Macbook 16inch 2019 and monitor resolution issues

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Level 1

5 points

Macbook 16inch 2019 and monitor resolution issues

Hi,

Wanneer ik een nieuwe MacBook Pro 16inch via USB-c koppel aan een LG 32UD99-W - 4K IPS HDR Monitor, krijg ik een resolutie van maximum 1024x768: heel grote pictogrammen en onscherp beeld. Dit is dus ook niet hetgeen de monitor als 'recommended' resolutie ziet. Mijn 'oude' 15inch MacBook Pro uit 2017 heeft geen enkel probleem met de monitor en haalt een maximumresolutie van 4K, zonder moeilijkheden, extra instellingen of third party software . Ik nam exact dezelfde instellingen over maar het probleem blijft dat ik bij de 15 inch vele hoge resoluties kan kiezen en de 16inch maximaal heel laag zit, terwijl deze veel krachtiger is...

Waaraan kan dit liggen? Kan dit liggen aan de 60 Hz scherm refresh rate van de Macbook uit 2019? Want de monitor kan weldegelijk 60 Hz aan ...

Hoe kan dit worden opgelost? Ik zie totaal geen reden waarom hier een probleem zou kunnen zijn...

Alvast bedankt,

Catherine

MacBook

Posted on Dec 19, 2020 6:07 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 19, 2020 9:13 AM in response to catherine_dn

There is a very important difference between your two computers. The amount data required to paint the screen at maximum resolution increased by almost half-again as much:

2017:

this model supports a maximum resolution up to 4096x2304 at 60 Hz at millions of colors

2019:

this model supports a maximum resolution up to 6016x3384 at 60 Hz at over a billion colors

--------

We have been seeing a reluctance of the newer Macs to activate their outputs if the display cables are not PERFECT. (the display tells them if there were any transmit errors).

Consider purchasing the top-of-the line "5K"-rated USB-C or DisplayPort cable form the Apple store, and try it instead your "default" cable:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HLR62ZM/A/moshi-usb-c-to-displayport-cable?fnode=3647648b08291e5a89957b64030f77cb276801ed04e2f17943ceb9be3c8fa6b804120d125881e7e0d08e093e7ceafb2a696292abaefd074a5eafc6b738f08434c8f76cfb5850a0cdd0144b1154cbd768445b1e37d2ee057458a90faeb35147aa93556d9b5e13116611572d94691451e7

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HN882ZM/A/mophie-usb-c-cable-with-usb-c-connector-2-m?fnode=3647648b08291e5a89957b64030f77cb276801ed04e2f17943ceb9be3c8fa6b804120d125881e7e0d08e093e7ceafb2a696292abaefd074a5eafc6b738f08434c8f76cfb5850a0cdd0144b1154cbd768445b1e37d2ee057458a90faeb35147aa93556d9b5e13116611572d94691451e7

.

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Answer 2

Dec 19, 2020 8:48 AM in response to catherine_dn

Then the cable should not be an issue.

I wanted to be sure you were not trying to use the USB-C cable that came with the MAC, which can only be used for Charging, because it has no high-speed data pathways.

I also wanted to be sure you were not "Just using a Hub" and not mentioning that. Use of Hubs has been a MAJOR impediment to progress. There are MANY issues surrounding Hubs..

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Answer 3

Dec 19, 2020 6:45 AM in response to catherine_dn

EXACTLY what cables and adapters are you using to make the connection between the computer and the display?

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Answer 4

Dec 19, 2020 6:46 AM in response to catherine_dn

Apple Support Communities also offers the following language-specific sites:

Apple Support Communities - Chinese

Apple Support Communities - French

Apple Support Communities - German

Apple Support Communities - Japanese

Apple Support Communities - Korean

Apple Support Communities - Portuguese

Apple Support Communities - Spanish

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Answer 5

catherine_dn Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 19, 2020 8:05 AM in response to catherine_dn

Hi,

When I connect a new MacBook Pro 16inch via USB-C to an LG 32UD99-W - 4K IPS HDR Monitor, I get a resolution of maximum 1024x768: very large icons and blurry image. This is therefore not what the monitor sees as a 'recommended' resolution. My 'old' 15 inch MacBook Pro from 2017 has no problem with the monitor and achieves a maximum resolution of 4K, without difficulties, additional settings or third party software. I took over exactly the same settings, but the problem remains that I can choose many high resolutions with the 15 inch and the 16 inch is very low at most, while it is much more powerful ...

How could this be? Could this be due to the 60 Hz screen refresh rate of the Macbook from 2019? Because the monitor can handle 60 Hz ...

How can this be resolved? I see absolutely no reason why there could be a problem here ...

Thanks in advance,

Catherine

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Answer 6

catherine_dn Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 19, 2020 9:40 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for the detailed comparison of the two computers!

The Mophie USB-C Cable with USB-C Connector (2 m), I already bought a year ago. The monitor doesn't get a signal with this cable.

I'm wondering if it is going to be a display to usb-c cable, I lose the advantages of usb-c to usb-c: charging the computer and having just one cable to connect multiple inputs? This is why I bought the monitor and the laptop in the first place: having one usb-c cable to connect everything to the Macbook. Never had problems doing this with the 17inch.

So I look for a usb-c to usb-c cable with the highest possible resolution?

Maybe indeed this could work!

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Answer 7

catherine_dn Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 19, 2020 1:38 PM in response to catherine_dn

Well, that didn't last long.

Closed the macbook: no problem, screen kept 4k and acted normal.

Opened it again: also no problem.

Pulled the usb-c out: no problem on both screens, no bugs or glitches.

Put the usb-c back in to see if it is fixed somehow: does not work, same issues as before.

What is this....

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Answer 8

catherine_dn Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 19, 2020 8:53 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

No indeed, just the cable of the monitor!

I already tried all the tips on apple support (like SMC, NVRAM or PRAM, safe mode) but none of those worked.

I contacted LG about this issue but I would be surprised if this would be an issue of the monitor... then the 15inch wouldn't work either...

thanks for helping!

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Answer 9

catherine_dn Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 19, 2020 1:31 PM in response to catherine_dn

Ok so out of miserableness and due to the struggles having confidence in this machine, I tried to connect the monitor with a HDMI cable (that came with the monitor) through a HDMI to usb-c dongle. HDMI works as expected and characteristics are there as usual (color, sharpness.. in comparison with usb-c connection). Then, I again plugged the usb-c cable in the Macbook (the one related to this issue) and guess what: it works. So it is not the cable that isn't strong enough I assume by this...? And also nothing wrong with the monitor itself. I pulled the HDMI out of the computer and there was my normal monitor screen, 4K as usual with the usb-c: nice color and sharpness. Exactly how it supposed to look like and work.

So for now it magically works, I'm wondering if it is from now on a one time issue.

What kind of bug is this? Would it be software or is it the computer itself? I'm really confused...

I don't know if this is known or if anyone has the same problems.

Kind regards,

Catherine

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Answer 10

catherine_dn Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 19, 2020 1:46 PM in response to catherine_dn

As last comment. The steps I previously did with the HDMI cable worked again.... Just to let someone reading this know this information... this weird methode works somehow.

Is it a bug or just being unlucky with this computer.

I don't know.

Catherine

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Answer 11

Dec 20, 2020 8:15 PM in response to catherine_dn

I am also having the exact same issue. I also have MBP 16 inches (2019) and LG 32UD99 monitor. It works fine with the HDMI cable but the USB-C cable is not working. It all started after updating at the recent software update of Big Sur. I hope there is a fix for it!

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