On Sat, 10/19/2024 12:34 AM, Jim Taylor wrote:
Is it true that most modern computers from Dell or HP do not have HDMI support? I was looking at their manuals and images and I don't see HDMI connectivity.
<https://dl.dell.com/content/manual48859638-dell-optiplex-5070-tower-setup-and-specifications.pdf?language=en-us>
Click on "Back View"
I could find a picture on Reddit, of a 5070 with a mezzanine card
where the option hole is listed. It really does appear they cheaped out.
There are two kinds of ports with that shape.
DP Optiplex 780, the DisplayPort does not have a fake HDMI mode (need active converter)
Nobody buys these today, and they're mostly headed to the landfill.
DP++ The 5070 would have the newer options, one of which is
to take a passive dongle (uses no electricity) and convert to HDMI connector.
It's just wires. The "++" in the name, stands for the alternate mode it has got.
CableCreation DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter, 4K 30Hz
https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-CableCreation-Plated-DisplayPort-Converter/dp/B01M09PT7O
DP++ For Active converters, I can find items like this. This will electronically
convert either DP or DP++ to HDMI, and this particular one is 4K @ 60P. This
derives power from the +5V pin on the Optiplex DP/DP++ connector. Usually the +5V pin
supplies up to 500mA or so. With Startech, you only buy directly from Startech,
if delivery times from another supplier are too long.
$35
DP2HD4K60S 4K 60Hz (3840x2160) needs at least DP 1.2
https://www.startech.com/en-us/search?search_term=DP2HD4K60S
It would appear the passive adapter (either a short plug, or a cable with
DP on one end, HDMI on the other), does the job. However, my experience is,
the HDMI on my computers here, doesn't always work with the monitor, which
is to say the least, annoying. The Active adapter I own, has saved my ass
more than once. And the computer room should have at least one of those,
to help avoid hair loss on a day to day basis. If the passive adapter
works for you, then great. But worst case, the Active does the job. The HDMI out of the active, can be "more compatible" than an NVidia video card. I
blame the monitor itself for this (there is at least one brand of monitor,
this has happened on multiple models). Active adapters can be 1920x1080
or they can be ready for 4K (if you needed it). Multisync still works
and you can get 1024x768 if you want, from either.
Going the other way, from HDMI to DP++, I expect that would be swimming upstream, and not an issue to solve for you at the moment. It's when cheap silicon
is readily available, we get these adapters. While they could be purpose
built for the desktop computer industry, a secondary reason is as converters
on the I/O board of TV sets.
Another example of swimming upstream, is going from VGA from a computer,
to HDMI on a device. That is not necessarily cheap, it may have been $100
in the past, but could be a bit cheaper today.
Summary: While the conversion matrix is not perfect, this could be solved
relatively cheaply with a passive DP++ to HDMI (wires) dongle.
Using an Active adapter is belt-and-suspenders when the passive
happens not to work. I bought the Active one, to solve a particular
problem (Optiplex 780 old fashioned vanilla DP output), yet I've
been using the adapter on more modern machines where it should not
have been necessary.
I also have DP to VGA and HDMI to VGA active adapters, which can
be about $20 or so. The room here, has VGA as a lowest common
denominator.
Note that, datapath conversion does not address HDCP. The sender and
receiver may still require HDCP support, for high resolution display.
The innards of the converter don't have to do anything, but the LCD
monitor has to handle the "crypto" coming from the computer video cable.
while today, this normally isn't an issue, it's more ticky boxes to check
if you hate surprises. HDCP is not required below 1920x1080. At exactly
that resolution, I don't know what the policy is versus Windows version.
If you see "colored snow", that's an HDCP problem.
Paul
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