Anyone flying on a Mac?

Yeah, I was definitely surprised and I'm sure something is wrong somewhere. This is the first time I've booted up xplane (or visited this forum) for years and years, so if there's sliders elsewhere, let me know and I'll bump them up. But this is *everything* that is available in Settings / Graphics for me...

Visual Effects, Texture Quality, Number of world objects, Reflection detail, Anisotropic filtering - all on maximum

Use Metal, Draw Parked Aircraft and Shadows on Scenery are on

Models per frame is set to max / 10.

AA is off as I mentioned, it totally kills framerate.

This was with clear skies, during the day, in a Beechcraft Baron, at Heathrow with the custom scenery that comes with the game. Changing the weather to cloudy/stormy (I assume thats the worst for performance?), while on the runway, didn't have a noticeable effect on FPS so I didn't bother benchmarking it - but trying it now, up in the sky just below the cloud line seems to be worst and drops to 24-29fps.

What I *think* is happening, and explains the high framerate, is that some effects simply aren't being rendered, possibly because it's running under emulation? For example, I can't see any evidence of SSAO, and I'm not sure scenery shadows are actually being rendered, even though both are enabled.

Reflections are there and look fine, the textures look great, and there's an absolute ton of ground clutter, and the game generally looks fantastic. I'm just totally stoked to play this game at decent settings and a decent framerate for the first time ever, and incredibly on what's effectively Apple's bottom end machine, under emulation.

I've been a Mac user since 1990. I have been on X-Plane since 8.0 and now using 11.5. I recently switched on Metal and pleased with the bump in frame rates, though missing SkyMaxx Pro clouds (with the exception of stratus and cirrus, the X-P clouds are funny looking). I do wish I could run some of the Windows-only add-ons (like the Reality Garmin). If money were no object I'd have a Window gaming computer sitting next to my Mac.

Comments about the M1 Mac mini are likely very accurate. The speed of the new chip is totally something not seen before. 

I am eyeing that one of the M1X likely to be out next fall and see how that goes. I currently run on a 2010 Mac Pro 5.1, 3.46 Ghz cpu, Radeom RX 580 with 8 Gb ram running Mojave and have excellent performance for my needs. Been a heavy Mac user for over 15 years and totally enjoy the experience of interaciting on the Mac

There is a very dynamic community of over 25K users on the 5,1. Since Metal I get 35-50 fps except over built up areas and thoroughly enjoy. 

Having said that though the writing is most definitely on the wall and the M1 family of chips should be your striating point. Suggest YouTube for various M1 reports. The old mini and egpu is not a good solution because of the limited bus speed for the external graphics call. I would love to hear more from the chap with the M1 Mac mini. I currently run a three monitor setup via a Matrox spreader rather than 3 indecent feeds. If the M1 Mini ever can do that the cheque is in the mail!

There are a few limitations on the pre-M1 Macs with some software. A few developers have product ONLY for PC. A weather thing seems to ring a bell. For the most part though I can get way more than I need with what is available for the Mac. If you are sticking to single monitor though the more recent Intl Macs can get a decent job done. The insane pursuit of brute power is not a path for me. Again as more people really look clearly at the M1 chips the performance is mind boggling. d

Some the experimental types are reporting actually being able to boot Windows on the M1 without Boot Camp  `

I figure my 5,1 is maybe going to hold me for another year or two until the next version M1 on the mini is available. Exciting times ahead

On 12/15/2020 at 11:37 AM, Glider_ said:

Yeah, I was definitely surprised and I'm sure something is wrong somewhere. This is the first time I've booted up xplane (or visited this forum) for years and years, so if there's sliders elsewhere, let me know and I'll bump them up. But this is *everything* that is available in Settings / Graphics for me...

Visual Effects, Texture Quality, Number of world objects, Reflection detail, Anisotropic filtering - all on maximum

Use Metal, Draw Parked Aircraft and Shadows on Scenery are on

Models per frame is set to max / 10.

AA is off as I mentioned, it totally kills framerate.

