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

Thanks for this post. So before I return the LG 5K, I've been testing with my 60 day old MBA. Have tried to zoom calls and seems to be stable. It is still the 'Intel QUAD Core I7 ' processor. This is the 1st post that mentions that as a possible issue. I need a few more tests BUT I've already got my 'return label' printed at first sign of instability.

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.

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.

Same issue here with an 3 year old LG 5K and a new Intel MBP. It worked well with my old one now I'm forced to use the MBP Cam. If I would install a external webcam and connect it to the monitor would that work better? Any experiences?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Is this confirmed? Are they both on the same OS? Big Sur?

I just got a good condition used Ultrafine 5K, the older A-B version, and have this exact same problem with my 2020 MBP 13" with 4 Thunderbolt Ports. Super frustrating, slow webcam performance. I'm currently still on Catalina. I want to go to Big Sur and M1 but we're in the middle of a big project and I can't easily risk downtime.

LG Ultrafine 5K webcam and sound works fine on my MBP13 M1 on Zoom, Skype, Google. If you are on a big project, you might want to get the Logitech Webcam as a backup for $79 (but you shouldn't need it on the M1).

Right, so strictly we don't know whether it's Big Sur or the M1 MBP that is causing it to work properly, although @bradlevin seems to be saying he's upgraded to Big Sur and still has the issue? So maybe it's the M1 / firmware that fixes it, except that Apple Support doesn't think so.

Lame.

Humbly I simply am struggling to surrender to this logic pattern that loops in my brain:

Would a reasonable person within a return window of this MacBook Pro 13 2020 have diagnosed their issue, reported to LG which is the monitor, not Apples fault, even tho Apple sells it, report to Apple, get a solid answer or diagnosis, and still be able to return the MacBook in time? I just don’t think so. This issue took me 30-45 days to reasonably quarantine it. My parents wouldn’t. My friends wouldn’t.

With webcams being so important it’s just a shame. Yes, a $50 solution, but it’s not elegant. It’s not Jobs. It’s not I’ve.

It just seems so wild and niche. Also, this mix is a large capital outlay for our setups that Apple should be ok making a middle path for us in the name of their commitment to the brand.

Let’s make it a great weekend. Grateful for my health, privledge, and setup. Even with this hiccup.

Happy 2021 everybody! This thread is the gift that keeps on giving. I can also confirm the M1 MacBook Air works with the LG UltraFine 27". I picked up the base model M1 (MacBook Air (M1, 2020), 8GB, Big Sur 11.2). Zoom and FaceTime are both fine. Auto brightness is unfortunately not working with the LG (never has on any Mac). Maybe Apple can add that in the M2 chip in a few more years. It's pretty wild that a $1k Mac that costs less than an iPhone can drive the 5K LG monitor in 2021.

Just to show the lengths we must go. LOL. Here is my Webcam Setup.

Overkill - For the Win.

Having the same issue! There is another thread on this in apple support. No solution as yet. Having to use the MacBook Pro camera rather than the LG. Older 2016 MBP works perfectly well.