MacBook Pro Retina and 4k monitor (Samsung U28D590D) now showing "scaling options" in display

Solution 1:

@jorgen.ringen, I am facing the same issue with a 13" 3Ghz Macbook Pro 11,1 (mid-2014). The reviewer in 9to5mac from the link you posted states that the HDMI input ports will only do 4k at 30hz, so the only solution (as he also states) is to purchase a miniDisplayPort to DisplayPort 1.2 adapter or cable. I went for the cable and am currently awaiting its delivery.

I played with SwitchResX lots. Several threads on the internets suggest overriding the EDID in an attempt to fix the Television=yes in System Report problem, using Picture in Picture mode and running the display off of two cables. Neither of which is very satisfying to me, as its either a) PIP is not for every day use or b) requires plugging two cables, making it further more difficult to mount my machine on a desk and take it off.

The DisplayPort cable will hopefully do the trick when it arrives. Meanwhile, I noticed there is some kind of firmware update on the product page of the monitor. It requires a Windows machine, so I have not yet tried it. I can't find a way to see the current firmware version in the display menu either, but Samsung state that its a "compatibility improvement update" or some such. There is no changelog as to what changed since the previous version, or any explanation as to how that potential update might occur. To my knowledge, HDMI 1.4 supports Ethernet and maybe thats how the update takes place. If you have a Windows machine around, give it a try and report back please.

P.S. Unfortunately, the stupid SE comment policy will not allow me to post this as a comment. Whatevs.

Solution 2:

Do you get different options if you drop the refresh rate down to 30 or lower?

I'm guessing you don't get the same options simply because it isn't a retina screen; instead you get the resolutions your card/display can negotiate between them.

From Everymac This model supports a simultaneous maximum resolution up to 2560x1600 on two external displays via Thunderbolt. Alternately, it can support a single display up to 2560x1600 via Thunderbolt and a single 1080p display at up to 60 Hz, 3840x2160 at 30 Hz, or 4096x2160 at 24 Hz via HDMI.