macbook pro 4k TV UHDTV

Based on documentation from Sharp, the PN-K321 supports 3840x2160@60Hz 8bit with any computer that supports multi-stream mode and 3840x2160@30Hz 8bit or 10bit with any computer that supports single stream mode (10bit mode requires a 10bit video card).

From everthing I've read, Thunderbolt 2 supports both single stream mode and multi-stream mode while Thunderbolt 1 supports only single stream mode.

According to the same documentation, the PN-K321 also supports 3840x2160@60Hz with any computer that supports dual HDMI mode (so, two HDMI cables between the display card and the Sharp) and 3840x2160@30Hz 8bit with single HDMI (one cable).

The diagram on page 2 of the documentation spells it out pretty well:

http://files.sharpusa.com/Downloads/ForBusiness/PresentationProducts/Professiona lLCDMonitors/Manuals/PN-K32_Recommended_video_cards.pdf

So, while someone could certainly confirm this for sure, it looks like any Mac with DisplayPort Mini or Thunderbolt 1 or HDMI will drive the display at 3840x2160@30Hz 8bit while only a Mac with Thunderbolt 2 will drive it at 3840x2160@60Hz 8bit.

It's probably no surprize that the documentation states that 60Hz is "recommended for fast moving images".

For 4K video graphics work, a DisplayPort Mini, Thunderbolt 1, HDMI machine will probably suffice as well as an UltraHD montior that supports single stream mode. A like machine and monitor may also be fine for offline 4K video editing (and almost certainly fine for offline 2K as the refresh rate goes up at 1920x1080).

For 4K video editing, a Thudnerbolt 2 machine is going to be needed along with a UltraHD monitor that supports multi-stream mode.

I'm still searching for a little more about display RAM requirements for 3840x2160, but 512Mb drives 2560 x 1440 and 2880x1800 well enough so maybe (just maybe) it might drive 3840x2160 for graphics work as well. Although from everything I've read, it seems more about the connection type than about display RAM when it comes to refresh rate.

-Warren

It's great to know that my 2012 1st-gen RMBP could support 3840x2160@30Hz, but my concern is whether I'll see any annoying screen flickering while working on photo-centric applications such as Lightroom and Photoshop.

Those of you who have seen these 4K monitors being used @30Hz, do you notice the flicker? Is it distracting? Does it tire your eyes after a while?

See my earlier post on this....I tried my 2012 1st generation rMBP with a Seiki 50" 4k TV monitor and used Adobe Lightroom 5. Only worked through the HDMI port, not the Thunderbolt port in my testing. No flicker, but driving that many pixels definitely slowed the system down...it was not snappy and responsive like it is when plugged into a 1920x1080 second monitor. Text was also unbearably small, even at 50". The fans spun up and ran on full blast the whole time I tested it. Picture was awesome and resolution was amazing though.

This doesn't sound encouraging. As much as I would appreciate the "awesome picture and amazing resolution", Lightroom is already a processor-intensive hog at times especially when I'm editing huge 36MP files on my current Dell 30". If merely plugging into a 4K monitor would spin up the fan at full blast and slow system down, I suppose I was hoping too much for my 1st gen rMBP.

If I remembered correctly, you tested with some kind of blurary clip running on the main monitor while the 4K monitor is plugged in. What happens when all apps are closed and the machine is idle? Does the 4K monitor still kick everything into high gear?

Didn't test it that thoroughly. Our desire was to use the 4k display for client presentations of images so it would probably be acceptable for that, just barely. We decided to pass for now.

If I was using it to directly work on an image for editing/retouching it wouldn't be fast enough for my tastes since the 2012 rMBP is still a screaming fast machine and being sluggish would be annoying. Fan ramp up is no biggie if you can stay plugged into AC, which I assume one would be if using a monitor...

I'm running a mid 2013 MBP with a GT 650M video chip in it and 8G ram. I've connected it to my 4K Sony without an issue through HDMI. However playback through quicktime is not smooth. About every second the video hesitates like it's dropping a frame or so.

Anyone know what it might be? Quicktime not able to handle the throughput? Something else on the system interferring? etc.

