M4Studio with 4 or 5 displays: ....what´s the way to go ? Should i get a multi-display TB hub ? (no high resolution demands on my side)

[streetfunk]

Hello everybody,
i just got my M4 studio in. The bigger one with 40 GPU cores.

First of all: right now i use only 2K displays. All i do is music related work. I have no graphic work ambitions, etc. etc.
Plain stupid mostly static music work screens. So, no high demands from my side. At worst, i might run one 4K or 5K display. Anything else on 2K. At very worst, still just two 4 or 5K displays.

i had this problem with my M4mini:
i wanted to run 3 displays. It took me a while until this was working.
Seems the mac requires TB connections to run many displays.
I was finally able to run 3 displays on my M4mini. But: my main display has had now hickups !...black screen for an instant, every now and then.
At first was my main screen connected via a HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the mini ( that was the previous well working condition) Then i witched over to a HDMI-TB4 connector. Thats when the hickups started.......


So, my M4studio has to replace now (this wekend) my M4mini.
That 3rd display plays no role for now,....i have it allready disconnected.
But: my M4 studio will have to run with 4 or 5 displays !
i really don´t understand all that display connectivity and requirements thing.
So, I wonder if i should not just shop for a nice multi display TB hub ?...to make things easy.


my point is: i WANT to have a setup that works !
i´ve spent allready 150.- bucks on display cables in the last 2 weeks,...and have to shop more.
But those hickups on the mini, that bothers me. ( no idea how the studio will do)

Would such a specialised multi display TB hub help me to have a stress free multi display connectivity ?
That´s my whole point here: stressfree


money is tight, it would hurt me ! but i have allways some $ around if something HAS to be.
I could oder such a -quite expensive- multi display hub.


your opinion please ? ( for those who read thru it, AND are in the knows) and: thanks for reading !

 

[joevt]

You can only have two displays per Thunderbolt port of a Mac. A Thunderbolt dock or hub or adapter is required to connect two displays to a Thunderbolt port of a Mac.
The cheapest Thunderbolt device for two displays is probably one that doesn't have any extra ports.
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TB3ADP2DPT/
You can get two of those and connect a 5th display to the HDMI port of the Mac or a third Thunderbolt port.

Alternatively, or for additional displays, you can use DisplayLink USB adapters (these use CPU performance to compress video that is transmitted as USB data at up to 5 Gbps).
https://www.synaptics.com/products/...field_displaylink_category_value=usb_adapters

 

[streetfunk]

You can only have two displays per Thunderbolt port of a Mac.

ok ! so any solution connecting more than two displays to one TB port is eating up CPU ressources.
I´ve read that allready once, i guess.

The cheapest Thunderbolt device for two displays is probably one that doesn't have any extra ports.

This looks nice (ok, right now available in europe)
i could attach that adpater to a TB4 / TB5 dock, right ?

take two such adapters, connect each to a own TB4 or TB5 dock.
Should work, right ?


i´ll get me two of these, plus display port cables, and see.......( and see if it helps on my problem to even just get two displays running)

Thank you !

 

[joevt]

ok ! so any solution connecting more than two displays to one TB port is eating up CPU ressources.
I´ve read that allready once, i guess.

Basically, yes. Windows or Linux can use MST hubs to get more displays from a GPU.

macOS cannot use MST hubs for multiple displays - it will just mirror the displays that are connected to the same MST hub.

DisplayLink uses USB data from the CPU, instead of DisplayPort or HDMI data from a GPU.

This looks nice (ok, right now available in europe)
i could attach that adpater to a TB4 / TB5 dock, right ?

take two such adapters, connect each to a own TB4 or TB5 dock.
Should work, right ?

That should work. But if you have two TB4/TB5 docks then you shouldn't need Thunderbolt to Dual DisplayPort Adapters. The docks will have a DisplayPort or HDMI output, or they may have Thunderbolt or USB-C ports that support USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode. For USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode, you need a USB-C to DisplayPort cable for DisplayPort displays, or a USB-C to HDMI cable/adapter for HDMI displays, or a USB-C data cable for USB-C displays, or a Thunderbolt cable for Thunderbolt displays.

