Mac mini: 4k @ 120hz?

[onlinespending]

I’ll have to try the new firmware myself. I can test it with an M1 Mac mini and Intel MacBook Pro 16 on an LG CX 48” by tomorrow

Well no luck. Tried the latest firmware on the Cable Matters 48Gbps USB-C to HDMI adapter on both my Mac mini M1 and intel MacBook Pro 16. With Big Sur and Monterey. Cable Matters explicitly states that 4K@120Hz doesn’t work with the M1 Macs but claims it works with Intel Macs. So I will need to reach out to them for advise. I even tried SwitchResX without any luck. I have yet to see anyone definitively claim and describe how they’ve gotten 4K@120Hz working with TB3->HDMI. Until someone does I’ll have to believe it’s not possible

Of course this same adapter works just fine with Windows (even on the same intel Mac), so this is a deliberate limitation of MacOS

 

[joevt]

Well no luck. Tried the latest firmware on the Cable Matters 48Gbps USB-C to HDMI adapter on both my Mac mini M1 and intel MacBook Pro 16. With Big Sur and Monterey. Cable Matters explicitly states that 4K@120Hz doesn’t work with the M1 Macs but claims it works with Intel Macs. So I will need to reach out to them for advise. I even tried SwitchResX without any luck. I have yet to see anyone definitively claim and describe how they’ve gotten 4K@120Hz working with TB3->HDMI. Until someone does I’ll have to believe it’s not possible

Of course this same adapter works just fine with Windows (even on the same intel Mac), so this is a deliberate limitation of MacOS

For Intel Mac, try Catalina.

 

[M@rc]

Well no luck. Tried the latest firmware on the Cable Matters 48Gbps USB-C to HDMI adapter on both my Mac mini M1 and intel MacBook Pro 16. With Big Sur and Monterey. Cable Matters explicitly states that 4K@120Hz doesn’t work with the M1 Macs but claims it works with Intel Macs. So I will need to reach out to them for advise. I even tried SwitchResX without any luck. I have yet to see anyone definitively claim and describe how they’ve gotten 4K@120Hz working with TB3->HDMI. Until someone does I’ll have to believe it’s not possible

Of course this same adapter works just fine with Windows (even on the same intel Mac), so this is a deliberate limitation of MacOS

Does it at least work with 4k60 + HDR on your LG TV?

 

[Monstieur]

Does it at least work with 4k60 + HDR on your LG TV?

No, it's limited to 8-bit RGB SDR with the RGB EDID patch. macOS detects the end device is HDMI and caps the DisplayPort output to HDMI 2.0 bandwidth even when using the HDMI 2.1 adapter. Windows supports 8-bit RGB with dithering for HDR. I wish Apple would add support for this.

If you use YCbCr422 10-bit you can enable HDR. However there's no way to control the desktop brightness in HDR mode on macOS. It's over 200 nits, triggers ABL on LG OLEDs, and will accelerate burn-in. On Windows I set the desktop to 120 nits.

Ultimately a pixel clock patch is what is needed to enable 4K 120 Hz 10-bit RGB HDR over the HDMI 2.1 adapter.

 

[M@rc]

No, it's limited to 8-bit RGB SDR with the RGB EDID patch. macOS detects the end device is HDMI and caps the DisplayPort output to HDMI 2.0 bandwidth even when using the HDMI 2.1 adapter. Windows supports 8-bit RGB with dithering for HDR. I wish Apple would add support for this.

If you use YCbCr422 10-bit you can enable HDR. However there's no way to control the desktop brightness in HDR mode on macOS. It's over 200 nits, triggers ABL on LG OLEDs, and will accelerate burn-in. On Windows I set the desktop to 120 nits.

Ultimately a pixel clock patch is what is needed to enable 4K 120 Hz 10-bit RGB HDR over the HDMI 2.1 adapter.

Sad to hear that. Does this mean if your display only has HDMI (I have an LG C1), you may as well connect it directly to the HDMI port on your Mac instead of using the HDMI 2.1 adapter?

(I have a M1 Mac Mini on order so I can't try these things out myself yet.)

 

[Monstieur]

Sad to hear that. Does this mean if your display only has HDMI (I have an LG C1), you may as well connect it directly to the HDMI port on your Mac instead of using the HDMI 2.1 adapter?

(I have a M1 Mac Mini on order so I can't try these things out myself yet.)

