Sierra and Scaled Resolutions BROKEN!

[campyguy]

I bought the adapter seeing as it was made by Apple, and i figured it would "just work". It does do 1440p@60hz after all, just not scaled. I guess DP cables are the way to go! Accell doesn't ship to Norway, and Startech wants... 50 EUROS?! to ship it haha. I'll look and see if any local retailers have them in stock. Thanks for the help!

Uff da! Yeah, I can say that - I'm one-half Norwegian...

I saw that the Accell cable is available here in the US and Canada via Amazon but it's not available on the UK web portal yet - they've only been available for about 3-4 weeks now, sad that you just can't order one locally yet from Amazon or Videlco.eu or Leteng.no. You might want to ring Leteng and see if they've got an order in. Cheers!

 

[keviig]

Uff da! Yeah, I can say that - I'm one-half Norwegian...

I saw that the Accell cable is available here in the US and Canada via Amazon but it's not available on the UK web portal yet - they've only been available for about 3-4 weeks now, sad that you just can't order one locally yet from Amazon or Videlco.eu or Leteng.no. You might want to ring Leteng and see if they've got an order in. Cheers!

Thanks for all your help! Small world, eh? I'll contact them and see if they are planning on taking them in. Worst case i can buy a Startech cable on Ebay from UK sellers for roughly $40.

 

[steve62388]

Yep. When i go there i get 1440p (native) along with other, lower resolutions. None of them HiDPI. If i select a lower one like 2048x1152 i get the scaling i want, but it's all fuzzy. It's showing 2048x1152 on the 2560x1440 panel, which is a mess

I don't know if it would help in your case but I thought I would mention it. There is an app called Display Menu that lets you easily force non-standard resolutions.

 

[keviig]

I don't know if it would help in your case but I thought I would mention it. There is an app called Display Menu that lets you easily force non-standard resolutions.

We'll never know unless i try! Thanks for the suggestion, i'll give it a shot.

 

[campyguy]

Display Menu won't help much, if at all - it's basically a shortcut or Menu Item to make the resolutions available in the Option-Click Scaled portion of the Displays Pref Pane. I bought it, never use it now as the compliant cables I use convey proper EDID data - hacks like Display Menu and SwitchResX spoof resolution availability, and there won't be an "improvement" until a proper cable is used. My US 2¢ or NOkr 0.15...

 

[steve62388]

Display Menu won't help much, if at all - it's basically a shortcut or Menu Item to make the resolutions available in the Option-Click Scaled portion of the Displays Pref Pane. I bought it, never use it now as the compliant cables I use convey proper EDID data - hacks like Display Menu and SwitchResX spoof resolution availability, and there won't be an "improvement" until a proper cable is used. My US 2¢ or NOkr 0.15...

On my rMBP with Sierra, Display Menu provides resolution options that are not available through native macOS.

No idea if it will help with an external monitor.

 

[campyguy]

On my rMBP with Sierra, Display Menu provides resolution options that are not available through native macOS.

No idea if it will help with an external monitor.

With a compliant cable, I've got even more resolution options available and I'm not screwing up my PC or Mac video cards. I've used Display Menu, bought it on the MAS - I can make that assertion as I'm using a certified/compliant mDP>DP cable, even posted screen shots of before/after here on MR's Forums, even on my Mac Mini Server. Display Menu isn't needed, and neither is SwitchResX (of which I've used an own several now-useless serial numbers...). As I've alluded to elsewhere, look up "displayport power over pin 20" - power over Pin 20 prevents EDID data from properly being conveyed between a display and a computer. FWIW, this is all about external displays and it's not at all about native macOS - respectfully, a proper cable allows a PC/Mac and a display to convey what each are capable of and negotiate/handshake those capabilities, and cables that convey power over Pin 20 hinder this process.

Display Menu is a haxie, and so is SwitchResX. On my late-2013 rMBP with a dGPU, I've got 13 resolutions available in Portrait mode alone - and they're all *crystal* clear, no "fuzziness" whatsoever, on my two BenQ BL2711U displays here and on my Dell P2715Q displays back at my office, and no haxie has been able to get that result. My crap Dell-branded COXOC cables yielded 4 fairly clear resolutions and 6 fuzzy low-res resolutions on my Dells, tossing them in the bin was the best thing I could do for my eyes; those Dell cables also had 1/2 of the throughput of my Accell cables. I just don't understand why a person would spend $500 on a display and $2500 on a Mac and gripe about spending $15/20 on a cable made by a company that took the time to get their product certified - this isn't directed at you, not at all. Accell went out of their way to certify their cables (as did Eizo, of which I own 30 of their displays in one of my offices). No offense to the coders behind SwitchResX and Display Menu, but my counter is why don't they extol using proper cables over buying their haxie, which creates specific display overrides specific to a display and the cable it's used to connect to a Mac? If they were more honest about it, it would also address the "it worked with this HDMI cable, why won't it work with that DP cable?" without explaining the System workaround they're using to spoof what's really going on at the System and Library level. Yeah, I've spent a bit of time with this...

