3 4K HDTV on 2013 Mac Pro...How?

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Space Ranger Author

Level 1

75 points

3 4K HDTV on 2013 Mac Pro...How?

We have a 2013 Mac Pro with 6 4K Samsung HDTVs and are trying to connect the 3 4K screens to them

heres how they are laid out

Mac Pro

TV-1 -> HDMI to HDMI Thunderbolt Bus 0

TV-2 -> HDMI to Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter Thunderbolt Bus 1

TV-3 -> HDMI to Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter Thunderbolt Bus 2

Only 2 show up at a time but according to Apple's article there are two pieces of unknown information im trying to sort out (Use multiple displays with your Mac Pro (Late 2013) - Apple Support)

Three 4K displays: two connected via Mini DisplayPort and one connected via HDMI.

and

Two HDMI (HD or 4K) devices: one connected via HDMI and one connected via Mini DisplayPort with an HDMI adapter.

Does the first one mean that 2 of the 4K screens have to be NATIVE DISPLAY PORT? or are they going through HDMI to DISPLAYPORT?

IF thats the case, it could explain why our set up is not working.

2nd Part

Now if these screens were replaced with 1080p HDMI to Mini DisplayPort would that also work instead (hooking 3 - 6 up?)

Thank you

Posted on Nov 23, 2015 3:26 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 23, 2015 5:56 PM in response to Space Ranger

Displays beyond the second one that use "legacy" connections (read: anything other than Mini DisplayPort) requires the use of ACTIVE adapters (because they use powered electronics) that typically cost about US$40.

If you choose to use the built-in HDMI, that counts as one.

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Answer 2

Space Ranger Author

Level 1

75 points

Nov 23, 2015 9:22 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

So with that being said 2x Active HDMI 4K HDMI to Mini DisplayPort adapters + an HDMI connection should work?

because the article states 3x 4K displays with HDMI + Mini DisplayPort - but does not specify adapter or not.

where below that it says 2x 4K HDMI devices with Mini DisplayPort adapters.

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Nov 24, 2015 1:15 AM in response to Space Ranger

For only three HDMI-connected monitors yo only need one active adopter. Note that you need mini displayport>HDMI adopters that support 4K. Only good/more expensive one do. The run-of-the mill adopters only support max of 1080p.

Use more than one 4K Ultra HD TV

You can connect a 4K Ultra HD TV to the HDMI port, and a 4K Ultra HD TV to a Thunderbolt port. Use an HDMI adapter that conforms to the High Speed HDMI cable standard. Check with the manufacturer of the cable to determine if it supports this standard. Don't use Thunderbolt Bus 0 to connect this additional device if you've already connected a 4K Ultra HD TV to the HDMI port.

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Answer 4

Space Ranger Author

Level 1

75 points

Nov 24, 2015 8:16 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks.

The thing is we don't need them to necessarily be 4K, 1080p would be fine. but only 2 of the 3 Displays work. these adapters give us the 4K resolution on both displays.

So not entirely sure if apple in their articles are referring to 3 4K screens natively through DisplayPort since its quite ambiguous or if HDMI to MiniDP adapters are suspect and Ive known Mac has been quite problematic with HDMI anyway.

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Answer 5

Nov 24, 2015 8:25 AM in response to Space Ranger

There is not enough POWER available to run external converters for more than TWO non-Mini DisplayPort displays.

This has been true for AMD/ATI graphics chips since the first Silver Tower Mac Pros.

Those Apple articles are written and reviewed by mathematical thinkers. You should take them at face value, and not try to read ANYTHING into them.

As you said, each of your displays works by itself, and up to two can work at once.

Get the recommended ACTIVE adapter for one or more of them and stop over-thinking this.

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Answer 6

Space Ranger Author

Level 1

75 points

Nov 24, 2015 8:39 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

LOL dont patronize me.

Their articles are vague and ambiguous.

They are obviously ACTIVE adapters as they run the full 4K resolution.

The fact remains apple does NOT clarify if 3 4K displays regardless of resolution can work with adapters or if they HAVE TO BE DISPLAYPORT on the monitor end to miniDP or if they can be HDMI to HDMI-miniDP adapters

no article articulates or demonstrates this tiny piece of information.

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Answer 7

Nov 24, 2015 8:55 AM in response to Space Ranger

anything not specified is not guaranteed to work in every case.

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Answer 8

Space Ranger Author

Level 1

75 points

Jan 28, 2016 11:32 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

do you post just to get points or is there anything useful you'd like to contribute?

Because by that logic then nothing will work since nothing is specified by Apple.

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