Steam Deck: Video dropout/sparkles when docked, some HDMI audio issues
Brief summary of the problem:
Multiple issues with Steam Deck video output when docked. Personally tested with the items listed below. When using HDMI from Dell dock to Samsung TV, video is stable, but audio through the TV distorts somewhat frequently for a few seconds.
Using the JSAUX dock to the Dell Display with DisplayPort, on a desktop with a dark background there are faint sparkles scattered across the screen, this can happen regardless of resolution or refresh rate. Tried multiple cables (4k, 8k, 1m, 3m), these didn't change the issue. Normally I have 4 systems using a StarTech KVM for DisplayPort to my display, a Mac Mini, two Dell desktops, and the Steam Deck. The Mac and Dell systems have no issues at all even at highest resolutions/refresh. Plugging the Steam Deck output into the Display directly continued to have sparkle issues.
When the issue worsens with DisplayPort, the monitor will lose sync and the screen will go black for about 5 seconds before video is restored, for gaming this is extremely unacceptable.
Also tested with a docking station from MOKIN (DisplayPort), issues with this dock were far worse than the JSAUX dock (massive sparkles and frequent video blackouts) so testing was limited to only a few minutes.
Steam Deck Dock forums are full of user reports concerning the official Steam Deck Dock and a multitude of video issues, I just did not have that particular model of dock to test with, and there are a variety of TVs and displays mentioned in the forum threads (mostly HDMI but not all), and the common factor in all of these is the Steam Deck itself. Unknown if this is a driver related issue or possibly hardware. https://steamcommunity.com/app/1675200/discussions/3/
Hardware description:
-
SYSTEM: Steam Deck (specs below copied from another user's report)
-
CPU: AMD Custom CPU 0405
-
GPU: 04:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] VanGogh [AMD Custom GPU 0405] [1002:163f] (rev ae)
-
System Memory: 16 GB 5500
-
Display(s): Samsung TV UN55J6201AFXZA, HDMI
-
Display(s): Dell Gaming Monitor G3223D, DisplayPort
-
Dock: Dell WD19TBD (HDMI Out)
-
Dock: JSAUX 7-in-1 Steam Dock (DisplayPort Out)
-
Dock: MOKIN Dual Monitor Docking Station for Steam Deck & ROG Ally, Steam Deck Dock and ROG Ally Dock with 4K (DisplayPort Out)
-
KVM Switch: StarTech 4 Port DisplayPort KVM SwitchSV431DPUA2
System information:
- Distro name and Version: SteamOS version: 3.4.10
How to reproduce the issue:
For my issue with DisplayPort, go to the Steam Desktop, the default grey background will show the sparkles when the issue is occurring. A reboot can sometimes fix this for a time before it happens again.
Issue has also been reported to Valve here: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/SteamOS/issues/1161