Lag vs Resolution when running TV as external monitor

[macbook123]

What's the best way/adapter to connect a 2016 touch bar Macbook Pro (latest gen with shallow keyboard and missing ports&Magsafe) to a TV using it as eternal monitor? When I try with my old rMBP I get either 4K with horrible input lag (if I attach directly to HDMI) or 1080p with no input lag (if I go via mini display port to HDMI).

Can I have both 4k and little input lag with the new 2016 MBP?

 

[Toutou]

The lag is usually caused by the TV itself. My 2013 rMBP can feed a 4K screen without a problem.

 

[Marshall73]

What's the best way/adapter to connect a 2016 touch bar Macbook Pro (latest gen with shallow keyboard and missing ports&Magsafe) to a TV using it as eternal monitor? When I try with my old rMBP I get either 4K with horrible input lag (if I attach directly to HDMI) or 1080p with no input lag (if I go via mini display port to HDMI).

Can I have both 4k and little input lag with the new 2016 MBP?

Enable game mode on the tv.

 

[macbook123]

Enable game mode on the tv.

Thanks. I did that, but there is still noticable lag with the 4K, which completely disappears when I attach displayport to HDMI (but then it switched to 1080p). So I believe it has to do with the cable.
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The lag is usually caused by the TV itself. My 2013 rMBP can feed a 4K screen without a problem.

Thanks. And is there no lag between moving your finger on the trackpad and a window/cursor moving around on the screen? There is for me, even after switching the TV (a new Vizio P series) to gaming/computer modes, and it is incredibly frustrating.

That lag completely disappears when I attach displayport to HDMI (but then it switched to 1080p). So I believe it has to do with the cable.

 

[ixxx69]

What's the best way/adapter to connect a 2016 touch bar Macbook Pro (latest gen with shallow keyboard and missing ports&Magsafe) to a TV using it as eternal monitor? When I try with my old rMBP I get either 4K with horrible input lag (if I attach directly to HDMI) or 1080p with no input lag (if I go via mini display port to HDMI).

Can I have both 4k and little input lag with the new 2016 MBP?

What you need is a USB C to HDMI 2.0 adapter or cable (4K/60Hz). Like this one on Amazon.

The likely reason you're getting "lag" on the previous MBP is that its HDMI port is limited to 30Hz @ 4K. Which is fine for watching video, but is quite noticeable when using macOS.

btw, I think we all got it - you're not fond of the 2016 MBP.

 

[macbook123]

What you need is a USB C to HDMI 2.0 adapter or cable (4K/60Hz). Like this one on Amazon.

The likely reason you're getting "lag" on the previous MBP is that its HDMI port is limited to 30Hz @ 4K. Which is fine for watching video, but is quite noticeable when using macOS.

btw, I think we all got it - you're not fond of the 2016 MBP.

Thanks! I just ordered the cable you recommended. I also ordered this one earlier, which I hope works as well: Cable Matters USB 3.1 Type C (USB-C & Thunderbolt 3 Port Compatible) to HDMI 4K UHD Adapter in Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X4S5C7G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-fezybSWBB291

And yeah, im frustrated about this machine. I'm very reluctant to move on to a different brand, and after being an Apple loyal for more than a decade and trying to get used to the compromises Apple, but it's a slow process to put it mildly.

 

[henrydrayton]

Hey i know this is an old thread, but i was having the same issue. What resolved it was doing everything stated above, even with the adapters, i was still getting lag until i bought this one: 2k and 4k adapter

Using the 4k hdmi slot still gave me lag, but when i plugged it into the 2k slot, there is no lag. This adapter also lets you use a third monitor (with my mac mini M1 [which says it can only support 2 monitors])