4k monitor not detecting using Display Port.

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4k monitor not detecting using Display Port.

I bought a Samsung 4k UHD 28” Monitor (U28D590D) to use as an external monitor with my Mac Book Air mid 2013. The monitor supports 3840 X 2160 resolution and the output on my Mac Book Air is supposed to support 2560 x 1440. If I connect using a Mini Display to HDMI connector the monitor connects straight away but the max resolution outputted by the Mac Air is 1920x1080 so half what the monitor can handle.

If I use a Mini Display to Display Port connector the mac screen flickers like it is connecting to a monitor (as it does when connecting with HDMI) but then nothing happens. The monitor doesn't come on, it says on the screen "No Signal" and the mac doesn't shows as being connected to a monitor.

All cables and connectors where bought from the mac store. Hardware is a Mac Book Air Mid 2013, running Yosemite and the monitor is a Samsung 4k UHB Monitor (U28D590D).

Can anyone please help me!!

a) How do I get the full resolution that the Mac Book Air can handle (2560x1440) onto the monitor.

b) Why does Mini Display to Display port not work?

I was up until 3am yesterday trying to work this out researching online and I can't figure out why i'm only getting 1920x1080 using the hdmi cable and the display port won't work. Please please please help.

Posted on Jan 16, 2015 4:52 AM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jan 16, 2015 5:30 AM in response to David Newsum

If you examine this Apple support article, you will notice there is no mention of a MBA being able to support 4k monitors:

support.apple.com/en-us/HT202856

Ciao.

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Answer 2

David Newsum Author

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Jan 16, 2015 5:39 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thank you for your response.

I don't expect the Mac Air to output to full 4k as I know it can't but should it not output to 2560x1440 as per the max resolution listed in the apple documentation rather than just 1920x1080 that its currently outputting?

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Answer 3

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Jan 16, 2015 5:46 AM in response to David Newsum

David Newsum wrote:

All cables and connectors where bought from the mac store. Hardware is a Mac Book Air Mid 2013, running Yosemite and the monitor is a Samsung 4k UHB Monitor (U28D590D).

Can anyone please help me!!

a) How do I get the full resolution that the Mac Book Air can handle (2560x1440) onto the monitor.

b) Why does Mini Display to Display port not work?

a) You cannot. You are lucky it works at any resolution as the MBA does not support 4K monitors.

b) It does not work with any monitor or it does not work with this 4K monitor?

The Samsung monitor is not listed as supported.

2560x1440 is not listed as supported.

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Answer 4

David Newsum Author

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Jan 16, 2015 6:03 AM in response to Chris CA

Thank you for your reply.

The plan is to get a new Mac Book Pro very soon, i'm believe they support 4k monitors, Do they support all 4k monitors or only specific ones?

I've not had experience with monitors before and I thought they were all much the same, i.e. you plug them in and apart from the specs (max res, max refresh rate, number of colours etc) the actual way they connect is universal like a TV. Does this mean that if the Samsung monitor is not supported, if i get a Mac Book Pro it will still not display at 4k even though the Mac Book Pro supports 4k output? Do I have to get a specific monitor? Please excuse my ignorance on this as i say I've never used an external monitor before on my laptop and expected to get 2560x1440 as the max output. Thanks

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Answer 5

David Newsum Author

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Jan 16, 2015 6:07 AM in response to Chris CA

On and in response to your last question... I've only got one monitor and haven't been able to test the display port with another monitor. All the ones at my work are using VGA so can't try it there.

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Answer 6

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Jan 16, 2015 6:10 AM in response to David Newsum

All 4K monitors/TVs should work using HDMI @

3840 x 2160 at 30 Hz refresh rate
4096 x 2160 at 24 Hz refresh rate

The specific monitors listed on that page are Displayport monitors (using the Displayport output on teh Mac, not HDMI).

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Answer 7

David Newsum Author

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Jan 18, 2015 3:01 AM in response to Chris CA

Hey

Thank you for clearing that up for me. You've saved me a lot of time. Many thanks, I just assumed using hdmi the mac air would send out it's full resolution of 2560x1440 but evidently not... looks like i'll need to go buy a MBP.

Thanks again guys.

David

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