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LG UltraFine 5K - Owners Thread

jimthing said:
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.
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Just for fun I also tried a four screen setup when receiving the LGs and before properly installing them. The setup was 2x LG 5K, 27" Cinema Display (1440p) and the internal display. I verified that both LGs were running in 1440p HiDPI mode, so at 5K. What I noticed was that the sequence in which I attached the displays mattered. Otherwise I couldn't even get all three external displays to show an image.

blackmondo said:
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.
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Thanks. It was a hassle but worth it! Love the setup as well and it's something I wanted for a long time. Every since getting the first Retina MBP in 2012.
I also use a separate USB hub for the peripherals as the display hubs are not good performers. I even use the old USB 3.0 (type A) hub I had with an Apple USB-C adapter. Works nicely.
 
I sent the lg 5k back to Apple and bought the lg 4k 27ud88.
Pros: smaller bezel, pivot mode in macos x and windows, charges my late 2016 tb mbpro 15", the usb-hub takes an apple-keyboard and a logitech mouse, single stream display, dp 1.2, hdmi 2.0 to connect other computer
Cons: only 4k, audio does not work with the mbpro, no camera

I will keep the 27ud88 and will buy an 5k display when they are single stream displays.
 
I don't know, but I hope TB3 will do it.

With my first 4k Display the Dell UP3214Q - a multistream display I had to many problems (no pivoting, did not work with Dell TB3 Laptops, did not work with my old 2010 MacPro) and it seams problems are repeated by the multistream 5k Display esp. no pivoting in macos x.
 
radus said:
I don't know, but I hope TB3 will do it.
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It can't. It is going to require a new TB standard. DP itself is ready for SST 5K but given that it always takes a long time for a new TB standard to hit the market, I'd say that's years away.

I also wanted a SST 5K display but given the current state of Thunderbolt, there is no point in waiting. It would take too long.

iBrooker, the AMD card should be able play it back or not? Do you have a link to such a video (video sample)?
 
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slaWter said:
I see. It's just a matter of time until the software catches up and will use the current 460 GPU. It'll be plenty fast once the hardware is used. Same goes for Final Cut. I'm not worried at all.
That other Netflix Kaby Lake requirement is a different story. That's a pure joke if you ask me. A shady agreement between Intel and Netflix.
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I'm not so sure tbh, I think Kaby lake will be here before the software catches up (there's been no response to the thread I posted on VLC) and from what I recall, KL processors have specific hardware/features for .265 4K.

I am hoping to have the machine for a good few years so really don't mind waiting 6 to 8 months.
 
iBrooker said:
I'm not so sure tbh, I think Kaby lake will be here before the software catches up (there's been no response to the thread I posted on VLC) and from what I recall, KL processors have specific hardware/features for .265 4K.

I am hoping to have the machine for a good few years so really don't mind waiting 6 to 8 months.
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Posts on the thread you reference said that the Skylake CPUs can play h.265 4K at reasonable % usage, the issue seems to be on the software side with the players. I guess it may never get fixed but I doubt it. Anyway, how are you going to "return" your MBP? You've had it since January at least...
 
alFR said:
Posts on the thread you reference said that the Skylake CPUs can play h.265 4K at reasonable % usage, the issue seems to be on the software side with the players. I guess it may never get fixed but I doubt it. Anyway, how are you going to "return" your MBP? You've had it since January at least...
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It's a long story, but I've had 6 MBPs to date. First 2 went back because I changed spec, others have not had acceptable displays (backlight bleed) and one was badly machined (sharp edges) another had a loud fan and wouldn't even let me create a user account.

This is my last 'run', if it's not acceptable I will send both back for a refund and wait until the end of the year.
 
slaWter said:
Just for fun I also tried a four screen setup when receiving the LGs and before properly installing them. The setup was 2x LG 5K, 27" Cinema Display (1440p) and the internal display. I verified that both LGs were running in 1440p HiDPI mode, so at 5K. What I noticed was that the sequence in which I attached the displays mattered. Otherwise I couldn't even get all three external displays to show an image.
Click to expand...

