MacBook Pro 13 M2 (2022) and Odyssey G9 OLED (G95SC) #3403
-
|
Hello, I have a MacBook Pro 13 M2, model year 2022. This model has only 2 USB-C/Thunderbolt ports as an output (no HDMI) and specification says the external display output can ran up to 6k@60Hz. I am connected to a Samsung Odyssey G9 OLED (G95SC) via an 8k ULTRA USB-C to HDMI cable. Since the very beginning I have had huge problems with this combination, as the only resolution available was a 16:9 ratio, which resulted in a distorted image. With BetterDisplay I have at least managed to set up a 32:9 screen ratio, with 3840x1080@120 Hz and LoDPI as the maximum settings. Whatever changes I do I cannot make it past the 3840x1080 treshold, even when I have manually specified the 5k resolution BetterDisplay will simply say: 
The same display works flawlessly on a Windows PC on 5120x1440@240Hz via a regular HDMI or DisplayPort cable. All out of a box, no magic needed. Did anyone met the same or a similar problem? |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
Replies: 9 comments 22 replies
-
|
By the way, this is the list of the supported connection modes. What surprised me was that the 5k resolution listed is not 1440, but 2880. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Hi, You can use SwitchResX to get 5120x1440 on non game mode (I am using graphic mode). There is now way that I can found :) https://www.madrau.com/srx_whatitis/whatitis.html
|
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Sorry @jan-valasek - for some reason I missed your question. Apple Silicon Macs output DisplayPort signal via the USB-C. The "8k ULTRA USB-C to HDMI cable" you are using must be an active cable, meaning there is a complete chip inside that translates DP Alt Mode signal to HDMI and handles all the required two-way communication and negotiaton. The modes you'll get is highly chip dependent. I recommend using VMM7100 based USB-C to HDMI adapters as those tend to work best. These have a special firmware available to present them as DP instead of HDMI devices to the Mac, unlocking more resolutions (the resolutions you get in the list are just typical HDTV resolutions expanded with some 32:9 modes). The mode list in @mabocoglu's screenshot has more refresh rate or resolution options, but he might be using a different adapter or a newer MacBook's built in HDMI port (which also uses a separate DP to HDMI chip, depending on model - just internally). The same resolutions should be available under BetterDisplay's Display Mode section (use the Filter/Show All to quickly list all modes). |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
I am using USB C to DisplayPort Cable (CDP14B-PRO / 146019). Even I use this cable BetterDisplay or macOS itself does not show native resolution 5120x1440. I am using MacBook Pro M1 Max btw.
|
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
This cable should provide a native connection. Just out of curiosity, can you run this and attach the resulting /Applications/BetterDisplay.app/Contents/MacOS/BetterDisplay get -n=aw -displayModeList -connectionModeListAll >~/Desktop/list.txt For this display 5120x1440 should be the native resolution so if this is not available in the list by default, it might be an indication that for some reason the display's EDID sends a wrong native resolution info about itself. This explains why this is not in the list. BetterDisplay using the default filter will not show resolutions that do not match the current aspect ratio (which is most probably 16:9 in this case), that's why you are not seeing in the list, unless you change the filter. The wrong native resolution should be fixable using the proper setting under the display's System Configuration Editing section - without this all scaled resolutions will look bad as well. It's strange that there is a 3840x2160 mode which obviously does not fit the native resolution and all other resolution modes offered has the wrong aspect ratio. I am not sure this is because of a generic issue with the display (hard to believe the Odyssey G9 would have a blatant issue like this) - so maybe it has some kind of 16:9 mode enabled maybe that serves an alternate EDID. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
I got this error mabocoglu@MacBook-Pro ~ % /Applications/BetterDisplay.app/Contents/MacOS/BetterDisplay get -n=aw -displayModeList -connectionModeListAll >~/Desktop/list.txt This command gave me an error. This list.txt is empty. Is there any debug parameter? In addition Interestingly, for %100 (default I think) 1920x1080 is set. As you said this is a monitor bug, Wrong EDID is sent to the MacBook. I wonder how SwitchResX can see the original resolution? If I set from there, Better Display can see the native resolution. 