 

[TzunamiOSX]

Mini M4 = 3 Displays (2x TB + 1x HDMI), Studio M4 Max = 5 Displays (4x TB + 1x HDMI)

Display Support
M4
Simultaneously supports up to three displays:

• Up to three displays: Two displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt or 4K resolution at 60Hz over HDMI
• Up to two displays: One display with up to 5K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with up to 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at 240Hz over Thunderbolt or HDMI

Display Support
M4 Max
Simultaneous support for up to five displays:

• Up to four displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI
• Up to two displays with 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one display with 8K resolution at 60Hz or 4K resolution at up to 240Hz over HDMI

 

[streetfunk]

Mini M4 = 3 Displays (2x TB + 1x HDMI), Studio M4 Max = 5 Displays (4x TB + 1x HDMI)

thanks, i did read hese quotes from apple many times.
This makes nothing waterproofed clear

I da big problems on my M4mini, and HAVE right now HUGE problems with my Studio-max, which came in last thursday.
Nothing is clear. and things that should work do not.

it is not that easy.
guess i will end up with any form of converter and any form of cables,
and multiple hubs.

but thanks anyway

 

[streetfunk]

macOS cannot use MST hubs for multiple displays

ahh, i stumble over that repeatedly, and forget it allways again.

Ok, i´m NOT jumping on one of these. I understand this now !

much thanks !

or a USB-C to HDMI cable/adapter for HDMI displays,

it´s worser, it´s worser, it´s worse.
i did run a HDMI-to-Usb-C converter cable.
i got out 30Hz. with a HDMI-to-HDMI cable same, just 30Hz.

The USB-C cable is working. but i want to connect one display to the macs HDMI port.
everything was working on my M4mini. (10 GPU cores)

That should work. But if you have two TB4/TB5 docks then you shouldn't need Thunderbolt to Dual DisplayPort Adapters.

i´ll get me two of these anyway.
my problems just to make two displays work on my studio, is insane.

I need to investigate now into using Display port cables

The docks will have a DisplayPort or HDMI output, or they may have Thunderbolt or USB-C ports

my TB4 dock has no display port nor HDMI. it hasv only USB-C or TB.
but i need to keep some of these ports free.


i´ve bought 3x HDMI to USB-C cables for my Mac-studio. 3 different lenghts.
i used one, it was running my nice 4K 43" display on only 30Hz. No 60Hz !

No, next step is to buy these display port dual connectors and display port cables.


i opened my mind up, i´ll spend until it´s all running.
The studio-max IS great otherwise. Very happy with it.
That was a good idea to jump on the max. (whle my pocktes will hurt for a while ! ...but these cables etc,...i´ll just load my pockets some more, and will just delay my music-studio needs)

Thanks for all the help everybody ! much appreciated

 

[splifingate]

thanks, i did read hese quotes from apple many times.
This makes nothing waterproofed clear

I da big problems on my M4mini, and HAVE right now HUGE problems with my Studio-max, which came in last thursday.
Nothing is clear. and things that should work do not.

it is not that easy.
guess i will end up with any form of converter and any form of cables,
and multiple hubs.

but thanks anyway

I use the aforementioned OWC USB-C -> dual-dp adapter for two 4K monitors (M2 Max Studio).

Don't see why you can't use multiples of these...

 

[streetfunk]

I use the aforementioned OWC USB-C -> dual-dp adapter for two 4K monitors (M2 Max Studio).

Don't see why you can't use multiples of these...

