What cable do I need to enable HDR on M1 mac mini?

[ranjan2001]

I got Viewsonic VP2785 4k monitor which I am running as of now at 1080p with USB-C cable directly attached to M1 mini.
https://www.viewsonic.com/us/vp2785-4k-27-4k-uhd-adobergb-colorprotm-ips-monitor-w-usb-c-hdr10.html

I can watch youtube HDR content but HDR option is not available in display settings, when I go to monitor menu the HDR10 option is greyed out there too.
I had thought that USB-C would support HDR but seems like not, will HDMI 2.1 cable support to run this monitor in HDR mode at the OS level?

 

[w5jck]

I looked at your monitor's user guide. First, did you enable HDR10 via the instructions on page 56?

To enable the HDR10 function:
1. Open the OSD Menu and select the Manual Image Adjust menu. Then touch the
3 key to enter the menu.
2. Touch the 1 or 2 key to select HDR10. Then touch the 3 key to enter its sub-
menu.
3. Touch the 1 or 2 key to select On. Then touch the 3 key to confirm.

Second, I don't really understand what you mean by connecting the monitor to the M1 mini by USB-C cable. According to the user guide on page 15, you should use an HDMI or a DisplayPort cable. It discusses a USB-C connection a few pages later, but it wasn't clear what it is cable of doing. I suggest using an HDMI or a DisplayPort cable as either can carry the bandwidth needed for 4K HDR signals. A HDMI to HDMI cable is the easiest. Using DisplayPort will require an adapter.

Via the instructions on page 24, try selecting DCI-P3 as the Standard Color. I know that should include HDR colors, but I'm not sure for this monitor.

This monitor seems rather overpriced for what it does. It can only provide 4K HDR10 at 30fps. The manual is not very good either.

 

[ranjan2001]

I looked at your monitor's user guide. First, did you enable HDR10 via the instructions on page 56?

Second, I don't really understand what you mean by connecting the monitor to the M1 mini by USB-C cable. According to the user guide on page 15, you should use an HDMI or a DisplayPort cable. It discusses a USB-C connection a few pages later, but it wasn't clear what it is cable of doing. I suggest using an HDMI or a DisplayPort cable as either can carry the bandwidth needed for 4K HDR signals. A HDMI to HDMI cable is the easiest. Using DisplayPort will require an adapter.

Via the instructions on page 24, try selecting DCI-P3 as the Standard Color. I know that should include HDR colors, but I'm not sure for this monitor.

This monitor seems rather overpriced for what it does. It can only provide 4K HDR10 at 30fps. The manual is not very good either.

Thank you for your reply.
I already tried what the manual suggest & you also mentioned, the issue is that HDR10 is greyed out, seems like USB-C (or may be its called thunderbolt cable supplied with monitor) doesn't support HDR10. I have tried 2 HDMI cables that also failed I have now ordered one HDMI to HDMI 2.1 cable which will arrive on Monday that is my last hope that it might work correctly & let me enable HDR10 in the monitor OSD.

 

[w5jck]

Thank you for your reply.
I already tried what the manual suggest & you also mentioned, the issue is that HDR10 is greyed out, seems like USB-C (or may be its called thunderbolt cable supplied with monitor) doesn't support HDR10. I have tried 2 HDMI cables that also failed I have now ordered one HDMI to HDMI 2.1 cable which will arrive on Monday that is my last hope that it might work correctly & let me enable HDR10 in the monitor OSD.

That user guide is really poorly written, so it is hard to tell about the USB-C cable. The specs listed at the end of the manual seemed to indicate only HDMI 2.0 support, but a good HDMI 2.0 cable should work with 4K HDR. My guess is there is some combination of settings required to achieve HDR10, but the manual is not good at pointing you in the right direction. To be honest, you can get plenty of good 4k HDR monitors with better specs for what that one cost, so it might be a good idea to return it (if possible) and get one that is actually capable of working better with Macs. The LG 24" sold by Apple is a bit less expensive and designed for the M1 Macs.

 

[satcomer]

That user guide is really poorly written, so it is hard to tell about the USB-C cable. The specs listed at the end of the manual seemed to indicate only HDMI 2.0 support, but a good HDMI 2.0 cable should work with 4K HDR. My guess is there is some combination of settings required to achieve HDR10, but the manual is not good at pointing you in the right direction. To be honest, you can get plenty of good 4k HDR monitors with better specs for what that one cost, so it might be a good idea to return it (if possible) and get one that is actually capable of working better with Macs. The LG 24" sold by Apple is a bit less expensive and designed for the M1 Macs.

You can get them cheaply at a site called for HDMI 2.1 cable braided or CAT 6A!

 

[ranjan2001]

That user guide is really poorly written, so it is hard to tell about the USB-C cable. The specs listed at the end of the manual seemed to indicate only HDMI 2.0 support, but a good HDMI 2.0 cable should work with 4K HDR. My guess is there is some combination of settings required to achieve HDR10, but the manual is not good at pointing you in the right direction. To be honest, you can get plenty of good 4k HDR monitors with better specs for what that one cost, so it might be a good idea to return it (if possible) and get one that is actually capable of working better with Macs. The LG 24" sold by Apple is a bit less expensive and designed for the M1 Macs.

