Dell U4919DW / MacBook pro 5k issue

I also just upgraded to Big Sur on my 13" 2018 MacBook Pro - and I am getting full 5120x1440 resolution via USB-C/Thunderbolt. Also, over the moon!

I too have this dilemma but instead with my 2018 Mac Mini.

I'm currently using the bundled USB-C cable and I'm only seeing 3840 x 1080

I've since ordered a Thunderbolt 3 cable and will test this out when it arrives (26.11.2018) and update back on here again. I'm hoping it will give me full resolution!

So, the plot thickens.

Senior Apple tech looked, took logs, tried several things and no use.

On another note, I plugged my 2018 Mac Mini into another Dell Monitor .... U2515 via HDMI and it showed 2560 x 1440

This is the first time I have seen 1440 being produced from my Mac Mini!! So now I'm suspecting that after all these different cables and ideas, the actual monitor may be at fault? I've submitted a ticket to Dell now about this as they were closed when I tried to call.

I'm hoping that this is a simple firmware update or otherwise this monitor will have to go back!

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).

So, Dell just emailed me this..... which basically means they are washing their hands of this issue and blaming Apple.

Dear Ahmet Deveci,

This is Yvette from Dell Technical Email Support making a follow-up on Service Request # **********.

As we have further review the issue and based on the link provided https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8641919?page=4, it is a compatibility issue, Dell monitor is provided as is, we would recommend to please contact Apple support if there is an update needed as it was confirmed that same issue is happening under mac mini and the macbook pro from the thread.I look forward to your response at your earliest convenience. Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards,

Yvette Macambac
Dell Rep ID: 741093
UKI/SA Relationship Client Mailbox Team

From the Dell specs page:

Input Connectors

2 x HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2) (10-bit color @ 60Hz)

1 x DP 1.4 (HDCP 2.2) (10-bit color @ 60Hz)

5 x USB 3.0 Downstream port

2 x USB 3.0 Upstream port

1 x USB Type-C (Alternate mode with DP1.4, Power Delivery, and USB2.0) (8-bit color @ 60Hz)

So you have the correct Top resolution, but are limited to 8-bit color, while the display claims to be capable of 10-bit color on other interfaces, but nobody else can get it to show Top resolution on another interface.

I wonder -- it you stop mirroring does it stay at top-resolution?

if you are adventurous, take a look at this as an alternative to creating Display Overrides with SwitchResX:

https://comsysto.github.io/Display-Override-PropertyList-File-Parser-and-Generator-with-HiDPI-Support-For-Scaled-Resolutions/

.

Hi Marino,

Tnx for the update.

What is SST and MST? In

order to achieve 4K resolution at 60Hz, most early 4K displays on the market

used Multi-Stream Transport (MST), a technology that stitches two halves of a

display together into one large surface -- also called a "tile" -- in

software. MST, supported on Thunderbolt 2 Macs, can carry a signal for two or

more monitors on a single cable, allowing for daisy chaining or hub

configurations of multiple 4K monitors. 

More recent 4K displays have

started using Single-Stream Transport (SST), eliminating the need for stitching

two halves of a display together in software. Instead, SST monitors feature

scalers that support 4K resolution at 60 Hz over a single tile. Ideally, if you

are purchasing a 4K display, you should look for one that supports SST, since

MST can cause issues with in-game menus, BIOS screens and scaling.

Apple also has a link:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206587

Really don't know why MST should be used, are you connecting it over USB-C, HDMI, DP ?

On some Dell Monitors you can enable disable this.

Mac 15 Pro with the VEGA 20 card in it, same problem as everyone else, have to use the USBC and Moshi DP adapter simultaneously with PVP mode to get it to work at all with the proper resolution, while this isn't a huge headache...it's not what I paid $6k for...

I agree this is surreal. In fact no need to buy a eGPU because under windows 10 it works without and at native resolution of the screen (5120x1440).

So it's only a software problem.....

But at Apple they prefer to develop the T2 chip for our security (ah aha ah) than correct macOS for getting the right resolution with this screens.

I'm tired to wait for Apple. i'll work with my mac mini 2018 under windows because now i can't wait that such and other problems are fixed. (pro tools comp with Mojave, audio problems with devices on USB because of T2 chip... and so many)

So yes it's surreal to boot a Apple device under windows, perhaps it's my last computer from Apple i'll spend my money elsewhere!

Why do you need an external GPU when using SwitchResX.

I updatet to 10.14.4 today on my MBP 15" 2018. After that I am still not able to set the full 5120x1140 in system preferences. But in SwitchResX I was able to set 5120x1140 70Hz which is working without any problems on my 499P9 with the boxed USB-C cable from Philips.

Hi guys, I recently bought the Philips 499P9H and experience the same issues described here: no full 5120x1440 resolution.

My setup:

• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)
• Philips 499P9H

I downloaded a older program called "ResXtreme" which allowed me to select 5120x1440 as resolution for the monitor. But side note: it looks blurry...

Just checked the Philips Info Menu which tells me, that my display is running at 5120x1140@70Hz with the following setup:

MBP 15" 2018 i9 Radeon Pro 560X 4GB plus SwitchResX which boxed USB3.1 Gen2 5A cable.

To be clear: Without SwitchResX I am not able to choose the 5K res in system preferences. The max available res there is 3840x1080 only.

For me it looks like my MBP is firing the Philips in 5K without any upscaling or something else which confirms the presumption of a software issue on Apple's side.

Got also another Macbook here, which is an 15" 2017 model with Radeon 555. In clamshell mode I only can select 5120x1440 from using software like ResXtreme, SwitchResX or DisableMonitor.

But it's limited to 30hz only. Because it's a laptop from my employee I cannot get into recovery mode (its secured with a password) and disable SIP to use SwitchResX to make a 5120x1440x60hz resolution. But I do wonder if its works then...

Also using the USB-C cable that came with the 499P9H monitor btw.

On the Apple website I found the following (sorry if it's said already).

Macbook Pro 15":

Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:

• Up to two displays with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
• Up to four displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors

Macbook Pro 13":

Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:

• One display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors
• Up to two displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors
• Up to two displays with 3840-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors

Macbook Pro 13" (mid 2014):

*This model supports a simultaneous maximum resolution up to 2560x1600 on two external displays via Thunderbolt. Alternately, it can support a single display up to 2560x1600 via Thunderbolt and a single 1080p display at up to 60 Hz, 3840x2160 at 30 Hz, or 4096x2160 at 24 Hz via HDMI.

It's understandable that it does not work on my 13" 2014 model. But I however can do PBP with 2560x1440 twice using HDMI.

Not understandable is that it does not work on the 15" 2017 model.