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M1 Mac External Display - Fuzzy Fonts & Colors - YPBPR vs RGB
- Thread starter amitdel
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My U2720Q connected to M1 MBA with a single USB-C cable from the package is always NOT running in RGB mode. Smart HDR was set to DisplayHDR and HDR is enabled in MacOS 11.1. What makes things worse is, in clamshell mode with the lid closed, very often the Mac and the monitor wakes up from sleep with a totally different colours. It seems like the colour profile/tone is randomly switching after wake.
Yes I've also had this issue where the machine wakes up with a yellow colored tint/profile.
Is there a way to completely delete an external monitor from the Mac recognizing it and start over?
I think this would also apply to what you want to do
How to remove a monitor profile on Mac OSX
FAQ: How to delete or switch monitor profiles on Mac OSX
Try other cable, other monitor, before returning it.Should I return my mac mini m1?
I managed to test it yesterday, and unfortunately it does not seem to work properly. What "fixed" my first monitor to begin with was screen mirroring to an Apple TV. As soon as the session ended, the colors looked correct. This "fix" seems to have stuck as I no longer have issues with that particular monitor. I have yet to use screen mirroring while connected to my second, identical monitor. I will try that next and report back.
I can also confirm the Airplay workaround. As mentioned in previous posts, simply mirror your screen to either an iPhone or Apple TV etc (if you have those devices) and then end the session. I'm 99% sure it's working although that 1% might be trying to tell me my eyes may have adjusted to non-rgb colours. I'm pretty sure it's working now.
Would obviously still like an official fix from Apple so fingers crossed they're working on it. I did read that a couple of other people had seen a fix for their monitor in 11.2 which wasn't mentioned in the updates/release notes which gives me hope that Apple is looking into and fixing things under the radar and only mentioning the larger/more important updates.
*My monitor is the LG 27UK850
Would obviously still like an official fix from Apple so fingers crossed they're working on it. I did read that a couple of other people had seen a fix for their monitor in 11.2 which wasn't mentioned in the updates/release notes which gives me hope that Apple is looking into and fixing things under the radar and only mentioning the larger/more important updates.
*My monitor is the LG 27UK850
New Mac mini M1 with a Dell U2913Wm monitor (2560 x 1080) – same problem (plus not waking from sleep!).
I'm currently talking to Apple support and have completed the usual 'SMC' reset, guest account and reinstall macOS (it's a day-old Mac) – no change. I'm not sure how far I'll get beyond a return/replacement, so we'll see.
Airplay/Sidecar to an iPad made no difference for me.
I've so far tried HDMI to HDMI, USB-C to DisplayPort and USB-C to HDMI – they all show the wrong colour space problem (the monitor reports YPbPr, but the Mac colour profile still says RGB).
However, if I used USB-C to DVI, the colour space is correct and the image is back to normal. The only catch is that I have to drop the resolution to 1920 x 1080 – I can't drive it at its native widescreen resolution via DVI. So, a solution of sorts, just not a practical one.
Incidentally, I also have an old Dell E228WFP (1680 x 1050) connected via HDMI to DVI and the image is normal.
Not sure what that tells us, but it's least something new.
I'm currently talking to Apple support and have completed the usual 'SMC' reset, guest account and reinstall macOS (it's a day-old Mac) – no change. I'm not sure how far I'll get beyond a return/replacement, so we'll see.
Airplay/Sidecar to an iPad made no difference for me.
I've so far tried HDMI to HDMI, USB-C to DisplayPort and USB-C to HDMI – they all show the wrong colour space problem (the monitor reports YPbPr, but the Mac colour profile still says RGB).
However, if I used USB-C to DVI, the colour space is correct and the image is back to normal. The only catch is that I have to drop the resolution to 1920 x 1080 – I can't drive it at its native widescreen resolution via DVI. So, a solution of sorts, just not a practical one.
Incidentally, I also have an old Dell E228WFP (1680 x 1050) connected via HDMI to DVI and the image is normal.
Not sure what that tells us, but it's least something new.
Sounds like your USB-C to DVI adapter or DVI cable is single link.
Digital Visual Interface - Wikipedia
Yep. I may try it with a suitable dual-link adapter – the monitor supports it.Sounds like your USB-C to DVI adapter or DVI cable is single link.
Digital Visual Interface - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
Been a long term Macbook and iMac user.
I thought I'd buy a M1 Mac Mini 16G to see what the fuss was all about. It is a nice computer for sure with great performance but the thing gives me a headache with the fuzzy text, it is unusable. Photos, videos, AppleTV is fine. But it makes my 53 year old eyes ache like crazy after a while. My wife and kids say the same thing.
I was using my 39" IIyama 4k monitor with HDMI 2.0 cable on my Windows 10 PC in 4k 100% perfectly - a wonderful setup. I simply swap the cable over to the Mac Mini. At first I was fine with it. But steadily I was getting a headache with it. Text on websites, inside apps like Lightroom as well as document creation in Office are all equally poor.
I am on the latest 11.2.1. Displays app picks up the monitor fine. But the text is just terrible. I tried all the text scaling and font fiddling. No good. Move HDMI cable back to PC and perfect again. Surely I am missing something?
I am really disappointed so far with the Mini - for this reason alone - and on the verge of returning it as unusable, I have a week to get to the bottom of this before I'm forced into returning it.