Cheers, it's time for beers...

 

[Daniel7767]

If you're like me and you have a 1440p monitor that you like to run in 1080p HiDPI mode using a custom plist or SwitchResX, DO NOT UPGRADE TO SIERRA.

Likewise if you have a 4K display and you like a bit more space while maintaining that sweet retina look and so you run it in 1440p HiDPI, DO NOT UPGRADE TO SIERRA.

Apple seems to have inexplicably removed this ability. You're now forced to destroy your eyesight by running the Dell U2515H at native resolution (Windows, believe it or not, handles 1440p native better than MacOSX does on this monitor).

One final thing - if you are a 4K or 1440p screen user and are on MacOS Sierra 10.12.1 BETA that came out today, please could you test using this method to see if they have restored this functionality?

Otherwise I'm going to have to downgrade to El Capitan forever.

[doublepost=1492699231][/doublepost]Do not update. 4K is just on of the problems, I can tell you there are other issues also in blue tooth. Apple's new slogan is 'It just will not work, and might work if you buy a mac complaint cable from us". As a software developer I have insights into software quality and well, there has been a steady decline from Apple. If this continues it might be time to abandon Apple since the higher quality premium for seems to be upside down. It is difficult to understand how 4K monitor capabilities could be degraded if there is a testing cycle for the product. This bug shows a mindset, and will only touch the surface of problems to come. DO NOT UPGRADE. The work around is DP cable for 4K, but the bug is still a step backwards. FYI, if you are a developer the security model also changed, you will have to remove extended attributes from resource files like png, which is absurd since XCode should just do this for you. DO NOT UPGRADE.

 

[meerkat1990]

Is this specific to non-Apple displays only? My iMac and external Thunderbolt Apple Display look fine.

 

[campyguy]

Is this specific to non-Apple displays only? My iMac and external Thunderbolt Apple Display look fine.

The new poster, like the OP, really don't have a clue. I've posted in this thread, and other threads, that this "issue" isn't Mac-specific - I've dozens of displays in my four offices that have absofrickinlutely zero issues with Linux, Windows 7/8.1/10, and OS X/macOS with BenQ/Dell/HP displays. There's plenty of threads/posts about this "issue" with displays on those OS platforms going back years, again, referred to in my posts here. The new poster IMHO didn't read through this entire thread and, therefore, is pretty much spewing FUD at this point - and I can back it up, using my own posts here and those on other forums as reference, and add in the DisplayPort Product Portal for good measure. Also, refer to the Wiki web page for DisplayPort specs. Seriously old news, don't buy non-compliant cables…

If you're using a TB display, you're using a DP 1.1a-spec cable - nowhere near 60Hz 4k-capable. I'm surmising here that you're following up on Daniel7767's post. @Daniel7767, BT really has nothing to do with this thread, and there are no "Mac-specific" display cables - please refer to my posts here about this very matter, including chiding the OP about making a not-accurate statement here, before getting back to me (and yes, I can back up my assertions here - and check for other members who agreed with me).

 

[meerkat1990]

The new poster, like the OP, really don't have a clue. I've posted in this thread, and other threads, that this "issue" isn't Mac-specific - I've dozens of displays in my four offices that have absofrickinlutely zero issues with Linux, Windows 7/8.1/10, and OS X/macOS with BenQ/Dell/HP displays. There's plenty of threads/posts about this "issue" with displays on those OS platforms going back years, again, referred to in my posts here. The new poster IMHO didn't read through this entire thread and, therefore, is pretty much spewing FUD at this point - and I can back it up, using my own posts here and those on other forums as reference, and add in the DisplayPort Product Portal for good measure. Also, refer to the Wiki web page for DisplayPort specs. Seriously old news, don't buy non-compliant cables…

If you're using a TB display, you're using a DP 1.1a-spec cable - nowhere near 60Hz 4k-capable. I'm surmising here that you're following up on Daniel7767's post. @Daniel7767, BT really has nothing to do with this thread, and there are no "Mac-specific" display cables - please refer to my posts here about this very matter, including chiding the OP about making a not-accurate statement here, before getting back to me (and yes, I can back up my assertions here - and check for other members who agreed with me).

