Hello friends,
I am fortunate to have a M1 MBP, 16" w Max chip. -- The output ports are Thunderbolt 4 or HDMI.
It is desired to output from this Macbook to a 4K 120Hz TV.
QUESTION: Which output port is best (TB4 or HDMI)? Why? -- Can either output port deliver 4K, 120 Hz, please?
For this question, the connecting cable is not at issue. -- Kindest regards, Joe
HDMI 2.0, implemented in your MacBook Pro 16-in from 2021 or later can run nominal 4K at 60Hz, MAXIMUM. HDMI 2.0 can not go any faster.
HDMI 2.0 is running at the physical limit of the ability of semiconductors to switch 5 Volt signals.
The next implementation of HDMI re-assigns the signals, eliminates the data clock, changes the data encoding technique, among other things. This is not a limitation of anything except HDMI 2.0.
HDMI was invented for consumer level TV sets running at 720 Interlaced. it runs fine at 720 Progressive as well.
If you want to bad enough, you can make HDMI work at somewhat higher speeds and refresh rates using special accommodations. But it tops out short of what is expected today for high-end computer monitors.
I recommend you use ThunderBolt or DisplayPort, either of which have more bandwidth that regular HDMI up through and including HDMI 2.0 -- the signal type the Mac can produce directly.
Provided your Samsung TV can accept HDMI 2.1, there are a few adapters to HDMI 2.1 available, some of which MAY work. I do not recommend them as they get so hot they can burn your skin. That does not seem like a good choice to me.
Well, my takeaway here is clear.
HDMI is 60 Hz. Period.
Thunderbolt 4 may, but does not promise to, deliver a higher fps rate.
Thanks Grant! :-)
Hi Grant,
Thank you for a fast reply! :-)
Follow-up Question: Is this a chipset-imposed limitation (by design and never to change)
~OR~
Is this a software-imposed limitation (perhaps to be changed via update)?
Kind regards, Joe
Once you start talking about ThunderBolt, all your other questions and doubts come into play.
Thunderbolt is theoretically capable of those speeds and refresh rates.
Apple does not PROMISE you higher than 60 Hz refresh rates, but higher rates may work, and if not, it could be due to software limitations.
fps (frames per second) is slightly different from display refresh rate.
Frames per second tell how fast software (typically a high-performance game) can create a new image in display RAM.
Refresh Rate tells how fast the display Hardware can re-paint the screen, changed or not.
The human threshold of perception is about 1/6 second.
But displays that refresh slower than 60 Hz (yes, including old British TV 50Hz standard) may be seen as "flickery" and seem annoying or produce headaches. Most users can work with 60Hz refresh rates. Almost all complaints of flickering stop when refresh rates are at 75 Hz or higher.
I'm really just trying to get the Macbook's output to align with the display's capability.
It is somewhat surprising that the more expensive Apple product is weaker than the inexpensive Samsung.
Connecting Thunderbolt 4 to HDMI might help.
If there is a cable meeting this need, please do share? -- Thanks, Joe
Yes, there are a few listed on Amazon and other sources.
There are no major brands in this market, and it is truly the "Wild West". These USB-C to HDMI 2.1 adapters get so hot they will burn your skin, and no one can say with authority that this or that one actually works.
also, premium cables with anti-counterfeiting tags labeled:
"Ultra High Speed HDMI cable" or that + "48G"
... are required. You are at the limits of Digital logic's ability to switch fast enough to keep up.
Wow, Grant. -- You. Are. Awesome.
So, then is the Thunderbolt 4 output better than HDMI 2.0?? -- Can Thunderbolt 4 achieve 120Hz at 4K?
Thanks, Joe
If you have any recommendation for a Thunderbolt 4 to HDMI cable, say 10 feet long, please share?
I've got HDMI 2.1 (120 Hz) input on the TV.
Question: Does any Thunderbolt 4 to HDMI cable exist? [yes or no, please]
Thunderbolt 4 versus HDMI
