Samsung Ultra HDTV to Mac Pro Late 2013 6 Core D500

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Level 2

441 points

Samsung Ultra HDTV to Mac Pro Late 2013 6 Core D500

I've exhausted my research trying to find the best way to connect my new Samsung Ultra HDTV 4k monitor to my new Mac Pro 6 Core Late 2013 D500 running OSX 10.9.5 (13F34). I have tried two ways so far with the same results.

First was HDMI to HDMI I get some ridiculous 7680 x 4050. I could barely make out the text because it was so small and it didn't fit the screen so it was hard to use the menu functions. Next I was able to scale it down to the next level of 3840 x 2025 and that was much improved, but the desktop program still doesn't fit the screen. I think HDMI this route is limited to 30Hz as well and I wanted to get near 60Hz. I'm not sure where I would find this information or if I need a 3rd party software to figure that out. I am also getting no sound transfer.

Next I connected from Thunderbolt port using Mini Display Adapter to HDMI. I plugged the HDMI into the DVI port on the back of the TV and it cuts out every 15 seconds or so, but if connected to the main HDMI port it stays on with no issues. I get the same resolution parameter options in the Display Configuration page and it seems very limited for such a high end graphics computer. I get 5 choices in resolution and the top two don't allow desktop to fit screen again. I don't see any improvement in quality over the HDMI to HDMI. In Youtube I only get 720p resolution choice at the high end when viewing 4k material.

I also have a new PC with the new i7 5960x 3.0 Ghz and Geforce GXP 760 that runs this screen at full 4k using HDMI to HDMI and I get sound as well to the monitor. The desktop fits perfectly on the screen without any need to adjust. On the Mac Pro there is no sound transferred.

Anyone have a workaround yet for the newer Mac Pros and Ultra HDTV monitors to display 4k?

Thanks

Allen

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), Late 2013 6 Core 3.5Ghz D500

Posted on Sep 21, 2014 7:43 AM

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Answer 1

Allen Hallada Author

Level 2

441 points

Sep 21, 2014 7:45 AM in response to Allen Hallada

I should mention too that the PC is able to stream 4k material from Youtube and it looks amazing!

Apple is there a fix yet for this on the Mac Pro?

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Answer 2

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Sep 21, 2014 7:48 AM in response to Allen Hallada

Have you read these:

Mac Pro (Late 2013): Using multiple displays

Using 4K displays and Ultra HD TVs with Mac computers

I do not think the nMP support the HDMI version necessary for 60 Hz@4K

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Answer 3

Allen Hallada Author

Level 2

441 points

Sep 22, 2014 8:00 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks for the reply IIIaass.

I have read those links but it really doesn't address the big issue. We have more than enough fire power with these dual video cards in the MP to run 4k at 60Hz. It's just a matter of Apple coming out with software and firmware to support it. Why the limitation of 4k monitors? Samsung is outselling everyone in the 4k department now with the newest 55-65" curved 4k monitors. How hard is it to support these monitors on the highest end Mac made? I have a $2400 PC that runs the same 4k monitor perfectly at 4k with Nvidia accelerator software.

1. We need HDMI 2.0 firmware release

2. We need better software support for 4k monitors

Allen

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Answer 4

Allen Hallada Author

Level 2

441 points

Sep 23, 2014 11:17 AM in response to Allen Hallada

Ok folks we have a fix! I'm on OSX 10.9.5.

Just finished working with Apple Tech support senior manager and here is what we found. We connected with HDMI to HDMI for starters. Then went into Display settings. While there are two options for Best for Screen or Scaled, you can get more options by holding down on the option button while selecting the Scaling option. Select the 3840x2025 option. Then you have to go into your Samsung remote menu / picture/picture size/ and choose screen fit.

Now when you are in Youtube there are some other crazies to deal with. When using Safari I was only able to scale 720p resolution. Using Chrome I get full 4k resolution on most true 4k videos. I think there are plugins available for Safari that need to be installed to get higher resolutions. Anyone know?

But it streams most 4k material now and it looks amazing!

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Answer 5

Allen Hallada Author

Level 2

441 points

Sep 23, 2014 11:53 AM in response to Allen Hallada

Installed newest Adobe Flash plugin for Safari and it streams all 4k content perfectly now. Wow!

