HDR missing for high refresh rates for Mac mini (2018) on Monterey 12.7.6

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HDR missing for high refresh rates for Mac mini (2018) on Monterey 12.7.6

I have a ProArt (PA278CGV) monitor than supports HDR at a 144 Hz refresh rate. This works fine on a Mac mini M2 running Sequoia 15.2. However, when I connect the same monitor to a Mac mini (2018) running Monterey 12.7.6, HDR is only available (for 2560x1440 resolution) at 60 Hz refresh:

When I set the refresh rate to 144 Hz, the HDR option is missing:

The Mac mini (2018) uses HDMI 2.0 which, if I understand correctly, should support 2560x1400 @ 144Hz.

Has anyone successfully turned on HDR with such a configuration?

- Pie Lover

P.S. I'm using an HDMI 2.1 cable to connect the Mac mini (2018) to the monitor

Mac mini (2018)

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 4:48 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 22, 2025 7:16 PM in response to BlueberryLover

No mention of support for 144 Hz in the Technical Specifications.

Mac mini (2018) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

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Support for the following combination of maximum concurrent display setups:

Up to three displays:
- Two displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0
Up to two displays:
- One display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0

HDMI 2.0 display video output

Support for one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz

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Nor in any version of this Support article, except in regards to the M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis – which are obviously different machines.

Connect a display to Mac mini - Apple Support

Note that even if the HDMI 2.0 specification allows implementations to support 2560x1440 @ 144 Hz, that would probably not mean that any particular implementation would be obligated to do so.

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Answer 2

BlueberryLover Author

Level 4

1,169 points

Jan 23, 2025 5:40 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I think that I had consulted the same resources as you quoted. I might try to (temporarily) install Sequoia to see if that makes a difference. If it does, at least it would suggest that the limitation is not due to a hardware constraint. On the other hand, I want to stick with Monterey since it allows me to run older (i.e. pre-subscription model) image editing software

For the time being, I think that I can live with a 60 Hz refresh rate as I don't really use the Mac mini (2018) for gaming or other applications that might need 144 Hz.

Just in passing, the M2 Mac mini (2023) on Sequoia 15.2 does support 2560x1440 @ 144 Hz with HDR enabled. Scrolling is very smooth with 144 Hz refresh.

- Pie Lover

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Answer 3

BlueberryLover Author

Level 4

1,169 points

Jan 23, 2025 5:26 PM in response to BlueberryLover

Based on the table below, 2560x1440 resolution at a 144 Hz refresh rate of using 24 bits per pixel can be supported over HDMI 2.0. However, HDR uses 30 bits per pixel which exceeds the HDMI 2.0 maximum of 14.40 Gbps. HDR at this resolution and refresh rate will work with an HDMI 2.1 port (which is likely what the M2 Mac mini (2023) uses).

This explains my observations for (Monterey) Displays System Preferences with the Mac mini (2018).

- Pie Lover

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