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MacBook Pro 13’’ 2019 and external display 4K/1080p@60Hz (Solved)

E

emikaadeo

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 27, 2019
40
9
Hi.
I’ve got a MacBook Pro 13’’ 2019 256GB (2 x TB3)
My external display is SAMSUNG TV 43’’ 2017 UHD (3840x2160)
My MacBook is connected to TV by this HDMI 2.0 cable and this adapter.
The problem is I cant’t display 1080p@60Hz on my SAMSUNG TV
If I go to System preferences->Monitors and click on “Scaled” and select “Looks like 1920 x 1080” I only get 30Hz.
If I click with “Option” key on “Scaled” and check “Show low resolutions” there is 1920 x 1080 but I can only select refresh at 24Hz, 25Hz and 30Hz
Do you guys got any ideas what’s wrong?

I’ve already tried SwitchResX and I can switch to 1080p@60Hz but without scaling.
 
That multiport is only states it handles HDMI and 4k, but it does not mention what HDMI version it handles. In order to output 4k @ 50 or 60 fps (Hz), you need at minimum an End-to-End HDMI 2.0 connectivity setup. If that multiport is not HDMI 2.0, then you will not have enough bandwidth to go 60Hz.

I assume the multiport you have is only HDMI v1.4 which can output 4k signal, but only up to 24 Hz.

COMPATIBLE DEVICES

2018 iPad Pro, 2018 MacBook Air, 2017 iMac, iMac Pro, 2016/2017 MacBook Pro 13" and 15" models, 2015/2016/2017 MacBook 12".
Not compatible with Apple SuperDrive.
HDMI port requires a direct HDMI to HDMI connection.
Click to expand...

I highlighted some important things. The multiport does not state it is intended for 2019 MBPs.
 
jav6454 said:
That multiport is only states it handles HDMI and 4k, but it does not mention what HDMI version it handles. In order to output 4k @ 50 or 60 fps (Hz), you need at minimum an End-to-End HDMI 2.0 connectivity setup. If that multiport is not HDMI 2.0, then you will not have enough bandwidth to go 60Hz.

I assume the multiport you have is only HDMI v1.4 which can output 4k signal, but only up to 24 Hz.



I highlighted some important things. The multiport does not state it is intended for 2019 MBPs.
Click to expand...
Hi.
4K@60Hz is not the case with this multiport. I'm talking about 1080p@60Hz.
Even if it's HDMI 1.4 it should handle 1080p@60Hz, right?
 
emikaadeo said:
Hi.
4K@60Hz is not the case with this multiport. I'm talking about 1080p@60Hz.
Even if it's HDMI 1.4 it should handle 1080p@60Hz, right?
Click to expand...

In your case, because your TV is 4k, it outputs a 4k signal even if you "scale" it. Scaling has to do with resolution emulation in a sense. However, the true signal output is 4k.

For example, like how all retina Macs have 2880-by-1800 native resolution but in reality the software scales it to half of that in order to achieve the retina effect; however, it's still the same resolution being processed. Same deal here. You output 4k and then scale it to 2k, but it is a 4k signal nonetheless.
 
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jav6454 said:
In your case, because your TV is 4k, it outputs a 4k signal even if you "scale" it. Scaling has to do with resolution emulation in a sense. However, the true signal output is 4k.

For example, like how all retina Macs have 2880-by-1800 native resolution but in reality the software scales it to half of that in order to achieve the retina effect; however, it's still the same resolution being processed. Same deal here. You output 4k and then scale it to 2k, but it is a 4k signal nonetheless.
Click to expand...
So it's impossible to achieve 1080p@60Hz ?
What about this new APPLE multiport?
1080p at 60Hz or UHD (3840 by 2160) at 30Hz on:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 and later)
 
emikaadeo said:
So it's impossible to achieve 1080p@60Hz ?
What about this new APPLE multiport?
1080p at 60Hz or UHD (3840 by 2160) at 30Hz on:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 and later)
Click to expand...

It’ll work because of the following:

3840x2160 at 60Hz on:
iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd Generation), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017 and later), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017 and later), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017 and later), and iMac Pro (2018)
Click to expand...

That means that your 4K TV will get a 60Hz signal because the adapter is pushing out at HDMI 2.0 speeds.

Remember, even if the signal is scaled to something less, the true signal is still 4K.
 
jav6454 said:
It’ll work because of the following:



That means that your 4K TV will get a 60Hz signal because the adapter is pushing out at HDMI 2.0 speeds.

Remember, even if the signal is scaled to something less, the true signal is still 4K.
Click to expand...
Correct me if I'm wrong. With APPLE adapter and my MBP 13'' I can scale 4K to 1080p and get a 60Hz refresh, right?
Does this mean that I can also achieve 4K@60Hz on my 4K TV?
 
emikaadeo said:
Correct me if I'm wrong. With APPLE adapter and my MBP 13'' I can scale 4K to 1080p and get a 60Hz refresh, right?
Does this mean that I can also achieve 4K@60Hz on my 4K TV?
Click to expand...
Yes, the new MacBook Pros can output 4K @ 60 Hz

Just check Apple’s tech specs for the laptop in their home page. That adapter just allows the faster HDMI 2.0 signal to go thru.
 
