Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics-how to change Active Signal Mode

[Cov]

Hi, 

How do I change the Active Signal Mode on the Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics?

I am trying to change the Active Signal Mode on a Dell Windows11 laptop. I have attached a screenshot to show where in the settings I am trying to change this. Despite changing the mode in the Display adapter properties, the Active Signal Mode does not change (only the Desktop mode changes). I need to do this to test the behaviour of a Projector screen which seems to flicker at higher Signal modes. 

Microsoft support tried changing this, but advised the Graphics adapter is Intel provided and Intel support could help with a feature to change the Active Signal Mode.

Could you help please?

Thanks,

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov,

Thank you for posting in the Intel Communities. We would be more than happy to help you disable Active Signal Mode and to better assist you please provide us with the following information:

We would like to have more details about your system. Share with us the system reports using the following:

• Intel®️ System Support Utility (Intel®️ SSU)
  • Open the application and click "Scan" to see the system and device information. By default, Intel®️ SSU will take you to the "Summary View."
  • Click on the menu where it says: "Summary" to change it to "Detailed View."
  • To save your scan: click "Next"; then "Save."
• Intel® Graphics Command Center:
  • Open the Intel Graphics Command Center
  • Navigate to the Support tab
  • Select System Diagnostic
  • Click Generate Report
  • Select Save and name the output file.

Best regards

Jean O.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Cov]

Hi Jean,

Intel SSU scan: Please find attached the Intel SSU scan.

Intel Graphics Command Center: When I click on 'Generate Report' and save it, it shows a message 'Could not create bug report'. (Screenshot attached). The text file that gets saved is empty.

Please advise.

Kind regards.

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov,

Thank you for the information provided. We understand that you got an error message when you captured the Intel GCC report, and the report couldn't be generated; however, we will continue to research this matter internally with the information we have. We will post back as soon as we have more details.

Best regards

Jean O.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov,

Before we continue to look into this matter, we would like to ask you for more information about the flickering issue in your projector, so please provide me with the following:

• Does it happen on a display/TV?
• How is the projector connected? Are you using any adapters/splitters to connect the projector?

Best regards

Jean O.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Cov]

Good Morning Jean,

Please find below my response to your questions.

• Does it happen on a display/TV?

Response: No. The flickering happens on a projector screen. (Projector flickering video attached)

• How is the projector connected? Are you using any adapters/splitters to connect the projector?

Response: The projector is connected to the laptop via HDMI ports/cables. The projector is used in a Church, and in order to avoid tripping & unsightly cables running around (distance between the laptop operator & projector is around  60feet/20meters), we have two metal casing HDMI ports into which HDMI cables are plugged in). Basically, a 7feet cable connects the projector to a HDMI port located on a pillar, then a 20feet cable connects that HDMI port to another HDMI port in one of the pews/benches, and a 7 feet cable connects this HDMI port to the laptop.

Hope this helps.

I should also say: that: 

1. When we connect a Windows10 laptop (with a lower active signal mode-1366x768 60Hz) using the above setup, there is no flickering.

2. When we connect a Microsoft Surface pro Windows11 laptop (with a lower active signal mode-1536x1024 60Hz) using the above setup, there is no flickering.

3. Only when we connect any other Windows11 laptop(with active signal mode-1920x1080 60Hz) using the above setup, there is flickering on the projector screen (as shown in the video).

Having said that, Please note, when I connect the Windows11 laptop directly to the projector, i.e. use one HDMI cable connecting the laptop directly to the projector, there is no flickering. Only when the above said multiple connecting points are used, the projector image flickers when using a Windows11 laptop. Obviously there is an interference while using multiple connecting points and lengthy cables. I have tried changing to the 16 different display resolutions available on the Windows11 laptops, with no effect. Hence my request to change the Active Signal mode in the Windows11 laptop to a lower active signal mode, either 1536x1024 6Hz or 1368x768 Hz to test if I get a stable projection image.

Thanks for your continued support.

Kind regards.

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov,

As you mentioned there is no flickering when you connect the Windows 11 laptop directly to the projector, we can confirm that the graphics card and drivers are working fine. Maybe there is an issue with one of the other HDMI cables or HDMI splitters you use. It is important to mention that Intel does not recommend using any kind of adapters and can not guarantee 3rd party products/adapters will work as expected. We always recommend using straight connections with no video adapters/dongles in between. If the issue persists, it is possible that the adapter is not supported by the controller. In that case, you'll need to contact the adapter manufacturer for possible workarounds. Maybe there could be video signal degradation in the setup you use, causing the flickering issue.

Best regards

Jean O.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Cov]

Hi Jean,

Thank you for your response.

I appreciate the graphics card and drivers are working fine on the laptop.

I think you are right, there could be a signal degradation. But the adapters and cables work fine on a Windows10 and Surface Pro Windows11 laptop.

