Macbook pro and LG 32UN880 Monitor

[HBIII]

Hi everyone,
I have a new macbook pro with the m1 pro chip and just got a 4k lg 32un880 monitor to use with it. I am wondering what the best method of connecting it would be, either via usb-c or HDMI? I am only talking about for best picture quality here, I don't need the charging as I am fine connecting it to the charger too. I have heard that there used to be washed out color issues when connecting via usb-c, so I am not sure...

 

[Donsell]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but with that monitor it doesn't matter. I believe the usb-c can run a 4k external monitor at 120hz and the HDMI is limited to 60hz. But that monitor (which is nice BTW) is limited to 60hz so you're the same either way.

 

[HBIII]

Thanks. Hmm, I am thinking about just using the HDMI port then so I have one extra free USB-C port and I can charge faster with the actual power adapter.

Anyone else care to chime in about any differences between connecting via USB-C vs HDMI? I was reading that HDMI connection on m1s does not support 3008x1692? Man this can get confusing...

 

[dylin]

With the appropriate USB-C cable, or a thunderbolt one, you would also be able to have use of the USB-C ports behind the monitor. So you can have things plugged in and have the monitor also act like a dock. Since the monitor is 60hz, you would be fine with either or, just as long as you use a quality cable.

 

[0906742]

I'm just setting up new MBP 14" to use in clamshell mode with my LG 32UN880-B. It basically works unless I never select Restart in MacOS. If I restart in clamshell mode it lose signal to monitor while rebooting but most peculiar is that it also hangs up MBP 14" so that there is only black screen but mouse cursor can be moved, it will not continue from this state and I have to force shut power off by holding down the power button which is not good.

Seems OK if I just put MBP in sleep mode in clamshell but I occasionally would need to reboot it like in MacOS updates and such.

Has anyone got this combination and do you see the same issues?

Also does someone has some other monitor (other than Apple Studio Display) that works even after restarting in clamshell mode?

 

[stuzog]

What about using DisplayPort? Generally, it’s rated much better than HDMI for Mac resolutions. The speakers on the monitor may not be as good as using desktop speakers connected to the Mac.

 

[0906742]

What about using DisplayPort? Generally, it’s rated much better than HDMI for Mac resolutions. The speakers on the monitor may not be as good as using desktop speakers connected to the Mac.

I'm using USB-C from MBP 14" to LG monitor USB-C. It gives me all possible resolutions to select, so no issues there but this restart bug is annoying. It works fine as long as I just put it to sleep, then it will wake OK but as soon as I reboot MacOS using restart from menu signal is lost and it also put MBP in state where it is on but nothing works but mouse cursor, so I have to force it power off by holding power button down.

Is anyone using this 32UN880-B with MBP 14" or 16"?
It would be interesting to hear if there is a workaround this.

 

[Sun Baked]

I am reusing the Moshi Thunderbolt3 to DisplayPort cable I had from my previous 2018 Mac Mini with my Mac Studio, and plugging all USB-A devices directly into a USB-A hub on my Mac Studio.

I have only needed to turn off the monitor a few times due to blank screen since March, and generally have not had any frozen wired keyboard or mouse issues due to the USB hub in the monitor (bypassed it).

 

[ilikewhey]

I'm just setting up new MBP 14" to use in clamshell mode with my LG 32UN880-B. It basically works unless I never select Restart in MacOS. If I restart in clamshell mode it lose signal to monitor while rebooting but most peculiar is that it also hangs up MBP 14" so that there is only black screen but mouse cursor can be moved, it will not continue from this state and I have to force shut power off by holding down the power button which is not good.

Seems OK if I just put MBP in sleep mode in clamshell but I occasionally would need to reboot it like in MacOS updates and such.

Has anyone got this combination and do you see the same issues?

Also does someone has some other monitor (other than Apple Studio Display) that works even after restarting in clamshell mode?

i have a dell p3223qe and a u2720q, both of them can handle mac restarts.

 

[0906742]

I am reusing the Moshi Thunderbolt3 to DisplayPort cable I had from my previous 2018 Mac Mini with my Mac Studio, and plugging all USB-A devices directly into a USB-A hub on my Mac Studio.

I have only needed to turn off the monitor a few times due to blank screen since March, and generally have not had any frozen wired keyboard or mouse issues due to the USB hub in the monitor (bypassed it).

I thought about possibility of monitor USB-ports I'm using for kb and mouse but since even opening MBP lid and using MBP keyboard did not help when it happened I doubt it is not the culprit.

 

[0906742]

i have a dell p3223qe and a u2720q, both of them can handle mac restarts.

Interesting. Are you using USB-C to USB-C for display signal also with both of these?

Any idea what is wrong with MPB 14" + LG 32UN880-B combination in my case?
BTW. I've been using this same 32UN880-B with my Mac mini M1 with the same USB-C to USB-C cable and it handled restarting fine (but these was issues with it sometimes with older Monterey versions but it never hanged up real bad and it was enough just powering display off > on to get picture again, unlike my MBP 14" which hangs up completely in this situation and needs hard power off for MBP.

 

[ilikewhey]

Interesting. Are you using USB-C to USB-C for display signal also with both of these?

