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DLPC350: Missed frames when streaming to DMD via HDMI

Part Number: DLPC350
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLP4500

Hi,

We are trying to drive the DLP4500 DMD through the HDMI port using the DLPC350.  We can successfully stream to the DMD, however every so often some frames seem to be "missed":

If we send a sequence of black and white frames through the HDMI to the DMD, then image the DMD using a camera that is triggered from the TRIG_OUT_1 pin of the DLPC350, we expect to see alternating black and white images on the camera.

Instead, we occasionally see several black images back to back, or several white images back to back, implying that some frames were skipped (never got to the DMD).

The camera can give out a trigger whenever it captures a frame.  The number of triggers from the camera always matches the number of triggers from the DMD, so it is not that the camera is missing triggers.

We are drawing images onto the DMD screen in windows using OpenGL in a very lightweight program.

Experimentation strongly suggests that the problem is that the HDMI frames sent to the DMD are sometimes incorrect (i.e. sometimes the PC sends the same frame twice).

Is this an issue that you have come across and do you know any way to solve it?  Essentially we need to make sure that the DMD display is always in sync with the display on the screen.

Thanks.

  • Hello Oliver,

    The only time I've seen something similar happen is if the video frame rate is being sent too fast and the bitplanes that are being displayed aren't in the correct order. What frame rate are you sending the video at? If you are using the GUI to configure the system could you upload the pattern sequence you are using? Lastly, are you using the Lightcrafter 4500 EVM or your own system?

    Thanks,
    Kyle
  • Hi Kyle,

    Thanks for the rapid response.  The frame rate is 60Hz from the PC, verified by observing the rate at which the DMD/camera send out triggers.

    The system is very simple actually, it is set up with only a single bit plane with 10ms  exposure and period (see attached image).

    We are using a set of custom boards.

    Perhaps reducing the framerate to 30Hz could help?  When you say the bitplanes weren't in the correct order, do you mean that the setup is incorrect (e.g. the input port data swap)? Or that bit planes from a previous frame could somehow end up in the next frame?

    Regards,

  • Hi Oliver,

    Everything looks like it's configured correctly on the projector's end. If it is (as you said you suspected) a PC problem outputting the image, perhaps you could try reducing the framerate to 30Hz like you suggested and seeing if that fixes the problem.

    To confirm that it's a PC problem perhaps you could try outputting multiple patterns (e.g. pattern order A, B, C, D, E, A, B, C, D, E...) instead of just alternating between two patterns. Based off of what your camera captures you will be able to see if it skips a pattern (i.e. A, B, D, E, A, B, C, D,E, A...) or if it sends the same pattern twice (i.e. A, B, B, C, D, E, A, B, C, D...). We can then debug from there.

    Thanks,
    Kyle
  • Hi Kyle,

    Actually I did an experiment like that recently.  Instead of on/off images I move a small square accross the DMD, one step each HDMI frame.  To remove some complexity the camera is now taking 2ms exposures and is free running (using its own internal clock generator).  The data suggests that the DMD is displaying the same pattern twice: the square on the DMD moves in sequence to positions 0, 1, 2, 3  and then will dwell at position 4 for twice as long as it should, and then jump to position 6, 7, 8....

    Cheers.

  • Hi Oliver,
    We'll look into this and get back to you soon. Kindly wait for a few days.
    Thanks & Regards,
    Hirak.
  • Hi Oliver,
    Could you please repeat the experiment with the latest DLPC350 FW v4.0.3? Let us know if this affects the outcome in anyway.

    Thanks & Regards,
    Hirak.
  • Hi Oliver,

    Do you still need the answer to your question? I'm closing this thread due to inactivity, you can reopen anytime.

    Thanks & Regards,
    Hirak.
  • Hi Hirak,

    We solved this issue, it turned out to be a problem with windows rather than the hardware.  Thanks for the help.

  • Hi Oliver,
    Glad to know you could resolve your issue. Thanks for your interest in TI DLP Technology, have a nice day.

    Thanks & Regards,
    Hirak.