Frame rate and refresh rate of video output via HDMI

Patrick Pearsall

I'm using an AJA HA5 to convert the HDMI signal from my MacBook Pro (mid 2015) to an SDI signal.  I wasn't successful in getting the AJA device to work and I swapped computers to a 2019 MacBook Pro and it worked perfectly.  I asked technical support with AJA about issues with older Macs and they first asked what was the frame rate and refresh rate of the HDMI signal.  I'm assuming that is determined by the software, Proclaim but cannot find any documentation or video output settings that give that information.  How can I find out if it is 30 fps @60 Hz or some other combination ?

Jordan Sjodin

If you are going from HDMI to the AJA box, then it should be your Mac's display settings, as that is analogous to plugging in a monitor. 

If you go to your settings, you should see some settings for the AJA. There you can set the resolution and often the Hz. 

When I just looked now on my own Mac, I wasn't able to see the hz chooser, perhaps my external monitor right now doesnt support additional options

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210742

Going to About This Mac > Overview > System Report > Graphics/Displays I was able to see my output is 59hz

I hope that helps! I have used AJA boxes before and once you get the box's settings and the computer's in sync they work well.

Proclaim also has built-in support for Thunderbolt/SDI devices from BlackMagic Design. That integration means the output is directly controlled by Proclaim and avoids any possibility of the computer mouse or desktop background/menu bar ever showing on the output!