r/CalDigit

I have a CalDigit TS5 Plus on the way and wanted to run my planned connection map by this community before it arrives. I have read multiple threads about early hardware snags, firmware quirks, and display handshake issues with the TS5 Plus, so I would rather get a sanity check now than troubleshoot blind later.

My machine;

MacBook Pro 16-inch, Apple M4 Pro, 48 GB RAM, macOS (latest stable). The machine has Thunderbolt 5 ports. M4 Pro supports exactly two external displays natively. No DisplayLink in this setup. The MacBook will run in clamshell mode at all times.

My two monitors;

- The main work screen is a 32-inch curved, VA panel, QHD (2560x1440), up to 180Hz, with both DisplayPort and HDMI inputs. This sits landscape, centered on the desk.

- The side/reference screen is an 27-inch, IPS, FHD (1920x1080), up to 100Hz, HDMI input only (no DisplayPort). This will be mounted vertically/portrait to the left of the main one.

Planned connection map through the TS5 Plus;

- MacBook to dock: using the included 1m Thunderbolt 5 cable, from a MacBook TB5 port to the dock’s host TB5 port.

- Dock to 32” monitor: using a UGREEN 16K DisplayPort 2.1 cable (2m), from the dock’s DisplayPort output to the LG’s DisplayPort input.

- Dock to 27” monitor: using an existing Honeywell USB-C to HDMI cable, from a downstream USB-C/Thunderbolt port on the dock to the ASUS HDMI input.

- Ethernet: Cat6A cable from the dock’s 10Gb Ethernet port to the router/wall jack.

- Webcam (OBSBOT Meet 2): existing USB-C cable into a USB-C or USB-A port on the dock.

- Audio: Portronics 3.5mm male-to-male AUX cable (2m) from the dock’s 3.5mm audio out to the LG soundbar’s AUX input.

- Charging: Apple 140W MagSafe plugged directly into the MacBook. Charging does not go through the dock. I know the MacBook will pick one charging source and will not draw from both simultaneously.

What I have read that concerns me;

Some users are reporting display handshake failures or black screens after sleep/wake with the TS5 Plus, especially with dual monitors. Firmware updates seem to be necessary to fix early bugs. There are potential issues with USB-C to HDMI on downstream ports for the second display. And some reports of Ethernet not being recognized until a specific firmware version.

I am not looking for general dock recommendations. I have already bought the TS5 Plus and I am committed to this setup. Just want to make sure my connection plan is sound and hear from anyone running a similar config.

Thank you so much.

https://preview.redd.it/sy8y7kg0ea2h1.png?width=710&format=png&auto=webp&s=30cee05aa6b5b5cace28c761f8c3ca61101cfb7b

Hello! I am considering getting an Element 5 Hub for my PX13 (it's a GoPro edition from this year) and I am wondering if anyone has any experience with using it with this laptop or PX13 laptops in general. I am concerned I might fry the computer by plugging in simultaneously the dock and the official 200 W power supply which is shipped with the laptop, as it would happen to some older ASUS laptops (G14 2020 I think). Apparently this seems to be solved now, but I am struggling to find a very definitive confirmation it's safe to do so. There are reports of the laptop being fried by the dock (not specifically a CalDigit one!) after the USB-C cable is knocked, so I am still a bit worried.

Most of my work will load CPU (and sometimes also GPU) pretty heavily, so 90 W provided by the dock will not be enough for the laptop and I will need full 200 W. Also, I use several USB4/USB3 external drives daily, so a long term work without a proper dock is not an option.

I would be very grateful if anyone could confirm it's safe to use this dock with PX13 when the laptop's proprietary power adapter is also connected. Any input from CalDigit staff is welcomed!

I recently got my TS5 Plus and while I'm generally happy with it, it gets very loud under higher load. I'm honestly surprised this is an issue at this price point. Support told me this is normal for devices of this type, but I find that explanation disappointing, especially since none of my chargers or other 10 Gbps network devices are anywhere near this loud.

I tried Googling it and found mixed opinions. Some people say it's normal, while others claim it only affects older revisions. Is it really normal?

Hi all,

I’m hoping to get CalDigit support and the communities help with a sanity check.

Recently was given a Dell Pro 16 Plus PB16250 work laptop, I also have 2x ASUS XG32UCWMG monitors at home. I was curious if a TS5 would support dual 4k120hz?

I understand the Dell laptop is a TB4 laptop but curious if I can run one cable from the laptop to the TS5 and then into the two monitors at dual 4k120hz.

I wasn’t really able to get hand confirmation from anyone achieving this on a Dell/Windows laptop.

Would appreciate your thoughts on this!