Any idea what is wrong with MPB 14" + LG 32UN880-B combination in my case?
BTW. I've been using this same 32UN880-B with my Mac mini M1 with the same USB-C to USB-C cable and it handled restarting fine (but these was issues with it sometimes with older Monterey versions but it never hanged up real bad and it was enough just powering display off > on to get picture again, unlike my MBP 14" which hangs up completely in this situation and needs hard power off for MBP.

yeah my dell p2332qe has usb hubs so i plug my keyboard, mouse, webcam, ethernet jack, and speaker to it so i only use usb-c.

i'm not sure about whats wrong, but i do know lg always skimp somewhere either in software or hardware limitation, like only 60watt usb-c. perhaps not able to handle mac restarts is also another.

 

[0906742]

i'm not sure about whats wrong, but i do know lg always skimp somewhere either in software or hardware limitation, like only 60watt usb-c. perhaps not able to handle mac restarts is also another.

Yeah, LG is what I'm also suspecting culprit for this. I was just not expecting problems with LG with my new MBP 14" since it worked fine with Mini M1. I guess internal display and a bit different way how clamshell mode works vs Mini with only external display might make this more difficult for LG.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to hear in case here happens to be others with 32UN880-B and MBP 14" or 16", or any M1/M2 based MBP(MBA also (in case this issue differ between M1/M2 and M1 Pro CPU's).

 

[sylwiusz]

Have you also tried to update 32UN880 firmware? I wonder if 32UN880 PD of mediocre 60W could have something to do with these problems? 14" MBP M1 has somewhat stronger power adapter. Have you also tried to restart MBP while having original power adapter connected?

 

[0906742]

Have you also tried to update 32UN880 firmware? I wonder if 32UN880 PD of mediocre 60W could have something to do with these problems? 14" MBP M1 has somewhat stronger power adapter. Have you also tried to restart MBP while having original power adapter connected?

I always have MacBook 67W MagSafe charger connected to make sure getting clean power to my MacBook, so it is not that causing it. I'm not sure about LG firmware thou since it does not allow FW updates in MacOS, but I did connect it to my Windows PC around January 2022 and upgraded firmware then. I'm not sure if there has been updates released after that (do you know?).

Do you have this monitor and MacBook Pro yourself?

 

[sylwiusz]

According to LG software guide firmware updates should be available also from Mac version of their OnScreen Control software (except from some LG monitors models, but 32UN880 is not among them). They update this software quite often, latest version is from 08/29/22, worth checking as it also enables you to control modes/brightness/contrast from Mac.
I have MBP but not 32UN880, but it is strong contender in my monitors choice (I'm after 4k upgrade). Pasting links to software guide and latest OnScreen control software for you
Software_Guide_20190402.pdf
Mac_OSC_5.57.zip

 

[0906742]

According to LG software guide firmware updates should be available also from Mac version of their OnScreen Control software (except from some LG monitors models, but 32UN880 is not among them). They update this software quite often, latest version is from 08/29/22, worth checking as it also enables you to control modes/brightness/contrast from Mac.
I have MBP but not 32UN880, but it is strong contender in my monitors choice (I'm after 4k upgrade). Pasting links to software guide and latest OnScreen control software for you
Software_Guide_20190402.pdf
Mac_OSC_5.57.zip

I haven't tested the latest one but I've went thru several older version and they never allowed anything but just screen split function under MacOS, even version number kept increasing and it should have had all the features but it did not. There is another thread about that. I just posted there to check if someone tried if this has recently changed, but I fear it is just version number / date code update but the same app as before (it was like that when I tested it several times myself). I have newly installed MBP 14" myself so I'm hesitating to install this garbage again just to see it is still the same.

Anyway, I have Windows machine here I can use for that if really need but I'm not sure if that makes any difference or if there is even any firmware released this year.

However, I can recommend this monitor, it has very good picture quality with P3 gamut support and excellent stand included. Other than these small compatibility issues with Mac this is an excellent product and even on Mac it is easy to avoid issues, since it works just fine when I don't restart or power down my Mac. It wakes from sleep mode fine.

 

[sylwiusz]

So you say options from LG manual are not available? That would be strange. Anyway they want us to use usbc-usba cable for update, interesting.

And thanks for your insights on this monitor, I'll probably buy it, I thought at first about 27UP850, but 5" more diagonal size should be better for my aging eyes and it is stil more screen estate to use anyway. And this model provides hardware calibration and I still have XRite DisplayPro in the drawer, so colour accuracy should be very good

 

[0906742]

So you say options from LG manual are not available?

I believe that only apply to Intel based Mac's and Mx based do not have all the features. I think that manual has been the same all the time. But I haven't tried the latest version yet, if the miracle happened and they added Mx CPU's to support all the features, but in the past there was no difference.

That would be strange. Anyway they want us to use usbc-usba cable for update, interesting.
View attachment 2050273

In Windows PC I used to update firmware back in Jan 2020 I used only USB-C to USB-C between the two and it worked.

And thanks for your insights on this monitor, I'll probably buy it, I thought at first about 27UP850, but 5" more diagonal size should be better for my aging eyes and it is stil more screen estate to use anyway. And this model provides hardware calibration and I still have XRite DisplayPro in the drawer, so colour accuracy should be very good

Yes, I'd say 32" size is a sweet spot for me. I can easily use 3008x1692 looks like resolution with it. Maybe even 3200x1800 which my MBP 14" would allow now (MBA M1 and Mini M1 I had before topped out at 3008x1692 for HiDPI only allowing 3840x2160 without HiDPI the best).

As for the colors out of the box, I'm using DCI-P3 color setting in LG and Display P3 color profile in MacOS and the screen colors and grey scale looks pretty much the same as in my MBP 14" and my previous MBA M1. That obviously may vary a bit between unit to unit which is normal variation for any LCD-panel.