[ANSWERED] Intermittent signal loss with two mixed-resolution projectors over HDBaseT

[jrhooker]

Hi folks,

I’m having a hardware issue that — try as I might — I can’t seem to fix.

Basically, it’s a two projector set up where one projector keeps on dropping signal. This is just my studio set up — this show can actually run with one projector, but I don’t have enough throw distance in my studio. But I need to solve this for rehearsals to happen.

it’s not an Isadora issue, but I just wonder if anybody has had a similar experience and knows something I could try.

here are the details…

Rig: Mac Studio M3 Ultra, Isadora 4.1.3. External monitor on back HDMI (main display, never drops). Two projectors, each: Mac → USB-C-to-HDMI dongle → OREI UHD-EXB400R-K HDBaseT transmitter → ~100ft Cat6 → receiver → HDMI → projector.

• ViewSonic PS600W (1280×800, lamp DLP) — this one drops

• Springtree ST-C801P (1920×1200, laser DLP) — glitches whenever the ViewSonic drops

Problem: The ViewSonic randomly loses source and recovers. The Springtree glitches at the same moment — I assume macOS re-enumerating displays. Totally irregular timing, sometimes minutes after startup, sometimes two hours in.

Tried: new Cat6, swapped chains between projectors, split the two across the Mac’s separate display port groups, ran each solo through its full chain (both clean alone — only fails with both connected), checked projector standby/signal settings.

Next: considering a HDMI EDID emulator maybe???

Has anyone had anything similar happen. I’m very used to running multiple projector set ups with mixed resolutions, but I’ve never seen this. That said the large projector and the Mac Studio are both new…

TIA!

Jake

[Woland]

@jrhooker said:

HDMI EDID emulator

 This is the solution I would recommend

[mark_m]

@jrhooker

I agree with @woland re HDMI EDID emulators. It can help to stop this kind of glitch where if one connection falters it affects them all. But not always.

These ATEN ones are cheap, cheerful, and effective.

It's curious that the Viewsonic's connection drops only when both projectors attached. Do you have it set to the HDMI input, or is on auto-find connection? 

Who makes your USBC to HDMI dongles? IME cheap ones can be problematic and not even the HDMI emulator will solve an issue with them.
I've never encountered the OREI brand before. I see they are based in Illinois. You could reach out to them and see if they have a suggestion.

HTH Mark (not that Mark)

[jrhooker]

@mark_m Thanks to you and @woland. 

I tried an emulator and still dropped connection.

It’s really bizarre. Maybe the projector is just defective. Honestly, it’s a new company that came out with this great line of 8000 lumen laser projectors that are pretty affordable, but they’re not vetted, so who knows.

Because the crazy thing is that I just used my viewsonics (4 of them) in a show with a month long run with zero issues. So, it appears that the viewsonic is dropping, but it’s only happened with working in tandem with the Springtree. 

They’re a small company and don’t have the usual help line, but I’ve written to them and maybe they can help me.

I’m at a total loss. 

For the record my USB-C dongels are Anker. If you have suggestions for more reliable models. I’ll try anything at this point.

Thanks for responding to an off-Isadora topic. 

Jake

[mark_m]

@jrhooker

Goodness me...

What happens if you connect the projectors to your MBP rather than the Mac Studio? Same result?