Thanks for he heads up !
yes, that´s next i go with.
will make my order tomorrow. now is bed time

 

[TzunamiOSX]

thanks, i did read hese quotes from apple many times.
This makes nothing waterproofed clear

I da big problems on my M4mini, and HAVE right now HUGE problems with my Studio-max, which came in last thursday.
Nothing is clear. and things that should work do not.

it is not that easy.
guess i will end up with any form of converter and any form of cables,
and multiple hubs.

but thanks anyway

What monitors did you have? Monitor, native resolution and then all connectors of every single monitor, please

 

[Dallas-Star-202504]

You can get a 57 inch samsung odyssey mornitor

 

[streetfunk]

What monitors did you have? Monitor, native resolution and then all connectors of every single monitor, please

sorry, i´m late:

LG 43BN70U-B, __43", 4K / 60HZ​

i run it at 1920x1080 / 60HZ. // connected now: USB-C intio M4studio / i´d prefer HDMI ! (i have coil whine now)

2x HDMI 2.0
2x HDMI 1.4
1x display port 1.2
1x USB-C

42.5" LG 43BN70U - Specifications

Specifications of LG 43BN70U. Display: 42.5 in, IPS, W-LED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Viewing angles (H/V): 178 ° / 178 °, Brightness: 350 cd/m², Static contrast: 1000 : 1, Refresh rate: 56 Hz - 61 Hz, NTSC: 72 %, Dimensions: 967.74 x 574.04 x 71.12 mm, Weight: 12.29 kg. LG 43BN70U is also known as LG...

www.displayspecifications.com

this one is NOT running with 60HZ on my M4Mac studio => over HDMI ( i´ve NOT tested different ports ! i just saw the data the first time now myself / ie, two different HDMI types)
It is running now with 60HZ => over USB-C.
But: i have coil whine now (on the back of the display / ´ß annoying !)
__This display did run with 60HZ over HDMI on my M2mini-pro. ( same port / port 1)

my HDMI cable was working fine on my M4mini-nonPro and on my M2mini
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Panasonic Tx-40fsw504 ___ a TV // 1920x1080 / 60HZ​

i did run it OG at 1920x1080

2x HDMI 1.4

this was now my main screen on my M4mini (non-pro). This was running fine as a two-monitor setup.
On my M4studio, it is not running fine as a two monitor setup. I had no: "make it main display" setting.
it was, like if zthe fact that bthis is a TV changed the way the M4studio handles it.
( i need to test again)

I prefer this one over my -newer- LG 40"
I had to take it out

i´ll check again

40" Panasonic TX-40FSW504 - Specifications

Specifications of Panasonic TX-40FSW504. Display: 40 in, VA, Direct LED, 1920 x 1080 pixels, Viewing angles (H/V): 178 ° / 178 °, Refresh rate: 50 Hz / 60 Hz, Frame interpolation: 600 BMR (Backlight Motion Rate), TV tuner: DVB-T, Analog (NTSC/PAL/SECAM), DVB-T2, DVB-C, DVB-S2, Dimensions: 902 x...

www.displayspecifications.com

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my 2nd display (installed) / and another as my third (not installed)
Benq Q27P2W. // QHD / 2560x1440 / 75HZ
i run it with 1920x1080 // connected over HDMI to hdmi-usb-C hub, into TB-4 dock

1x HDMI 1.4
1x Display port 1.2

No problems with that one​

27" AOC Q27P2Q - Specifications

Specifications of AOC Q27P2Q. Display: 27 in, IPS, W-LED, 2560 x 1440 pixels, Viewing angles (H/V): 178 ° / 178 °, Brightness: 300 cd/m², Static contrast: 1000 : 1, Dynamic contrast: 50000000 : 1, Refresh rate: 48 Hz - 75 Hz, sRGB: 123 %, Adobe RGB: 91 %.

www.displayspecifications.com

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i get my display port cables in on friday. plus sayed 2x DP adapter

 

[TzunamiOSX]

This can’t be a problem on a Mac Studio.
LG with a USB-C —> USB-C
Panasonic with a HDMI —> HDMI
BenQ with a USB-C —> DisplayPort