Yes, there's no difference between the HDMI 2.1 adapter and the native HDMI 2.0 port.

If you want 4K 120 Hz on macOS right now you'll have to buy a known working DisplayPort 1.4 monitor. Some monitors simply don't work at 120 Hz under macOS though they work fine in Windows.

If you want true HDR then you have no choice but to get the Predator X27p, PG27UQ, or PG32UQX. These monitors can also handle the constant 200+ nits HDR on the macOS desktop without ABL and burn-in, unlike an OLED.

 

[Artagra]

Well no luck. Tried the latest firmware on the Cable Matters 48Gbps USB-C to HDMI adapter on both my Mac mini M1 and intel MacBook Pro 16. With Big Sur and Monterey. Cable Matters explicitly states that 4K@120Hz doesn’t work with the M1 Macs but claims it works with Intel Macs. So I will need to reach out to them for advise. I even tried SwitchResX without any luck. I have yet to see anyone definitively claim and describe how they’ve gotten 4K@120Hz working with TB3->HDMI. Until someone does I’ll have to believe it’s not possible

Of course this same adapter works just fine with Windows (even on the same intel Mac), so this is a deliberate limitation of MacOS

As expected, I can confirm the same - firmware updated the CAC-1085, still stuck at 4k60 on M1 Macbook Pro (Monterey RC2) and 15" Macbook Pro 2018 (Latest Big Sur), LG CX48" on latest firmware.

For the Sabrent DA-UCH8, it appears it does not use the same chipset as the cable matters of the Club 3D. Waiting to hear back from Sabrent on which chipset it uses, to try and hunt down a possible firmware update.

Have the Cable Matters on it's way (‎201362-GRY-1.8m) will test and report back, expecting the same result.

Am I correct the consensus is that right now it should work, the hardware chain is appropriate? But that the issue is software? If the Adapter (or the TV, or a software utility) could report back to the Mac the correct DP 1.4 support, it should work?

 

[Artagra]

There's also the mystery of these guys - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwTmyJxMmRRx-V1vGB7scgQ

I've emailed them a couple of times, but no response.

 

[Ninja Dom]

Okay...Monterey is now out and my M1 Mini is updated.

I'm using a Cable Matters 8K USB-C to DisplayPort cable. My monitor isn't 4K, max res is 2560 x 1440. But that's okay.

I've set the monitor to 120Hz. It is capable of 165Hz but I can't use HDR. Maximum for HDR is 120Hz. What's interesting is that Monterey now gives me a "Variable Refresh Rate" from 24Hz to 165Hz.

My colour profile is set to 'sRGB IEC61966-2.1' and I DO believe that things look a tad sharper. Only slightly, but still better than before...I think.

 

[frisbfreek]

As expected, I can confirm the same - firmware updated the CAC-1085, still stuck at 4k60 on M1 Macbook Pro (Monterey RC2) and 15" Macbook Pro 2018 (Latest Big Sur), LG CX48" on latest firmware.

For the Sabrent DA-UCH8, it appears it does not use the same chipset as the cable matters of the Club 3D. Waiting to hear back from Sabrent on which chipset it uses, to try and hunt down a possible firmware update.

Have the Cable Matters on it's way (‎201362-GRY-1.8m) will test and report back, expecting the same result.

Am I correct the consensus is that right now it should work, the hardware chain is appropriate? But that the issue is software? If the Adapter (or the TV, or a software utility) could report back to the Mac the correct DP 1.4 support, it should work?

I think the Sabrent uses the same chip as the Club3D adapter, which is the RTD2173. You can see the chip in one of the Sabrent images on Amazon if you zoom in on it.

 

[joevt]

As expected, I can confirm the same - firmware updated the CAC-1085, still stuck at 4k60 on M1 Macbook Pro (Monterey RC2) and 15" Macbook Pro 2018 (Latest Big Sur), LG CX48" on latest firmware.

For the Sabrent DA-UCH8, it appears it does not use the same chipset as the cable matters of the Club 3D. Waiting to hear back from Sabrent on which chipset it uses, to try and hunt down a possible firmware update.

Have the Cable Matters on it's way (‎201362-GRY-1.8m) will test and report back, expecting the same result.

Am I correct the consensus is that right now it should work, the hardware chain is appropriate? But that the issue is software? If the Adapter (or the TV, or a software utility) could report back to the Mac the correct DP 1.4 support, it should work?

