Today’s Mac Pro and smart TV setup is a rare find for two reasons. First, Mac Pro costs so much that we rarely see it in the wild. Second, while big smart TVs used as computer displays continue to gain popularity, we don’t often hear users saying they’re one of the best they’ve ever had. But that’s the case with this LG C2 smart TV setup, used by a photographer and musician.
In it, a powerful cheese-grater Mac Pro drives a gargantuan 42-inch smart TV as an external display.
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42-inch LG C2 smart TV works beautifully in Mac Pro setup
Photographer and Redditor johnnyphotog showcased the impressive setup in a post entitled, “Mac Pro Creation Station.” John’s Mac Pro (96GB memory, 2TB plus 16GB fast internal storage, dual 6900XT graphics with afterburner) drives a massive 42-inch LG C2 Series OLED smart TV.
On Friday, we focused on the setup’s killer Mac Pro. On Monday we look a bit more closely at that display.
Giant LG C2 smart TV as Mac Pro display
Commenters showed as much or more curiosity about the big display as they did about the Mac Pro.
“Do you find any weird issues with lag/latency when using the TV as a monitor?” asked a commenter. “That was something I read that deterred me from going this route, but I kinda wish I gave it another look.”
“Nope, in fact, the LG C2 42-inch works better than most monitors I’ve used in the past!” John replied.
He even posted a video review he taped about using the smart TV as a monitor (see above). He pointed out that MacBook Pro users got HDMI 2.1 recently, meaning they can view 120Hz 4K and take great advantage of smart TVs like the C2, with its 120Hz refresh rate and 3820 x 2160p ultra HD resolution.
And of course an OLED panel like this one achieves astonishingly high contrast, with a 1 million to 1 contrast ratio and remarkably deep-black tones. The TV also incorporates Cinema HDR technology with 100% color accuracy (1 billion colors in a wide gamut). For gaming, it features a low-latency mode, Nvidia GeForce Now and a less-than 1ms response time. It’s also HomeKit and AirPlay 2 compatible. See all C2 specs here.
John explained to another post commenter that he rests the big keyboard on a stand with sliders so he can tuck it under his desk.
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If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups@cultofmac.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
OLED displays like LG's 42-inch AI-Powered 4K TV are capable of accurate color and very high contrast (OLED42C2PUA, 2022).
