Matrox TH2G and Mac M1 - does it work?

[bonemap]

Hi,

I had a quick look around the forum to find a post with an answer to the question: Does the Matrox Triple Head 2 Go (TH2G) device have any functionality with latest Mac (Arm M1) computers? 

I didn't find anything definitive as an answer, so I connected two TH2G DP edition to a Mac Studio and found that I could, in a fairly straight forward way, get the devices functioning. I used a USB-C to MiniDP adaptor (apparently, Thunderbolt/USB4 adaptors don't work for DisplayPort devices). The TH2G worked without any additional Matrox drivers (TH2G drivers are not available beyond Mac OSX). It required configuring manual output blends in Isadora Stage Setup. The supported resolutions might have been extended with SwitchResX software, however the default extended resolutions provided by MacOS Monterey appeared to work the best. I could not get a matching set of resolutions for each display area, perhaps because of the different model projectors. I imagine there might be some challenges working with the limitations of this approach and I did find that some DisplayPort cables would not work with the USB-C to Mini DP adapter.

Best Wishes

Russell

[Paz]

@bonemap Thank you for the info on current state of play with TH2G and latest Macs. Great to know!

Best wishes Paz

[timkelly]

@bonemap I have used both a DP TH2G and a DE one on my M1 MacBook - the DP one definitely works better. Also, the Matrox Powerdesk software absolutely works on M1- I'm currently running it on 12.3.1 Monterey without issue.

I've had best success with a direct USB-C to full DisplayPort cable, it does not like some adapters - and the USB cable needs to run through a powered hub.

[bonemap]

@timkelly

Great info, thanks I will have another look at the Powerdesk utility, although I thought I had attempted to install the latest version without success. The USB-C to Display Port adaptors are going on my shopping list.

Best wishes

Russell 

[timkelly]

@bonemap I'm running 1.04.07.001, not sure if there's the latest version or not - I remember having to hunt for a working version I think? It was a while back I was looking at it.

[georgesgeorges]

Hey! 

I have a M1 14',  two Triple head digital edition, and trying to make them work...

@timkelly how do you managed to make Powerdesk work? Like you, I'm running Monterey, but when I click on it, I have a message saying that the app need to be updated... 

Thanks!!

[DusX]

@georgesgeorges said:

I have a message saying that the app need to be updated

 Have you tried running the app in Rosetta Mode?
(open 'get info' on the application, then check 'open using Rosetta', close the 'get info' dialog and open the application)

[bonemap]

@georgesgeorges

Here is a link to the Matrox PowerDesk that is working on my Mac Studio Apple M1 Max chip: PowerDesk 1.04.07.001

Best Wishes
Russell

[georgesgeorges]

Ok thank you guys for your help!

I managed to make Powerdesk work. It was not possible for me to run it with Rosetta: When I click "get info", I don't have that choice, whereas I have it with other apps like Safari. For the moment I juste have an image using the output 1 of my TH2G, and Powerdesk doesn't want to detect any of my monitors... I contacted Matrox to know what is happening..