Synchronization of NUC Display Outputs using Iris Xe graphics (framelock)

[OwenJ]

I am trying to find out if it is possible to synchronize the video outputs of any recent Intel NUC devices that have dual display outputs. This is typically referred to as framelock and used in applications such as video walls to prevent tearing of video across multiple displays. This was asked around 6 years ago, which had some response indicating it wasn't currently possible but that it would be discussed internally. Unfortunately this never got followed up on publicly:
https://community.intel.com/t5/Media-Intel-oneAPI-Video/Frame-Synchronization-of-Multiple-NUC-Display-Outputs/m-p/1031566

Given that there are now NUC devices that include Intel Iris Xe Graphics with dual display outputs (e.g NUC11TNBv7), I am hoping the situation might have improved:
https://www.intel.co.uk/content/www/uk/en/products/sku/205606/intel-nuc-11-pro-board-nuc11tnbv7/specifications.html

I believe Iris Xe Graphics now has some support for adaptive-sync/free-sync and I also found that in the "Intel® Iris® Xe MAX Graphics Open Source Programmer's Reference Manual" for the discrete Iris Xe Max graphics cards details support for genlock (at least at a very low level):
https://01.org/sites/default/files/documentation/intel-gfx-prm-osrc-dg1-vol04-configurations.pdf

So it seems plausible that things might have moved on for framelock support, but could not find anything directly discussing support for integrated Xe graphics or in relation to NUCs. Does anyone know if this is something that is now possible, or if it is something that is being considered?

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello OwenJ, 

Thank you for the information provided 

I will proceed to check the issue internally and post back soon with more details. 

Best regards,  

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[Ronny_G_Intel]

Hi @OwenJ 

I don't know the answer to your question and I don't believe we have anything similar to "Framelock feature" embedded into the driver but I am not sure, I am not a graphics expert, however, I am thinking Intel® Graphics Command Center may have an equivalent feature.

Let me check on that with the Graphics team and I will get back to you.

Regards,

Ronny G

[OwenJ]

Thanks for the updates. I wasn't aware of Intel® Graphics Command Center, I have only actually tried things out using the Intel® HD Graphics Control Panel, and that was on an older NUC which predates Iris Xe Graphics. That has a "Collage Display" feature that allows multiple displays to be patched together and treated as a single logical display at the OS level. I was a little hopeful when I found this feature, as it would make sense for framelock to be enabled in this situation (if it were possible under the hood), but it didn't appear to work. If Intel® Graphics Command Center has a Collage Display as well, any framelock functionality might be associated with that.

[Ronny_G_Intel]

Hi @OwenJ 

Yes, when you mentioned Framelock Feature I was thinking  Intel® Graphics Command Center and "Collage Display" but I didn't want to create false expectations so I did some digging directly with the Graphics Team. Unfortunately, the answer is that we don't have an equivalent feature to "Framelock" still, the Graphics Team is evaluating multiple features to be included in our GFX solution but can't really promise anything at this point.

I am sorry we cannot provide you with a solution for this request.

Regards,

Ronny G

[OwenJ]

I thought it would be unlikely, and confirmation is helpful either way. Thanks for making enquiries. More specifically on the discrete Intel® Iris® Xe MAX Graphics cards, am I right in interpreting the Programmers Reference manual that there is some low level capability in the chips for genlock? Is this not currently being utilised?

[Ronny_G_Intel]

Hi @OwenJ 

I can only tell you that Genlock is potentially equivalent to Framelock but details are confidential and not Plan of Records (POR) for Tiger Lake Platform which is our latest NUC based on SOC.

I would recommend that if you have general questions about the technology (NUC doesn't support it with the current capabilities) open a new Post on the Graphics forum. My graphics scope of support is limited to NUC and I dont feel like a good reference to chat about Graphics technologies in depth.

Regards,

Ronny G

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello OwenJ, 

Thanks for the reply.

We will proceed to check this further in order to provide you an appropriate and accurate response, as soon as we have any details we will let you know.

Regards,    

Deivid A. 

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello OwenJ,  

Were you able to check the previous post? Please let me know if you need more assistance.   

Regards,    

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician  

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello OwenJ, 

We have not heard back from you, so we will close this inquiry. If you need further assistance or if you have additional questions, please create a new thread and we will gladly assist you.  

Regards,  

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician