Define an Advanced, Custom and a 4K Resolution for the RPi 3B+

Define an Advanced, Custom and a 4K Resolution for the RPi 3B+

If you want to display 4K content (images/videos), we strongly recommend using an RPi 4B (2GB or more) and avoid following the below guide. 
The RPi 4B natively supports 4K resolution without any extra configuration. The only thing you have to do is plug it into your 4K TV screen.
Place your Order now and get a RPi 4B for free with the Annual Plan.

Define an Advanced Resolution for the RPi 3B+ and earlier versions ONLY

If you are having issues with the resolution, you can manually set the resolution for your screen. 
  • Go to the "Monitors" list and edit the monitor in question.
  • Click on the "Advanced" tab.
  • Make sure the "Allow Raspberry config.txt Override" toggle is set to "ON".
  • In the "Raspberry config.txt Override Directives" text area, you will have to enter two advanced parameters hdmi_group, and hdmi_mode. These are detailed below.
  • After you are finished, click the "Save" button.
  • The Player will reboot. If you can't see anything for 5' (not even the Yodeck startup logo), then you should try a different resolution. You can also set the "Allow Raspberry config.txt Override" toggle to "OFF" to disable all extra settings and boot normally.
The "hdmi_group", and "hdmi_mode" parameters should be entered in one line each, followed by an "equals" sign, and then the desired value.

For example, for 1080p at 50Hz, that would be:
hdmi_group=1
hdmi_mode=31

If you are using a standard TV screen, then you probably need to use CEA resolutions and you should use hdmi_group=1 . If you are using a computer monitor, you probably need to use DMT resolutions, and you should use hdmi_group=2 .

Here are some commonly used hdmi_mode values for Full-HD and HD-Ready TV screens (remember, hdmi_group=1) :
PARAMETER      Resolution   Refresh Rate

hdmi_mode=4    720p          60 Hz
hdmi_mode=19   720p          50 Hz
hdmi_mode=41   720p         100 Hz
hdmi_mode=47   720p         120 Hz

hdmi_mode=5    1080i         60 Hz
hdmi_mode=20   1080i         50 Hz
hdmi_mode=39   1080i         50 Hz  (reduced blanking)
hdmi_mode=40   1080i        100 Hz
hdmi_mode=46   1080i        120 Hz

hdmi_mode=32   1080p         24 Hz
hdmi_mode=33   1080p         25 Hz
hdmi_mode=34   1080p         30 Hz
hdmi_mode=31   1080p         50 Hz
hdmi_mode=16   1080p         60 Hz

Here are some commonly used hdmi_mode values for Full-HD and HD-Ready computer monitors (remember, hdmi_group=2) :  
PARAMETER      Resolution   Refresh Rate

hdmi_mode=82   1080p        60 Hz
hdmi_mode=85   720p         60 Hz
You can find more valid resolutions here.

Defining a Custom Resolution for the RPi 3B+ and earlier versions ONLY

Note:
For RPi 4B the player will detect automatically the 4K resolution. If not, please reach out to our tech support (support@yodeck.zohodesk.eu) and we will guide you accordingly.  
To define a different or custom resolution, you can use Coordinated Video Timings. Here is the template to be used in the "Raspberry config.txt Override Directives" text area (make sure that you have read this whole article first):

hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=87
hdmi_cvt=<width> <height> <framerate> <aspect> <margins> <interlace> <rb>

Where as:
width        width in pixels
height       height in pixels
framerate    framerate in Hz
aspect       aspect ratio 1=4:3, 2=14:9, 3=16:9, 4=5:4, 5=16:10, 6=15:9
margins      0=margins disabled, 1=margins enabled
interlace    0=progressive, 1=interlaced
rb           0=normal, 1=reduced blanking

Using a 4K (3840x2160) Screen for the RPi 3B+ and earlier versions ONLY

Note
For RPi 4B please reach out to our tech support first and they will guide you accordingly.  
IMPORTANT
This section is only valid for setting up 4K (3840x2160) resolution on the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ and earlier models.
The Raspberry Pi 4 and newer generation models natively support 4K resolution AND 4K video decoding. Click here for a Yodeck-focused comparison of different Raspberry Pi models.
To use a 4K resolution (dubbed UHD, Ultra-High Definition or Ultra-HD) of 3840x2160, you can use a special set of parameters in the "Raspberry config.txt Override Directives" text area. Make sure that you have read this whole article first.

WARNINGS (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):

  • This resolution has been tested to work on two different 4K Samsung TVs and an NEC 4K professional display. No other tests have been made.
  • We do not yet support running production-grade Yodeck deployments in 4K, although we do have customers that are using 4K in production environments successfully.
  • 4K will probably work only on a Raspberry Pi 2 or Raspberry Pi 3.
  • A future update in Yodeck software may break 4K support. You should not be using 4K resolution without first contacting our Tech support.
  • If you are having trouble or you need help getting 4K to work, we would be glad to help out, just contact us.
  • It is very very very unlikely that the settings presented here will damage your screen. But it might be possible, we really can't say for sure. So, make sure you understand the risks.

IMPORTANT: Restrictions when using 4K

  • 4K Video playback is not supported. All uploaded videos will be downsized to 1080p and upscaled during playback.
  • Only images and web pages will be rendered at 4K.
  • Content with transparency or content layered above videos have a restriction: they cannot be placed entirely on the right side of the screen. Doing so will change the placement. Try out your intended layout and see the final result.
  • The RSS Ticker (scrolling text) will not work properly.
  • Using a 4K resolution will overall make your Player a bit slower and use more memory. You might be restricted in the number of Playlists/Media/Widgets you can add to a Show.

Configuration for 4K (3840x2160) Resolution

To get 4K resolution at 25Hz use the following set of parameters in the "Raspberry config.txt Override Directives" text area:
gpu_mem_1024=256
framebuffer_width=3840
framebuffer_height=2160
max_framebuffer_width=3840
max_framebuffer_height=2160
hdmi_ignore_edid=0xa5000080
hdmi_drive=2
hdmi_pixel_freq_limit=400000000
hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=87
hdmi_timings=3840 1 48 32 80 2160 1 3 5 54 0 0 0 25 0 220430000 3
To get 4K resolution at 24Hz, replace the whole hdmi_timings line with this one:
hdmi_timings=3840 1 48 32 80 2160 1 3 5 54 0 0 0 24 0 211190000 3
To get 4K resolution at 28Hz, replace the whole hdmi_timings line with this one:
hdmi_timings=3840 1 48 32 80 2160 1 3 5 54 0 0 0 28 0 248140000 3
Unfortunately, we have not found a safe and stable way to get to 30Hz. You should probably use 25Hz which is lighter and safer than the other two.


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