BlackMagic yesterday released a new firmware update for users of its external GPUs which brings compatibility with Apple’s new Pro Display XD 6K monitor to unsupported Macs.
The firmware has been bumped to version 1.2, with release notes accompanying the update mentioning support for the new Pro Display XDR monitor when used with the Blackmagic eGPU or BlackMagic eGPU Pro on Mac computers that are outfitted with Thunderbolt 3.
The release notes read as follows:
This update adds support for Apple Pro Display XDR to the Blackmagic eGPU and Blackmagic eGPU Pro. Once the update has been installed, you’ll be able to use Apple Pro Display XDR as a computer display when connected to a Mac with Thunderbolt 3 and either a Blackmagic eGPU or eGPU Pro.
In other words, it permits Blackmagic eGPU and eGPU Pro customers to use Apple’s new display with Thunderbolt 3-enabled Macs that don’t officially support the Pro Display XDR.
It’s unclear whether this update would permit an iMac Pro to use Apple’s new monitor because the iMac Pro lacks the bandwidth required to drive an external display at native 6K resolution (unlike other Mac models that incorporate Intel’s older Thunderbolt 3 controller).
TUTORIAL: How to use eGPU on your Mac
As guidance, Apple’s support document spells out that the new Pro Display XDR is compatible with any Mac computer that’s connected to a Blackmagic eGPU over Thunderbolt 3.
Confirmation that the #iMacPro does drive the #ProDisplayXDR 🧐
At 5k. Not 6k. pic.twitter.com/3k91J00IzY
— Thomas Grove Carter ✂️ (@thomasgcarter) December 13, 2019
It’s unclear why this update was issued considering that the Pro Display XDR and BlackMagic eGPUs were already compatible with one another. Perhaps they’ve squished some bugs or improve compatibility. Either way, do yourself a favor and install this update.
You can grab the refreshed firmware through blackmagicdesign.com/support.