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

I've had multiple second-level chats with Apple Support (I have sent them data via the Capture Data app) and they have stated that the case is known, and they are working on a fix. What's interesting is that they said they have evidence that it is also an issue with the MBP M1's too. Odd right?

It's also more than just webcam performance (stutter, freezing, choppy video, audio) problems. When the MBP Intel is tethered to the LG 5K during Zoom calls, and I am presenting/screensharing from the LG, even when using the webcam on the MBP (and not the LG) poor audio and video streaming occurs on the Zoom (irrespective of the webcam video).

I can't use my LG any longer for Zoom calls that I need to present on (and of course you don't always know when you need to screenshare), I just use the MBP Intel freestanding, which is frustrating, unproductive/disruptive (disconnecting the devices multiple times a day), and not why I purchased the LG 3 years ago.

Hopefully a fix is in the works and will come soon.

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

It is an issue with the MBP 2020 Intel machines.

It is not an issue with the MBP M1 machines.

I have two of these monitors, and one machine on each. For the Intel machine, I use an external webcam.

M1 is only available on Big Sur.

My other computer with LG 5K is a MBP2020 on Catalina and the LG's webcam does NOT work on that. It works fine with the attached Logitech Pro webcam.

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".

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.

We have the Logitech Webcam Pro ($79) and it works fine with MBP 2020. Meetings all day long.

As I mentioned earlier, I also have M1 and that works fine with our other LG 5K.

Both LG 5K's are the original versions, purchase 3 1/2 years ago.

Additional information -- when a 2020 13" MBP is connected to one or multiple LG 5K displays, using the LG 5K webcam, the Zoom Video Send (fps) is choppy/poor at 1-4 fps, while Video Receive is 25 fps, even over a Gig Ethernet network. Video Send performance is so bad, the video often goes black/freezes.

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).

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.

Same issue for me as everyone else.

I was using a 2018 MBP 15 with the LG 5k Ultrafine without problem. Wanting the new keyboard and a lighter computer, I tried the 2020 MBA, but the video feed from LG was laggy. I returned the MBA thinking the lag was due to the MBA's weaker specs and bought the 2020 13" MBP. Then when I got the MBP this week the video feed from the LG to the 13" 2020 MBP is also laggy.

I have filed a report.

I reported this issue previously with my mid-2020 MBP Intel which I bought in June and promptly ditched when the late-2020 M1 came out. I bought one of the first ones, about a month ago. The webcam on my LG Ultrafine 5K monitor connected to my MBP M1 works perfectly and smoothly.

By the way, I have never been more disappointed with a piece of computer hardware than I was with that last MBP Intel with the fans that screamed incessantly, the monitor webcam bug, and 2.5 hours batter life for a 'new' machine. I gladly ditched it and gave up the difference of a trade-in to get my M1. And I have never been more happy with a piece of computer hardware than the M1. The battery lasts 8~10 hours and I've heard the fan only once in the past month - and I use Lightroom all the time. Happy customer. Good riddance to the Intel books.

I have the same issue. Been running a single LG 5K for 3 years with my 2017 13" MBP (16MB RAM). No problems with the webcam on the LG 5K.

I got a new 13" MBP (32 GB RAM) late Dec '20, Intel-based, and the integrated webcam with the 5K has been unusable, choppy/frozen performance when doing Zoom calls even over my Gig home network connection. I also sometimes have weird behavior sometimes when the MBP is connected to the LG 5K -- unexpected return to the Home screen sometimes when taking screenshots, and sometimes the MBP does not recognize the LG 5K upon reboot, and needs to be rebooted multiple times.

This is with a brand new, beefy MBP, running the latest version of Big Sur (11.1).

Hoping for a fix soon.

Really? We have a MBP2020 and LG 5K, and we are getting the choppy video as people described. We tried buying a high end logitech webcam, and now that webcam with the LG5K monitor is still providing the choppyness. I thought it was the built in webcam issue on the LG 5K, but now with an external it's still choppy. We have the right webcam selected.

I have thesame problem with my MacBook 2020 13". Restarting normally solves it, but there seems to be a structural problem.