DOA Pine64 ?

[sfltrack]

So I finally got my board to boot from an Android Image.  There were two problems. 1)  The right monitor, required a known working HDMI cable and a newer TV with HDMI connection. 2)  Install the distro using the proper SD format and loading tool.

[brf]

Well, I've had my Pine64 for about two weeks now, and was about ready to send it back.  Same problem, no video and only a red led to indicate any life at all.  (I'm using the power supply sold as an add-on to the board).  Using a cable with hdmi on one end and a DVI connector on the other to connect to my monitor.

After reading all the posts here, I hooked it up directly, hdmi-hdmi to a TV set, and what do you know, IT WORKED !!  Booted up into Debian, graphics and all.  That's a good thing, at least I don't have a DOA board, hardware-wise.

This leads to another question.  Using hdmi-hdmi is not my plan, since I don't have an hdmi-native display.  So I seem to have a decision to make.

1) If the hardware on the board will not work with a hdmi-dvi conversion, the board will not suit my use-case, and I will have to return it.  Otherwise, I need to know, without a lot of mail-order experimentation, what I need to buy to make it work.

2) If it is a software issue, I can wait, but I need to know when this serious issue is likely to be fixed.  If the answer is more than a month, I will again consider sending it back, because it does not answer my needs.

Seems like a great little SOC/board, at a really incredible price, but my time is worth something, too.  Which is it, 1) or 2) ??

[Luke]

Well, I've had my Pine64 for about two weeks now, and was about ready to send it back.  Same problem, no video and only a red led to indicate any life at all.  (I'm using the power supply sold as an add-on to the board).  Using a cable with hdmi on one end and a DVI connector on the other to connect to my monitor.

After reading all the posts here, I hooked it up directly, hdmi-hdmi to a TV set, and what do you know, IT WORKED !!  Booted up into Debian, graphics and all.  That's a good thing, at least I don't have a DOA board, hardware-wise.

This leads to another question.  Using hdmi-hdmi is not my plan, since I don't have an hdmi-native display.  So I seem to have a decision to make.

1) If the hardware on the board will not work with a hdmi-dvi conversion, the board will not suit my use-case, and I will have to return it.  Otherwise, I need to know, without a lot of mail-order experimentation, what I need to buy to make it work.

2) If it is a software issue, I can wait, but I need to know when this serious issue is likely to be fixed.  If the answer is more than a month, I will again consider sending it back, because it does not answer my needs.

Seems like a great little SOC/board, at a really incredible price, but my time is worth something, too.  Which is it, 1) or 2) ??

I will let the more tech-savvy members answer your question in full as I do not wish to misguide you. What I will say however is that I know for certain that some HDMI-DVI switches/adapters work but most do not (I tried many). As you can see here this adapter worked for me (to get black colours displayed correctly) and it also worked for some other people - but not for everyone. [edit] In the thread I linked you can also read tkaiser's explanation of the problem I encountered and pine.tree's explanation as to why some adapters work.

[pine.tree]

A common error is either the adapter, or the resolution of the screen. Please confirm that your DVI connection is 1080p. The board will not display anything if the resolution is different than what you configure in the OS.

[sfltrack]

Well, I've had my Pine64 for about two weeks now, and was about ready to send it back.  Same problem, no video and only a red led to indicate any life at all.  (I'm using the power supply sold as an add-on to the board).  Using a cable with hdmi on one end and a DVI connector on the other to connect to my monitor.

After reading all the posts here, I hooked it up directly, hdmi-hdmi to a TV set, and what do you know, IT WORKED !!  Booted up into Debian, graphics and all.  That's a good thing, at least I don't have a DOA board, hardware-wise.

This leads to another question.  Using hdmi-hdmi is not my plan, since I don't have an hdmi-native display.  So I seem to have a decision to make.

1) If the hardware on the board will not work with a hdmi-dvi conversion, the board will not suit my use-case, and I will have to return it.  Otherwise, I need to know, without a lot of mail-order experimentation, what I need to buy to make it work.

2) If it is a software issue, I can wait, but I need to know when this serious issue is likely to be fixed.  If the answer is more than a month, I will again consider sending it back, because it does not answer my needs.

Seems like a great little SOC/board, at a really incredible price, but my time is worth something, too.  Which is it, 1) or 2) ??

Hmmmm.  1-I don't see the hdmi-dvi conversion working out.  I tried several monitors and even did a pin for pin test with my volt meter to see if the adapter was the issue.  2-Software (images) are well on their way so I think you could find a proper image.

After doing this for a while (with other startups)  I decided to spend the extra money and go with a more mature board when the project has your sort of needs.  If I were you I'd sell on Ebay instead of returning as they are getting a premium.  Good luck.