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LG UltraFine 5K - Owners Thread
- Thread starter iBrooker
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I am using it with an M1 MBP and I definitely get the intermittent issue with the out-of-place lines. Happens around every ~4 times my MBP wakes from sleep (while plugged in to the LG5K).
Simply re-sleeping and re-waking will fix it -- no need to unplug and replug.
This occurs on two separate LG 5Ks I own, one at home and one at work. It does not appear to be localized to a small set of devices, and is highly reproducible among M1+LG 5K combinations.
In my estimation, the most likely cause is something with the M1's embedded GPU not knowing how to properly handle the dual-output stream over Thunderbolt the LG 5K is based on. (It's basically two displays glued into one, from what I understand, which is how the iMac 5K also works, and is why the iMac 5K can't be used as an external display.)
Oh ya, that's right! I forgot about 11.3 coming out. I'd be happy to report back, but will probably not remember to do so on this thread. If you re-post on this thread, I'll chime in for sure. Keep in mind though that I don't install an OS update until a brief period of time after release, in case there's a nasty bug that requires a point release.
By the way, to make the resleep/rewake hack work faster for you, I recommend you set a 'Hot Corner' ("Active Screen Corners") to "Put Display to Sleep". You can do this from System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver > Screen Saver > Hot Corners...
Lastly, I'm curious how the new 2021 M1 iMacs will work with the LG 5K displays -- will they also have the same bug? Won't know till they're released!
This is an a-mazing thread, well found Everyone!
I'm on a M1 mini with an Ultrafine from the the Dec 2020 batch, see the same issue of out of place lines in the center from time to time but -same here: with a sleep/restart they just go.
What also happens from time to time: at restart screen goes blank, the only way for me to have it back is by plugging in a second HDMI monitor and all of a sudden the LG lits back on! I think it's probably connected to SwitchResX that I've carried from past installations, it seems it messed up my overall setup and I'd strongly recommend you NOT to activate it on the present version since it's not fully supporting Big Sur (see the FAQ's on the developer's site). Avoid, or if you had the same issue and found a solution...keen to learn from you, thanks in advance!
I'm on a M1 mini with an Ultrafine from the the Dec 2020 batch, see the same issue of out of place lines in the center from time to time but -same here: with a sleep/restart they just go.
What also happens from time to time: at restart screen goes blank, the only way for me to have it back is by plugging in a second HDMI monitor and all of a sudden the LG lits back on! I think it's probably connected to SwitchResX that I've carried from past installations, it seems it messed up my overall setup and I'd strongly recommend you NOT to activate it on the present version since it's not fully supporting Big Sur (see the FAQ's on the developer's site). Avoid, or if you had the same issue and found a solution...keen to learn from you, thanks in advance!
Anyone experireincing black screen after logging in? Happened since couple weeks ago, restarted, try guest account, it just go to a black screen after logging in. I have to reinstall Big Sur to have it resolve. Just updated to 11.3, and it happens again after I restart my computer!!
Yes. My solution:
- pre-enable "System Preference/Sharing/Remote Management", with auth to remote manage through your preferred user; then once it happens again
- log in from another mac on the same LAN. I use a MacBook, on mac OS just hit cmd-K and enter vnc://(ip address or hostname) to hook into your stuck mac; not sure how to do the same from a win PC but I'm quite sure one can
- from the remote session: "System Preferences/Displays/Display tab", then hit the "Scaled" radio button, finally select either one of the 5 offered "Resolutions" and -bang!- it comes back to life!
thanks for the details step. So it has to do with resolution? I didn’t have that prior. It’s really annoying as it doesn’t happen everytime.
Are the out of place lines still happening for you with today’s update?This is an a-mazing thread, well found Everyone!
I'm on a M1 mini with an Ultrafine from the the Dec 2020 batch, see the same issue of out of place lines in the center from time to time but -same here: with a sleep/restart they just go.
What also happens from time to time: at restart screen goes blank, the only way for me to have it back is by plugging in a second HDMI monitor and all of a sudden the LG lits back on! I think it's probably connected to SwitchResX that I've carried from past installations, it seems it messed up my overall setup and I'd strongly recommend you NOT to activate it on the present version since it's not fully supporting Big Sur (see the FAQ's on the developer's site). Avoid, or if you had the same issue and found a solution...keen to learn from you, thanks in advance!
