External monitor not displaying in HDR

[Allen121]

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
AMD Radeon Pro 5300M 4 GB
ASUS ProArt PA32UC external display connected via a Thunderbolt 3 cable
macOS Big Sur 11.0.1

I see the "High Dynamic Range" option in the "Displays" preferences on my MacBook Pro, but I don't have this selected because if I do, I'm not able to change any of the display settings.

When I go to YouTube on Chrome or Safari on the ASUS and play HDR content, it doesn't show up as HDR.

But if I play it on my MacBook Pro's screen, it displays in HDR.

I've tried selecting "High Dynamic Range" and no change. Am I missing something?

 

[Allen121]

Bump--hoping someone has some input on this.

 

[Audit13]

Have you tried using an HDMI or DP cable?

 

[Allen121]

Have you tried using an HDMI or DP cable?

I haven't and assumed a Thunderbolt 3 cable would be just as good. I guess I could try a USB-C to DP cable.

 

[Audit13]

I haven't and assumed a Thunderbolt 3 cable would be just as good. I guess I could try a USB-C to DP cable.

Hope it works for you. Please report back. Thanks.

 

[git-anish]

I haven't and assumed a Thunderbolt 3 cable would be just as good. I guess I could try a USB-C to DP cable.

Hope it works for you. Please report back. Thanks.

I've tried
- HDMI 2.0
- USB-C to DP 1.4
- USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 DP Alt and a separate passive Thunderbolt 3 cable

All of them refuse to output HDR to my 3219Q

I'm assuming this is a macOS issue, specifically macOS not passing HDCP 2.2 info over to YouTube/Netflix

If anyone else figures this out do let me know

edit: I should mention the HDR setting under system preferences is present but Youtube/Netflix refuse to recognize the external display as HDR capable (on safari). HDR capability returns once the external monitor is disconnected.

this is on a 2019 16" MBP

 

[Allen121]

I tried with a DP 1.4 cable and the same result. I assume it's a macOS issue as well.

I've tried
- HDMI 2.0
- USB-C to DP 1.4
- USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 DP Alt and a separate passive Thunderbolt 3 cable

All of them refuse to output HDR to my 3219Q

I'm assuming this is a macOS issue, specifically macOS not passing HDCP 2.2 info over to YouTube/Netflix

If anyone else figures this out do let me know

edit: I should mention the HDR setting under system preferences is present but Youtube/Netflix refuse to recognize the external display as HDR capable (on safari). HDR capability returns once the external monitor is disconnected.

this is on a 2019 16" MBP

@git-anish Your monitor may not be bright enough for HDR. I read the peak brightness for the Dell U3219Q is 400 nits, which is pretty low. But theoretically, should work since it's DisplayHDR 400. Just throwing out more possibilities.

 

[git-anish]

I tried with a DP 1.4 cable and the same result. I assume it's a macOS issue as well.



@git-anish Your monitor may not be bright enough for HDR. I read the peak brightness for the Dell U3219Q is 400 nits, which is pretty low. But theoretically, should work since it's DisplayHDR 400. Just throwing out more possibilities.

Hey,

so I just got an M1 Mac and I can confirm I can output HDR to the level of the iPad Pro/built in display on the Mac on the monitor.

Basically I set the correct HDR mode on the monitor (Smart HDR), then clicked HDR in system preferences pane, and then opened Youtube/Netflix. They recognized the display as being HDR capable and displayed the videos correctly.

Now the rest of the UI - desktop, browsers etc. were washed out and weird but the videos were great. This is on macOS 11.1.

So YMMV but I got it to work under a specific set of circumstances. I hope apple is still working on making this a more seamless experience.

Realistically as of right now I just disable HDR under the preferences pane until I specifically want to watch an HDR video.

 

[duh-rye-yus]

Have got an M1 Macbook Air (macOS 12.1) and have got the same issue when using USB-C on my Acer Nitro XV282KV (functioning as DisplayPort Alt mode).

HDR setting is enabled both on the Mac's settings and on the monitor, but when loading a YouTube video capable of HDR when Safari is shown on the external monitor display, it'll load as non-HDR.

However, loading the same page while Safari is shown in the built-in display will load the video as HDR.

Ironically, I could load a webpage in my built-in display then drag it to my external monitor and that would the HDR video on my external monitor (can tell the difference when running two Safari windows; one loaded from the built-in display then moved to the external monitor, and another loaded from the external monitor itself). So, there is a workaround, but just cumbersome.

Have tried using the USB-C Digital AV Multiport adapter and plugging in an HDMI cable to that and it actually loads videos as HDR when Safari is on the external monitor!

 

[kecinzer]

I have same issue.
MB Pro 14" with external Samsung U28R550 connected over TB3 dock and display port cable. I can enable HDR in system settings. I can play HDR videos from Photos app, but YouTube don't offer HDR to me, except on bult-in display.
I can try connect HDMI cable directly into MB to test. But I like single cable connection over my TB3 dock.

 

[TinyMito]

edit:

YouTube HDR isn't working yeah. Have you guys try offline HDR video file?

Dolby Vision streams | Dolby Developer

developer.dolby.com

 

[kecinzer]

Ok, I can confirm that when I connect external display directly from HDMI port of MB Pro 14", HDR on YouTube in Safari works just fine.
Now I try to play Dolby Vision on Netflix, but I can't tell if its working or not.