Do you have a AGDCDiagnose output for the Sabrent DA-UCH8 ? Requires an Intel Mac. It may be able to identify the chip.

 

[joevt]

I think the Sabrent uses the same chip as the Club3D adapter, which is the RTD2173. You can see the chip in one of the Sabrent images on Amazon if you zoom in on it.

If it is RTD2173 then the firmware updater I got from Club-3d for the CAC-1085 will be able to identify it. Requires Windows.

 

[xtaker]

dumb question, but...
currently using USB-C -> USB-C to connect M1 mini to a 4K 144Hz Gigabyte M28U monitor.
If i use HDMI (monitor supports HDMI 2.1), can i run 4K @ 120Hz without issues?

I'm willing to "sacrifice" 24Hz for freeing up a USB-C slot at the back of Mini...

I actually have the same monitor! What cable are you using? Any problems with running 4K@144HZ with HDR?

Thanks

 

[Ninja Dom]

I actually have the same monitor! What cable are you using? Any problems with running 4K@144HZ with HDR?

Thanks

Remember the HDMI out on the M1 Mini is only HDMI 2.0, so maximum is 4K/60fps using HDMI.

Using a USB-C to DisplayPort I can get 1440p at 120Hz with HDR. No HDR option for me at 144Hz or 165Hz. My screen is only 1440p though.

 

[zerozoneice]

I actually have the same monitor! What cable are you using? Any problems with running 4K@144HZ with HDR?

Thanks

no problems, i use usb-c to usb-c
i can use "default for display 1080 hidpi" with 144hz and HDR. Actually i crank it up a little notch to 2048x1152 looks as good as retina, can't see a difference to 1080 hidpi

 

[xtaker]

Remember the HDMI out on the M1 Mini is only HDMI 2.0, so maximum is 4K/60fps using HDMI.

Using a USB-C to DisplayPort I can get 1440p at 120Hz with HDR. No HDR option for me at 144Hz or 165Hz. My screen is only 1440p though.

Thanks! Not sure why Apple didn't add 2.1 to the new Macs, but such is life...

 

[xtaker]

no problems, i use usb-c to usb-c
i can use "default for display 1080 hidpi" with 144hz and HDR. Actually i crank it up a little notch to 2048x1152 looks as good as retina, can't see a difference to 1080 hidpi

Got it. 4K 144Hz HDR scaling it down to 1080p? Sounds good. Would you mind sharing what cable you are using? Many thanks.

 

[zerozoneice]

Got it. 4K 144Hz HDR scaling it down to 1080p? Sounds good. Would you mind sharing what cable you are using? Many thanks.

some generic 10gbps / 100W cable, no name.
let me know if your mini has troubles waking the monitor as well sometimes

 

[xtaker]

some generic 10gbps / 100W cable, no name.

Gracias.

 

[zerozoneice]

Safari still doesn't play Youtube HDR content
Chrome does OK.

M28U is the bomb though

 

[zerozoneice]

make that 4K, HDR & 144Hz

 

[Artagra]

Do you have a AGDCDiagnose output for the Sabrent DA-UCH8 ? Requires an Intel Mac. It may be able to identify the chip.

Thanks! I'll check it out.

If it is RTD2173 then the firmware updater I got from Club-3d for the CAC-1085 will be able to identify it. Requires Windows.

I tried running the Firmware updater and it wasn't detected, however that could be due to it being in a USB C port without DP Altmode. May have to Bootcamp a 15" Intel....

 

[onlinespending]

View attachment 1878334

make that 4K, HDR & 144Hz

Nice. It’s just a shame we can’t get this working with HDMI so we can use an OLED at 120Hz

 

[Artagra]

Yeah... do we sacrifice per pixel OLED lighting and response rates for 144hz 4k?

Other option is the FO48U, but then it currently has a bunch of ABSL issues that we can avoid on the C1 / CX.... https://www.gigabyte.com/Monitor/AORUS-FO48U#kf

 

[joevt]

I tried running the Firmware updater and it wasn't detected, however that could be due to it being in a USB C port without DP Altmode. May have to Bootcamp a 15" Intel....

Yes, a firmware updater requires a DisplayPort connection. You could use a Wacom Link Plus, or Sunix UPD2018, or a Thunderbolt 3/4 add-in card.
Boot Camp should also work.