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Answer 6

Nov 7, 2014 8:00 PM in response to Allen Hallada

I could not get hdmi to work but I can stream from the mac to the samsung curve 4k. I used vuze plus bittorrent for streaming my torrents. But I am sure there are other options. Once i connect to the application vuze I then go to source on tv and it appears in the same as all hdmi inputs. Hope that was helpful.

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Answer 7

wisep02

Level 1

0 points

Dec 4, 2014 4:50 AM in response to Allen Hallada

This is NOT a fix. At best, it is an imperfect workaround. When connecting my Samsung 4k HU8550 TV to my late 2013 Macbook pro, it is detected as a 7680 by 4050 display (see the screenshot below). Not only is the resolution wrong--the 4K TV is being detected as an 8K one--but so, too, is the aspect ratio--the TV is 16:9 but is being detected as 16:10.

This is very disappointing, and it seems that in the months since this issue was broached, no progress has been made on this front...

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Answer 8

Dec 8, 2014 9:29 AM in response to Allen Hallada

I too have the exact problem. I had found all the "FIXES" you mentioned already. (Scaled, Screen Fit, etc)

I use EXACTLY the same Mac Pro 2013 unit with a Samsung UHD8550 55" 4K unit. It's really not the correct fix- it is a work around MAINLY BECAUSE the monitor is being seen as a 8K monitor.

I wonder why did Apple suggest that you use just the HDMI port and not the Displayport to HDMI converter?

Also DID YOU GET SOUND WORKING?

I have not gotten the sound using EITHER connection.

In fact the sound volume section is greyed out once you choose SAMSUNG as your speakers.

Anything new would help, I'll keep working at it as well

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Answer 9

JoanneDe

Level 1

0 points

Dec 8, 2014 11:00 AM in response to Allen Hallada

I can't get my tv to connect to my mac at all but it worked last week! Now all I'm getting is no signal on my tv.

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Answer 10

Dec 16, 2014 5:42 PM in response to Allen Hallada

Allen,

I have the exact setup you have and I too have it working, although it's not perfect because it's seeing an 8K monitor too.

I wondered if you have the sound working through the TV speakers or Receiver if you use one.? I'm ONLY able to get the sound through the MacPro built in sound. The "SAMSUNG" choice is there but does nothing and the slider sound volume is then greyed out.

Also are you using the HDMI port or a DisplayPort to HDMI 4K adapter.

Please advise.

Dave

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Answer 11

Allen Hallada Author

Level 2

441 points

Dec 16, 2014 5:55 PM in response to AppleUser8655

I connected it both ways but found the HDMI to HDMI to give the best connection sound wise. I get good sound through the TV speakers this route. I wasn't able to get 60hz using the Mini Display to HDMI route or HDMI to HDMI and I used that ResX program too. When working with tech support they recommended the HDMI to HDMI route and that was a senior tech support agent. It works fine for now, but when streaming 4k video it can get choppy at times. I'm hoping for a workaround as more 4k content becomes available.

If anyone has there Samsung 4k Ultra HD TV working with their Mac Pro Late 2013 using 60hz / 4k resolution let me know how you did it.

Allen

Edited: I just downloaded a new version of SwitchResX 4.5 and now it's working at 4k/60hz. 🙂

Good timing!

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Answer 12

Dec 17, 2014 9:00 AM in response to Allen Hallada

If you could answer how you did it. I have yet to be able to get 4k/60hz from macpro 2013 D500's to

a Vizio 55 inch 4 k tv. I have tried with a hdmi to hdmi connection as well as mini dp to hdmi and

does not work. Of course apple and vizio says it should work and apple blames vizio and of couse

vice versa.

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Answer 13

Dec 28, 2014 7:59 PM in response to Allen Hallada

Can you please let us know how you did this. I just got SwitchresX 4.5 and trying to get 60z to work and coming up short.

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Answer 14

Dec 29, 2014 1:05 PM in response to Joemontalto

You need this cable to support 60 HZ

Accell B143B-007J UltraAV Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort 1.2 Cable with Latch, White, 6.6-Feet

Then you need to use switchresx to control the resolution.

You also have to plug it into a thunderbolt controller not being used by a different monitor.

I have been playing with it for about a week and it seems fairly stable, but have had some sleep issues. It supports 4k but I used 2240x1440 or something like that so my poor eyes can read the text.

I have d300 and they might be more stable.

Russ

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Answer 15

Dec 29, 2014 1:06 PM in response to Joemontalto

From my research the cable makes a difference I could not get 60z with the display port to hdmi adaptor, on 30HZ

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