BOLDscreen Display: Difference between revisions
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==Admin== | ==Admin== | ||
*See editing comments in this section for issues with BOLDscreen hardware. | *See editing comments in this section for issues with BOLDscreen hardware. | ||
<!-- Lessons learned from power unit issue November 2022: | <!-- | ||
Lessons learned from power unit issue November 2022: | |||
- The BOLDscreen runs a self-test on startup (blinking blue light). If there is no existing self-test file on the SD card, it will run the full test and create the file. If there is an existing file, it will apparently just detect it and move on. This may inadvertently cause problems with the display, because if an old self-test file exists from when issues were occurring (e.g., before the broken power unit was replaced), it will not overwrite it when you start up the screen after issues are resolved (e.g., after the new power unit was hooked up). Therefore, it will try to operate on an old, possibly faulty self-test file and fail to display despite being powered on. | - The BOLDscreen runs a self-test on startup (blinking blue light). If there is no existing self-test file on the SD card, it will run the full test and create the file. If there is an existing file, it will apparently just detect it and move on. This may inadvertently cause problems with the display, because if an old self-test file exists from when issues were occurring (e.g., before the broken power unit was replaced), it will not overwrite it when you start up the screen after issues are resolved (e.g., after the new power unit was hooked up). Therefore, it will try to operate on an old, possibly faulty self-test file and fail to display despite being powered on. | ||
- If you are starting up the BOLDscreen for the first time after a big event, remember to check the settings in the config file on the SD card to mirror the display. The screen does not flip the display by default. This means text will appear backward as a participant views it through the mirror. | - If you are starting up the BOLDscreen for the first time after a big event, remember to check the settings in the config file on the SD card to mirror the display. The screen does not flip the display by default. This means text will appear backward as a participant views it through the mirror. | ||
Lessons learned from upgrade issue April 2023: | |||
- The problem: BOLD screen would power on, fade up to a grey screen, then hang there indefinitely. When we plugged HDMI in, it still showed the grey screen, but also sporadically showed vertical black lines as though it were trying to display. We tried unplugging/re-plugging everything and reinstalling firmware, but nothing helped. | |||
- The solution: Cambridge's obliging late-night response was to unplug the fiber optic cables, power off and on, then send them a picture of the screen and any messages that come up. The screen started working again during this process, so apparently the act of powering off and on with the fiber cables disconnected helped. | |||
--> | --> | ||
Revision as of 22:10, 26 April 2023
BOLDscreen 24" LCD Display
Setup
If everything is working correctly, setup should be quite straight forward.
- The BOLDscreen connects via HDMI cable labeled "Display".
- Plug in the display cable to the stimulus laptop or CCN iMac, and the BOLDscreen should mirror the display exactly.
- Often an adaptor is required, CCN offers all the usual adaptors needed (HDMI to USB-C, Mini Display, VGA).
- Please note the Mini Display adaptor only connects in one direction! This is important so you don't damage the display port on the iMac or other devices.
- In addition, the display splitter is setup with an external monitor located to the right of the console computer which should mirror the BOLDscreen so users are able to see exactly what the participant sees.
Troubleshooting
Make sure the power to the HDMI splitter is on and the HDMI cables are plugged into the correct places (see labels)!
Admin
- See editing comments in this section for issues with BOLDscreen hardware.
BOLDscreen Coloration Issue
There is a known bug with newer MacBooks where the image has a pink tint. This is actually not an issue with the BOLDscreen, but with how the color settings on the Macbook interact with the HDMI splitter. There are two workarounds available.
Intel Based Chips
- If the Macbook has an Intel processing chip (i5, i7 etc.), there is a script available which will correct the color settings to allow use with the external monitor
- Please make sure to have Ruby downloaded onto your Macbook and download the patch from this GitHub site
- If the user would like to attempt with assistance, please follow instructions from this Github site
- Reach out to CCN Staff to coordinate patch if assistance is desired
Silicon Based Chips
- If the Macbook has an Apple Silicon chip (M1/M2), then the current script doesn't work unfortunately. The workaround is to bypass the splitter altogether. This does mean forgoing the external monitor.
- Unplug the BOLDscreen HDMI from the back of the HDMI splitter (labeled BOLDscreen)
- Connect any adaptors necessary to the BOLDscreen HDMI and plug into Macbook
- The Macbook should be mirrored onto the BOLDscreen without any discoloration or tint
- Once the session is over, make sure to plug the BOLDscreen HDMI back into the splitter
BOLDscreen Not Displaying
First-pass Checks and Resets
- Again, making sure the HDMI splitter (rectangular box labelled "Splitter") is powered on is the first, most often-missed step. The power switch is on the left of the front of the box.
- If it is already on, turn it off. Check again that all the cables are correctly and snugly plugged into their labelled ports. Turn the splitter back on and reconnect the relevant cables on your laptop.
- Wait and watch the BOLDscreen for signs of activity. Usually, the external monitor (the one in the right-hand side of the room that replicates what's on the BOLD screen) will turn on first. The BOLDscreen may flicker and show some startup images before fully coming on and displaying your laptop screen.
CCN iMac Test
- If resetting the splitter/cable inputs did not help, try plugging the display HDMI into the CCN iMac.
- This is often a reliable test as to whether it is a BOLDscreen/display issue or a specific laptop/machine issue.
- If the BOLDscreen works when the display cable is plugged into the CCN iMac, the issue might be with the display settings.
- Check the settings like resolution, refresh rate, display mirroring vs. extended etc. on your task computer.
- Check your adapter, if you are using one to connect the HDMI cable to your laptop. Make sure it is clean and completely plugged in. If the screen works via the iMac and resetting the splitter didn't help, your adapter may not be working. Look for a spare adapter in the box on the window ledge. There are also more adapters in the labelled cabinet.
- If the BOLDscreen doesn't work when the display cable is plugged into the CCN iMac and messing with the adapter isn't an option (the correct spare isn't available, you know the original adapter is not the problem, etc.), move on.
HDMI Splitter Test
- Unplug the HDMI output cable labeled BOLDSCREEN from the back of the HDMI splitter.
- Plug the HDMI cable labelled BOLDSCREEN directly into the laptop.
- If the BOLDscreen works then its most likely an issue with the HDMI splitter.
- Contact CCN Staff.
- Continue to connect the BOLDscreen directly, do not plug back into splitter system.
- If the BOLDscreen still isn't working, please contact CCN Staff.
- If the BOLDscreen works then its most likely an issue with the HDMI splitter.