NUC7i3BNK/ TV screen starts flickering when refresh is more than 30Hz and HDR enabled

[d_k]

Hi there,

I was wondering why when I connect the NUC to the samsung TV (8000 series) and activate the HDR option, the screen starts to flicker if the refresh rate is higher than 30Hz.

Is a hardware limitation of the NUC? or maybe I don't have a proper HDMI cable?

I have the latest graphics drivers installed (intel uhd 620) and theoretically the cables are 2.0.

When in Samsunt TV the HDMI "input signal plus" is not activated, HDR option does not appear (8 bits and YCbCr 420) :

When I activate on Samsung TV the "input signal plus"  (color format change to RGB):

With "input signal plus" and HDR enabled starts flickering (don't know why changes "8 bits with color interpolation") :

With "input signal plus" and HDR enabled to 30Hz stops flickering (change to 10bit RGB.. don't know why, again hehe):

Best Regards!

[Chris_V_Intel]

@d_k  Hello,

This is a known issue from when the product launched. 

"I have the latest graphics drivers installed (intel uhd 620)..." 

This is exactly the problem. You can't use the latest driver on this product family because of this issue. You must use the GFX driver for this product: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19046/intel-hd-graphics-driver-for-windows-10-for-nuc7i3bn-nuc7i5bn-nuc7i7bn.html. 

[d_k]

Hi Chris, I have that driver installed, the latest for my NUC so I need to install a previous version?

Regards!

[Chris_V_Intel]

Hi @d_k,

Thanks for sharing. Please work with @David_G_Intel and hopefully we can figure this out!

[David_G_Intel]

Hello d_k

Thank you for posting on the Intel️® communities. To further investigate this request, please share with us the Intel® System Support Utility (Intel® SSU) results:

• Download the Intel SSU https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility-for-Windows- 
• Open the application and select "Everything" click on "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 to "Detailed View".  
• To save your scan, click on "Next", then "Save".  

Regards, 

David G 

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[d_k]

Hi David,

Here it is.

PS: Have to say that recently I formatted the NUC, update the BIOS and also the firmware of the HDMI.

Best regards.

[d_k]

Hi David,

Has the scanner clarified anything?

Regards.

[Alberto_R_Intel]

d_k, Thank you very much for providing that information and the SSU report.

In reference to this scenario, we noticed that the Intel® NUC is working only with 4GB of RAM. It is needed to have at least 8GB dual-channel memory RAM in order to be able to use the resolution that you are looking for since 4GB of memory RAM is not enough to run 4K HDR.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[d_k]

Hi Alberto, I do a little research and does not seem to be mandatory -or the main factor-.
Before buying more memory I would like to look up other solutions.

Thanks for the answer!

[David_G_Intel]

Hello @d_k

As Alberto mentioned above, 4GB is not enough to run 4K HDR. You must have at least 8GB dual channel memory for those resolutions using HDR. Please remember that this NUC uses integrated graphics, adding more physical memory increases the graphics memory amount (VRAM).

• https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/95069/intel-nuc-kit-nuc7i3bnk.html

Higher-quality outputs (such as 4K/HDR) use more VRAM because higher-resolution images take more pixels to display.

Regards, 

David G 

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[d_k]

Hi David,

Finally been able to try increasing the memory: 8GB RAM (2x4) and 12GB (4+8)  but the problem persists and also tried this certified 2.0 cable without any result:

 https://www.amazon.com/-/es/PREMIUM-HDMI2-0-10FT/dp/B08224P2JH/ref=sr_1_4?__mk_es_US=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&keywords=hdmi%2Bamazon%2Bbasics&qid=1637710774&sr=8-4&th=1

Any other suggestion?

 

 

Regards.

PS:  Also update to the newer BIOS, and tried the three version of the graphic drivers (61.94, 62.29 and 62.86).

[David_G_Intel]

Hello @d_k

Due to this product being discontinued, Intel Customer Service will no longer support inquiries for it. You may find the Discontinued Products website (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/discontinued-products.html) website helpful to address your request.  

You can get the specifications and verify this product's discontinuance status at the Intel® Product Specifications website > Product Status > "Discontinued". https://ark.intel.com/ 

Please keep in mind that this thread will no longer be monitored by Intel. Thank you for your understanding.  

Regards, 

David G 

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[d_k]

@n_scott_pearson  could you help me?

Regards.

[n_scott_pearson]

You are using the 6286 driver release, which is the last available. You are attempting to use the highest supported data rate (10-bit 4K). If there's (still) a problem, I can only suggest that you try a better-quality (and perhaps shorter) HDMI 2.0- or perhaps 2.1-compliant cable.

Sorry I don't have a better answer,

...S

[d_k]

Hi @n_scott_pearson  So is it possible with this model to reach those data-transfers? Does anyone reach them (without flickering) or are they just "theoretically"?

The truth is, it doesn't matter that much (my tv is 43" and not very expensive, so is not supercrystalhighdefinition), but after the time spent it would be good to know).

By the way my hdmi cables are 0,9 meters long 

Thanks very much for the answer!

[n_scott_pearson · Accepted solution]

At the DisplayPort level, using HDR 3840×2160 at 60Hz (4:4:4 subsampling) requires a transmission data rate of 15.68 Gb/s. The DisplayPort 1.2 signal is capable of supporting 17.28 Gb/s, so reasonable headroom available. On the other side of the LSPcon IC,  which converts from DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0, however, the signal is only capable of supporting 14.4 Gb/s. Now, the spec says this can, in theory, still work if you drop down to 4:2:0 subsampling.

The disconnections you see are an indication that communication is still breaking down (i.e. so much for in-theory). This was a problem with the 7th gen processors. The special 6286 driver was supposed to patch and correct this issue but, as you have seen, it doesn't do a great job of doing so. Worse, the patch doesn't work with the subsequent (DCH) drivers, so that isn't a path to a solution either. If a better cable doesn't do the job, I know of no other alternatives.

Sorry,

...S

[d_k]

I'm gonna read carefully the answer.. very technical and very well explained!

Thanks a lot @n_scott_pearson !

[Chris_V_Intel]

Note: That generation of NUCs supported a max of:

3840x2160 @ 60 Hz with 8-bit color (4:4:4).

As Scott mentioned, if you want to use 3840x2160 @ 60 Hz with 10-bit color, you must use (4:2:0)-Intel didn't support 4:2:2. However, there's no way to change your color bit rate when using Intel GFX drivers.

[d_k]

Sorry Chris I don't think I understood your message properly.

Not being able to change color rate, how does it affect Nuc when paying 4K 60hz?

Do you mean that when I enable HDR the "10Bits RGB" exceeds this max resolution "3840x2160 @ 60 Hz with 8-bit color (4:4:4)" and stars the flickering? 

The photo I posted before when HDR at 60Hz windows set automatically 8 bits color deep with RGB color interpolation (this is a false 10bits?).

Best regards!

[Chris_V_Intel]

Hi @d_k,

What I was saying is that with other GFX vendors, NVIDIA, AMD, they provide the option to change the color space, Intel, at this point, doesn't-though I've heard it is coming.

An NVIDIA example:

[d_k]

Not being able to change color rate, how does it affect for the problem that I have?

The same question I asked your partner. Would the problem I have be solved with a new nuc11?

Best regards!