|
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Ah, sorry, instead of 'aw' there should have been 'odyssey' or something (if this is part of the display's name - forgot to change it, copy paste error... :)). But it this is the sole display connected, you can simply run this @mabocoglu:
|
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Regarding the question, BetterDisplay can see the native resolution as well, it simply does not list it by default as normally it shows only resolutions that match the current aspect ratio (which seems to be 16:9, not 32:9) and DPI (which is HiDPI in your case while the native resolution is LoDPI). Simply change the aspect ratio for a different listing + also change the filter to LoDPI (as the native resolution is not HiDPI), or click on 'Show All' which should give a long list of all available resolutions: 
|
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Also, you can override the native resolution here. Change it to 5120x1440 to make things work better: 
|
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
I have succeeded by your way. Thank you. I have changed native panel resolution. Here are the list file and modified one (using other tool)
|
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
I think it's some error with the way the display's EDID is configured. This does not create that much issues with most PCs and since it's more a gaming display, Samsung probably does not think proper Mac support is a priority. Just a guess. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Might be. I would like Samsung takes care non gamers. That’s why I choose for programming. I wonder this changing native resolution is for Better Display Pro version or we can use it with free version also. If not, how can I have a discount coupon (such as %50). I prefer to buy this app rather than SwitchResX. Thank you :) |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Native resolution override a free feature. Buy the app only if you want to support development. :) |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Hi @mabocoglu, did you change your EDID settings to get this working properly? Can you share which modifications you made for BetterDisplay to accept a native resolution of 5120x1440? |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Nothing. I have just set native resolution on BetterDisplay application. I use usb-c DP cable (4k 60Hz supported). As soon I set it to 5120X1440, I can see this resolution at Display section in settings app. In addition, I can get this resolution in non gaming mode (graphics mode) |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
@waydabber can you please comment on how we can push the brightness of this external monitor whilst also doing the same for the M1's internal display? Can the laptop display use native XDR whilst the external (G95SC) use colour table? I haven't bought this one yet, so open to suggestions on a better wide curved monitor, preferably one with USB-C connection! Is HDR1000 significantly better than HDR600? I digress.. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Yes, the two displays can use different brightness upscaling methods. Not sure about the G9 OLED - HDR upscaling should work with it technically but OLEDS tend to have a very aggressive brightness limiter so not sure about how well it would perform. With mini-LED displays HDR upscaling works great. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Thank you for this. I am so grateful to you for enabling my long term dream of a laptop I can use in the bright sun. I have tried many things over the years (including e-inc screens), and this is by far the best solution. Do you have any recommendation for mini-LED displays in the wide variety similar to the G9? |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
@spmp - here are an exhaustive list of all mini-LED displays - you can sort by resolution as well: |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
@jan-valasek can you please give feedback, maybe some images, of how well your monitor is working with BetterDisplay? Can you use it in much brighter environments than you could a normal 500nit SDR monitor? |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
@waydabber Hi, thanks for coming back. I have been following this debate with @mabocoglu from afar, trying the same as suggested, however I have never been able to past the 3840x1080 mark. Despite setting up the default resolution and adding a custom one every time I try to get to 5120x1440 I get a message that it is invalid and it does not show up in the menu to switch to. I do have the Pro version, so it should not be caused by a limitation of the Free version (if there are any). I have bought a pair of new 8k ultra cables (USB-C -> HDMI and USB-C -> DP) to see which would work better as I have read in some forum the DP works better, but in reality I have had better results with HDMI. What BetterDisplay helped me with was being able to use the monitor at all, since for whatever reason Mac was seeing that screen as 16:9 and offering only some highly distorted low resolution image that made it practically unusable. With BetterDisplay I have managed to convince Mac the screen is 32:9. Running the screen in 3840x1080 is usable, although I am grinding my teeth every day as the 5k resolution was the main reason to buy the screen and without that I could have simply stayed with my old one. The 5k resolution works perfectly with a Windows PC, but not with the Mac. I will get a new Mac due to HW refresh next year (hopefully with a dedicated HDMI output) and I hope that will change for the better with that. Please see below the screenshots from the app: 
@spmp Hi, for the details how everything works please see above. As of the highly bright environment I cannot say, I would not say I have a problem with brightness in general, however I prefer darker rooms, therefore I close the window blinds every time. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
This is probably a cable issue. Make sure you are using a direct USB-C to DisplayPort cable (not HDMI). The native 5120x1440 output should work fine at LoDPI. The HiDPI resolution will be limited at 3840x1080 nevertheless (provided you have a Pro level Apple Silicon chip) but at least the output will be the native resolution so details/clarity should improve. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Note: just re-read your message and see you had the same issue with USB-C to DP. I am not sure why that is honestly. What Mac model do you have? Is this the only display? |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Yes, to be honest the USB-C to DP was even worse. The cable says it can run up to 8k, so it should be good enough for a 5k. The model is 2022 MacBook Pro 13' with the M2 chipset. It is not a M2 Pro, though. I have been using this as an extension to the built-in display, however that is something I would gladly sacrifice if it would help in running the screen in 5k. I will try that, thanks for the hint. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
Note: Where does the BetterDisplay takes the |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
-
|
It's not in the mode list. But the native resolution is wrong as well according to the screenshot so it is probably a connection issue. An entry level M2 should be able to drive the display (not sure about 120Hz though) at LoDPI. HiDPI resolution will be limited at 3072px horizontally so that is not usable on that model. |
Beta Was this translation helpful? Give feedback.
This is probably a cable issue. Make sure you are using a direct USB-C to DisplayPort cable (not HDMI). The native 5120x1440 output should work fine at LoDPI. The HiDPI resolution will be limited at 3840x1080 nevertheless (provided you have a Pro level Apple Silicon chip) but at least the output will be the native resolution so details/clarity should improve.