Cheers

Hello, I got a Mac M5 Pro along with the Cal digit TS5. I have two 4K monitors that can go up to 240 Hz.

I purchased 2U Green HDMI to USB-C that due 4K 240 Hz. Both monitors can do 4K with the set up. Only one can do 144 Hz and the other can do 60 Hz.

The scaling to 4K looks terrible. It’s super small. It helps if I do something like 3008X1692 but still not great.

I bought the TS5 so I can get a high frame rate. The only thing I can think of is maybe my cable from the dock to the Mac needs to be a better cable so I have a thunderbolt 5 cable on the way.

Any tips troubleshooting I can do with the set up?

Hello, is it something you generally advise to do ? do you advise the ts5 over the ts4 to connect the new Studio Display ? any cons to do that ?

computer is MacBook Pro m4
thank you

Hi there

I am having a few issues with the Caldigit TS4 dock

- Hardware: Macbook M4 Pro 14"
- OS: Tahoe
- Monitor: Asus XG32UCWMG - Connected via Ultra HDMI Cable - 3008x1692 - HiDPI
- Dock: Caldigit TS4 - Connected via Thunderbot
- Additional Monitors: 2x Dell 2k - 1x connected via USB-C to the Dock and the other via a DisplayLink adapter (USB-c) also connected to the dock

- When I connect only the Asus monitor to the Macbook, I am able to get 240Hz; however, when I connect the Caldigit TS4 powering the other two monitors as well, the monitor then Asus only runs at 120hz. From the Menu, I can select full 4k 3840x2160 and it will then run at 144hz. If I select 3008x1692 at 144hz then HiDPI switches off - what is happening?

I also have a Macbook M4 Max 16" here I have a similar setup, except:
- 1x Asus XG32UCWMG connected via Ultra HDMI cable - working at 3008x1692 - 240h
- 2x Dell via the Caldigit TS4 dock - one usb-c and the other display port on the dock. I don't need a Display Link adapter because the 16" Max can nativly run three monitors.

But it still does not make sense why it will only run at 120hz at 3008x1692 and 144hz at 3840x2160? Also, the Macbook should be able to run it at 240hz with the Caldigit attached.

Summary

CalDigit Setup
- Asus Monitor connected to DisplayLink connected to USB-C port on CalDigit = 144hz
- 1x Dell connected to CalDigit via USB-C = 2160p at 60hz
- 1x Dell connected to CalDigit via DisplayPort = 2160p at 60hz

CalDigit + HDMI direct setup (Connect Asus monitor first before connecting CalDigit to Mac)
- Asus Monitor connected direct to Macbook via HDMI = 240hz
- Other dell monitors do not work via CalDigit at all - nothing shows up

CalDigit + HDMI direct setup
- Connect Dell monitors via Thunderbolt Mac first - both show up - DisplayLink and USB-C
- Connect Asus via HDMI, max 120hz at 3008x1692

Thank you

Hi everyone,

I’m having a strange issue with my CalDigit TS5 Plus setup on a new MacBook Pro 16-inch with M5 Max.

Every ~10 minutes, my monitor briefly goes black for about a second, and at the exact same time my Universal Audio Apollo x8 disconnects/reconnects (audio drops in Cubase).

What’s strange is that my external SSDs stay mounted and connected during this. So it doesn’t seem like the entire dock fully resets.

Devices connected to the TS5 Plus:

• Apollo x8
• 2x Samsung T7 4TB
• 1x Samsung T7 1TB
• 1x Samsung T5 1TB
• Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2
• Moog Sub37
• Arturia Akai MPK Mini IV
• SSL UF8+UF1 daisy chained
• Genelec GLM
• Monitor connected via DisplayPort

Computer:

• MacBook Pro 16” M5 Max

Nothing is connected to it except TS5 Plus.

Important detail:
With my previous MacBook Pro 16-inch with M1 Max, I did NOT have this issue.

The only issue I had on the M1 Max setup was that sometimes after restart, the SSDs would not appear until shutting down TS5 plus and turning on. But I never had display + Apollo disconnects like this.

I’m wondering if this could be:

• a TS5 Plus firmware issue
• M5 Max Thunderbolt compatibility issue
• thermal issue
• bandwidth/power delivery issue
• or something related to UAD/Apollo

Has anyone experienced similar behavior with TS5 Plus + Apple Silicon + audio setups? Especially where SSDs remain connected, but display/audio briefly disconnect together?

Almost a year ago, caldigit's official IG account posted this photo of their lineup: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLVWG2kz5po/

Those have red sides...unless it's a special effect of the photo (which is my assumption). But just wanted to make sure before I buy one...there's no red ones out there, right? Looks great! Would love to get red instead of silver.