro, Mac Mini M1, iMac M1

Satechi ST-U4MGEM station d'accueil Avec fil USB4 Noir, Gris
www.amazon.co.uk

I have a 120Hz 4K display but when I connect it through the hub it only shows 4K 30Hz.

I had a power input, webcam and Ethernet connected at the same time.

Shame as I was wanting to go for a one cable solution when in clamshell mode.
Click to expand...
That's insane what apple did ! It's really a Shame !! Its a USB 4 Hub and it has to be work!
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
joevt said:
USB-C hubs (not Thunderbolt) that support USB 3.x only have 2 lanes of DisplayPort. 2 lanes is not enough for 4K60 HDMI unless DSC is supported. Apple Silicon Macs should support DSC, but Apple...

2 lanes of HBR3 without DSC can do 4K30 HDMI 12bpc or 4K60 CVT-RB 8bpc.
2 lanes of HBR3 with DSC@12bpp can do 4K60 HDMI, 4K120 CVT-RB2, 8K30 CVT-RB. 8K60 is impossible unless you can do DSC and 4:2:0 at the same time to somehow get DSC@6bpp.
Click to expand...
But this is an USB 4 Hub with 40 Gbps! It has to work !!
 
AironMan said:
But this is an USB 4 Hub with 40 Gbps! It has to work !!
Click to expand...
Sorry, can't believe I didn't see that. If it's USB4 then it should allow full DisplayPort bandwidth.
If you connect it to an Intel Mac and run AllRez, then you can discover what kind of DisplayPort to HDMI 2.1 adapter it uses. It will also show if it can accept 4 lanes of HBR3 DisplayPort signal. There is no reason it shouldn't be able to do 4K120 except Apple.

If you do try connecting it to an Intel Mac, verify that it has a Thunderbolt connection. I'm not sure if all USB4 hubs/docks support being connected to a Thunderbolt 3 host. If it doesn't connect as Thunderbolt, then it will connect as USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, and then be limited to 2 lanes of HBR3 DisplayPort.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Amethyst1
SpitUK said:
Makes sense thanks. I will plug directly into the laptop to get 4K120Hz and use the hub for everything else.
Click to expand...
Please try the hub again, and check System Profiler in the Thunderbolt/USB4 tab to see if it is connecting correctly as a USB4 device. Check the PCIe tab to see if it has any PCI devices. Check the USB tab to see what USB devices it has (it should have a hub or two). The ethernet is either a USB device or a PCI device.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SpitUK
joevt said:
Sorry, can't believe I didn't see that. If it's USB4 then it should allow full DisplayPort bandwidth.
If you connect it to an Intel Mac and run AllRez, then you can discover what kind of DisplayPort to HDMI 2.1 adapter it uses. It will also show if it can accept 4 lanes of HBR3 DisplayPort signal. There is no reason it shouldn't be able to do 4K120 except Apple.

If you do try connecting it to an Intel Mac, verify that it has a Thunderbolt connection. I'm not sure if all USB4 hubs/docks support being connected to a Thunderbolt 3 host. If it doesn't connect as Thunderbolt, then it will connect as USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, and then be limited to 2 lanes of HBR3 DisplayPort.
Click to expand...
I have an USB Dock also which it show in Devices as USB4/TB Connection with 40Gbps, but iam on M1 MAX:
 

Attachments

  • Bildschirm­foto 2022-12-09 um 12.05.02.jpeg
    Bildschirm­foto 2022-12-09 um 12.05.02.jpeg
    145.6 KB · Views: 91
Sorry I missed it as well! I don't have an Intel Mac anymore, here is the screenshot of the hub connected...

CleanShot 2023-02-01 at 09.49.13.png


I have ethernet connected via the hub....

CleanShot 2023-02-01 at 09.50.58.png


Nothing in PCI...

CleanShot 2023-02-01 at 09.51.48.png


I am connected directly to the MAC via the HDMI 2.1 port and its showing this just for reference...

CleanShot 2023-02-01 at 09.51.37.png
 
It looks fine the USB Port is connected with USB 4, the HDMI has 2.1 so it has to be work !! 100% Apple limit this.. Did u try BetterDisplay ?
 