This was with clear skies, during the day, in a Beechcraft Baron, at Heathrow with the custom scenery that comes with the game. Changing the weather to cloudy/stormy (I assume thats the worst for performance?), while on the runway, didn't have a noticeable effect on FPS so I didn't bother benchmarking it - but trying it now, up in the sky just below the cloud line seems to be worst and drops to 24-29fps.

What I *think* is happening, and explains the high framerate, is that some effects simply aren't being rendered, possibly because it's running under emulation? For example, I can't see any evidence of SSAO, and I'm not sure scenery shadows are actually being rendered, even though both are enabled.

Reflections are there and look fine, the textures look great, and there's an absolute ton of ground clutter, and the game generally looks fantastic. I'm just totally stoked to play this game at decent settings and a decent framerate for the first time ever, and incredibly on what's effectively Apple's bottom end machine, under emulation.

On 12/15/2020 at 11:37 AM, Glider_ said:

 

 

Your results are super encouraging and am sure what you say. Several reports of Rosetta versions of sw doing amazing things so I don't think the emulation is dropping anything out. I too am stoked and looking to upgrade my Mac Pro 5.1 in awhile. You may have mentioned it but what resolution are you running it at? Dropping to only 24-29. fps with heavy weather is also amazing and on an emulated version. woW WOW

Thanks so much for sharing. This new family of chips is incredible!

I mentioned in my first post, I'm running at 1080p. Not very high resolution, but good enough for me! I'll maybe try some other resolutions tomorrow.

I bought a 16GB M1 Mac mini specifically for x-Plane and, with 2 monitors, get 37 FPS at KSEA using x-Plane's resident C-172 with the following settings: # of Objects: Max.  Reflection: Min.  Parked Aircraft: On.  Shadows: Not on.  Metal: On.  Visual Effects: Max.  Texture: High.  Antialiasing: FXAA.  Anisotropic: 2X.  

That means I have room to play when I try to add a 3rd monitor.  However, I am new to x-Plane, so evaluate what I say accordingly.

________

X-Plane 11.50r3 on a 16 GB M1 Mac mini (494 GB storage) connected to a Dell Model 2007 FPb monitor (1600 x 1200 @ 60Hz) via USB-C to DVI and to a Westinghouse TV model LD2240 (1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz) via HDMI to HDMI.  Logitech Saitek Yoke, Power Quadrant and Rudder pedals.  Private Pilot and PA28-140 owner.

M1MacMini.pdf

We see the resolution of the monitors in your signature, but the biggest impact on frame rate will come from the resolution that you choose for X-Plane, in the X-Plane settings. Since you are using HD monitors, there is no point computing for all the pixels at 5K, 4K or 2K. Make sure that you select 1080 resolution in your X-Plane settings, if you have not done so already.

There are plenty of us on Macs

Your settings is what bogs down your performance. Most of us don't have everything maxed out. Do you have 16GB VRAM? do you have strong GPU? Flight model of 5 is usually more than sufficient. You will need some margin for the hardware to handle added weather and terrain complexities. The Metal had doubled my fps as well. I am on MBP and 2.5k display, still managing 50-60 fps in an average scenery settings.

My experience agrees with what @cyl8 states. Realistic settings and optimization are vital to a good experience, and you have to make some trade offs.   I have nothing maxed out, but run med to med-hi settings except for AA and reflections which are low.  This leaves headroom for add ons, condition, etc. In some particularly challenging cases-FPS hungry planes or intense scenery like Europe running UHD mesh, X Europe and SFD global, I'll tweak the settings downward to adjust.

Maxed flight model? Why? I run 4 at the most for a couple helos as recommended by the developers.

Metal has been very good to me, easily doubling my FPS while allowing higher settings.

BTW running EGPU with RX V56.  From what I have seen on back to back  testing TB3 does not put nearly as much of a hit on the GPU as some think, and it is infinitely better than mini  on board integrated graphics.  Even when running TB2/TB3 eGPU on my ancient MacBook Pro 2012 I was seeing vastly improved performance under metal. Maybe not an optimal solution starting from a clean slate but definitely workable mod.

