I'm more just curious if these monitors can be user updated at all? I don't think anyone knows for sure if the issues are coming from the Mac side or the LG side, but should it be the monitors fault, can the firmware on these even be updated by the user? Seems like a huge pain to have to ship this back every time it needs an update to fix a potential bug.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
LG UltraFine 5K - Owners Thread
- Thread starter iBrooker
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yes, the firmware can be updated by the user.
(The only downside is you need to download the LG Screen Manager software to do it, and it is a steaming pile of buggy, hacky trash.)
HDR10 uses the Rec. 2020 color space from my understanding, which covers more than P3.
USB connection issue still there, but on disconnect the monitor no longer powers my keyboard backlight as before, thinking its charging.
The sleep and dead bug seems to be gone too, can't see rotation options, not used Win 10.
One new issue I'm having is the giant arrow will leave a twin onscreen until I disconnect and can also see some flickering. It seems to be the flickering or the arrow, not had a session with neither yet.
Edit: Latest session seems flicker and arrow free so far.
Edit 2: Spoke to soon about sleep of death, just got first one.
Last edited:
Well, I just sent one of my units out today for repair. Will see what it comes back with. It wasn't even for the interference, but rather the USB-C connections that wouldn't work unless I unplug/plug in the devices.
I have had 3 of these LG's in my business, most recently just got the Feb 2017 revision. The monitors display quality is great, except this last one seems to have more light bleeding than the others. Not sure if its worth exchanging it or not. I do not appreciate the volume issue (past 1 and it blows your ears off), I use my own speakers so not a deal breaker but awful design. I also don't like how slow it is to turn brightness up/down from the keyboard....it lags like iTunes Album View 
Last edited:
I went to use my 702 today and it won't turn on no matter what I do. Luckily I'm on day 14 with it so still within the return window. Sending it for exchange again.
Apple Management has been great in their support. Apparently they've been told to recommend that users just return the monitors without an exchange since they have no idea if LG is shipping refurbished units or if they've fixed any issue.
Hopefully Apple has realized what a gong show this has been for them, their stuff, and their users. They just need to make their own display already.
Apple Management has been great in their support. Apparently they've been told to recommend that users just return the monitors without an exchange since they have no idea if LG is shipping refurbished units or if they've fixed any issue.
Hopefully Apple has realized what a gong show this has been for them, their stuff, and their users. They just need to make their own display already.
I'm not certain this issue is "repairable" in a service sense. I have 2 UltraFines and they both do this. It seems like either a firmware or macOS bug to me. Unless I've been really unlucky to get 2 defective hubs...
Still, maybe it'll nudge someone at LG to look at it in more detail. I'd be pretty disappointed if both Apple and LG aren't already working on the bugs in these monitors though. They seem like they were really rushed to market.
Yesterday I picked up two LG 5Ks in Germany since they're still not available in Switzerland. Had to organise a rental car and everything since the boxes where too big for my car.
I ordered them in late February and they shipped on March 9th. Both with 701 SN. No issues so far. Everything works nicely and I love them.
Well worth the effort and extra trouble to order them in Germany. I'm still pissed that I lost 3 months just because Apple Switzerland doesn't give a **** about their customers.
I ordered them in late February and they shipped on March 9th. Both with 701 SN. No issues so far. Everything works nicely and I love them.
Well worth the effort and extra trouble to order them in Germany. I'm still pissed that I lost 3 months just because Apple Switzerland doesn't give a **** about their customers.
After I initiated a return, I was able to order a second one online. I received the replacement today. It has the same issue, but considerably less noticeable and bearable. It's an older December model, but I stuck my router and MBP15 next to it and nothing happened. So I'll manage with this one. Also worth noting is no crackling speakers on this monitor. It did look like someone body slammed the box a couple of time when I received it lol (I'm exaggerating a little). Styrofoam was collapsed on the monitor corners in the packaging and all inside the box. But like I said, everything seems on par. As long as no issues crop up, I'll be holding on to it.
Couple of things to add:
Firstly... see here: #27
For an interesting thread with further info about using FOUR screens at once (2016 MBP 15" + Samsung 1080p TV + 2x LG 5K's) — TL;DR: basically one of the 5K's drops down to 4K and scales up to 5K.
Secondly...
While doing that test, I used the "Export EDID" option in SwitchResX prefs for each connected display. And guess what it showed for my new two LG 5K with manufacture date (printed on the box & back of display) as 702 / February 2017:
"Manufactured........Week 2 of year 2017"
(see attached both LG 5K's .txt files for yourself!)
So what does yours show? Does this actually mean month 2, rather than week 2, one wonders?!
The plot thickens.
Firstly... see here: #27
For an interesting thread with further info about using FOUR screens at once (2016 MBP 15" + Samsung 1080p TV + 2x LG 5K's) — TL;DR: basically one of the 5K's drops down to 4K and scales up to 5K.
Secondly...
While doing that test, I used the "Export EDID" option in SwitchResX prefs for each connected display. And guess what it showed for my new two LG 5K with manufacture date (printed on the box & back of display) as 702 / February 2017:
"Manufactured........Week 2 of year 2017"
(see attached both LG 5K's .txt files for yourself!)
So what does yours show? Does this actually mean month 2, rather than week 2, one wonders?!
The plot thickens.
