Troubleshooting: USB-C video problems

Thkx voor fast reply. I found the LDAV-adapter as well at Apple site. I also saw 2x video iPhone/iPad with PPM on 1) LDAV link and 2) thru AirPlay. Does this imply that sound is now by default by PPM (at least if I understand remark under HDMI 4CC/Zoom/BT not supported)? For standard TV / Sports not an issue, but when playing a movie I would like to pair to eg BT Headphone. Note: When using ATV 4K (Apple TV, living room) this is not an issue, because you can pair Headphone to ATV. However ATV3 (attic or holiday use) only has only optical link for audio out, so lot more hassle for HomeCinema sound experience. Hopefully I am wrong with my conclusion because aslo read in PPM standard mode with internal apps you can even pair 2x BT … Btw is YouTube in HD? That could be an alternative on renting a movie… Thkx for checking out.

Please see INFO: Limitations of features for HDMI and USB-C inputs.

  • there’s no BT audio support when playing external video. You can plug speakers into the audio out jack on the PPM though. So if you want you can also plug a Bluetooth or FM transmitter to this jack to get wireless audio of HDMI content too.
  • yes YouTube is in full HD, but due to lack of Google services, it’s not guaranteed that rented/purchased YouTube content will really play. You can log into your Youtube account, but we’ve not tested playing purchased content in Youtube.

I can’t manage to get the usb-c input working. I tried different cables (PPM, Mac, Dell), different laptops (MBP16, Dell Latitude) and all I get is a yellow screen with no signal on the PPM. I tried a factory reset as well…

Hi @pconort,

At least for the MBP16, I’ve read here that it’s a known issue, but it seems that MBP15 for example is OK.
On my side, I’ve tested with success my MBA 2019 13" with the provided PPM cable.
Have you people around you with such equipment in order to test ?
Or maybe you can find an adapter which converts USB-C to HDMI ?

I think it should work with the 2 laptops I mentioned. Both of those laptops are well known and follow the usb-c standard. Is the usb-c limited somehow?

I assume you’ve applied the test protocol at the top of this thread (have you ?).

As said in the (quite long) thread below, connection with MBP 2019 16" seems to have an issue :

Yes, I’ve applied the protocol.

Now, I’ve just tested with an iPad Pro, and it works on it. So there is an known issue on MBP16, and a new issue on Dell Latitude 7390. The 2 only laptops I use :frowning:

Here is the error I get on the Latitude 7390 on W10E 1809:
PPM_USBC_Error

I know it’s a half-solution, but while waiting for a lasting solution you can use as a workaround an adapter USB-C/HDMI, as said by @trappm in the same thread :

I think it was confirmed that PPM uses alt-mode HDMI on its type-C port instead of alt-mode DisplayPort.
Maybe you can check your laptops which alt-mode it supports.

So this is a new hardware limitation of the USB-C PPM input, it should be written somewhere.

Probably or your connected device’s limit :sweat_smile:
It’s not really common for devices to indicate which technology they are using for this.
I’ve actually searched for what the Samsung S8 uses because it’s not working on my PPM but works on my portable monitor via type-C and I read somewhere that S9 works on PPM. In the end, I was not able to see anywhere that confirms which alt-mode it supports :smile:

DisplayPort is the most widely implemented alternate mode, and is used to provide video output on devices that do not have standard-size DisplayPort or HDMI ports, such as smartphones and laptops.
USB-C - Wikipedia

I think it’s Okayish for a device to not support all the modes, but not for a monitor or a projector. Or at least it should be very clear that USB-C is HDMI alt-mode only.

I agree though, since alt-mode DP is really the most common one and it’s a disappointment to me too.
So far my ThinkPad and HTC 10 works though and I just wish my PinePhone will work on it too.

For what it’s worth I have USB-C working fine with the PPM connected to a Dell Precision 5520 with Windows 10 Pro1909

Good point, it should be made clearer.

But do note that PicoPix Max is not advertised as supporting DisplayPort, VGA, Component video, SCART or similar video input formats, whether through their native connector or through USB-C. Remember that USB-C is simply a type of connector which can carry a lot of different signals like USB2, USB3, HDMI, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, Power Delivery etc. It’s not required for a device to support all those, and should also not be assumed as such. The most popular consumer devices like iPad Pro, MacBook etc. work fine with PicoPix Max via USB-C video output. If your device doesn’t support alt-HDMI mode, it can also be considered a limitation of your device! We know at least the 2019 16" MacBook Pro has an issue with this (we are investigating).

I think it should be mentioned here, in the connection specifications:
Firefox_Screenshot_2020-02-12T15-45-52.382Z
Somehting like “2x power and video (HDMI alt-mode)”

I was just about to ask, did you get a chance to test the PPM on a MBP 16" in the Apple store or elsewhere?

@Philips_Support_P Did you have a chance to test the 16" MBP USB-C compatibility before Covid-19 struck? Can’t find much else mentioning HDMI alt-mode (haven’t received my unit so can’t test myself yet)

Hi @wernerj yes this is already fixed. However this requires the type-C chip’s firmware to be modified. New shipments have it, old ones don’t. I think the strategy will be to offer an upgrade to those who need this feature. As the MacBook 2019 was released after PicoPix Max, there was no way for us to test it before production.

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About the USB C video : is it possible to plug and external DD onto USB-C video ?
Will it be recognized ?

DiskDrive(USB-C) <–> USB-C (video)