Ha, I tried that with an HDMI port on my USB Hub, connected to a 1440p Asus monitor, but I found I couldn't run them all at once. I could run one LG and the Asus, but if I had both UltraFines plugged in, the Asus would no longer show up. I figured this might be related to using HDMI over USB-C perhaps, but I ultimately decided not to pursue it anyway. I was really hoping to run "3 displays" like this, but failed to really think about the fact that the MacBook Pro display itself is really good as a third display anyway, and I don't really have enough room on my desk for 3 1440p-sized 27inch displays anyway.

I VESA mounted my central 5K display to my wall yesterday too, which looks great and eliminates the wobble. This is another aspect of the LGs that's so much better than an Apple display. No crazy $100 "slide credit card weirdly in this slot" VESA adapter to purchase, just unclip the stand, clip on the provided mount, and you're good to go. The 5K iMac is even more crazy, needing to be ordered as a VESA-only computer. Yay for resale value there... :(

iBrooker said:
The 32ud99 is coming out in the next week or two http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-32UD99-W-4k-uhd-led-monitor

I am thinking about doing the same.
Click to expand...

Interesting looking monitor, especially with HDR. This is a very different beast to a retina display though and while it looks decent, it seems like it's appealing more to a PC gamer market than for professional use. Not to say you couldn't use it for pro purposes obviously, but 27 inch at 5K is the perfect sweet spot for me - plenty of real estate, and text is just so nice to read.
 
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blackmondo said:
Ha, I tried that with an HDMI port on my USB Hub, connected to a 1440p Asus monitor, but I found I couldn't run them all at once. I could run one LG and the Asus, but if I had both UltraFines plugged in, the Asus would no longer show up. I figured this might be related to using HDMI over USB-C perhaps, but I ultimately decided not to pursue it anyway. I was really hoping to run "3 displays" like this, but failed to really think about the fact that the MacBook Pro display itself is really good as a third display anyway, and I don't really have enough room on my desk for 3 1440p-sized 27inch displays anyway.

I VESA mounted my central 5K display to my wall yesterday too, which looks great and eliminates the wobble. This is another aspect of the LGs that's so much better than an Apple display. No crazy $100 "slide credit card weirdly in this slot" VESA adapter to purchase, just unclip the stand, clip on the provided mount, and you're good to go. The 5K iMac is even more crazy, needing to be ordered as a VESA-only computer. Yay for resale value there... :(
Click to expand...

I want a black coloured VESA mount for two 5K's on my desk... just so many options on how they can move around (separately, together, up/down, etc.), at so many price points too, I'm a bit lost!
But agree, at least it's easy to do with these LG 5K's.

blackmondo said:
Interesting looking monitor, especially with HDR. This is a very different beast to a retina display though and while it looks decent, it seems like it's appealing more to a PC gamer market than for professional use. Not to say you couldn't use it for pro purposes obviously, but 27 inch at 5K is the perfect sweet spot for me - plenty of real estate, and text is just so nice to read.
Click to expand...

That display's defo for gamers.

Yeah, there won't be another MST 5K on the market with straightforward Mac integration any time soon. So for 5K, it's the LG 5K, or none at all. And the LG 5K will work just fine with all (Mac) computers going forward, of course, as all newer machines will easily handle them.
Of course the next MBP (or MP/iMac/Mac Mini) on Kaby Lake may support newer SST 5K displays of some sort. But given it's reported to be a fairly simply minor bump in the upgrade chip cycle, that may not happen either. (though Netflix in 4K would be nice, lol!)
 
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blackmondo said:
Ha, I tried that with an HDMI port on my USB Hub, connected to a 1440p Asus monitor, but I found I couldn't run them all at once. I could run one LG and the Asus, but if I had both UltraFines plugged in, the Asus would no longer show up. I figured this might be related to using HDMI over USB-C perhaps, but I ultimately decided not to pursue it anyway. I was really hoping to run "3 displays" like this, but failed to really think about the fact that the MacBook Pro display itself is really good as a third display anyway, and I don't really have enough room on my desk for 3 1440p-sized 27inch displays anyway.
Click to expand...