Hi there, I just got a 2016 Ultrafine 5K (27MD5KA-B) and I am using it with my Dell XPS 15 9560 running Ubuntu 20.04 with GNOME 3.34 in X11 mode and happy to report everything just works, perfectly! Full 5K 5120x2880 resolution at 60 Hz, audio, mic, brightness control (using this app: https://github.com/ycsos/LG-ultrafine-brightness ). Connect and disconnect is reliable, and so does putting the laptop to sleep and wake. xrandr detects this display as 2x 2560x2880 panels.
This is seriously the best monitor I've ever seen in my whole life, and I encourages everyone to consider this monitor, even if they're using a PC! Just make sure that your PC desktop/laptop has 2 DP outputs from GPU wired to the Thunderbolt 3 controller (this is the case with XPS 15 series and Lenovo X1 Carbon).
The current monitor market is very sad right now that many are producing 27" 4K (no more 24" or 21" 4K), which is a bad compromise: too big when used at 2x scaling, and too small when used without scaling. Those ultrawides aren't good either as they're either standard 1x ppi or the compromised 163 ppi. We have to use fractional scaling on those displays which only Windows and Android supports well. Even with native support, it is impossible to keep bitmap image sharply scaled at those fractional scaling as you can't defy the laws of physics! Only these Ultrafine 4K/5K from LG/Apple has the perfect 218 ppi where scaling things to 2x is in the "just right" size.
This is seriously the best monitor I've ever seen in my whole life, and I encourages everyone to consider this monitor, even if they're using a PC! Just make sure that your PC desktop/laptop has 2 DP outputs from GPU wired to the Thunderbolt 3 controller (this is the case with XPS 15 series and Lenovo X1 Carbon).
The current monitor market is very sad right now that many are producing 27" 4K (no more 24" or 21" 4K), which is a bad compromise: too big when used at 2x scaling, and too small when used without scaling. Those ultrawides aren't good either as they're either standard 1x ppi or the compromised 163 ppi. We have to use fractional scaling on those displays which only Windows and Android supports well. Even with native support, it is impossible to keep bitmap image sharply scaled at those fractional scaling as you can't defy the laws of physics! Only these Ultrafine 4K/5K from LG/Apple has the perfect 218 ppi where scaling things to 2x is in the "just right" size.
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100% this. You nailed it. Be careful with SwitchResX. It's powerful software and it can do a lot; kudos to the developer. But it really does mess with the macOS display stack.I think it's probably connected to SwitchResX that I've carried from past installations, it seems it messed up my overall setup and I'd strongly recommend you NOT to activate it on the present version since it's not fully supporting Big Sur (see the FAQ's on the developer's site). Avoid, or if you had the same issue and found a solution...keen to learn from you, thanks in advance!
Hello to all,
Congratulations again and thank you for this very useful discussion.
On my side I'm really disappointed by this product and I don't understand why Apple let LG behave like this. Here are the problems that I found and that have not been corrected by 11.3 Big Sur!
I have a MacBook Pro M1 with 2 ports:
1 - the problem with the lines in the middle is still there (again thanks for the tip to put the monitor to sleep)
2 - the LG Screener software is a "scandal" on the M1 impossible to get the firmware version and impossible to update it. In addition LG forces users to use this horrible software
3 - when I have my headset plugged into the 2nd port, when I restart my Macbook and when I go out of sleep mode, the screen remains black, I have to unplug it to reactivate the double screen.
In short, very disappointed by this monitor which, in my opinion, was the only one that could complete a quality setup.
With time, let's hope that all these problems will be solved.....but it's long.
Thank you again for all your advice, I will not fail to come and give you my information too.
Congratulations again and thank you for this very useful discussion.
On my side I'm really disappointed by this product and I don't understand why Apple let LG behave like this. Here are the problems that I found and that have not been corrected by 11.3 Big Sur!
I have a MacBook Pro M1 with 2 ports:
1 - the problem with the lines in the middle is still there (again thanks for the tip to put the monitor to sleep)
2 - the LG Screener software is a "scandal" on the M1 impossible to get the firmware version and impossible to update it. In addition LG forces users to use this horrible software
3 - when I have my headset plugged into the 2nd port, when I restart my Macbook and when I go out of sleep mode, the screen remains black, I have to unplug it to reactivate the double screen.
