Dual Screen on Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties in implementing a dual-screen solution with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The main symptoms include:

• Users are uncertain about the capability of the board to support dual outputs, specifically through Multi-Stream Transport (MST).
• Queries have arisen regarding whether only DisplayPort (DP) is supported for dual-screen configurations.
• There is confusion about how to control screen outputs using the xrandr utility.

The issue typically occurs during the setup phase when users attempt to configure multiple displays. The hardware in question is the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano, which supports a limited number of outputs. The frequency of this issue appears to be common among users exploring multi-screen functionality. The impact on user experience includes frustration due to lack of clear documentation and potential limitations in hardware capabilities.

Possible Causes

Several potential reasons for the difficulties users face include:

• Hardware Limitations: The Jetson Orin Nano officially supports only two screens via DP, which may not meet user expectations for more extensive setups.

• MST Hub Compatibility: Many users have reported issues with MST hubs, particularly since NVIDIA has only validated daisy chain setups. This lack of clear guidance may lead to confusion and unsuccessful configurations.

• Software Configuration: Users may not be familiar with using xrandr effectively to manage multiple displays, leading to misconfigurations.

• Driver Issues: Incompatibilities or bugs within the drivers that support display outputs could hinder functionality.

• User Misconfigurations: Incorrect settings or assumptions about how MST should work can lead to failure in achieving the desired dual-screen setup.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address these issues, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Hardware Capabilities:

   • Confirm that your Jetson Orin Nano is equipped with the necessary hardware to support dual displays via DP.
   • Check that you are using compatible monitors that support DP and MST.

2. Check for MST Hub Compatibility:

   • If using an MST hub, ensure it is one that has been validated for use with NVIDIA products, especially if it is not a daisy chain setup.
   • Research community forums or NVIDIA’s official resources for recommended MST hub models.

3. Use xrandr for Configuration:

   • Open a terminal and run the following command to list connected displays:

     xrandr
     

   • Use xrandr commands to configure your displays. For example:

     xrandr --output DP-1 --auto --right-of DP-2
     

   • This command sets up one display to the right of another.

4. Update Drivers and Firmware:

   • Ensure your system is running the latest version of drivers and firmware. Check NVIDIA’s website for updates specific to Jetson Orin Nano.

5. Test Different Configurations:

   • If you encounter issues, try connecting monitors in different configurations (e.g., daisy chaining vs. direct connections) to isolate the problem.
   • Disconnect and reconnect monitors while checking xrandr output for changes.

6. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to the official NVIDIA documentation on display configurations for further insights and examples.
   • Look for community-contributed guides or FAQs that may provide additional context or solutions.

7. Best Practices:

   • Always power off devices before making connections.
   • Keep your software environment updated to minimize compatibility issues.

8. Unresolved Aspects:

   • There is ongoing discussion about NVIDIA providing a list of supported MST hub models, which remains unaddressed in official documentation.
   • Users may need further investigation into specific driver issues or seek community support for complex configurations.

By following these steps, users can systematically diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to dual-screen setups on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.