Issue when connecting my MacBook Pro m1 13 to Dell monitor

Hello, I own a MacBook Pro M1 13 inch.

I would like to connect it to my external monitor which is Dell U2520D.

I connect it using USB C to USB C cable,

but the image that I received is not what I excepting, apparently the MacBook uses YPBPR instead of RGB (I can see it via the monitor settings).

When I connected my old MBP 2012 via DisplayPort it worked just fine, sharp and clear.


can you help me with that issue please?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Jan 20, 2021 11:02 AM

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Posted on Mar 13, 2021 8:01 AM

<< but the image that I received is not what I excepting, apparently the MacBook uses YPBPR instead of RGB >>


To get a Mac display to become active, you need the Mac to query the display, and the display to answer with its name and capabilities. Otherwise, the display will not be shown as present, and no data will be sent to the display. "No signal detected" is generated by the DISPLAY, not by the Mac.


This query is only sent at certain times:

• at startup

• at wake from sleep

• at insertion of the Mac-end of the display-cable, provided everything on that cable is ready-to-go

• on invoking Option-(Detect Display) button in Displays preferences (from another display)


Dell has a reputation for being quite sloppy about the EDID data their displays send. Since they work mainly in a the PC world, it is not an issue, because the User of the PC sets the display parameters manually.


 If your quote above is correct, it is because the Dell is telling your Mac YPBPR is its preferred protocol. Macs do not assume anything about external displays -- they rely on the supplied EDID data from the display. If it is wrong, your picture is wrong as well. This is a DEFECT in the Dell display, that DELL Should fix, but finding a person who knows what you are saying at Dell will be difficult..


Executive summary: To work-around that Dell issue, you may need to install third-party software that allows you to override the settings the Dell display is providing. SwitchResX is one such application. Displays.app is another.

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30 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 13, 2021 8:01 AM in response to dudu144

<< but the image that I received is not what I excepting, apparently the MacBook uses YPBPR instead of RGB >>


To get a Mac display to become active, you need the Mac to query the display, and the display to answer with its name and capabilities. Otherwise, the display will not be shown as present, and no data will be sent to the display. "No signal detected" is generated by the DISPLAY, not by the Mac.


This query is only sent at certain times:

• at startup

• at wake from sleep

• at insertion of the Mac-end of the display-cable, provided everything on that cable is ready-to-go

• on invoking Option-(Detect Display) button in Displays preferences (from another display)


Dell has a reputation for being quite sloppy about the EDID data their displays send. Since they work mainly in a the PC world, it is not an issue, because the User of the PC sets the display parameters manually.


 If your quote above is correct, it is because the Dell is telling your Mac YPBPR is its preferred protocol. Macs do not assume anything about external displays -- they rely on the supplied EDID data from the display. If it is wrong, your picture is wrong as well. This is a DEFECT in the Dell display, that DELL Should fix, but finding a person who knows what you are saying at Dell will be difficult..


Executive summary: To work-around that Dell issue, you may need to install third-party software that allows you to override the settings the Dell display is providing. SwitchResX is one such application. Displays.app is another.

Jan 30, 2021 5:33 PM in response to dudu144

This is an issue on pretty well every external monitor on a M1 Mac, unfortunately more people don't realize they aren't seeing RGB color format, their is a big loss of quality with this. This is an issue with the Mac OS that has yet to be addressed and hopefully will be addressed, I have bough 3 monitors and returned 2 all 3 have this issue, for colour critical work this is a big issue Apple is failing to correct. It is disappointing a new product is outputting an inferior image and for those who have wasted hours and money trying to find a monitor tat will work are left with no explanation or response to the issue from apple. Please submit feedback to apple of this issue and hope that enough people do the same.

Jan 22, 2021 3:44 PM in response to dudu144

Hi there dudu144,


It sounds like you are having video issues when using an external display with your Mac. We’d like to help however we can.


To start, follow this great resource:

Get help with video issues on external displays connected to your Mac


If this continues after reviewing that, then we would recommend reaching out to the manufacturer of the monitor to check its compatibility with your model of Mac.


Cheers!

Mar 13, 2021 11:43 AM in response to dudu144

The display sends back its name and capabilities, which are used to limit resolutions and other parameters so that the data sent by the Mac is well within the display's ability to handle without setting the resolution 'out-of-bounds' or using modes that might damage the display.


Those apps allow you to start with the display-provided limits, then extend, modify, or replace those default settings in the Mac, and use those modified settings instead of the ones the display provides.



SwitchResX display



Feb 18, 2021 9:40 AM in response to dudu144

I am having the exact same issue with a DELL U2713H.

With my MacBook Pro 2019 (intel) the display is recognized with RGB Input Color Format, but when connected to my new MacBook Air M1 it shows YPbPr as the Input Color Format.

I tried several adaptors and searched on a lot of communities without any luck.

Apple, please help.

Mar 13, 2021 7:04 AM in response to nicolaifromholstebro

Hi. Any resolution to your Dell U2713H to Mac Mini M1 issues?

How were you attempting to connect your U2713H to your Mac Mini M1?

I have spent a lot of time trying to get my Mac Mini M1 16gm/1tb to work properly with my U2713H.

I was trying to connect using HDMI, but had unreliable wake up from sleep.

I also attempted to connect using a thunderbolt to DisplayPort adapter cable, but that was even worse. Seemed to completely lock up the display after sleep.

The Dell 6000 dock that has been discussed is a more expensive solution than I would like.

Mar 24, 2021 4:45 AM in response to TeoTheHoly

I also have this issue with an M1 MacBook Air. getting YpbPr instead of RGB with a DELL U2913WM. I'm running Big Sur 11.2.3


I am using a DisplayPort to USB C cable. I have tried it direct to the air and via a CalDigit Element TB4 dock. Same issue both ways.


So can someone confirm installing DisplayLink drivers work around the issue? If so, can someone link direct to the proper download for the DisplayLink drivers? Thanks.

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Issue when connecting my MacBook Pro m1 13 to Dell monitor

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