HiDPI

[JanB]

I wonder if "Better Dummy" (https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDummy) could help solve the HiDPI problem (more than 1920x1080 HiDPI on a 4K monitor).

Has anyone tried this?

[JanB]

I have now tried the "BetterDummy" program and checked whether it can provide a solution for the missing HiDPI resolutions via DisplayLink.

The good news is: Yes, it is a woraround to get HiDPI representation via DisplayLink.

My configuration:

• MacBook Air M1 (clamshell mode, internal display not used)
• MacOS Monterey 12.0.1
• 2x LG HDR 4k monitor (used @ Looks like 2560 x 1440)

Monitor # 1: connected via USB-C to display port adapter (working HiDPI @ 2560 x 1440)
Monitor # 2: connected via Display-Link Dock "Kensington SD4780P" (no HiDPI out of the box)


The Workaround for HiDPI on Monitor #2:

1.
Install and start "BetterDummy" from https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDummy/releases

2.
Create a dummy Display "16:9 (HD/4k/5k/6k)

3.
In the display properties set the "Dummy Display" to:

• extended display
• optimized for: Dummy 16:9
• Resolution: default for display

4.
Switch Resolution of Dummy to desired HiDPI resolution (eg. 2560 x 1440) using the BetterDummy Menu: "Manage dummies" --> "Set resolution"

5.
Set your Display-Link Display in the display properties to:

• mirror 16:9 dummy
• optimized for: Dummy 16:9
• Resolution: default for display

6.
Optional settings of BetterDummy:

• associate the mirror to the pysical display
• start at login
• sleep workaround
• details at: https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDummy

--> Now you should have a 2560 x 1440 HiDPI @ 4k

My LG HDR 4k Monitor via DisplayLink is now running @ 3840x2160/60Hz showing 2560x1440 in a crystal clear picture.

This is not a straight forward solution, but now I have two external 4k monitors on my MacBook Air M1 that work with HiDPI to my fullest satisfaction.

[Paulus]

Originally Posted by JanB

My LG HDR 4k Monitor via DisplayLink is now running @ 3840x2160/60Hz showing 2560x1440 in a crystal clear picture. Tools as RDM now showing tons of HiDPI resolutions.

This is not an easy solution, but now I have two external 4k monitors on my MacBook Air M1 that work with HiDPI to my fullest satisfaction.

Thank you for this tutorial.

I got this workaround to work. I use two identical LG 32UP550-W 4k displays. One is natively connected, the other one through DisplayLink.

However I don't experience a crystal clear picture like you describe. It is a lot better than the blurry native MacOS option, but it is not even close to the crispness that the natively connected display has. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks!

[JanB]

Originally Posted by Paulus

However I don't experience a crystal clear picture like you describe. It is a lot better than the blurry native MacOS option, but it is not even close to the crispness that the natively connected display has. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks!

Does your Monitor show on the onscreen Menu, that it is running @4k?


[Edit: I noticed that changing the screen resolution with RDM does not work in conjunction with BetterDummy: When selecting a resolution marked as HiDPI with RDM, no HiDPI is sent to the monitor (the monitor then no longer runs at 4k)!]

[tommiy]

worls well on the 2020 m1 mac. At least now the display does not give you headaches. Guess Displaylink does not need to do anything to the feature request now as some one elses out of the box thinking has solved it.

[JanB]

Originally Posted by tommiy

Guess Displaylink does not need to do anything to the feature request now as some one elses out of the box thinking has solved it.

I still hope that the DisplayLink drivers will be extended to include more HiDPI resolutions. That would be much easier for the average user.

[ScompX]

Hi

I also cannot get it work. It is blurry to me as well. @JanB, I wrote you a PM. Could you possibly helpt?

Best regards.

[pvillacampaa]

Originally Posted by JanB

Does your Monitor show on the onscreen Menu, that it is running @4k?


[Edit: I noticed that changing the screen resolution with RDM does not work in conjunction with BetterDummy: When selecting a resolution marked as HiDPI with RDM, no HiDPI is sent to the monitor (the monitor then no longer runs at 4k)!]

Hello, I don't understand exactly what you mean here. I have the same problem as some colleagues, I see the image more or less well, but it does not reach the quality of the scaling by directly connecting the monitor to the MacBook. Let's say what a native HiDPI would be, I see the texts somewhat blurry (although somewhat better than in low resolution).

Let's say I see it looks like with the new DisplayLink experimental mode

Thank you very much and greetings.

[Goodwu]

Originally Posted by ScompX

Hi

I also cannot get it work. It is blurry to me as well. @JanB, I wrote you a PM. Could you possibly helpt?

Best regards.

Also blurry when using "Mirror Display", but looks good by using "Stream Display".
A negative impact is that there's a small display latency when streaming.