External Monitor only up to 720p using HDMI

Question

Level 1

8 points

External Monitor only up to 720p using HDMI

I recently bought a Samsung Curved monitor (S27D590C; 1080p). My setup is a MacBook Pro (13" mid-2012), connected to the monitor using a 3-in-1 adapter (mini DisplayPort to VGA, DVI, and HDMI). When I use the VGA, I can get up to 1080p. For some reason, I can only get 720p when using the HDMI cable.

The HDMI cable is presumably good as I am able to get a 1080p using a Windows laptop with no adapters.

Additional info: Using the same setup (MacBook + 3-in-1 adapter + HDMI cable), I am able to connect to another TV that has a native resolution approx 720p.

Lastly, when connecting with the HDMI, my MacBook is able to detect the monitor but the monitor just displays a blank screen.

I would really appreciate everyone's help as this is my first external monitor purchase. Thank you.

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 10, 2016 8:06 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jul 27, 2017 3:42 AM in response to danne18

Hi

I had a similar issue.

When I opened Preferences Displays, the only option available was 720p.

However if you hold down OPTION key and press press Scaled, you suddenly get a lot of extra hidden settings.

Mine had both 1080p and 1080i hidden away but worked perfectly once selected!

Just FYI.

Robin

Reply

Answer 2

sterling r

Community Specialist

May 11, 2016 9:30 AM in response to danne18

Howdy Danne18,
It sounds like you are unable to get the proper resolution on one monitor and you just get nothing to display on another using your MacBook Pro. I would use the following article to help you get that resolved. There's a lot in there, and some of it is basic but it should lead you to getting this fixed:

Get help with video issues on external displays connected to your Mac

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Reply

Answer 3

May 11, 2016 10:46 AM in response to danne18

That display appears to have a (Full Size) DisplayPort input.

a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable is cheap. It will always give you best results for a display that has DisplayPort family input, from a Mac with Mini DisplayPort (ThunderBolt subset) output, which yours appear to have.

Reply

Answer 4

danne18 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 11, 2016 9:58 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant. Thanks for the reply. I've actually been reading about mini displayport to displayport and found one online for USD10.00, which is quite reasonable. Thing is, this cable "supports up to 1080p" and I've read that these reduced bit rate (RBR) displayport cables should be avoided. I understand DisplayPort 1.2 is superior and should be my priority, but would I be better off with this cable than an HDMI? Link to cable I've been talking about: http://www.lazada.com.ph/18m-6-ft-thunderbolt-mini-displayport-dp-to-displayport -dpconverter-cable-male-to-male-for-macbook-air-dell-monitor-1609870.html

Really appreciate the time. Thanks!

Reply

Answer 5

May 11, 2016 10:11 AM in response to danne18

There is no conversion (only a re-wire) in such a cable. As long as the conductors are not too tiny, it should be fine. Best quality cables would use twisted pairs for the data conductors (which use push-pull Drivers at very low voltages).

The other thing about DisplayPort is that the "heartbeat" refresh of the screen (60 or more times a second) disappears, and only the update are typically sent once the basic picture has been sent or the screen completely changes

Reply

Answer 6

danne18 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 11, 2016 10:28 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Would a mini Displayport to Displayport cable with these specs be any good?

Support the 10.8Gbps video bandwidth
Supports the maximum resolution up to 1080p (1920*1080)

Reply

Answer 7

May 11, 2016 10:36 AM in response to danne18

it does 1080p and you want 1080p. Looks like it should do the job.

Reply

Answer 8

danne18 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 11, 2016 10:45 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks again, Grant. Just want to qualify why I'm asking. I've read on displayport.org that DisplayPort cables that cap at 1080p should be avoided since a displayport cable that complies with their standards should be able to support much higher resolutions. But I guess you're right, my goal is to have 1080p and this one does that. Then again, the adapter I'm currently using, which was also bought online, likewise said it can display 1080p. Probably the reason why I'm hesitating. Anyway, thanks for the help! Much appreciated.

Reply