USB-C Video Port not working with MacBook or other laptops

Again, same observation on my MiBook Air with Win 10. - USB-C dongle to HDMI works without any problems. - USB-C to USB-C Input for PPM equals no signal.

The USB-C to HDMI dongle most likely a DP alt-mode dongle with an additional DP to HDMI converter inside. The projector only supports straight up HDMI alt-mode. This alt-mode has been standardized since 2016 (and has been well supported by MacBooks) but there are clearly a lot of computers not supporting it still. Using the PPM HDMI input is a workaround that won’t affect image quality, but I agree that a USB-C full featured cable and nothing else is a more portable solution than a dongle and an HDMI cable…

Since the USB-C to HDMI dongle is working it seems that it is some kind of protocol issue, right ? Since the dongle is working and the direct USB-C connection isn’t it is not data rate related, since HDMI or DP should have the same video data rate. If your suspection is right, why is PPM only supporting one mode, and not both ? - Would it be fixable by SW, or is it some HW issue ? - We are facing a lot of strange incompatibilies with the PPM, that are not easing normal usecases. For a portable device it would be cool not to mess around with a lot of extra gadgets to make data paths towards video, audio, decoding or charging working.

This is not something that can be patched in PPM software. Basically the V56 chip in the PPM has three HDMI inputs, one from the internal Android SoC, one from the HDMI port and the third from the USB-C video port. The chip doesn’t know how to deal with DisplayPort data. If the PPM was to support DP alt-mode there would have to be a DP to HDMI converter chip inside as well.

HDMI alt-mode is a fully standardized alt-mode that most-if-not-all devices capable of DP alt-mode should be able to do (as most GPUs can do DP++ HDMI-over-DP), but if it’s not currently present on the sink side that’s something that will require firmware changes there. The 16" MacBook Pro seems to have this issue at the moment (the older machines works fine).

So it is confirmed PPM uses HDMI alt-mode?
That’s sad because I thought DP alt-mode is more common with devices.
Maybe that’s the reason why Samsung S8 won’t work. I never expected that HTC 10 supports HDMI alt-mode though. Now I’m not sure if my coming PinePhone will work on PPM :frowning:

Yes. USB-C Video Port not working with MacBook or other laptops - #21 by Philips_Support_P

DP alt-mode would have required yet another chip or two in the PPM, driving cost up. That’s my guess.

Edit: The only video alt-mode supported by the PPM USB-C video port is alt-mode DP, not HDMI → Connecting laptop using USB-C cable - #21 by Philips_Support_P

I see. HDMI costs royalties too right? DP is free?

There’s already an HDMI port right next to the USB-C so it won’t really matter but yes I believe you’re right about DisplayPort being royalty free. It would be a hard sell only presenting DP and DP alt-mode without HDMI though.

Guys I used the provided USB-C with PPMAX to connect to macbook and it works fine. ( the apple charging cable doesnt work though as its just a charging cable)

I am trying to run auto focus and it is re focusing but cant see the focus ring with letters to fine tune it when connected to USB-C Video output. Is it normal? Any Expert opinion?

This is normal, it is still focusing but on the image displayed as is. The focusing ring is an Android app which is why you don’t see it when using one of the external inputs.

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If it’s easier for you, you can do focus on the main screen (with the on purpose screen) and then go back to your USB-C source :wink:.

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yeah i did that way , just wanted a confirmation :slight_smile:

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Just to clarify, it was confirmed from engineering (Connecting laptop using USB-C cable) that there_is_ DP to HDMI conversion built in, and I have now verified myself that there is in fact a classic Parade PS176 protocol conversion chip between the USB-C video port and the HDMI multiplexer in the V56.

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so that means only alt-mode HDMI will work and not DP?

The other way around, the DisplayPort signal coming in from the USB-C port in alt-mode DP will be converted to HDMI for internal processing. The HDMI port is fed straight to the input selector, and the video output from internal Android is also a straight-up HDMI, which means that the V56 video chip will only have three different HDMI sources to switch between.

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I’ve just recently got my PPM and not been able to successfully connect it to my Macbook Pro (2019) via USB-C. Getting a no signal screen. I have been using the accompanying cable that came with the PPM. I’ve connecting the same Macbook Pro with a HDMI (via an official apple dongle) but really want to get it to work directly plugging via USB-C.

I’ve connected a family members Macbook Air (2019) via USB-C and this recongises the PPM and works just fine so it’s not the video port on projector that is the issue.

Any idea why i can’t get my Macbook Pro to work? Any known hardware issue or some sort of config i need to adjust?

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same issue with Surface Go and Acer switch 5. It works with a dongle usb C hdmi/hdmi but it’s not works with usb c/usb c…Any solution ?

It depends. It might be the same issue I faced: Troubleshooting: USB-C video problems - #27 by Philips_Support_P and as you have already confirmed that everything is fine with a MBA I’m fairly sure this is the exact same handshake issue I had with my MBP 16" (2019).

It looks like it - i’ve also posted on that thread to. Doesn’t seem like there is a fix.

Is this something that can be solved with a software update or is a hardware issue that can’t be sorted?

It definitely sounds like you need the newer firmware for the USB-C alt-mode controller inside the PPM. I was able to upgrade mine (that’s what the USB communication is for in the charge port), but the upgrade process is not entirely straight forward (and clearly not meant for end-user use).

I believe the supported way from Philips point of view is to swap the projector (as was mentioned by @Philips_Support_P in the other thread). I wouldn’t recommend the horrible tool from Legendary/C-Force.

It’ll be interesting to see if there are more people having this issue, maybe there are enough people to warrant a custom off-line tool to be developed, thereby avoiding shipping projectors back and forth.

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