High-end Thunderbolt displays such as Apple Studio Display and LG UltraFine 5K are widely used on professional desks thanks to their excellent image quality, color accuracy, and clean single-cable design.
However, a long-standing question remains:
Can you connect multiple gaming consoles and PCs to a single Thunderbolt display—without latency, audio sync problems, or resolution limitations?
For years, the answer was technically possible, but practically flawed.
Thunderbolt-only displays do not accept HDMI signals directly, forcing users into workaround-based setups involving capture devices, macOS software, and a host Mac acting as a bridge.
The TESmart THK401-X4 changes this entirely.
It delivers a true hardware-level Thunderbolt KVM solution, allowing consoles, PCs, and Macs to share one Thunderbolt display with near-zero latency, native audio pass-through, and stable 4K output—without software dependency.
Why Thunderbolt Displays Were Traditionally Difficult to Use with Consoles
Displays like Apple Studio Display and LG UltraFine 5K are designed to be driven by a Thunderbolt host, not by HDMI or standard DisplayPort sources.
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They do not accept HDMI input
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They require a Thunderbolt handshake
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Passive HDMI-to-USB-C adapters cannot work in reverse
As a result, gaming consoles such as PS5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch cannot connect directly.
The Traditional Mac Bridge Workflow — and Its Real Problems
Traditional Setup
In this setup, the console’s HDMI signal is:
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Captured by a USB capture card
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Transferred over USB
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Rendered by macOS software
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Output again to the Thunderbolt display
Why This Fails for Gaming and Daily Use
1. Added Latency
USB capture and software rendering introduce noticeable input delay, making the setup unsuitable for gaming or real-time interaction.
2. Audio Complexity and Sync Issues
Audio must be routed through macOS, often requiring:
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Virtual audio devices
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Manual system configuration
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Troubleshooting lip-sync or delay problems
3. Resolution and HDR Instability
Capture-based workflows frequently result in:
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Resolution fallback to 1080p
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HDR disabled after switching
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HDCP-protected content not displaying correctly
In short, these solutions simulate a display through software—they are functional, but never native.
THK401-X4 Direct Thunderbolt KVM Workflow
Hardware-Level Switching
The TESmart THK401-X4 eliminates the Mac bridge entirely.
Instead of capturing and re-rendering video, it performs real-time hardware signal switching, presenting a true Thunderbolt display connection to the monitor.
Why THK401-X4 Delivers Better Latency, Audio, and Image Quality
Near-Zero Added Latency
Unlike capture-based solutions, the THK401-X4:
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Does not digitize video into USB streams
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Does not buffer frames
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Does not rely on OS-level rendering
The result is near-zero added latency, comparable to a direct console-to-display connection—making it suitable for console gaming, fast-paced titles, and real-time work.
Native Audio Pass-Through (No OS Audio Routing)
Audio is handled entirely at the hardware level.
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Console audio passes directly to the Thunderbolt display or connected audio device
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No macOS audio devices
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No virtual mixers
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No synchronization drift
This ensures perfect audio-video sync, which is especially critical for gaming, streaming, and media playback.
Stable 4K Output with EDID and HDCP Support
The THK401-X4 includes built-in EDID emulation, ensuring that every connected device always detects a valid, consistent display profile.
This prevents common issues such as:
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Resolution dropping to 1080p
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HDR being disabled after switching
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Black screens caused by handshake failures
With full HDCP compliance, protected content plays normally—no workarounds required.
Introducing TESmart THK401-X4
The THK401-X4 is a multi-input Thunderbolt KVM switch designed for mixed environments, where consoles, PCs, and Macs need to share one premium Thunderbolt display and one set of peripherals.
Input Configuration
| Input | Designed For | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Input 1 | Gaming Console | HDMI (PS5, Xbox, Switch) |
| Input 2 | Gaming Console | Second HDMI input |
| Input 3 | PC | HDMI + USB-B for full KVM |
| Input 4 | Mac | Native Thunderbolt input |
This structure avoids compromise:
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Consoles use simple HDMI
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PCs retain full keyboard/mouse control
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Macs remain fully Thunderbolt-native
Output & Peripheral Ports
| Port | Function |
|---|---|
| Thunderbolt Output | Direct connection to Apple Studio Display, LG UltraFine 5K, or other Thunderbolt monitors |
| USB 10Gbps Ports | High-speed peripheral sharing |
| Dedicated K/M Ports | Reliable KVM control |
Single-Console Setup Example
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Connect the Thunderbolt display to the THK401-X4 output
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Connect a console to Input 1 or Input 2
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Optionally connect a PC or Mac
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Switch sources via hotkeys or front panel
Result:
The console appears directly on the Thunderbolt display—
no Mac, no capture card, no software, no latency.
Multi-Device Desk Setup
A typical high-end desk might include:
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PS5
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Nintendo Switch
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Windows PC
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MacBook Pro
With the THK401-X4, all four devices share:
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One Thunderbolt display
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One keyboard and mouse
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One clean, stable workflow
Switching is instant, and the display behaves as if it were always directly connected.
Summary: Hardware Beats Workarounds
Capture-based solutions attempt to emulate a display.
THK401-X4 actually is the display connection.
Key advantages at a glance:
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Near-zero latency — no USB capture, no software rendering
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Native audio pass-through — no sync issues
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True 4K@60Hz with stable EDID and HDCP
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One Thunderbolt cable to the display
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Designed for real consoles, not video previews
Conclusion
Yes—you can connect multiple consoles and PCs to one Thunderbolt display.
The TESmart THK401-X4 replaces fragile software workarounds with a clean, hardware-based solution that delivers:
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Low-latency performance suitable for gaming
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Native audio with perfect synchronization
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Stable resolution, HDR, and HDCP behavior
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Seamless switching between work and play
For users who demand both premium Thunderbolt displays and uncompromised console performance, the THK401-X4 makes it finally practical.
FAQ
Q1: Does the THK401-X4 introduce input latency for gaming consoles?
A:
No. The THK401-X4 does not rely on video capture or software rendering.
All video switching is performed at the hardware level, without USB video streams, frame buffering, or OS-level processing.
The result is near-zero added latency, comparable to a direct console-to-display connection.
Q2: Do I need a Mac, drivers, or any software to use the THK401-X4?
A:
No. The THK401-X4 is a fully hardware-based Thunderbolt KVM switch.
It does not require:
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A Mac acting as a bridge
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Capture software
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Drivers or background applications
All connected devices output video and audio directly through the THK401-X4, ensuring a clean, OS-independent workflow.
Q3: Does the THK401-X4 support stable 4K resolution, HDR, and HDCP content?
A:
Yes. The THK401-X4 supports 4K@60Hz output, full HDCP compliance, and built-in EDID emulation.
EDID emulation ensures that consoles and PCs always detect a valid display profile, preventing resolution fallback, HDR being disabled after switching, or black screen issues.