OK. One of those, nothing to see here, move along moments. Thanks.

 

[Daniel7767]

it is true that DP is a spec not specific to MAC, excuse the inference, maybe I was frustrated with the inconvenience. however, the upgrade did disrupt my previous 4k display configuration that was previously working before upgrading. it is also true that my windows laptop handles these 4k monitors from any cable that connects to the 4k monitor. the intension is alert folks on the fence that upgrade had a negative effect on my 4k monitor. in addition my XCode projects were disrupted due changes in security related to extend attributes, a mac specific feature . best luck to all.

 

[BiscottiGelato]

Is this a compliant cable? I think is as compliant as I can find on Amazon. But I still can't run HiDPi 1440p scaled on my P2415Q....
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0163LQUH6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Or is it simply because a rMBP Late-2013 is too weak to render things at 5120 x 2880?

 

[campyguy]

Is this a compliant cable? I think is as compliant as I can find on Amazon. But I still can't run HiDPi 1440p scaled on my P2415Q....
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0163LQUH6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Or is it simply because a rMBP Late-2013 is too weak to render things at 5120 x 2880?

Yes, all Accell DP cables are compliant/certified. I'm in my office today with my late-2013 15" rMBP (obviously with a dGPU) connected to a P2715Q @1440p and it's in hi-res, selectable in the Displays Pref Pane. An issue with non-compliant DP cables is that they do not properly convey DisplayID/EDID information, while compliant cables do convey that info properly; your display's memory likely has retained the incomplete DisplayID/EDID information conveyed by the COXOC cable that shipped with your Dell. When I switch cables that have different specs/capabilities - and I recommend you do the same - connect the display(s) to your Mac/PC, then reset the display (first) and your Mac's NVRAM (Command-Option-P-R; NVRAM addresses screen resolution).

Also, certain versions of macOS will enable additional resolutions in some displays when used with a compliant cable. A Sierra update "gave" my BenQ BL2711 and Dell P2715Q displays 5 additional hi-res options, going from 9 to 14 options. You didn't indicate which size of Mac you're using, however, I'm sure the reset procedures will help you out and they should do pretty much all of what you need - all that's left is to bin the stock COXOC cable…

 

[BiscottiGelato]

Yes, all Accell DP cables are compliant/certified. I'm in my office today with my late-2013 15" rMBP (obviously with a dGPU) connected to a P2715Q @1440p and it's in hi-res, selectable in the Displays Pref Pane. An issue with non-compliant DP cables is that they do not properly convey DisplayID/EDID information, while compliant cables do convey that info properly; your display's memory likely has retained the incomplete DisplayID/EDID information conveyed by the COXOC cable that shipped with your Dell. When I switch cables that have different specs/capabilities - and I recommend you do the same - connect the display(s) to your Mac/PC, then reset the display (first) and your Mac's NVRAM (Command-Option-P-R; NVRAM addresses screen resolution).

Also, certain versions of macOS will enable additional resolutions in some displays when used with a compliant cable. A Sierra update "gave" my BenQ BL2711 and Dell P2715Q displays 5 additional hi-res options, going from 9 to 14 options. You didn't indicate which size of Mac you're using, however, I'm sure the reset procedures will help you out and they should do pretty much all of what you need - all that's left is to bin the stock COXOC cable…

I tried exactly as above and more. Still no go. I am guessing late-2013 rMBP 13" does not have enough oomph to do this? Probably will bite the bullet for a Kaby Lake rMBP once they start hitting the refurb store...

1. Disable csrutil
2. Deleted everything in the Dell (0x10ac) folder under Overrides
3. Reset P2415Q to Factory setting using monitor's GUI
4. Shutdown mac
5. Turn off display and remove display cable
6. Remove power adapter cable
7. Do SMC Reset (Ctrl Option Shift Power for 10 seconds)
8. Power on Mac
9. Quickly press Command, Option, P + R for NVRAM reset
10. 2 chimes are heard as positive confirmation that NVRAM was reset
11. Plug in cable and power on display
12. 1440p x2 Scaled still not accessible...

