Hey! I use Macbook Pro 14" M2 Pro with a monitor Samsung Odyssey G7 28" 4K 144Hz. My external monitor keeps blacking out for around 2-5 seconds every 3-10 minutes. I use HDMI to HDMI cable, and the cable's condition is good. My MacBook is connected to a power supply and doesn't matter if the lid is closed or open, the external monitors keeps blacking out. With my Windows Laptop the problem has never occurred.
MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.3
that Samsung Odyssey G7 28" 4K appear to be:
3,840 x 2,160 resolution with High Dynamic Range - billion of colors, 10-bits/color
interfaces include:
HDMi 2.1 x2
Displayport 1.4
there are a number of potential weak points in that connection.
Your M2 MacBook Pro with PRO processor CAN use HDMI 2.1 to attain high resolutions, but only under certain conditions.
'Cables in good condition' is good, but there are many types of HDMI cables, and the standard bodies have been AWFUL about making clear what is required.
To make this connection, you MUST be using an HDMI 2.1 Certified cable, labeled ULTRA. (backward-compatible with older versions). Cables should short, around one meter is preferred but not required.
if you use an older PREMIUM cable, you can just make 4K at 60 Hz with HDR=OFF (8 bits/color). with HDR on, 50 Hz is the best that can be expected to be reliable, with compromising colors.
With the correct ULTRA cable, 144 Hz refresh rates are attainable and should be stable.
that Samsung Odyssey G7 28" 4K appear to be:
3,840 x 2,160 resolution with High Dynamic Range - billion of colors, 10-bits/color
interfaces include:
HDMi 2.1 x2
Displayport 1.4
there are a number of potential weak points in that connection.
Your M2 MacBook Pro with PRO processor CAN use HDMI 2.1 to attain high resolutions, but only under certain conditions.
'Cables in good condition' is good, but there are many types of HDMI cables, and the standard bodies have been AWFUL about making clear what is required.
To make this connection, you MUST be using an HDMI 2.1 Certified cable, labeled ULTRA. (backward-compatible with older versions). Cables should short, around one meter is preferred but not required.
if you use an older PREMIUM cable, you can just make 4K at 60 Hz with HDR=OFF (8 bits/color). with HDR on, 50 Hz is the best that can be expected to be reliable, with compromising colors.
With the correct ULTRA cable, 144 Hz refresh rates are attainable and should be stable.
When my MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019 was connected via an Apple HDMI adapter to my Dell U-Series 38" 4K UHD 1600p Ultra Wide Screen LED-lit monitor (U3818DW), I had very annoying intermittent black screens on the Dell. I removed all of the HDMI variables and connected the MBP and the Dell monitor with a USB-C cable instead. That solved the problem instantly, and the setup has been rock solid since.
It says "High Speed HDMI Cable" on my HDMI cable. it's probably either 1.4 or 2.0. I think you're right. This might be causing it. I was just confused why it worked perfectly with my Windows laptop. Thank you
That adapter supports HDMI 2.0, only.
Any step above its maximum 4K at 60 Hz with HDR=OFF requires a MUCH more trouble-prone third-party adapter supporting HDMI 2.1, which uses a completely different signaling method and completely different ULTRA cables. These adapter also tend to get really HOT and burn out.
Faster refresh rates or HDR=ON required?
NO adapters recommended, but Macs after M2 and 2023 model years support it from their built-in HDMI ports.
<< I was just confused why it worked perfectly with my Windows laptop. >>
the Windows standard is... if it looks good enough to you, then it is!
The Apple standard for its built-in hardware-accelerated displays, makes them suitable for full-motion video for production/display of cinema-quality video with NO dropped frames, and NO dropouts or partial-blank scan lines due to memory under-runs or other issues. This requires a hardware rasterizer/display-generator for each fully-accelerated display, supported by Huge memory bandwidth to refresh each display 60 or more times a second.
Thanks, Grant. I bought Apple's OEM USB-C to HDMI adapter. It's still available with no noted caveats, and it did work flawlessly for years. It started to fail earlier this year, which prompted the switch to the direct USB-C connection. USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter - Apple
Apple does not recommend the use of ANY adapters/converter TO high-end HDMI.
They are failure prone and troublesome.
external monitor keeps blacking out