On 12/28/2020 at 8:58 AM, KarlL said:

Since you are using HD monitors, there is no point computing for all the pixels at 5K, 4K or 2K.

You are quite correct.  But the setup meets my needs, which are to keep my flying skills up during the winter months.  3 Monitors on a 16 GB M1 Mac Mini is nothing to complain about.  See the photo.  Apple says that it can only support two monitors.  With the iPad set to satellite imagery, I can even track my course over real life scenery.

-------------------

X-Plane 11.51r1 on a 16 GB M1 Mac mini (494 GB storage) connected to a Dell Model 2007 FPb monitor (1600 x 1200 @ 60Hz) via USB-C to VGA and to a Westinghouse TV model LD2240 (1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz) via HDMI to HDMI.  A 3rd monitor Flatron W2252TQ is connected via VGA to startech.com USB 3.0 Dual Head Graphics Adapter DVI-I to DVI-I/VGA toUSB 3 to Mac Mini.  Displaylink application was loaded and activated.  OS is Big Sur 11.1  Logitech Saitek Yoke, Power Quadrant and Rudder pedals.  Private Pilot and PA28-140 owner.

That its a ver slick setup. Wow. Am I seeing three monitors there plus the iPad? How are they tied in? \

Very nice to say the least. 

Got the first two monitors hooks OK. Sorta lost me on the third one. In my case I would want to drive 3 monitors and still have yoke, throttle quad, pedals hooked up and hope bluetooth is fine for keyboard and mouse

If you could help with a bit more clarification for the third monitor hookup I would be most appreciative

thanks so much for sharing

Has anyone been brave enough to update to Big Sur AND go to the new update to Xplane?  I'm a relatively new user, and the last communication I remember from the Xplane folks was that they were looking at Big Sur and would get back to us.  Maybe they did and I missed it.  I have seen a few people saying they are using Big Sur with not so many problems, but I have been waiting on upgrading since everything is working well for me now...

I switched and both work fine.

On 11/24/2019 at 5:13 PM, Captain Duggo said:

I'm thinking about getting a mac. I'm at the investigation phase, again. I'm wondering, how much power do you need to fly on a Mac?

I'd also like to know about your experience with your Mac and the processor that you have.

Also, do you find the limitation of  USB ports on the iMac to be a shortcoming, with all the controllers we use? I would think it's more than the ordinary computer user.

Thanks in advance,..

Captain Duggo

 

Hello Captein Duggo, as a long term simmer since X-Plane 10 on a Mac I have experienced the following in a nutshell. Simming on the Mac is possible and has for my experience only gotten better with the progress of X-plane, especially under version 11. You can see my Mac specs below, which are quite demanding. Although to be fare I am getting bottlenecks where heavy add-on sceneries and planes meet. As a compromise in such heavy conditions there is two things you can do to improve your simming experience: 1. Lower the graphic settings and object density or use an add-on that will manage your settings as you fly like "advanced rendering options" from the org store. This tool lets you determine at what flight level what objects and density should be drawn, which in turn helps in a good trade-off between performance and immersion. Also with my current Mac I had to turn down the resolution to half the native resolution of my mac, which gave the biggest boost. As I have ordered the new M1 Macbook Pro I expect to improve considerably from what I have read in this forum and from video blogs I viewed on the internet.  

Many will contend that gaming on the PC will still be better. Probably so, but this was not your question.

On 11/24/2019 at 11:13 AM, Captain Duggo said:

I'm thinking about getting a mac. I'm at the investigation phase, again. I'm wondering, how much power do you need to fly on a Mac?

I'd also like to know about your experience with your Mac and the processor that you have.

Also, do you find the limitation of  USB ports on the iMac to be a shortcoming, with all the controllers we use? I would think it's more than the ordinary computer user.

Thanks in advance,..

