Dell U4919DW / MacBook pro 5k issue

Interesting — any idea on how to go about correcting the EDID information specific for this monitor? I have tried playing around with the EDID information settings after disabling SIP, but unfortunately I did not have any luck.

Dell did their work to their (in my opinion, sloppy) standards. The vast majority of their users do not use the EDID information, and are using these displays without issue.

Apple did their work to their (much more exacting) standards.

Neither will accept blame for this. That is why, if this is the problem, it is so vexing.

Ok, I have come up with an interim (albeit imperfect) solution until Apple and/or Dell can work their magic with a better fix.

I currently am connected via USB-C and the Moshi USB-C to DP cable to the monitor.

If you enable PBP on the on-monitor menu, the monitor will essentially split itself into 2 displays (you can fix the arrangement in System Preferences —> Displays as you would a normal dual external monitor setup).

Then, in System Preferences —> Mission Control, turn off the "Displays have separate spaces" setting.

Log out, log back in.

It will still technically be 2 screens, but there will be full resolution, power via USB-C cable (if you are on a laptop), and you can extend windows between the 2 monitors so it is effectively seamless.

Not a perfect solution, but beats the crappy scaled-down resolution for now.

jkastan, good troubleshooting. Assuming you're getting the full resolution split out across "two" monitors? Also, I did a quick Google search on "mac dell edid override" and found a number of articles that may be helpful. Looks like it might require a little technical knowhow though (assuming it's an EDID issue).

Very good troubleshooting .... I too have just tried this on my Mac Mini and this gives me 2 screens as 2560 x 1440 so totalling 5120 x 1440

It's not the perfect solution like you say, but it certainly has just given me much more real estate that I should be getting anyway!

Hi Everyone,

The problem is Mac Mini and Dell U4919DW didn’t like each other. When connect it with my iMac Pro, I have a 5K display plus a fantastic 5120x1440 extended display. The PBP solution is nothing compare to a single display especially you see the splits at the center of the display.

Connect it to my Mac Mini 2018 and MacBook Pro, I had the same problem like yours. I’ve tried different combination of certified Thunderbolt 3 cables and hubs (adaptors), still doesn’t work. Forget about HDMI or USB C cables since none of it can output 5K. Having said that, I’m not sure if the Dell 4919 could be classified as a 5K display since the V-resolution is only 1440.

Sadly, my iMac Pro is not a solution for me since putting the 2 displays side by side exceeding 6’. Working on it is counterproductive.

Forget about Apple or Dell’s support. They are useless and pointing at each other.

This is definitely unresolved. HELP!!!

Apple rang me yesterday as promised, but only to say they are still looking into it.

Dell have apparently escalated my issue to senior team .... but I'm yet to hear anything.

I'm still working on the @jkastan solution so far to at least save my sanity.

Some people are speculating that this issue could be resolved in 10.14.2. See this thread...

https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrawidemasterrace/comments/9p4vx8/help_lg_34wk95u_mac book_pro_2018/

Since the beta version has been released, it may be worth downloading that and trying the monitor again.

In the thread that I referenced above, some people had success with 10.14.2 and some didn't. Granted, it's a different monitor, but it's an ultrawide. Based on the discussion I'm seeing elsewhere, it appears that Apple may be trying to resolve compatibility with ultrawides in 10.14.2. Does anyone know more about this? Does anyone know when the final build may be complete on 10.14.2?

@tjsalas78, have you tried all the different cable suggestions with 10.14.2 Beta? I'm wondering if a display port cable would do the trick with 10.14.2.

From the email, it sounds like they just read the thread and didn't investigate. I doubt we'll hear from Dell again on the issue.

The only hope now that I can see is that 10.14.2 fixes it. Perhaps if enough people reading this thread contact Apple, they may put in a fix before 10.14.2 is released (assuming it can be resolved that way).

Philips is releasing their 499P9H around February 2019 and it looks like it has mostly the same specs as the Dell. Wondering if that would work with the Mac. Pricing not available yet.

Philips Preps 499P9H Curved 49-Inch 5K Display with USB-C Docking & Webcam

Yes, it seems that way.

That monitor looks great too... I love the inclusion of the pop up web cam. That's one thing I was looking at getting for this .... but this monitor from Phillips would negate the need for a webcam!

Not that I ever use the webcam now anyway, but it would make for making Facetime calls much easier I guess.

Update: 10.14.2 (non beta release) didn't resolve any issues.

I decided just to buy a USB-C hub that supports dual 4k monitors over display port and run PBP. The hub supposedly supports 5k over dual display port so that may be an option.

I'm not happy I had to invest another $200 for a hub to accomplish this, but If all works well, I can still accomplish everything with a single cable hookup. For those that paid full retail price from Dell, it was already reduced $350 and I got that refunded. The hub is being delivered tomorrow and I'll play around with it and post findings.

So - current update on my situation.

After waiting about a week for a senior Apple engineer, I was contact and told that I should try the 'Legacy Platform setting on the monitor from the manual.

https://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_display_projector/esuprt_Display/dell-u4919dw-monitor_User's-Guide_en-us.pdf

Page 75.

I did suggest that I had tried every option possible on the Monitor, including this - but I would still entertain the engineer and do as requested.

As imagined, it had not impact whats so ever so I then further explained that even if that setting did have an impact, it would only change the setting for HDMI which in any case, the Mac Mini doesn't support the full resolution of 5120x1440 so it was a pointless exercise. My comments have been passed back again .... so I await from Apple again.

I've now had contact from a EMEA Resolution Expert from Dell who at this stage is also stumped as they do not have any Apple hardware capable of this resolution to actually test the monitor with!!

So we are still back to square one. Still not real support for 5120x1440 from Apple or Dell - both are pointing the finger at each other.

I'll see what happens this week .... but my patience are starting to wear thin.

Thanks MrADeveci for keeping us updated on your progress. My monitor hasn't even shipped yet (looks like it's taking a month before it even ships). I'm considering canceling the order if nothing is resolved soon. I'm encouraged to hear that Dell is still involved in troubleshooting, hopefully they'll see the issue through to the end.

Thank you for testing this, it's great to see that we are narrowing down the fault to a point where it is, as you say almost certain a Mac OS software issue.

I'll point your last post to the senior tech engineer looking into my case and see what they say.