Samsung M8 M80 Monitor brightness & sound via keyboard

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Samsung M8 M80 Monitor brightness & sound via keyboard

have read a number of messages about folks having a lot of problems gettting their New Samsung M8 (M80) "Smart Monitor" working with a new MAC Mini M2 Pro keyboard sound & brightness keys.

After days of downloading various apps I found a workaround. I have a Samsung M80B 32" 4K display and a Mac Mini M2 Pro. Love the monitor especially for the likely price error $299 brand new Walmart was selling it for last month (now it's back to $499). In any case, what I did was:

To get BRIGHTNESS control from keyboard functioning the BetterDisplay app works. Make sure you get a 2.x version not the 1.x versions.

To get VOLUME control from keyboard the eqMAC apps works. Make sure you download V2.04 not 2.05 (or later or earlier) and that works for me.

I changed NO settings, just loaded them both.

With both apps running I can now control both brightness and volume from my keyboard. Working with all the currently available MACOS versions I have tried.

BetterDisplay app is supposed to control both but I can't get it to do that, If you can figure it out to use a single app please let me know!

Mac mini (M2 Pro, 2023)

Posted on Aug 11, 2023 8:57 AM

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Answer 1

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MisterEdF Author

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106 points

Aug 11, 2023 6:39 PM in response to MisterEdF

This ia a CORRECTION TO MY OP (I can't edit it any longer). The 2 apps that are working for me are:

eqMAC (**ANY** version)

and

BetterDisplay **ONLY** Version 2.04. Using the FREE version after trial ran out. Version 1.xx or 2.05 are NOT working for me.

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Answer 2

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,731 points

Aug 11, 2023 1:05 PM in response to MisterEdF

In the monitor menu you need to be sure DDC (Display Data Channel) is turned on.

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Answer 3

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,731 points

Aug 11, 2023 1:05 PM in response to MisterEdF

You can also use the free app MonitorControl that will let both brightness and volume keys work with your monitor all in one app.

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Answer 4

MisterEdF Author

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Aug 11, 2023 1:25 PM in response to MisterEdF

Replying to myself here, I believe I read somewhere, this monitor does not support DDC.

actually, I wrote to one of the authors of another program I tried that did not work, and he told me that.

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Answer 5

Jun 2, 2024 11:56 PM in response to MisterEdF

I used DisplayBuddy and connected to my Samsung M8 via Samsung Smart Control. It worked for me nicely.

[Edited by Moderator]

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Answer 6

MisterEdF Author

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Aug 11, 2023 1:05 PM in response to tbirdvet

Hmmmm, just tried it again. DDC is greyed out and can't be selected. Brightness works not volume. Volume does show the bar going up/down from keyboard but no sound change.

Am I missing something to enable the DDC setting?

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Answer 7

MisterEdF Author

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106 points

Aug 11, 2023 6:35 PM in response to tbirdvet

I saw those messages you refer to as well a few weeks ago and was told by another app support dept from another (I don't remember which) app that's why it doesn't work I thought you were actually using this monitor with MonitorControl and had it working. LOL, you got my hopes up. :). Guess I'll stick with the "2 app solution" which at least works.

Oh well. I also need to correct my OP as I listed the wrong APP versions that are working.

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Answer 8

MisterEdF Author

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Aug 11, 2023 1:05 PM in response to tbirdvet

Unfortunately it didn’t for me. ☹️

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Answer 9

MisterEdF Author

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Aug 11, 2023 2:14 PM in response to MisterEdF

And again talking to myself: then why does eqMac control volume but nothing else does??

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Answer 10

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,731 points

Aug 11, 2023 4:49 PM in response to MisterEdF

You need to be sure it is turned on in the Samsung menu then try the Monitor control menu. Most new monitors support but if you verified that it does not then the app will not work.

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Answer 11

MisterEdF Author

Level 1

106 points

Aug 11, 2023 4:50 PM in response to tbirdvet

Hmmm. Thought I had checked all the monitor menu options and don’t remember seeing that. I’ll check later tonight however why does eqMac control audio through the keyboard?

Thanks for your help.

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