CRNews0922 Article

Connacht Regional News 0922 Article

Note: On 02 Nov. 2022, it was noted that the hyperText Link below is no longer available.

[ Contexual click here to download the Sept 2022 Edition ]

Shack Notes - Don't Blow up your DVI Chip

David Monk O'Btien - EI7KN

Complete Article:

Yaesu decided it would be a splendid idea to produce video output from their FTDX10 and FTDX101D/MP though oddly they thought that a DVI video port was the way to go. Unfortunately, hardly anyone has got a DVI monitor these days, so many folks get HDMI adapter cables. These often have built-in electronics in order to do the conversion.

And that is where it can go horribly wrong....

1) Some folks have no problems and all works well

2) The HDMI cable draws too much current and the DVI chip in the radio goes pop (there's no safety fuse).

3) The HDMI monitor or TV sends signals (voltages) down the HDMI cable, which the DVI port doesn't expect. The result is the same as item 2 above.

Yaesu have stated specific cables which 'should' work, but the main recommendation is completely incorrect, as the cable has a mini display port plug, which doesn't fit anything.

One trick is to absolutely NOT connect the HDMI cable to a socket marked ARC or ARQ, as both of these send control signals and voltages.

Finally, the resolution is a bit odd and despite me trying various adapter cables, I can't get the DVI output of the transceiver to work with a Mini Display Port input on an old 27" iMac.

I have had success with a modern 55" TV using a port marked HDMI 1 Input and a DVI to HDMI cable, but others may not be so lucky.

I'm stunned that Yaesu haven't brought out their own 'special HDMI cable' at only €100

Analyzing the above Article - Piece by Piece.

01. With respect to 'hardly anyone has got a DVI monitor these day'. I am not privy to availabllity of Items throughout the Planet; but, here is a brief List of Monitors, sold this Day 06.09.2022, with DVI Connectors - from mainly Asian Manufacturers whose Products are sold within the U.S.:

As per Retailer MicroCenter:

a. ASUS VA247HE 23.8" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 1 x VGA 15-pin, 1 x DVI-D, 1 x HDMI 1.4.

b. ASUS VG248QEZ 24" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 1 x DVI-D, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2.

c. MSI OPTIX G24C 23.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x DVI-D, 1 x HDMI.

d. ASUS PA278QV 27" 2K QHD (2560 x 1440) 1 x DVI-D, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 , 1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.2.

As per Retailer BestBuy:

a. MSI - MPG ARTYMIS 323CQR 32" LED Curved QHD FreeSync Monitor: DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI.

As per Retailer Staples:

a. HP Compaq LA2205WG Refurbished 22" LCD Monitor: DVI and VGA inputs.

b. ViewSonic VA2055Sm - 20" 1080p LED Monitor: no Video Ports specified. As per ViewSonic.com: VA2055Sm - VGA and DVI.

c. Dell Professional P2212H: 1 x VGA, 1 x HDCP-capable DVI-D interface.

d. Dell P2213: DVI-D with HDCP, VGA, DisplayPort.

e. ASUS Eye Care VA24EHEY: HDMI, D-Sub, DVI-D ports.

f. ViewSonic VX2252MH: HDMI, DVI, and VGA inputs.

... to name a few.

02. With respect to '... so many folks get HDMI adapter cables. These often have built-in electronics in order to do the conversion.' - There are no Electronics needed within any DVI to HTML Cable.

See 'http://www.alciro.org/alciro/conectores_26/patillas-cable-HDMI-a-DVI-D_274_en.htm' for specific DVI-D Dual Link to HDMI Cable Schematic and additional Information. ]

And that is where it can go horribly wrong....

1) Some folks have no problems and all works well.

The FTdx-10 has been on sale for over a Year and a half. If there were a mass number of FTdx-10 DVD-D to HDMI Cable connections damages, I am sure the Internet would be swarming with the Complaints. I have, so far, only heard hearsay.

2) The HDMI cable draws too much current and the DVI chip in the radio goes pop (there's no safety fuse).

01. There is no DVI Chip in the FTdx-10. However, there is a EP952 IC which is a 'Low Power HDMI Transmitter' IC which supports DVI. Note - both HDMI and DVI use the TMDS Protocol. The above EP952 IC, on the FTdx-10 Main PCB, and its Connections is available for viewing via the Yaesu FTdx-10 Service Manual, Page Main-2, Schematic Diagram.

02. Of the FTdx-10's 24 Pin DVI Connector - seventeen (17) Pins are used: One Pin is a 5V fused output - the Fuse is 0.63A and Diode polarity protected, the Hot Plug Pin is an Input Pin and 5Vdc tolerant, the bi-directional DDC_SDA Pin, a total of ten (10) differenctial Pins total are Output Pins; an Output Clock Pin, and then five (5) Ground Pins. Every Pin, but the 5V fused and Diode protected output Pin, and Ground Pins, have a 0Ω 1/16W (actually ~50mΩ) Resistor - which are used as Fuses. The EP952 VCC1 and VCC2 are 1.8Vdc and 3.3Vdc.