Captain Duggo

 

Hey Captain.  I fly on a Mac and I must say don't settle for the low end model. Spend a little more to get the better processor and add memory and if possible upgrade the video card.  I use a Mac and don't have any issues really except sometimes with the amount of custom scenery loading, it may take some time to load in Metal but for the most part it is pretty much smooth.  My specs are 2020 iMac 27 inch / 3.8 Ghz 8-Core Intel Core i7 / 64 GB DDR4 Ram, AMD Radeon Pro 5700XT 16GB Vram.  I did have a lower end Mac which I returned since it was crashing with a lower end video card and i5 chip.  I suggest spending a little more for a higher end.  I enjoy using the Mac.

7 hours ago, nonstop73 said:

My specs are 2020 iMac 27 inch / 3.8 Ghz 8-Core Intel Core i7 / 64 GB DDR4 Ram, AMD Radeon Pro 5700XT 16GB Vram

Hi Nonstop73, my apologies as I'm right at the start of my XP journey having briefly played with the demo on an old MBP a while ago. I have this very same iMac as you on its way to me albeit I decided to upgrade the RAM myself. Only today I've learnt that the latest machines are very fussy about the RAM sims themselves and it seems if they are not paired with the same capacity as the original sims then there are issues. So my question is do you find XP needs 64GB of RAM? It looks like I'll have to remove the supplied memory but I'm not sure whether to go with 2x16GB sims, a single 32GB sim or indeed 2x32GB sims (32GB sims would allow for future expansion but is that really necessary?)

All advice and recommendations appreciated! 

1 hour ago, Freshtracks said:

Hi Nonstop73, my apologies as I'm right at the start of my XP journey having briefly played with the demo on an old MBP a while ago. I have this very same iMac as you on its way to me albeit I decided to upgrade the RAM myself. Only today I've learnt that the latest machines are very fussy about the RAM sims themselves and it seems if they are not paired with the same capacity as the original sims then there are issues. So my question is do you find XP needs 64GB of RAM? It looks like I'll have to remove the supplied memory but I'm not sure whether to go with 2x16GB sims, a single 32GB sim or indeed 2x32GB sims (32GB sims would allow for future expansion but is that really necessary?)

All advice and recommendations appreciated! 

no sure if it is necessary but I think it all depends on how much you plan to slide the markers in the settings.  I found that 64GB ram made it run so smooth but I think you can be fine with 32 but depends on how much you plan to push the settings.  Since you should have four memory slots, I would suggest you buy two 16gb and then try it.  If you still think you need more then get two more 16 sticks which is what I did.  I can tell you 64GB for me was well worth.  The Mac is running smooth other than the same issues everyone experiences whether PC pr Mac with the plug ins and the Xplane software.  Also, I don't have any issues with Big Sur.

19 hours ago, Geoffcfp said:

That its a ver slick setup. Wow. Am I seeing three monitors there plus the iPad? How are they tied in? \

 

Very nice to say the least. 

The iPad is linked via Bluetooth, as is a keyboard, which is necessary as the Mac Mini is bare bones. The first two monitors were easy, one via HDMI and the other via Thunderbolt 3.  The tricky part was the 3rd monitor, which Apple said could not be done.  Another poster in the forum pointed me in the right direction.  His handle is InThePattern.  Following his lead, I bought a "USB 3.0 Dual Head Graphics Adapter - HDMI and DVI-I" from Startech via Amazon for $80 plus tax.  The part number is #USB32HDDVII. The kit included a DVI-I to VGA adapter and some cable.  That connected my 3rd monitor.  I also had to download a driver from the Startech.com website.  Getting that running was confusing (I am an old guy), but the support people at Startech could not have been more helpful.  Once that was up and running (and you want it to be running at startup), the M1 Mac Mini recognized the 3rd monitor.  You have to go through the User Preferences/Display Preferences/Gather Displays route to tell the computer where the monitors are and which one is the main monitor.  Interestingly, X-Plane did not see the 3rd monitor, even though I could run the cursor and documents across all three screens.

My wife suggested that I treat X-Plane like a jealous child, as I had been using it with just 2 monitors for a week or more. So I quit X-Plane and went back to Display Preferences/Gather Displays and made the new monitor the 'main monitor'.  After starting X-Plane again, the program now recognized all three monitors, although I was looking to one side to see the windscreen.  To cut a long story short, introductions had been made, and all I had to do was quit x-Plane again, and tell the computer which monitor was really the main one.  When I restarted X-Plane, all three monitors were working.  You have to play around in graphics to angle them correctly.

