Mac Mini to LG 5K via hdmi to usb c

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Level 1

8 points

Mac Mini to LG 5K via hdmi to usb c

Connecting this way = absolutely nothing but connected via usb c it works but I really needed to connect drives to the usb c ports, any help or advice much appreciated Thanks for looking.

Posted on Jan 8, 2021 10:11 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Malcolm J. Rayfield

Level 7

23,155 points

Jan 9, 2021 12:27 AM in response to TedHSauchie

If you are trying to use the Mac mini's HDMI port, you must be using a Thunderbolt-3/USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable from the display. Those adapters and cables are for connecting HDMI displays to Thunderbolt 3/USB-C computer ports, and will not work in the other direction. Even if it did work, the Mac mini can't support a 5K display from its HDMI port.

Connect the display, using its Thunderbolt 3. cable, to one of the computer's Thunderbolt ports. You can use the USB-C ports on the back of the display for more disk drives, or you can connect a USB-C hub, or Thunderbolt 3 dock with USB-C ports, to the second Mac mini Thunderbolt port.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

95,686 points

Jan 8, 2021 11:24 AM in response to TedHSauchie

What year model and version is your Mac Mini?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201894

The 2018/2020 Intel version has 4 USB-C ports for 2 displays and more external devices.

The 2020 M1 version only has 2 USB-C ports for 1 display and less external devices.

If you have the M1, then you will need to connect the 5K to one USB-C port and use a USB-C Hub for the external drives or push an external drive or 2 over to the USB 3.0 ports.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

95,686 points

Jan 8, 2021 6:10 PM in response to TedHSauchie

Yes you can, but the HDMI port only supports 4K at 60Hz.

see Video Support, at > https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/specs/

Video Support

Simultaneously supports up to two displays:

One display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt and one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0

Thunderbolt 3 digital video output supports

Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
Thunderbolt 2, DVI, and VGA output supported using adapters (sold separately)

HDMI 2.0 display video output

Support for one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz
DVI output using HDMI to DVI Adapter (sold separately)

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Plus what kind of external drives do you have?

The USB 3.0 ports are plenty fast enough for SATA Hard Drives and SATA SSDs.

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Answer 4

TedHSauchie Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 8, 2021 8:23 PM in response to den.thed

I am using apple connectors and good hdmi cables I’ve tried a few

i can’t even reset as it doesn’t recognise my keyboard even tho it’s an apple magic keyboard, fn 1 to 19 nope, command r to reset nope and on the verge of re boxing after 12 hours unboxed

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Answer 5

TedHSauchie Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 8, 2021 8:27 PM in response to den.thed

After spending many thousands of pounds on Apple iMacs, iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches including peripherals both for Myself and usually mirroring what I bought for Magz to have the same, Apple have finally made me think about a return to a Windows or Android driven set of devices.

Bought a Mac Mini as a back up to Mac Book Pro 2017 15 which was using my LG 5k for a display, great I thought but only until I tried to use my Magic Keyboard G2, qwerty is fine but other functions just ain't happening F1 thru F19 nope nowhere near where they should be, so, I'll start again and if you see a load of Apple gear for sale on my page you'll know that starting again didn't work, apart from the mini that'll go straight back if it doesn't fix. Oh and I forgot the HDMI port is apparently just for show as it doesn't display a screen leave it blank then ! I posted this on my media page

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