In short, very disappointed by this monitor which, in my opinion, was the only one that could complete a quality setup.
With time, let's hope that all these problems will be solved.....but it's long.
Thank you again for all your advice, I will not fail to come and give you my information too.
I'm with you man (or woman, as the case may be) but some significant amount of buyers just dont see it that way - or maybe they dont care. They view 4k resolution on any size screen as better than 1080 or 1440 on that same size, the increased ppi is what they consider 'better'. I've been trying to wrap my head around that point of view for a while. It's just not my optic. I need that 200+ ppi
I'm with you three! It blows my mind that people don't appreciate retina sharpness on desktop-size monitors. Once you experience it, you can't go back. Such a shame Apple hasn't released a beautiful, self-branded version.I'm with you man (or woman, as the case may be) but some significant amount of buyers just dont see it that way - or maybe they dont care. They view 4k resolution on any size screen as better than 1080 or 1440 on that same size, the increased ppi is what they consider 'better'. I've been trying to wrap my head around that point of view for a while. It's just not my optic. I need that 200+ ppi
My Ultrafine 5k went in for service, and since it’s been back it’s been flickering on and off and random times. Sometimes it’s good for extended periods. Sometimes it’s really bad.
I remembered the WiFi interference issues and they sounded really familiar. My iPad was downloading an iOS update next to the display today and it started happening really badly.
Thing is, my display is the second revision. I’m guessing when it went in for repair they may have messed with the shielding, or maybe even installed the old shielding from a refurb part.
Does anyone have any more details on specifically what shielding changes have happened with these displays? From pictures others have posted, the metal backing the boards looks like a single solid piece.
I’m going to pop mine open at some point. Extended care can’t find a servicer so they’re supposed to refund me for the monitor. Would love to do a non warranty fix afterwards. Alternative is buying another one of these nightmare displays.
I remembered the WiFi interference issues and they sounded really familiar. My iPad was downloading an iOS update next to the display today and it started happening really badly.
Thing is, my display is the second revision. I’m guessing when it went in for repair they may have messed with the shielding, or maybe even installed the old shielding from a refurb part.
Does anyone have any more details on specifically what shielding changes have happened with these displays? From pictures others have posted, the metal backing the boards looks like a single solid piece.
I’m going to pop mine open at some point. Extended care can’t find a servicer so they’re supposed to refund me for the monitor. Would love to do a non warranty fix afterwards. Alternative is buying another one of these nightmare displays.
Sorry to hear this - LG really seems to have no clue about customer service.
If you have any USB 3 devices near the monitor, move those further away too. Mine used to flicker until I moved my hubs and drives a little further way.
Hey, you said you've got an elitebook. Does your Elitebook charge when connected to the display? Mine doesn't charge (display works though), and I'm trying to work out if it's a solvable issue or just a limitation of the monitor's Windows functionality.
It works, but it's a bit quirky. I find that the monitor works best if I connect it to a Thunderbolt hub or dock (the OWC Thunderbolt hubs and the HP Thunderbolt Dock both work), and then plug the PC into the dock.
Just an update to my issues with my Ultrafine 5k turning off and on by itself:
LG Premium Care couldn’t find anyone to service the display. Feels like LG has abandon it. Because of that they refunded me the full retail price of my display. Yay!
I found a guy on eBay who works on these things. Thought I’d roll the dice and send it to him.
Ends up the last time I sent it in for service they put a 2016 Ultrafine 5k board in my 2019. So I lost all the 2019 features, and it sounds like it introduced the flickering on/off behavior.
Guy swapped it back to a 2019 board and sent it back. Still waiting to get it back to evaluate. But be warned that LG Service is just not able to deal with this display in multiple ways.
LG Premium Care couldn’t find anyone to service the display. Feels like LG has abandon it. Because of that they refunded me the full retail price of my display. Yay!
I found a guy on eBay who works on these things. Thought I’d roll the dice and send it to him.
Ends up the last time I sent it in for service they put a 2016 Ultrafine 5k board in my 2019. So I lost all the 2019 features, and it sounds like it introduced the flickering on/off behavior.
Guy swapped it back to a 2019 board and sent it back. Still waiting to get it back to evaluate. But be warned that LG Service is just not able to deal with this display in multiple ways.