AironMan said:
It looks fine the USB Port is connected with USB 4, the HDMI has 2.1 so it has to be work !! 100% Apple limit this.. Did u try BetterDisplay ?
Click to expand...
The Ethernet is a USB 5 Gbps device which is good enough for 2.5 GbE. I need to get an Apple Silicon Mac and find a way to update AllRez to get DisplayPort info on Apple Silicon Macs.
 
Looks like the Hub does not support more than 30hz. this is not normal. The M1 MAX does support 4k@60hz. Can u write to satechi and send them these informations ? Whe have to wait what waydabber(BetterDisplay) say about that. I send him these informations.

Can u show the EDID inkl. technical information which BetterDisplay shows u ?
 

Attachments

  • Bildschirm­foto 2023-02-01 um 13.35.07.png
    Bildschirm­foto 2023-02-01 um 13.35.07.png
    177.8 KB · Views: 72
Last edited:
Did u contact Satechi ? I use this which have the really good chipset with native USB 4 40Gbps and HDMI 2.1:

www.amazon.de

USB4 Docking Station Dual Display 4K&8K, QUUGE USB C Dock 14 in 1, HDMI+DP, 3Ă—USB 3.2, 3Ă—USB 2.0, 100W PD Upstream, mit USB4 Kabel, Kompatibel mit USB-C, Thunderbolt 4/3, USB4, MacBook Air Pro

USB4 Docking Station Dual Display 4K&8K, QUUGE USB C Dock 14 in 1, HDMI+DP, 3Ă—USB 3.2, 3Ă—USB 2.0, 100W PD Upstream, mit USB4 Kabel, Kompatibel mit USB-C, Thunderbolt 4/3, USB4, MacBook Air Pro
www.amazon.de

cheaper:

www.amazon.de

USB4 Docking Station Dual 4K&8K Display, QUUGE USB C Dock 14 in 1, HDMI+DP, 3Ă—USB 3.2, 3Ă—USB 2.0, 100W PD Upstream, mit USB4 Kabel, Kompatibel mit Thunderbolt 3/4, USB4, USB-C, MacBook Air/Pro

USB4 Dockingstation Dual 4K & 8K Display, QUUGE USB C Dock 14 in 1, HDMI+DP, 3Ă—USB 3.2, 3Ă—USB 2.0, 100W PD Upstream, mit USB4 Kabel, Kompatibel mit Thunderbolt 3/4, USB4, USB - MacBook Air/Pro
www.amazon.de
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
As of my knowledge cut-off in 2021, HDMI 2.1 is not supported on Macs. Mac computers have Thunderbolt ports that support DisplayPort 1.4 and can be used with an adapter to connect to an HDMI 2.1 monitor. However, this adapter may have limitations in terms of refresh rate and resolution. It's always best to check the specifications of the specific Mac model and adapter to confirm compatibility. Additionally, it's worth noting that HDMI 2.1 is a relatively new technology, and Macs may begin to support it in the future with hardware updates or new models.
 
mayankjariya said:
As of my knowledge cut-off in 2021, HDMI 2.1 is not supported on Macs. Mac computers have Thunderbolt ports that support DisplayPort 1.4 and can be used with an adapter to connect to an HDMI 2.1 monitor. However, this adapter may have limitations in terms of refresh rate and resolution. It's always best to check the specifications of the specific Mac model and adapter to confirm compatibility. Additionally, it's worth noting that HDMI 2.1 is a relatively new technology, and Macs may begin to support it in the future with hardware updates or new models.
Click to expand...
The new MacBook Pros have HDMI 2.1 built in now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dmccloud and mayankjariya
SpitUK said:
The new MacBook Pros have HDMI 2.1 built in now.
Click to expand...
This is something that has been mentioned as a new feature with the 2023 14" & 16" MBPs (alongside Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 6E), so they may be the first products in the lineup to support HDMI 2.1.
 
Hi guys, check this out to get 4K@120Hz on the M1 over HDMI.

#760

The method is to download the display's EDID via BetterDisplay, alter the EDID's video interface to DisplayPort (if set to nothing or set to HDMI originally - you might need to upgrade the EDID format to v1.4 for that) and then apply the EDID override (which is now possible on Apple Silicon with the latest BetterDisplay app version).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back