Dual monitors constantly flickering and downgrading resolution

Question

kaotik1978 Author

Level 1

11 points

Dual monitors constantly flickering and downgrading resolution

Macbook Pro 14 inch 2023

18gb ram

Sonoma 14.4

Have two monitors connected to this macbook. One via Mini DV to USB-C for a Apple Cinema Display ( 2010 ) and another Asus connected via HDMI cable.

Every single day my productivity is interrupted by flickering and dropped monitor resolutions with this new macbook pro. The previous M1 Macbook Pro I had has it's own issues related to using two monitors and prior to that my 2010 Mac Pro tower had ZERO issues.

If you as much as touch the Macbook Pro it starts to show sparkles or snaps the resolution to a lower tier, in which you must either unplug and replug each cable in and adjust and re-orient but if that fails, you have to restart then try the above all over again.

These are brand new HDMI certified cables all working on other machines, and the usb-c to mini-dv also has no issues when working on another machine.

What specifically is the issue here with these new usb-c/hdmi ports that causes such glitches because it happens on both sides and it's to the point that it's causing more harm to productivity now. Never had a machine like this ever be such a problem till now.

Posted on Jan 13, 2025 6:30 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

140,297 points

Jan 13, 2025 9:49 AM in response to neuroanatomist

the 30-in Apple Cinema Display is 2560 by 1600, (wider than 1920 wide) and thus requires a Dual-Link DVI adapter to avoid issues. Your Mac Pro produced Dual-Link DVI directly, so no issues.

ASUS makes dozens of displays, so a specific model would be required for definitive advice.

For general advice, USB-C adapter/cables longer that ONE meter are not acceptable for high performance displays. Transmission errors caused by longer cables cause the resolution to drop down or the display to disconnect.

the HDMI cables required for high-end displays are Certified, and labeled with the magic words PREMIUM for up to 4K at 30 Hz, ULTRA for higher resolutions. ULTRA are backward-compatible.

Reply

Answer 2

Jan 13, 2025 8:01 AM in response to kaotik1978

What type of MacBook Pro do you have? Apple Menu > About this Mac, specifically what chip, M2 or M3 and Pro, Max or neither. I'm don't see that any of those came with 18 GB of memory. The M2 Pro and M2 Max are 2023 models, as is the M3 (base).

I am guessing that you have the M2 Pro or Max because the M3 base doesn't support a second monitor unless you close the lid.

The M2 Pro and M2 Max support 2 and 4 external displays, respectively, but only one display over HDMI. The other displays are supported over Thunderbolt.

Not even sure why/how you're using a USB-C to mini-DV adapter... You should be using a good quality Thunderbolt/USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable.

Reply

Answer 3

kaotik1978 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jan 13, 2025 11:19 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Macbook Pro 14 inch 2023 M3 Pro

USB-C to Mini-DV required because Apple has omitted the mini-DV port on the M3 Pro, otherwise on my older 2010 Macbook Pro it would work just fine. The connection from the 2010 Cinema display uses a mini-dv port, so an adapter to the port on the side of the Macbook Pro is what was required to get it to work, it does, but it's just glitchy and very sensitive, I reckon it's the actual hardware as no other apple device I have has this issue.

Since there's a way to use 2 monitors like this why not. Perhaps apple should have offered up some additional connectivity ports for professionals in the field needing to connect to a variety of monitors.

Reply

Answer 4

kaotik1978 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jan 13, 2025 11:25 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Ah I wish I had the old 30", this is a 2010 Cinema display with the thick black bezel around the sides. I'll look at the dual link dvi adapter. The USB-C cable is maybe 8" long in total. The HDMI cables are all certified, labeled with all the the fancy "magic words" so I'm leaning towards this being a hardware / design issue since no other apple product or other machine I use these on has any issue.

Was just curious if this was something other folks working out in the field encountered with these new generation of laptops as a handful of others folks I have run into have mentioned it in passing but couldn't offer any resolution, other than to get a desktop mac and avoid the laptops going forward due to sheer lack of connectivity options and this persistent issue that is seemingly unresolved.

Reply