Pin 6 - DDC_SDA and Pin 7 - DDC-SDA of the FTdx-10 DVI-D Female Connector go directly to the the EPF021M MicroController IC. The EPF021M Vcc is 3.3Vdc.

03. With exception to DVI-D Pin 14, which is the fused 5V Output Pin - no other Pin supplies Current, only Signal Levels.

04. As per 'https://www.hdmi.org/spec21sub/cablepower' the maximum Current required of the Source, the FTdx-10 in this Example, is 0.3A. Higher Current requirements of the Device, the TV or Monitor in this Example, are to be suppied directly to the Device by other Means.

As per 'https://www.hdmi.org/spec21sub/cablepower' the maximum Current required of the Source, the FTdx-10 in this Example, is 0.5A.

As per 'https://https://www.ti.com/lit/an/snva412c/snva412c.pdf?ts=1662450995920&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F' the maximum Current required of the Source, the FTdx-10 in this Example, is 0.5A.

05. As per >'https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/hdmi.htm' ... 'Many HDTV early adopters rely on DVI, since it hit the market before HDMI did. Since DVI and HDMI both use the TMDS Protocol, they're compatible. All you need to connect an HDMI cable to a DVI port is a passive adapter.' By the Term 'passive Adapter' that means no Electronics between the Master (Source) and the Slave (Device) is needed.

3) The HDMI monitor or TV sends signals (voltages) down the HDMI cable, which the DVI port doesn't expect. The result is the same as item 2 above.

Yaesu have stated specific cables which 'should' work, but the main recommendation is completely incorrect, as the cable has a mini display port plug, which doesn't fit anything.

Is the Yaesu YouTube Video at 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsctM6j-wSg', of connecting the FTdx-10 to a DVI and HDMI Monitors being referenced here? If so no Mini DisplayPort Plug is present in the Video. DVI-A Single Link Connectors are used - Note the missing center six (6) Pins of the Cables DVI Connector. If the YouTube Video above is not being refered to - what is the Articles' refered Video URL Source?

One trick is to absolutely NOT connect the HDMI cable to a socket marked ARC or ARQ, as both of these send control signals and voltages.

The Control Signals are low Current Voltage Level Signals; not high Current supplied Voltage Sources - such as an Aston RS35 Power Supply. The HDMI ARC Ports on such TV are typically; but not always labeled 'HDMI (ARC) Output'. This type of HDMI Output Connector is for a Source, a TV or Audio Device, to connect to an external Home Theatre System or Soundbar - not another Source - such as the FTdx-10. I am not aware of any 'ARQ' HDMI Port; but, there is the lastest 'ARC' Version titled 'eARC'.

Finally, the resolution is a bit odd and despite me trying various adapter cables, I can't get the DVI output of the transceiver to work with a Mini Display Port input on an old 27" iMac.

For 5 Inch diagonal LCD Screens, which is what the FTdx-10 has, 800 x 450 Resolution is quite common. I can only guess, the 800 x 600 Resolution was added for those Monitors not capable of the 800 x 450 Resolution. Perhaps future Firmware Upgrades will increase the Range of Resolutions available.

There is a certain Time when the Product under-developement must be yanked from the Hands of the Engineers - and put into Production.

The mixing of Apples and Organes:

The Apple Mac 'Target Disk / Display Mode, using either Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt Cables, is for Mac to Mac connectivity. The FTdx-10 does not support Apples Mac 'Target' Mode - its the Protocol not the Cable, which also has no embedded Electronics, that prevents one from using a Mac via its Mini DisplayPort with the Transceiver.

Regardless of who manufactured the Cables - they would be wired the same; and thus, one should and would experience the same Results.

I have had success with a modern 55" TV using a port marked HDMI 1 Input and a DVI to HDMI cable, but others may not be so lucky.

The Article Author used the specified Cable, as in the Video, between the FTdx-10 and, as stated in the Line above, 'HDMI INPUT' and it worked. Others will not be lucky - just equally successful.

I'm stunned that Yaesu haven't brought out their own 'special HDMI cable' at only €100

There are no such 'Special Cable' needed for the FTdx-10 to TV, HDMI IN or HDMI INPUT, or Monitor Cables.

Not sure if satire - €100 or equivalent around the Planet is ridiculous in Price, for such a Cable. At least in the U.S. one can order a DVI to HTML Cable for $5.79, free shipping, and receive it within six (6) Days - from eBay.com.

In Summary:

Any DVI-A or DVI-D Male to HDMI Male Cable - plugged into the FTdx-10, or equivalent Yaesu Transcevier, and into an external TV or Monitors HDMI, HDMI IN, HDMI INPUT, HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 1 IN, HDMI 2 IN, HDMI 1 INPUT, HDMI 2 INPUT, etc. Connector should work without any damage to either the Transceiver and / or external viewing Device.

Just for a matter of precaution: Do not plug the HDMI Male into any external Devices labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI OUTPUT type Connector.

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