Final point, I am getting satisfactory Frame Rates for my needs (VFR flying around south east Wisconsin and Ireland), although the heavy duty users on the forum tell me that I will have trouble with complex aircraft in weather that will never appeal to me.  I am happy with a Cessna and a Cherokee.

A post final point, some Europeans on another thread were complaining about ForeFlight not having charts for Europe.  But the basic $99 subscription for ForeFlight does include an Aerial Map with is a satellite map with streets identified on the map.  Your X-Plane is depicted on this map the same way it is depicted on a VFR or IFR map by Foreflight.  The iPad in the attached picture show shows X-Plane over Kerry Airport near Killarney, Ireland.  The second picture shows a closer picture with a Fairy Fort on the right hand side.

Happy flying!

-------------------

X-Plane 11.51r1 on a 16 GB M1 Mac mini (494 GB storage) connected to a Dell Model 2007 FPb monitor (1600 x 1200 @ 60Hz) via USB-C to VGA and to a Westinghouse TV model LD2240 (1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz) via HDMI to HDMI.  A 3rd monitor Flatron W2252TQ is connected via VGA to startech.com USB 3.0 Dual Head Graphics Adapter DVI-I to DVI-I/VGA toUSB 3 to Mac Mini.  Displaylink application was loaded and activated.  OS is Big Sur 11.1  Logitech Saitek Yoke, Power Quadrant and Rudder pedals.  Private Pilot and PA28-140 owner.

AerialView.pdf FairyFort.pdf

1 hour ago, Sean Dwyer said:

The iPad is linked via Bluetooth, as is a keyboard, which is necessary as the Mac Mini is bare bones. The first two monitors were easy, one via HDMI and the other via Thunderbolt 3.  The tricky part was the 3rd monitor, which Apple said could not be done.  Another poster in the forum pointed me in the right direction.  His handle is InThePattern.  Following his lead, I bought a "USB 3.0 Dual Head Graphics Adapter - HDMI and DVI-I" from Startech via Amazon for $80 plus tax.  The part number is #USB32HDDVII. The kit included a DVI-I to VGA adapter and some cable.  That connected my 3rd monitor.  I also had to download a driver from the Startech.com website.  Getting that running was confusing (I am an old guy), but the support people at Startech could not have been more helpful.  Once that was up and running (and you want it to be running at startup), the M1 Mac Mini recognized the 3rd monitor.  You have to go through the User Preferences/Display Preferences/Gather Displays route to tell the computer where the monitors are and which one is the main monitor.  Interestingly, X-Plane did not see the 3rd monitor, even though I could run the cursor and documents across all three screens.

My wife suggested that I treat X-Plane like a jealous child, as I had been using it with just 2 monitors for a week or more. So I quit X-Plane and went back to Display Preferences/Gather Displays and made the new monitor the 'main monitor'.  After starting X-Plane again, the program now recognized all three monitors, although I was looking to one side to see the windscreen.  To cut a long story short, introductions had been made, and all I had to do was quit x-Plane again, and tell the computer which monitor was really the main one.  When I restarted X-Plane, all three monitors were working.  You have to play around in graphics to angle them correctly.

Final point, I am getting satisfactory Frame Rates for my needs (VFR flying around south east Wisconsin and Ireland), although the heavy duty users on the forum tell me that I will have trouble with complex aircraft in weather that will never appeal to me.  I am happy with a Cessna and a Cherokee.

A post final point, some Europeans on another thread were complaining about ForeFlight not having charts for Europe.  But the basic $99 subscription for ForeFlight does include an Aerial Map with is a satellite map with streets identified on the map.  Your X-Plane is depicted on this map the same way it is depicted on a VFR or IFR map by Foreflight.  The iPad in the attached picture show shows X-Plane over Kerry Airport near Killarney, Ireland.  The second picture shows a closer picture with a Fairy Fort on the right hand side.

