120/144Hz not available with dummies + DisplayLink?

[HeyWatchOutDude]

Hi,

I'm using the Pro-Edition of BetterDisplay, somehow I'm unable to enable 120/144Hz on my two external (1440p@144Hz) displays.

Note: Connected via DisplayLink. (Dell 452-BCYH)

Without "BetterDisplay" I can enable 120/144Hz through the system settings.

[waydabber]

The refresh rates do not show up in the Refresh Rate menu? Are you using dummies or mirroring in any way?

[HeyWatchOutDude]

Yeah I use dummies (I mirror the displays to the dummies) because the font size is too small on a 1440p display.

[waydabber]

The dummies work at 60Hz only. I think DisplayLink also uses 60Hz max internally (as it is handled as a virtual screen and these can't go beyond 60Hz) - even if the display might be set to 120/144Hz (?). But it is strange that the option even shows up for a DisplayLink adapter.

[HeyWatchOutDude]

So there is no workaround?

Yeah I thought the same but somehow it works with DisplayLink (without BetterDisplay).

Any idea how I can get a bigger font size without "blurring" the image?

[waydabber]

Are you sure the screen refresh rate is actually 120/144Hz? I mean did you test it?

Also, can you send me a screenshot of what BetterDisplay reports about the display (Settings/Displays with show details open?)

Thank you!

[HeyWatchOutDude]

Hmm strange since macOS Ventura (13.x) the 144Hz option is gone, 120Hz is still available.

System:

Another question:
Is it possible to launch "BetterDisplay", when a docking station or external display is connected?
Because right now, I have to manually open/close the app ... otherwise the MacBook screen is displaying two "dummies".

[waydabber]

You can associate dummies to specific displays - in this case the dummy will auto connect/disconnect when the display is connected/disconnected.

I was thinking about the details under BetterDisplay's app Settings/Displays, something like this:

[HeyWatchOutDude]

Edit:
The association don't work when it comes to "mirroring" on two displays, which means I have to manually close/open the app to get reapplied my custom configuration (bigger font size etc.), any idea why that is?

Scenario:

1. MacBook Pro (M1) is not connected to the docking station - BetterDisplay is running in the background.
2. I connect the docking station
3. Everything is too small.
4. I re-open the app, everything is fine again.

Hmmm "Show detailed technical information" are not available, I assume because it is connected via "DisplayLink".

[waydabber]

Indeed. :) Just wanted to see for myself that it is a DisplayLink hardware. Strange that it reports 120Hz but maybe because that is what the display's EDID reports as supported resolution. But DisplayLink still supports 60Hz max as well as dummies, so I don't think you can do much about that. Or do you see actual 120Hz working on DisplayLink?

See the max resolutions for various DisplayLink chipsets here:

https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/525038-displaylink-display-resolution-support