jav6454 said:
Yes, the new MacBook Pros can output 4K @ 60 Hz

Just check Apple’s tech specs for the laptop in their home page. That adapter just allows the faster HDMI 2.0 signal to go thru.
Click to expand...
Ok, so there's one thing I don't understand.
Why with MacBook Pro 13'' APPLE states (highlighted)
1080p at 60Hz or UHD (3840 by 2160) at 30Hz on:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 and later)
Click to expand...
 
chrfr said:
For some reason, Apple's adapter will only offer 4k @ 30Hz from a 13" MacBook Pro.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's what I think and that's what APPLE states:
1080p at 60Hz or UHD (3840 by 2160) at 30Hz on:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016 and later)
Click to expand...
chrfr said:
I use this adapter to get 4k/60Hz from my 2018" 13" MacBook Pro: https://www.anker.com/products/variant/usbc-to-hdmi-adapter/A8306041
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link but I can't find information if it's compatible with MBP 13'' 2019.
Does anyone tested it?
 
emikaadeo said:
Yeah, that's what I think and that's what APPLE states:


Thanks for the link but I can't find information if it's compatible with MBP 13'' 2019.
Does anyone tested it?
Click to expand...
The 2018 and 2019 models are exactly the same except that the CPU in the 2019 is 0.1GHz faster. The adapter will work fine with the 2019.
 
chrfr said:
The 2018 and 2019 models are exactly the same except that the CPU in the 2019 is 0.1GHz faster. The adapter will work fine with the 2019.
Click to expand...
Are you sure? Look at my first post.
I'm talking about 2019 13'' entry-model with 1.4GHz CPU and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, not the one with 2.4GHz CPU and four Thunderbolt 3 ports.
 
emikaadeo said:
Are you sure? Look at my first post.
I'm talking about 2019 13'' entry-model with 1.4GHz CPU and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, not the one with 2.4GHz CPU and four Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Click to expand...
Both will work, in any case. I've got users with a variety of computers using 4k/60Hz through the Anker adapter.
 
This sounds like "a connecting cable issue".
Hopefully it will be resolved with the new adapter.

However... if that doesn't fix it...
Consider getting a "high speed" HDMI 2.0 cable to run from the adapter to the tv.

Not all HDMI cables are the same!
 
emikaadeo said:
Are you sure? Look at my first post.
I'm talking about 2019 13'' entry-model with 1.4GHz CPU and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, not the one with 2.4GHz CPU and four Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Click to expand...

From Apple's Tech Specs:

Video Support
Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
  • One display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
  • Up to two displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors
  • Up to two displays with 3840-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
Thunderbolt 3 digital video output
  • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
  • VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)
Click to expand...

So yes, it'll work.
 
Dracarris said:
I also noticed this. Does anyone have ANY idea why Apple would do such a stupid thing while 3rd party adapters and the 13" machine itself support 4K@60Hz? This makes below zero sense.
Click to expand...

Okay, just to be clear, were talking about the new A2119 (and not the old A1621), right?

emikaadeo said:
Just ordered https://www.anker.com/products/variant/usbc-to-hdmi-adapter/A83060A1
Will see how/if it works. I'll be back with information.
Click to expand...

If that's the case, is the Anker adapter a good investment?
 
Issue solved. LG OLED55C9 hides higher link rates in EDID until you connect the device, then go to its settings and enable "HDMI ULTRA HD Deep Color" on the port. The Anker must be an active converter then.

Leaving the discussion below for historical reason.

Correcting the record for other visitors coming in via Google:


On a 13" MBP 2018, this does NOT work. The Anker adapter linked is a simple USB-C to HDMI adapter, and the Intel Iris Plus 655 on the MBP 13 does NOT output anything higher than 1080P in 60hz.

As you can see in the operation mode below, it is connected via the HDMI output / signal generator, which doesn't support HDMI 2.0 required for 4K@60. What I need is an active adapter that lets the MBP talks DisplayPort 1.4 to it, then turn it to HDMI 2.0, but it's super rare it seems.

45oPJHc.png


MacBook Pro 15 / 16 etc output external signals via their dedicated GPU, and on those, it works. But so does any cable that turns USB-C into HDMI directly, it's just a matter of connecting the right pins, no adapter required.
 
Last edited:
Booinky said:
On a 13" MBP 2018, this does NOT work. The Anker adapter linked is a simple USB-C to HDMI adapter, and the Intel Iris Plus 655 on the MBP 13 does NOT output anything higher than 1080P in 60hz.
Click to expand...
You've got something else going on. I use my 2018 13" with the Anker adapter and an LG display at 4k/60Hz all the time.screenshot.png
 
Last edited:
Ooh? I'm open to suggestions - this is an Anker A8306, on a MacBookPro15,2 - which has no dedicated GPU options that fixes this issue.

lIN2tah.jpg


This adapter supports 4K@60 as it can pass through that signal pretty much passively from the HDMI/DVI signal generator, but it doesn't talk DP to the MBP I'm typing this on. Can't convince it to do otherwise, and it would surprise me if this tiny adapter is multi-protocol and talks both HDMI (TMDS) and DP (LVDS).

Option-click "scaled" in Displays gives me 4K @ 30, 24, and also 2560x1440@30 etc etc, and SwitchResX comes to the same conclusion.

A simple USB-C to DP cable gives me 2560x1440 @ 60 on a standard monitor (Dell U2711) which is faster than HDMI 1.4 supports, so the MBP talks DP just fine. It's just a little slow on the HDMI side, I think, but I would be happy if I can convince it to talk 4K@60 natively without even more adapters. Suggestions on what to click / type / edit next welcome.
 
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