LG UltraFine 5K monitor 27" webcam choppy working with new MacBook Pro 13" 2020

Hello freesf and welcome to Apple Support Communities.

I see you are facing some difficulty with some LG monitors when they are connected to a 2020 MacBook Pro.

Use the LG UltraFine 5K Display with your Mac or iPad Pro - Apple Support

As you have already isolated the issue to the web cam in the monitor (i.e., the integrated camera in the macBook Pro itself works as expected) and other functions are not affected, you'll want to deal directly with LG on this.

27” UltraFine™ 5K IPS Monitor with macOS Compatibility | LG US Business

Cheers.

Is it the same model as this one? https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HMUB2LL/A/lg-ultrafine-5k-display?afid=p238%7CsCyj0Fx3O-dc_mtid_1870765e38482_pcrid_500452391010_pgrid_43272004728_&cid=aos-us-kwgo-pla-btb-3pp--slid---product-HMUB2LL/A

I did the same, attached a C920. Other issues I have however include:

1. USB devices attached to monitor come and go. So my Ethernet and C920 do not reliably get presented to the MBP.
2. Microphone on LG monitor has poor quality - folks on the other end of my video calls complain.

So I have had to use the LG monitor for monitor only. Speaker, mic, webcam, ethernet all from the MBP or direct-attach to MBP. So the hub concept of the LG monitor is mostly dead. I get video and power through the TB3 cable.

The solutions are in front of you. Again: if you are working on an important project,

1. Get the external webcam.
2. Then try upgrading to Big Sur (unlikely to fix).
3. Then get an M1 machine when you have time/money (will fix).

I'm not sure it's a big priority for Apple but in the meantime, as I mentioned earlier, I simply purchased a Logitech webcam that sits on top (looks nice!) and plugs in directly to the USB port in the back of the monitor. Also has the advantage of a privacy cover and stereo microphones.

Me too! How can we raise the awareness to apple about this? I'm thinking an issue with the thunderbolt integration on the new MacBook pros. I have read they route directly to the CPU rather than through a controller? Something like that. Anyway, my 5k screen worked perfect with older MacBooks and continues to do so - it's definitely the new MacBook!

I had this issue as well. Thankfully, it appears that Apple addressed this along with the other USB hub issues in the 10.15.6 MacOS update (generally available now). I had pretty consistent issues with the LG UltraFine 5k before with my new MacBook Pro 2020 13", but after the update the webcam frame rate seems consistent with what I observed with my MacBook Pro 2018 13".

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for letting the group know! I did update the MacBook Pro 13" 2020 to 10.15.6 and connected to the LG UltraFine 5K and I did not see improvements :(

Is there anything else you did besides update to 10.15.6?

Aldo

I want to share with the group that I purchase a brand new LG UltraFine 5K (build on 2020) to test the MacBook 13" 2020 LG 5K webcam issue. With the new monitor, there issue is almost non-existent. So, I am keeping the new LG 5K (build on 2020) monitor. This is an expensive fix!

My other two LG UltraFine 5K were build in 2017. I hope this information helps.

Aldo

Interesting. I used to connect via Ethernet to the LG but am now using WiFi because of my desk location. Not really a problem as I do international web conferences frequently. I do prefer the mic on the C920.

The external webcam was relatively inexpensive (<$100) and actually better than the internal webcam from LG, for both video and audio. So I see it more as an upgrade and for that I am happy. As for the quality of the monitor itself, it remains stunning after three years - no hedonic adaptation here!

As a developer, I have filed a bug report. If you have access to Feedback Assistant, you can refer to FB8002514 and FB7743077.

Hi. I’m curious how your screen uniformity is on your 3 lg 5k monitors? I just got one but on a white or grey screen the sides seem more magenta. I know no monitor is perfect but for the hefty price I’m a bit disappointed in this. Do you also have this issue on your screens? Wondering if trying another copy will make a difference.