I was using a USB-C to DP and then mini-DP adapters. Three displays plus the internal displays is definitely possible.
If I have the choice, I always pick DP over HDMI.

I'm also thinking about using a table mount for both screens. But I'm not sure if I'll change it. I'm happy with the current setup and positions of the displays.
 
I purchased the LG Ultrafine 5K display through Apple.com on March 15. I received the monitor today and from the outside of the box the serial number starts with 612. Is this an old non-shielded unit?

EDIT: Opened it up and noticed that the monitor box was re-taped. The back of the monitor behind the mount says it was manufactured December 2016. The screws on the monitor look slightly worn. It was also missing plastic film on the screen (based on unboxing videos). This makes me think that they refurbished this unit.
 
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had the same experience, got an 701, sent it back and bought an lg 27ud88-w produced 2017-02 :
sst 4k not as good as 5k, but good enough and
pivot without any problem,
charges,
usb 2 ports for keyboard and mouse
 
blackmondo said:
Interesting looking monitor, especially with HDR. This is a very different beast to a retina display though and while it looks decent, it seems like it's appealing more to a PC gamer market than for professional use. Not to say you couldn't use it for pro purposes obviously, but 27 inch at 5K is the perfect sweet spot for me - plenty of real estate, and text is just so nice to read.
Click to expand...

5K at 27" is too small imo. At the default res you have to sit close to it for it to be comfortable. I prefer to push my monitors right at the back of my desk. I think it's insane the way people have monitors in the middle of their desks just 12 inches from their nose - can't be doing their eyesight any good.

With regards to professional work - once it's calibrated it should be fine :) and I _hope_ it's not got a stupid glossy screen like the 5KLG!
 
iBrooker said:
5K at 27" is too small imo...
Click to expand...
We've been though this, haven't we now, several times... do we really have to repeat this? :-|

27" at 5K (5120 x 2880) resolution = above 200ppi (218ppi to be precise) thus very sharp, and in Apple terminology makes it good enough for the "Retina Display" tag.
 
jimthing said:
We've been though this, haven't we now, several times... do we really have to repeat this? :-|

27" at 5K (5120 x 2880) resolution = above 200ppi (218ppi to be precise) thus very sharp, and in Apple terminology makes it good enough for the "Retina Display" tag.
Click to expand...

It may well be sharp but that doesn't mean the text is the right size. I saw a photo (might have been a video) of someone with their 5K LG and it was placed in the middle of their desk about 12 inches from their seating position. This is insane imo.




These actually aren't the ones I was thinking of - the other one was a vlog and it it was his day to day set up (the name of the monitor wasn't in the video title).
 
VikH said:
I purchased the LG Ultrafine 5K display through Apple.com on March 15. I received the monitor today and from the outside of the box the serial number starts with 612. Is this an old non-shielded unit?

EDIT: Opened it up and noticed that the monitor box was re-taped. The back of the monitor behind the mount says it was manufactured December 2016. The screws on the monitor look slightly worn. It was also missing plastic film on the screen (based on unboxing videos). This makes me think that they refurbished this unit.
Click to expand...

UPDATE - LG customer service states that this unit has not been upgraded and I should ask for a replacement unit from Apple. CSR states that upgraded units start with 702 or 703. Getting a new one from Apple which is a pain and will probably take a week.
 
VikH said:
UPDATE - LG customer service states that this unit has not been upgraded and I should ask for a replacement unit from Apple. CSR states that upgraded units start with 702 or 703. Getting a new one from Apple which is a pain and will probably take a week.
Click to expand...

How stupid is it for Apple to continue to send out known defective units? I have been hesitant to reorder a unit to replace a non-shielded unit that I returned in February for this very reason.

Are any good USB-C, single cable, 27+ inch 4K or 5K monitor alternatives for a late 2016 15" MBP on the horizon (that would represent a viable alternative to this LG crap)?
 
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