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Random projector blackouts since upgrading to Apple silicon
In a live event environment, I recently upgraded from an old Intel MacBook Pro to a new M4 silicon MacBook Pro. I send the signal out to two video screens:
1) A 50″ TV screen via HDMI
2) A projector screen via this signal chain: USB-C to HDMI cable > Blackmagic Mini Converter HDMI to SDI 6G > Pearstone RG-6U Coaxial SDI cable > Blackmagic Micro Converter SDI to HDMI 12G > HDMI in on the Epson Pro G7200W projector. All dip switches on the converter boxes are set to force HD.Since switching computers, the 50″ TV performs fine, but the projector randomly goes black for 6 seconds, then self-corrects. This may happen 2-3 times in an hour and a half event. Notably, I don’t get the blue “no signal” screen. Only the black “I don’t understand this signal” screen. I’ve also tried Blackmagic’s 3G converter box, which is a little more tolerant than the 12G, but this is actually worse. I get the same signal drops, but it doesn’t self-correct. I have to manually unplug the cable and replug it back in.
I understand that Apple has changed the way they handle outgoing signals now and that it tries to dynamically moderate the signal and/or signal timing to help with efficiency. But I’ve turned off everything I can under power management and sleep settings to reduce interference. I’ve also made sure we’re sending out a clean HD signal – 1920 @ 60HZ (or 30HZ, I’ve tried both), RGB color space, no HDR, no variable bit rate, no fancy color spaces, nothing that should confuse the signal converters. But I still get 6 seconds of black at completely random intervals.
And yes — I know it’s a very long signal chain. It’s the best I can do with the existing environment. I can’t get the computer any closer to the projector. Definitely not within the 50 feet to go straight HDMI out. It’s worked for years prior to the new silicon computer.
What am I missing? And what can I try next?
replied 3 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
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3 Replies
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In case anyone else has this problem, I figured it out. It was a combination of Apple’s inconsistent signal timing during periods of high computer use and its power management system cutting the feed to the external monitors during periods of low computer use (despite the laptop screen itself staying active with the video feed). Swapping the first Blackmagic converter for a Decimator MD-HX fixed Apple’s inconsistent signal timing and adding the Amphetamine app fixed the power management quirk.
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Thank you for sharing, Kylene.
I am sure that other users with same problem will be coming to the COW to find your solution.
Not least as I know a few people about to update their Apple Macs for their grading suites, which will undoubtedly encounter similar problems.Hopefully Bessie will award you a solve coin for that share.
Atb
Mads -
Thank you, Kylene!
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