I have given up using Quicktime for playing any video, as it seems buggy with video drop outs and audio problems etc on my 2012 rMBP. I now use either VLC or more recently the built in video player on Airfoil 2, where you can customise the audio delay to either a plus or minus number.

I am thinking of replacing the elderly Sony LCD TV in my French house later this year, with a 4K TV or monitor. I don't watch any terrestrial TV but only satellite and Blu-Ray, and the sound comes through my hifi system, so a monitor might be adequate. I don't play games but I do a lot of photo work, where a large 4K monitor would be brilliant. What I am not sure of is how well monitors do upscaling, which the latest Sony 4K TV's I have seen, do brilliantly, as my satellite box (Humax) outputs in I think 1080i and my Blu Ray outputs in 1080p. If I go the TV route, I have to be able to calibrate the screen with a colorimeter (Datacolor Spyder or similar).

Wilson

The 4K sharp display does nit work with the new macpro on 60 hz!!!

Apple says they are aware of the problem and working on a solution.

Working at 30 hz gives a sometimes non controlable mouse.

It is better NOT to buy a sharp 4K screen. Wait till Apple finally solves the driver problems!!

I have the Sharp PN-K321, and since 10.9.3 it works great at 3840x2160 60Hz on DisplayPort. You have to configure DisplayPort Multi-Stream mode in the monitor menus (and the monitor then reboots) before you get the 60Hz mode.

It only works at 30Hz or below at that resolution on HDMI.

I believe that the display only supports HDMI1.4 (rather than 2.0), so this is a limitation of the display as much the MBPr. I'm not aware of the MBPr supporting HDMI 2.0, though that would have been nice now that there are affordable 4K HDMI2.0 displays (such as the Samsung UN55HU9000FXZA for $2500)

Hi there,

I would just like to give my perspective on this.

I have a retina Macbook Pro (first gen, mid 2012) and recently purchased an Asus PB287Q 4K (60hz) monitor. Despite the seemingly lack of clear information about whether this is supported (and how bearable it is), I went ahead and ordered it.

First thing's first, it's wasn't the easiest thing to get working. In my case, with a HDMI 1.4 cable directly connected to the HDMI port of the rMBP, I couldn't get anything. The rMBP's screen flicks black like it does when it connects, but it just couldn't manage it. Neither system preferences or SwitchRexX would recognise the monitor, so I couldn't get it to try 1080p instead as a starting point.

Using a Mini DisplayPort to Displayport cable (nice Apple style one) brought me the stable 3840x2160 @ 30Hz I was looking for right away. Using SwitchResX, I was able to select a selection of different resolutions (60Hz upto 1440p), or choose from a "HiDPI" setting like I am using now. To clarify, "HiDPI" resolutions 'look' like the resolution you pick in terms of scaling (the size of everything on the screen), but outputs at the largest resolution possible (4K) with clear text (not really small, but not blurry either).

So a MiniDP to DP cable (passive) would be the best option for you if you own a 2012 rMBP like me, however my struggles come in a different form.

I also have a gaming machine (windows) with a R9 280X, so I wanted the Display Port input of the monitor for the 60Hz I could get for games. This meant that I needed the output to the monitor from the rMBP to be HDMI. I was back to square one.

After ordering 2 different Thunderbolt to HDMI 1.4 adaptors from Amazon (the first one didn't work at all and the second wouldn't do 4K), I finally buckled and bought the expensive Belkin one from the Apple Store. It worked! 4K @ 30Hz though my Thunderbolt port to the HDMI port on my monitor.

One last thing, it's not perfect running 4K on a Macbook that doesn't officially support it. Sometimes the Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter makes the screen flicker on and off, but a simple unplug and plug it back in once or twice makes it happy again, and works fine for a long time. To my knowledge, the MiniDP to DP cable didn't do this.

So there you go, my experience with 4K @ 30Hz. It looks great, but slightly laggy here and there, but overall an amazing investment over 1080p.

Hi M.stratford,your sharing was really really helpful. Thanks.

Can you please tell me what's the refresh frequency (30hz or 60 hz) using a display port to mini display port on the macbook pro retina mid 2012, if a lower resolution than 4k is set (on your 4k monitor), for instance 2560x1440. Thank you very much for your answer.