Hence my question to you as to how to change the 'Active Signal Mode' on my Windows11 laptop so that I can test if a lower signal rate  makes a difference.

Kind regards,

Cov.

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov,

Let us look into this so we can research this and answer your question. We will be posting back as soon as we have more details.

Best regards

Jean O.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov,

After looking into this information, we would like to recommend the following:

You sent a screenshot of the internal screen settings instead of the external display (Projector). Is it possible for you to share the same?

If you are trying only a duplicate method, then it might be worth trying an extended mode.

if the projector is treated just like an external display, we would like to recommend you try to check the following:

• "scale" setting in IGCC - set to maintain display scaling
• "advanced display settings" in OS - check refresh rate and maybe decrease while default resolution will be set,
• in "display adapter properties" for external display - click on "list all modes" and select resolution with some lower refresh rate (the same thing can be done by selecting resolution in display options then going to advanced display settings and changing refresh rate)

For testing, you can also use one of those "working" laptops, connect to the projector, set an extended screen, and set some FHD resolution with 60Hz refresh - if possible. Then, check how this whole setup behaves. if possible use one long cable, the same or similar length as the whole path, and test using two laptops. Also, check cables and ports: plug in/out, dust/pins.

Best regards

Jean O.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov,

We are jumping in your thread to see if you have been able to test the recommendadation we provided in our previous post. Let us know if you require further support.

Best regards

Jean O.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Cov]

Hello Jean,

Tested all you have suggested. Windows11 laptops still end up flickering on the projector screen whilst Windows 10 don't. The difference I can see between the laptops is that the Active signal mode is lower in the Windows10 laptops.

At the moment, we use three cables. One from the projector to a fixed hdmi port (on a pillar) and then another cable connecting this port to another fixed hdmi port (under a pew), and then another cable to connect to the laptop. This setup works perfectly on Windows10, but causes signal degradation when using a Windows11 laptop. Having said that, we used a single 30 feet cable to connect the Windows11 laptop directly to the projector, there was no flickering. So I guess the multiple ports & cables causes a signal degradation on a Windows11 laptop.

We could make changes to the setup to use only one cable. However, since the laptop operator is sat almost 30feet away from the projector (Its a 900 year old huge Church building), we will need to apply & secure building planning permissions to alter some of the fixed HDMI ports and run a single cable beneath the floors. It will cost us as well.

In order to avoid this, is there a way I could test by changing the active signal mode on a few Windows11 laptops and see if it works whilst using the current setup? Please let me know if there is a risk in changing the active signal mode?

Kind regards,

Cov.

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov,

Thank you once again for the information you have provided. We will proceed to look into this matter internally, and we will post back as soon as we have more details.

Best regards

Jean O.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov,

Thank you for your patience. After looking into this matter, we would like to share the following information about the Active Signal Resolution:

• We found an unusual solution for the active resolution in one community forum. However, these recommendations are from a third-party website and not for Windows:
  • go to Advanced Display Settings -> Display adapter properties for display -> List All Modes
  • Select any lower resolution (e.g. 1680 by 1050) and apply - the active signal resolution should have changed to 1920x1080 in the Advanced Display Settings window
  • Now select the 1920x1080 resolution again and the active signal resolution remains the same
  • This is a lot of steps to repeat if switching between multiple display configs is needed as in my case. Tried saving and restoring the monitor profile using display fusion, actual multiple monitors, and monitor profile switcher but none would restore the active resolution. The only thing that worked was WsDisplaySettings

• You can also opt to try a 3rd part app called CRU. You will have to add this "custom" resolution to the list (if there are any free slots) even if this resolution exists, then reboot the PC. After reboot check display settings in Windows and apply.

However, if the issue remains, there are information that we will need to further investigate this:

• We need the EDID information for the projector in both scenarios, using the Windows 11 system with over the straight connection and over a standard 3 cable connection. This information is included with the IGCC system report in each individual scenario. However, to be able to gather the reports, you should try the following:
  • Repair or reset the app via Windows* Settings:
  • Open Settings > Apps > Apps and features.
  • Locate the Intel® Graphics Command Center application and select Advanced options.
  • Under Reset, click Repair.
• What quality/version is this 30ft cable and what are those 3 with wall sockets?
• Wow old are those 3 cables?
• Is it possible to replace one with an active HDMI cable?
• Can we ask for models of those other laptops?

Best regards

Jean O.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov

We would like to check if you have been able to check our previous comment with more recommendations for your problem. Let us know if you require further assistance.

Best regards

Jean O.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Cov,

We have not heard back from you. So we will close this thread. If you need any additional information, submit a new question, as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards, 

Jean O.  

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Hidekiw]

Hi, I have the same issue here, I could fix when change scale in Intel Settings center, my app is in portuguese but you can find it there in picture

When I change this settings the image appers on monitor.

Sorry for my bad english.