 

[campyguy]

I am guessing late-2013 rMBP 13" does not have enough oomph to do this?

This bit is likely the key bit that dictates which resolutions are available to your Mac/display combo. The only other spec you didn't qualify is the amount of RAM that your Mac has installed - I use 2012 Mini Servers with 16GB of RAM installed, both your Mac and my Minis share RAM resources with the GPU, obviously not an option for you; the upgraded RAM bumps VRAM available.

Sorry but I think you're stuck for now unless Apple adds some capabilities via OS updates as they did with 10.9.3/10.10.3/10.12.2. I'm actually considering an eGPU option for my Minis after 10.13 hits the street, but also going with Kaby Lake options to replace my late-2013 rMBPs later this year. Cheers.

 

[BiscottiGelato]

This bit is likely the key bit that dictates which resolutions are available to your Mac/display combo. The only other spec you didn't qualify is the amount of RAM that your Mac has installed - I use 2012 Mini Servers with 16GB of RAM installed, both your Mac and my Minis share RAM resources with the GPU, obviously not an option for you; the upgraded RAM bumps VRAM available.

Sorry but I think you're stuck for now unless Apple adds some capabilities via OS updates as they did with 10.9.3/10.10.3/10.12.2. I'm actually considering an eGPU option for my Minis after 10.13 hits the street, but also going with Kaby Lake options to replace my late-2013 rMBPs later this year. Cheers.

Yeah 8GB. Maybe the difference. I just wish Apple will be explicit about what the expected behaviour should be. It's somewhat of a pain.... Thx for all the tips tho!

 

[BiscottiGelato]

Crazy discovery. If I set rotation to 90 degrees on my P2415Q MacOS lets me do 1440 x 2560 Scaled (Doesn't say Low Resolution). And things are crisp but at the size I want. So the hardware is capable of pushing this many pixels. Question is how do I get this working in Horizontal mode? (0 degrees)?

 

[Silversil]

Hi.
I have this iMac:
- 27" Mid 2010
- 2,93 Ghz Core i-7
- ATI Radeon HD 5750 1024 MB.

Native resolution of my monitor is 2560x1440 but it's too small for me.
Actually, 1920x1080 it's the perfect resolution for my eyes but it's too blurry; so I tried to use SwitcResX (4.6.6 with license) to improve a 1920x1080 HiDPI (putting on the custom resolution panel a 3840x2160 resolution); then I saved and reboot my Mac but the 1920x1080 HiDPI resolution doesn't appear and in the SwitchRes panel is written "Not Installed"(after second reboot " not activated").
The maximum HiDPI resolution that I can have it's 1280x720 but it's too big!
Other user told me that probably is an hardware constrain because I can't exceed my native resolution, or maybe depends on my AMD-not Nvidia GPU.
So, you think if I downgrade to Yosemite (or maybe Mavericks) it ciuld be works?
Thanks a lot, bye.
[doublepost=1506245703][/doublepost]My O.S. is Sierra 12.10.6 and I gave 8 GB Ram.

 

[h9826790]

Hi.
I have this iMac:
- 27" Mid 2010
- 2,93 Ghz Core i-7
- ATI Radeon HD 5750 1024 MB.

Native resolution of my monitor is 2560x1440 but it's too small for me.
Actually, 1920x1080 it's the perfect resolution for my eyes but it's too blurry; so I tried to use SwitcResX (4.6.6 with license) to improve a 1920x1080 HiDPI (putting on the custom resolution panel a 3840x2160 resolution); then I saved and reboot my Mac but the 1920x1080 HiDPI resolution doesn't appear and in the SwitchRes panel is written "Not Installed"(after second reboot " not activated").
The maximum HiDPI resolution that I can have it's 1280x720 but it's too big!
Other user told me that probably is an hardware constrain because I can't exceed my native resolution, or maybe depends on my AMD-not Nvidia GPU.
So, you think if I downgrade to Yosemite (or maybe Mavericks) it ciuld be works?
Thanks a lot, bye.
[doublepost=1506245703][/doublepost]My O.S. is Sierra 12.10.6 and I gave 8 GB Ram.

From memory, HiDPI works well before ~10.9.3, you don't even need SwitchRex. The magic "Option" key will make system preference natively shows up all HiDPI resolution for you to choose. However, Apple suddenly remove everything. since then, no more native HiDPI. So, I doubt it you downgrade to Yosemite or 10.9.5 can make any difference. If you can go all the way down to something like 10.9.0, may be it can make the difference.