I did some testing and I note my Macbook Pro 2018 has the same problem with a USB-C > DisplayPort cable. So this is definitely MAC OSX software related.
Are there any fixes in the pipeline?
I thought I'd buy a M1 Mac Mini 16G to see what the fuss was all about. It is a nice computer for sure with great performance but the thing gives me a headache with the fuzzy text, it is unusable. Photos, videos, AppleTV is fine. But it makes my 53 year old eyes ache like crazy after a while. My wife and kids say the same thing.
I was using my 39" IIyama 4k monitor with HDMI 2.0 cable on my Windows 10 PC in 4k 100% perfectly - a wonderful setup. I simply swap the cable over to the Mac Mini. At first I was fine with it. But steadily I was getting a headache with it. Text on websites, inside apps like Lightroom as well as document creation in Office are all equally poor.
I am on the latest 11.2.1. Displays app picks up the monitor fine. But the text is just terrible. I tried all the text scaling and font fiddling. No good. Move HDMI cable back to PC and perfect again. Surely I am missing something?
I am really disappointed so far with the Mini - for this reason alone - and on the verge of returning it as unusable, I have a week to get to the bottom of this before I'm forced into returning it.
I did some testing and I note my Macbook Pro 2018 has the same problem with a USB-C > DisplayPort cable. So this is definitely MAC OSX software related.
Are there any fixes in the pipeline?
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This has been a common problem and unfortunately, there's been no official word from Apple on acknowledging the problem or a subsequent fix. There have been a couple of other monitor brands that were silently fixed when 11.2 rolled out but Apple didn't mention it in the release notes so it's likely that they are fixing it on the down-low. The problem is due to the lack of info from them, it's impossible to say how long it might take. Bummer.
Would you happen to know which are the monitor brands that have been fixed? I am looking at a couple widescreen monitors, and was really hoping that it'll work right away.
Would you happen to know if the 38" LG works? (https://www.amazon.com/LG-38WN75C-B-38-Inch-Class-Adjustable/dp/B087YZG5YS)
Or maybe, the 49" Samsung CRG9? (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L9HCJ2V/ref=crt_ewc_img_dp_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm under the impression that the main issues are with Dell monitors but just wanted to ask really quick if you'd happen to know!
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Appologies if this was missed but I'm assuming the LG ultrafine monitors apple sells are working in RGB. Seems that most confirmed monitors that are working without an adapter etc. are just showing a good image but the user may be unaware to check the OSD to see if it is in fact RGB, just noticed a member put together a compiled list of monitors which was great, but it seems some entries were missing out on a few things regarding checking on the monitor itself and not just the perceived quality.
I don't know the details I'm afraid. Someone posted a link early on in this thread about one of the brands but the name escapes me. I think(!) the problem is mainly with Dell, LG and Samsung monitors but varies from model-to-model.
Apologies I can't be more help but I will post back here if I unearth anything of use.
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Happy to report that I am now getting RGB colour on a Dell P2219H monitor with the following:
a) M1 Macbook Air
b) USB C to Display Port 1.4 cable
c) No extra settings in monitor to be done.
I am on 11.2.1 and this monitor was definitely showing YPbPr earlier (not sure if the change is attributable to DP instead of the HDMI I was using earlier; or a combination of that with an update), so this works for me.
With a PPI of 110 (instead of 90-ish on the U2415H), text is kind of reasonable (27 inch 4k is around 160). Oddly, for me, the U2415H still gets YPbPr via the same cable and computer.
Sticking with this setup for the moment, even though it's a size downgrade from 24 to 22!
BTW, has anyone recently tested / able to test with the Dell P2721Q? It seems to be the P equivalent of U2720Q, and if it gets RGB by default, I am sorted!
Cheers
a) M1 Macbook Air
b) USB C to Display Port 1.4 cable
c) No extra settings in monitor to be done.
I am on 11.2.1 and this monitor was definitely showing YPbPr earlier (not sure if the change is attributable to DP instead of the HDMI I was using earlier; or a combination of that with an update), so this works for me.
With a PPI of 110 (instead of 90-ish on the U2415H), text is kind of reasonable (27 inch 4k is around 160). Oddly, for me, the U2415H still gets YPbPr via the same cable and computer.
Sticking with this setup for the moment, even though it's a size downgrade from 24 to 22!
BTW, has anyone recently tested / able to test with the Dell P2721Q? It seems to be the P equivalent of U2720Q, and if it gets RGB by default, I am sorted!
Cheers
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Totally understood, and much appreciated! Very grateful for the community here!
It's Choetech USBC to Display Port cable, model number XCP-1801. Loved it so much that I bought several, and replaced them on my other rigs as well.
The setup is pretty stable, and I had to make no additional changes to either the monitor or the computer. Full HD @ 60Hz, Sharp Text, RGB by default. YMMV
I have similar cable, although its USB-C to mini DisplayPort.
It's not working for me, still outputting YPbPr connecting M1 Mac mini to Dell U2713H.
@loopsinner - You might want to check out the dedicated thread on this topic with modelwise info
On a side note - is that the Logitech MX Keys that I spy on the top half of your photo? (rounded corners seem to indicate so!)
Was wondering if this keyboard is worth the extra cost.As it's a membrane keyboard (instead of a mechanical that I wanted), how good do you find the typing experience / typing fatigue after prolonged use?
Cheers