Happy flying!

-------------------

X-Plane 11.51r1 on a 16 GB M1 Mac mini (494 GB storage) connected to a Dell Model 2007 FPb monitor (1600 x 1200 @ 60Hz) via USB-C to VGA and to a Westinghouse TV model LD2240 (1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz) via HDMI to HDMI.  A 3rd monitor Flatron W2252TQ is connected via VGA to startech.com USB 3.0 Dual Head Graphics Adapter DVI-I to DVI-I/VGA toUSB 3 to Mac Mini.  Displaylink application was loaded and activated.  OS is Big Sur 11.1  Logitech Saitek Yoke, Power Quadrant and Rudder pedals.  Private Pilot and PA28-140 owner.

AerialView.pdf 2.1 MB · 4 downloads FairyFort.pdf 4.45 MB · 4 downloads

I think I am starting to get it. Is. your third monitor tied into the Mini via a USB? If I read correctly there are two thunderbolt ports, 1 hdmi port and one USB. port? Again if I am interpreting correctly your hub is plugged into the USB with one line going to your third monitor - correct?

Is the second thunderbolt used for other things?

Here is a link I just found on the fact that thee seems to be some hidden strengths in the thunderbolt ports on the M1 mini    Have a look

https://eshop.macsales.com/blog/68484-thunderbolt-on-the-m1-mac-mini/

I have three monitors all with DP and HDMII input ports and I also have a Matrox hub that takes one computer output and stretches it across three. Your setup I think has three separate screens going to three monitors and you set them up for position and size in XP. I am running a Mac Pro 2010 with an RX 580 gpu and it would not handle three separate vid outputs unless I wanted to run at about 1-2 fps :-) If you have 3 separate feeds to three monitors you are doing very well!  

2 hours ago, Geoffcfp said:

I think I am starting to get it. Is. your third monitor tied into the Mini via a USB? If I read correctly there are two thunderbolt ports, 1 hdmi port and one USB. port? Again if I am interpreting correctly your hub is plugged into the USB with one line going to your third monitor - correct?

 

Is the second thunderbolt used for other things?

I am only using one of the Thunderbolt ports, and that is for the left side monitor.  I had tried to use different adapters/displayports to link the second Thunderbolt port to a monitor, but without success.  Those attempts included DVI-I, VGA and HDMI. There is a difference (which is beyond me) between Displayport and DisplayLink, and the latter is what is needed, along with the Startech DisplayLink driver.  The DisplayLink adapter is connected to a USB port on the Mac Mini on one side and to a DVI-I/VGA adapter on the other side.  From that there is a VGA to VGA cable, which plugs into the monitor on the right side.  The main monitor in the middle is connected by HDMI on the Mac to HDMI in the monitor, which is actually a TV.  The DisplayLink, the DVI-I/VGA adapter, and a VGA/VGA cable all came in the kit from Startech.

The first support person at Startech that I talked to pointed me to the driver that needed to be downloaded.  I sent an email asking for more help and got an immediate response via live email.  Finding the typing clumsy, I asked if we could talk on the phone.  He (a Canadian like yourself) immediately called me, and we had the computer seeing all three screens in minutes.  That was about 10:00 PM!  Subsequently, I had to go though the psychology of getting X-Plane to acknowledge the 3rd screen, as I mentioned in my earlier post.

The M1 Mac Mini has only two USB ports, and I was already using one for the flight controls and wanted to plug in other stuff (mouse, camera, etc.), but tonight I plugged the controls into a separate USB bus with multiple ports, and plugged the bus into the Mac Mini.  That has worked so far. 

The M1 chip seems to be catching a lot of people by surprise, including many early doubters in the X-Plane forums.  I purchased the 16 GB M1 Mac Mini for $899 (US) rather than the 8 GB one for $699, 'just in case'.  Either price is remarkably low for such powerful machines.  I believe it is even catching Apple by surprise, as they were adamant that it could only handle two displays.

I hope I have answered you questions.  If not, ask again.