Last edited:
So I got my third 5k display. First was 612 so before shielding, second had a dead pixel, this third though... it's a 611 and used. There were a couple of fingerprints on the screen itself, and the silver wrapping of the monitor is nearly torn in half and held together were some very hastily applied packing tape. Seriously Apple? The seal on the outside of the box was intact, meaning it looks like LG took this display back and applied shielding perhaps before sending it out again as new.
Last edited:
Which brings us back to the central question:
How can we tell if we have shielding or not, regardless of the serial number??
I tried opening one up, but for the life of me couldn't do it so gave up.
Couple of things to add:
Firstly... see here: #27
For an interesting thread with further info about using FOUR screens at once (2016 MBP 15" + Samsung 1080p TV + 2x LG 5K's) — TL;DR: basically one of the 5K's drops down to 4K and scales up to 5K.
Secondly...
While doing that test, I used the "Export EDID" option in SwitchResX prefs for each connected display. And guess what it showed for my new two LG 5K with manufacture date (printed on the box & back of display) as 702 / February 2017:
"Manufactured........Week 2 of year 2017"
View attachment 692406
(see attached both LG 5K's .txt files for yourself!)
So what does yours show? Does this actually mean month 2, rather than week 2, one wonders?!
The plot thickens.
If you unclip the display stand and look at the back of the display, it will show you the manufacture date month and year on the label. My new displays are 702 serial numbers and say "February 2017" here. They also both have the black square on the label. My 701 displays both said "January 2017" on the label and had neither a black square nor a black circle.
Which brings us back to the central question:
How can we tell if we have shielding or not, regardless of the serial number??
I tried opening one up, but for the life of me couldn't do it so gave up.
I am reliably informed (don't ask how) that you need to remove 4 black screws from inside the VESA cover area and then using a plastic card of some kind (old credit card or similar) you need to pop a few catches around the perimeter of where the bezel meets the rear cover. These catches are shaped with ramps to allow the card to ride over them provided you come at them from the correct side. The best sequence appears to be from behind the camera towards each corner (ie. outward from the middle to each top corner). Then on the side you need to slide the card from top to bottom. The catches on the bottom edge do not have ramps so they just need to be carefully popped. Patience is essential here.
Once the rear cover is removed, in order to get access to the main circuit boards you will need to remove a further 7 black screws and disconnect the video card cables and what is probably a backlight cable in order to lift off the entire inner enclosure and speakers. This will expose potentially dangerous residual mains voltages so great care is required. The display cables are also very easily damaged so again care required.
To be honest, I would advise against attempting this unless you are experienced at this sort of disassembly.
I hope this is of interest. I'm surprised we've not seen a tear down by iFixit or someone by now.
Wanted to update the the 703 I received yesterday is perfect so far. The only issue is the volume stepping - a workaround is to use Option-Shift-Volume to increase the volume in tiny steps.
Man, that must be so frustrating. Well done for your dedication.
The dual monitor setup is so worth it though, the 15" TouchBar with 2x UltraFine screens is easily the best computing setup I've ever had.
I plug in three reversible cables and I get power, 2x 5K screens, and a whole bunch of USB peripherals + Ethernet (admittedly running on a Satechi hub, since the monitor hubs are useless). Plus, I get consistent colour across all three screens (incl laptop) and glorious retina resolution. It's awesome.
To reply to myself here, I'm guessing that the date listed here ("Manufactured........Week 2 of year 2017") is possibly the date the internal LCD panel component was manufactured, rather than the date the whole display was manufactured. It's a guess, but seems reasonably logical conclusion.Couple of things to add:
Firstly... see here: #27
For an interesting thread with further info about using FOUR screens at once (2016 MBP 15" + Samsung 1080p TV + 2x LG 5K's) — TL;DR: basically one of the 5K's drops down to 4K and scales up to 5K.
Secondly...
While doing that test, I used the "Export EDID" option in SwitchResX prefs for each connected display. And guess what it showed for my new two LG 5K with manufacture date (printed on the box & back of display) as 702 / February 2017:
"Manufactured........Week 2 of year 2017"
View attachment 692406
(see attached both LG 5K's .txt files for yourself!)
So what does yours show? Does this actually mean month 2, rather than week 2, one wonders?!
The plot thickens.
What do you other guys get? SwitchResX is a free download, so perhaps give it try for yourselves. ;-)
http://www.madrau.com
[doublepost=1489726381][/doublepost]
Diffs on mine:
- a black square in the white barcode serial# box.
- the text serial# is now in the same white box with the barcode serial#.
- the 'Rev' is slightly different "REV00-1" (612) vs. "REV01" (702).
(I don't seem to have a black circle anywhere...?)
Like this:
------------ 612's -------------------------------------- vs. ---------------- 702's ----------------------------
(note: the serial # and barcode has been partially redacted.)
Thanks Craig.
Erm, yeah, I did take the four short black screws out easily enough. But unclipping the front I found too difficult so gave up, as I thought I'd only end-up damaging them. I've done similar things before (e.g. adding a drive to a 2012 Mac Mini, et al., which can be quite fiddly) but really couldn't be bothered to take this any further.
iFixit, its over to you, haha!
Last edited:
SwitchResX on mine also says week 2 of 2017 but the label clearly says February 2017 so I think this is a red herring. I'm pretty sure it will be the motherboard of the display that provides the EDID data so I don't think it will be referring to the LCD panel.
Here's a couple of pics of the internals in case you're interested.
Yeah, you can see it through the rear cover when the VESA stand is removed too. I was pretty surprised because I honestly can't hear it in use, even with two displays.Is that a fan I see?