I can return this monitor if it doesn't work for me but in my local city I don't have much options of HDR available so I will have to find alternatives which return clause if possible.

If you can suggest few HDR 10 monitor option that will be good for me. BenQ, LG & Samsung are possible options for me, just that they don't offer easy return in my city.

 

[DeltaMac]

If you really like that monitor, you could try a USB-C to DisplayPort cable - such as this:

uni USB C to DisplayPort Cable for Home Office (4K@60Hz, 2K@165Hz), Sturdy Aluminum USB Type-C to DisplayPort Cable [Thunderbolt 3/4 Compatible] for MacBook Pro/Air, iPhone 15 Pro/Max, XPS, Surface

Important Note 1: Please ensure that your device's USB-C port supports video output function "DP Alt Mode". Thunderbolt 4/3 output ports are also compatible. Important Note 2: Unidirectional transmission: It can only transmit from the USB-C port to the DP interface. Important Note 3: The final re...

smile.amazon.com

 

[joevt]

If you use the USB-C input of the display, then you may need to turn off USB 3.1 in the Setup menu to get 4K60 instead of 4K30.

Is HDR10 enabled in the Manual Image Adjust menu?

The display is only 350 cd/m2 so I wouldn't expect much from an HDR mode. If macOS won't enable HDR for a 350 cd/m2 display, then maybe an EDID override could fix that?

Any USB-C data cable should work. Or DisplayPort 1.2 cable. Or USB-C to DisplayPort. DisplayPort 1.2 has more bandwidth (4K60 10bpc) than HDMI 2.0 (4K60 8bpc RGB or 10bpc 4:2:2).

 

[w5jck]

I can return this monitor if it doesn't work for me but in my local city I don't have much options of HDR available so I will have to find alternatives which return clause if possible.

If you can suggest few HDR 10 monitor option that will be good for me. BenQ, LG & Samsung are possible options for me, just that they don't offer easy return in my city.

I looked at the manual again and found this troubling statement in the specs on page 75:

Compatibility

Macintosh

Power Macintosh up to 3840 x 2160 (Supported by limited graphic cards)

The M1 Macs have the graphics card built into the M1 chip, so this monitor might not even recognize it nor support it. I would search YouTube for reviews on 4K HDR monitors that work well with M1 Macs, then try to find one with good reviews that is available in your area, and of course returnable.

Good luck!

 

[joevt]

I looked at the manual again and found this troubling statement in the specs on page 75:

The M1 Macs have the graphics card built into the M1 chip, so this monitor might not even recognize it nor support it. I would search YouTube for reviews on 4K HDR monitors that work well with M1 Macs, then try to find one with good reviews that is available in your area, and of course returnable.

"Limited graphics cards" does not exclude GPUs that are not a card. That was a poor choice of words. I think they mean old GPUs that do not support 4K 60Hz.
The M1 GPU is very new and very capable - probably more capable than Apple allows it to be.

 

[ranjan2001]

I looked at the manual again and found this troubling statement in the specs on page 75:

The M1 Macs have the graphics card built into the M1 chip, so this monitor might not even recognize it nor support it. I would search YouTube for reviews on 4K HDR monitors that work well with M1 Macs, then try to find one with good reviews that is available in your area, and of course returnable.

Good luck!

I just got the new HDMI 2.0 to HDMI cable & it has now enabled HDR in the control panel display settings.

My next question is does the HDR function works while we are using image & video editing programs like Photoshop, CaptureOne Pro & Davinci Resolve or is it only for TV streaming & youtube content?

MY youtube watching surely has changed my viewing experience even though this monitor is HDR 10 @350nits brightness.

 

[maxsquared]

I just got the new HDMI 2.0 to HDMI cable & it has now enabled HDR in the control panel display settings.
View attachment 2002919

My next question is does the HDR function works while we are using image & video editing programs like Photoshop, CaptureOne Pro & Davinci Resolve or is it only for TV streaming & youtube content?

MY youtube watching surely has changed my viewing experience even though this monitor is HDR 10 @350nits brightness.

Can't answer for Photoshop and etc, but in Final Cut Pro, if you enable your project to be wide gamut, then it will be HDR, if not it will still be standard.

 

[Claub]

I just got the new HDMI 2.0 to HDMI cable & it has now enabled HDR in the control panel display settings.
View attachment 2002919

My next question is does the HDR function works while we are using image & video editing programs like Photoshop, CaptureOne Pro & Davinci Resolve or is it only for TV streaming & youtube content?

MY youtube watching surely has changed my viewing experience even though this monitor is HDR 10 @350nits brightness.

Hi ranjan.
I am in the same situation as you with the VP2785-4K and I am curious how you did it.
I have a M1 MacBook Pro 2021 with HDMI out. I have bought a HDMI 2.1 cable (HDMI<>HDMI).
But no matter what I do, the High Dynamic Range option is not visible in Mac settings like on your screenshot.
And the HDR10 option in the display’s OSD menu is grayed out.
Any advice?