Sean

8 hours ago, nonstop73 said:

no sure if it is necessary but I think it all depends on how much you plan to slide the markers in the settings.  I found that 64GB ram made it run so smooth but I think you can be fine with 32 but depends on how much you plan to push the settings.  Since you should have four memory slots, I would suggest you buy two 16gb and then try it.  If you still think you need more then get two more 16 sticks which is what I did.  I can tell you 64GB for me was well worth.  The Mac is running smooth other than the same issues everyone experiences whether PC pr Mac with the plug ins and the Xplane software.  Also, I don't have any issues with Big Sur.

Thanks for the info nonstop73. Will Give that a go!

I use a mac and personally i think the Thrustmaster USB joystick works the best

15 hours ago, Sean Dwyer said:

I am only using one of the Thunderbolt ports, and that is for the left side monitor.  I had tried to use different adapters/displayports to link the second Thunderbolt port to a monitor, but without success.  Those attempts included DVI-I, VGA and HDMI. There is a difference (which is beyond me) between Displayport and DisplayLink, and the latter is what is needed, along with the Startech DisplayLink driver.  The DisplayLink adapter is connected to a USB port on the Mac Mini on one side and to a DVI-I/VGA adapter on the other side.  From that there is a VGA to VGA cable, which plugs into the monitor on the right side.  The main monitor in the middle is connected by HDMI on the Mac to HDMI in the monitor, which is actually a TV.  The DisplayLink, the DVI-I/VGA adapter, and a VGA/VGA cable all came in the kit from Startech.

The first support person at Startech that I talked to pointed me to the driver that needed to be downloaded.  I sent an email asking for more help and got an immediate response via live email.  Finding the typing clumsy, I asked if we could talk on the phone.  He (a Canadian like yourself) immediately called me, and we had the computer seeing all three screens in minutes.  That was about 10:00 PM!  Subsequently, I had to go though the psychology of getting X-Plane to acknowledge the 3rd screen, as I mentioned in my earlier post.

The M1 Mac Mini has only two USB ports, and I was already using one for the flight controls and wanted to plug in other stuff (mouse, camera, etc.), but tonight I plugged the controls into a separate USB bus with multiple ports, and plugged the bus into the Mac Mini.  That has worked so far. 

The M1 chip seems to be catching a lot of people by surprise, including many early doubters in the X-Plane forums.  I purchased the 16 GB M1 Mac Mini for $899 (US) rather than the 8 GB one for $699, 'just in case'.  Either price is remarkably low for such powerful machines.  I believe it is even catching Apple by surprise, as they were adamant that it could only handle two displays.

I hope I have answered you questions.  If not, ask again.

Sean

Thank you. I think I have it now. Have you tried switching your thunderbolt connection to the other thunderbolt port?  If that still puts out signal to the monitor try your other connector to the thunderbolt port you just freed up. If still a no-go then there may be something to Apple’s claim about two monitors. It would be an interesting test to try the new thunderbolt hub that adds three thunderbolt ports. Unfortunately I think that sells for close to $300 USD 

So in summary you are getting one video feed from each of 1-HDMI, 1 thunderbolt and 1- USB through a hub  

thanks so much for your help and patience  🙂  

3 hours ago, Geoffcfp said:

Thank you. I think I have it now. Have you tried switching your thunderbolt connection to the other thunderbolt port?  If that still puts out signal to the monitor try your other connector to the thunderbolt port you just freed up. If still a no-go then there may be something to Apple’s claim about two monitors. It would be an interesting test to try the new thunderbolt hub that adds three thunderbolt ports. Unfortunately I think that sells for close to $300 USD 

So in summary you are getting one video feed from each of 1-HDMI, 1 thunderbolt and 1- USB through a hub  

 

thanks so much for your help and patience  🙂  

 

Prior to getting the DisplayLink, I had tried several Displayports that allowed connections from the 2nd Thunderbolt port to HDMI, VGA and VDI-I.  I also tried to daisy chain from one Thunderbolt port, but all failed.    Your summary is correct, as long as you include the DisplayLink and its driver.  

You are welcome and I am glad I could contribute to the forum.