NUC8i7BEH, HDCP 2.2 'Pass' using Thunderbolt-to-HDMI, but 'Not Available' over direct HDMI.

[PPete35]

My NUC8i7BEH runs 4k 'Ultra HD' Netflix from its Thunderbolt video output. This uses an ALOGIC Ultra USB-C (Male) to HDMI 4K (Female) Adapter, a Belkin Ultra HD High Speed 8K HDMI cable, and a ViewSonic VX3211-4K monitor.

If I unplug that HDMI cable from the Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter and plug it into the NUC's HDMI output, Netflix downgrades to standard HD. Windows 10 and YouTube still allow 4k resolution and content regardless.

Running 'CyberLink Ultra HD Blu-ray Advisor' while using the Thunderbolt output, and then using the HDMI output, it shows that HDCP 2.2 goes from 'Pass' to 'Not Available' when using direct HDMI. Same cable, same port on the monitor. Power cycling all devices and using a different HDMI cable has no effect.

So why not just use the Thunderbolt? Because only the HDMI output has LSPCON for High Dynamic Range (HDR). Windows, YouTube and Netflix all offer HDR when using HDMI, in accord with this NUC's HDMI-LSPCON hardware.

Any advice would be appreciated.

NUC details:

- Fresh Windows 10 install, updated, display set to 3840x2160@60Hz.

- All NUC8i7BEH downloadcenter.intel drivers installed.

- 'Intel Driver & Support Assistant' confirms drivers/BIOS updated.

- HDMI firmware flashed to 1.77.01.

- Intel ME and SGX installed, enabled in BIOS.

- HEVC Video Extension installed.

[n_scott_pearson]

If you look carefully, you can find adapters that support HDR. For example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N8RFW86.

...S

[PPete35]

The NUCi7BEH uses an LSPCON (Level Shifter and Protocol Converter) to convert an internal DisplayPort 1.2 to an HDMI 2.0a output. That standard supports HDR.

The rear USB-C Thunderbolt carries a pure DisplayPort 1.2 signal. Support for HDR video is only available in DisplayPort 1.4 and above, so Thunderbolt on this model has no HDR.

I could be wrong, but that is based on the TPS (https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/mini-pcs/nuc-kits/NUC8i3BE_NUC8i5BE_NUC8i7BE_TechProdSpec.pdf) and Anandtech had the same reading (https://www.anandtech.com/show/14164/intel-nuc8i7beh-bean-canyon-nuc-review-ticking-the-right-boxes/8).

Thank you for the suggestion though. I appreciate it.

[n_scott_pearson]

You are correct; with the dongle in place, I am still not seeing HDR support. Ah well.

...S

[Maria_R_Intel]

Hello PPete35,

Thank you for posting in the Intel* Community Forums.

I just checked all the information you provided. We will investigate further about your issue and we will be updating your thread as soon as more details are available.

Best regards, 

Maria R.  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[PPete35]

Maria,

I await your help with great anticipation, as I have exhausted all other avenues for assistance.

When should I expect to hear something?

Regards,

Pete.

[PPete35]

Did you have any troubleshooting advice for this post?

As an update, SGX has stopped working. 4K Netflix stopped one night with no obvious cause. I ran 'CyberLink Ultra HD Blu-ray Advisor' and found that Intel SGX Technology was Not Available (Error code: -394260080). It was working without a problem I made no changes to the machine.

Should I make a new post about the SGX failing too?

[n_scott_pearson]

Certainly not over the weekend. Have some patience.

[Ronny_G_Intel]

Hi PPete35,

My apologies for the delay, we were able to duplicate this issue and we are working on a solution. It seems that Graphics driver v7529 doesn't exhibit this issue. I am looking for a way to share this driver with you.

I am currently out of the office but my peers will be updating this issue.

Regards,

Ronny G

[PPete35]

Ronny and peers,

Happy to hear the issue was reproducible. Let's hope the devs can find a fix for the next Graphics DCH Drivers update.

When Ronny mentioned 26.20.100.7529 does not exhibit this issue, I went to Apps&features and uninstalled Intel Graphics Driver. Windows conveniently rolled back from 8141 to 7529. Perhaps it's included as their Intel default.

That rollback fixed the issue. Over HDMI, CyberLink reports that HDCP 2.2 works and Netflix sends 4K video. Great work.

Thanks,

Pete.

[PPete35]

UPDATE:

For the above solution, a Windows driver update error (i.e. more recent version already installed) was preventing Windows from automatically reinstalling the bugged 8141 driver. Unfortunately, cumulative update KB4557957 steamrolled the misalignment, reinstalling 8141 and causing the issue to reappear.

Repeating the above solution will no longer work because Intel Graphics Driver has already been uninstalled. It no longer appears in Apps&features. Instead, go into Device Manager, open properties of your display adaptor, and click Roll Back Driver in the Driver tab.

For now, that has returned the driver to 7529 and Windows Update is leaving it alone.

Regards,

Pete.

[Ronny_G_Intel]

Hi Pete,

Is it possible that you try driver 8190? Here is the URL: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29557/Intel-Graphics-Windows-10-DCH-Drivers

It is not the latest version available but it should fix the issue, please try this one and report back.

Regards,

Ronny G

[PPete35]

Ronny,

It works. It's for a Celeron processor, but it works!

Based on the version code it's the next major release beyond what is advertised as compatible with the NUCs (i.e. 27* vs. 26*): https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/126140/Intel-NUC-Kit-NUC8i7BEH

Even the download page for the NUC7CJYH, which uses the Celeron J4005 that 8190 is validated for, still advertises v26*. I bet there are more testing gates to get code approved with all-in-ones over processors.

I'll report back if any problems develop over the next week.

Thanks,

Pete.

[Ronny_G_Intel · Accepted solution]

Hi everyone,

We have not scheduled a new graphics driver update for the NUC8i7BEH yet, but you can update to the latest available version 8280 which also contains the fix, here is the URL: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29616/Intel-Graphics-Windows-10-DCH-Drivers

I hope this helps,

Ronny G

[PPete35]

Since the last post 6 months ago, v8681 has been released on NUC8i7BEH's Download Center. Unfortunately, it contains the bug, so the solution remains to install the most recent Intel Graphics DCH Driver by going to Ronny's link and clicking through to the most current version (i.e. 27.20.100.8935).

Windows 10 has taken to rolling back the more recent driver to the bugged v8681. To prevent this, open regedit, create a DWORD key called ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows, and set it to 1.