SRS V3 Logitech SmartDock and HDMI Video, Audio issues when hosting screen sharing from dock to TV

[Daniel Billington]

We have been doing a PoC with Logitech's SmartDock Skype Room System (SRS 3.0.15.0 on W10 1703, October 2017 firmware on the dock) and have experienced an issue with video and audio quality degradation as soon as screen sharing is enabled on the SRS in the meeting with HDMI video input from a laptop. We can reproduce the issue whenever connected to a Samsung smart TV using HDMI, or DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, and 55" (UN55MU7000FXZC) or 65" TV models (UN65MU6290F). If screen sharing is not from the SRS (i.e. if it is from another meeting participant) there is no issue. Single display or dual display makes no difference. The issue does not occur when we use: a Benq LCD projector; or, a second SRS room, an LG commercial TV with the same software.

We have been unable to get an explanation for why this is happening so far. It seems the recommended models from Logitech are all commercial TVs which is somewhat limiting. This is what we have received from Logitech:

"Here is a list of the displays that we and Microsoft have found to work properly.

• 70” Sharp Aquos 208U1406031
• 65” SMART SPNL-6000       or   SBID8065i-G5
• ELO EL4201
• 55” Samsung DB55E
• HP Compaq L2105TM
• 3M, Product: M1866PW Model: 98-0003-3726-5
• LG Flatron 55WT30MS-B

We have not kept an accurate list of failing displays, but do know that the following are failing:

• 55” Sony XBR-55X850D
• Insignia models
• Some Samsung models."

[#2]

Never seen or heard anyone else report about this. What does the video and content quality look like? Does it look like it has downgraded to quality so it's all pixelated? Have you tried by-passing the dock and connect a Windows laptop directly to the screen and then start a Skype call, share content etc.

[#3]

The issue occurs consistently when screen sharing is via the dock. The issue has also been observed without using the SRS.

When the TV is connected directly to the laptop and using a Jabra USB, audio quality varies, but still may be cut at times. This issue started when the TV began to be used.

Regarding the quality, the sound starts breaking up and at times is cut completely. Video quality becomes degraded as soon as screen sharing is initiated on the dock, not pixelated, but is immediately lowered from HD and vice versa when the laptop is disconnected. This can be consistently reproduced. As I mentioned this issue could not be reproduced with a video projector.

[#4]

we have this issue also :( 

is this more on network or the TV itself 

[#5]

We have similar setup and had similar issue, that has been addressed since. Posting for benefit of others, who will hopefully not waste as much time as our team.

Our setup : Surface running W10 1803, and SRS 4.0.64.0. Logitech Dock with extender, Polycom CX5100 and DUAL Samsung 4k TVs (6100 series).

Our issue: Every time we had local sharing enabled from the room and 4+ participants, conference crushed and Surface became unresponsive. We observed high GPU usage(90%) during those events. It was not happening on previous versions of SRS.

During investigation we found out that even when you change desktop resolution to Full HD(1080p) the Surface will still drive TVs at 4k resolution. The up-scaling to 4k will happen in Surface GPU.

We needed to change "active signal resolution" to 1080p( to match desired desktop size). 

When still running at 4k active signal resolution we disabled "transparency effects" (in colors section), and locked scaling for TVs to 100%, it reduced GPU usage by 50% when still in 4k.

We didn't manage to reproduce that issue after 3 changes above. GPU usage is below 20% with local sharing in 6-way conference and dual TVs running at 1080p.

Hope it helps

[#6]

Just to update for anyone else who might read this, it is no longer an issue with the latest SRS software and firmware updates on the Samsung TV. Everything works perfectly now.

[#7]

@Daniel Billington-- Good day,  We've rolled out a few Logitech Smartdock systems recently and originally we were going to use the Smartdock Flex with the Logitech Group system, things worked fine.  Then the Logitech Rally system was released and when we replaced the Group with the Rally we too notice video quality degradation and a lip-sync issue.  What we learnt was we had to go into the desktop of the Surface in the Smartdock and change the refresh rate on the 2nd display (which is the Flex) to 60 HZ.  This fixed most of it bu IMO the video still isn't as crisp as without the Flex.

    I mention this in case in your mix your using the Flex as well.

[#8]

@BartekS-- watch out for using 4K TVs and not forcing the Surface to 1080p60.  There is a one liner in the Smartdock specification that states it supports only 1080p60 which I got caught with and once I forced the second screen resolution most of the quality issue went away.  The Logitech solutions are NOT ready for 4K yet.