Overview
Silicon Motion's SM768 USB display SoC enables multiple displays up to 4K ultra high definition through USB interface. Target applications include USB universal docking stations, USB adapters, USB portable monitors, video walls and wireless displays.
With Silicon Motion's InstantView® technology, users of docking stations can instantly mirror their computer screen to any external displays without the need to install a display driver. Docking stations based on the SM768 solution combine high graphics performance with low CPU loading and low power consumption. The CAT™ (Content Adaptive Technology) compression technology offers a high compression ratio while maintaining great image/video quality.
Silicon Motion provides reference designs that help manufacturers reduce development time and shorten their time-to-market. Silicon Motion also provides all turn-key software for customers. SW is compatible with major OS including Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android and Linux.
Applications
Features
- CPU: ARM Cortex R5 Processor
- GPU: 128-bit 2D Graphics engine supports HW cursor, video overlay, and alpha blending
- System interface: USB 3.0 Device or PCI-E Gen2 x1/x2 lanes
- 2x independent display channels in a single chip
- CAT (Content Adaptive Technology) to accelerate USB display by adaptive compression algorithms
- Display Resolution up to
・4K (3840x2160)@30Hz
・HD(1920x1080) & 2K @60Hz - Embedded 1x HDMI v1.4 transmitter supporting HDCP
- Dual CRT 350MHz DAC RGB outputs
- Dual-channel LVDS
- Dual digital 24-bit RGB/TTL video output
- Hardware Accelerated Video Decoder: H.264, MPEG 2/4, MJPEG, etc.
- Option to embed 256MB DDR3 in a single package (MCM). Support external DDR up to 1GB
- I2S for Audio support
- Dual I2C and SPI
- Common IO: GPIO/UART/JTAG
- Two ZV ports to capture incoming video from cameras or other devices
- Software Support
・Windows 7/8/10/11 & Servers, 32-bit, and 64-bit
・macOS X
・Linux OS(Ubuntu, RedHat, SUSE, etc)
・Android
・ChromeOS
Technologies
CAT™ (Content Adaptive Technology)
Silicon Motion's CAT™(Content Adaptive Technology) uses multiple image/video processing algorithms to compress display data and minimize bandwidth usage. At the same time, CAT uses minimal host CPU usage to achieve low latency and high-quality displays.
By offloading much of the compression work to a hardware accelerator, the CAT technology both runs faster and imposes less loading on the CPU. As will be shown later, this helps the SM768 to achieve very low CPU loading.
InstantView®
Enabling USB docking station Plugin and Display
Silicon Motion has developed new InstantView software application that seamlessly configures the host content for viewing on any display, with no need for display drivers installation.
The InstantView software supports instant screen mirroring to displays. The software also supports Extended Display option. Whether the user chooses the mirrored or extended display option, the entire display operation is controlled via the intuitive and user-friendly InstantView user interface. And eliminates the need for IT support call.
The InstantView application will remain running on the host computer to enable truly plugin and display user experience. InstantView will automatically update itself when newer version becomes available. And will also update firmware on the docking/adapters to keep your device always running at top condition. Learn more about InstantView
InstantView User Guide
InstantView User Guide for Windows
InstantView User Guide for macOS
Downloads
White Paper
Driver
| Driver Name | Download |
|---|---|
| SM76x driver download |
|
Graphics Software FAQ
Find quick answers to your Graphics product questions!
The SMI Graphics Software FAQ mainly provides answers to common questions.
The driver of Silicon Motion graphics software generates a "virtual desktop" image, which is sent through a USB connection to the adapter. The pixels of this image are then rendered by the Silicon Motion chip integrated into the adapter.
Due to the significant amount of data being sent by the software driver, the data had to be compressed to efficiently pass through USB connections. This is why some images may not appear as "crisp" when using the Silicon Motion graphics adapter or docking station.
No, the driver of Silicon Motion graphics software does not support blue light reduction, so applications such as f.lux, Night shift won't affect the display.
No, the Silicon Motion graphics adapter or docking station does not support OpenGL. It operates as a virtual graphics adapter, relying on host laptop's CPU and GPU to generate the image.
For Google Chrome users:
- Open Google Chrome settings.
- Click on "Advanced" and select "System."
- Disable "Use hardware acceleration when available"
- Select "Relaunch" to activate the new settings.
If the above solution doesn't solve the black issue, we recommend you disconnect the Silicon Motion Graphics adapter or docking station, and use the laptop's build-in display or the direct video ports of laptop.
Solution 1:
- Disconnect the device from host computer and power adapter (if connected).
- Leave unplugged for at least 1 minute for power to dissipate.
- Uninstall the driver or remove the application, and reboot host computer.
- Install the driver or open the application, and reboot host computer.
- Connect the device to power adapter and then connect it to host computer.
Please note: For bus-powered docking station, it's advisable to
connect the original type-C power adapter of the computer to the dock's built-in
type-C Power Delivery port to avoid insufficient load capability.
If the above
solution doesn't solve the issue, we recommend trying Solution 2.
Solution 2:
- Try using another USB type-C data cable with video transmission and power delivery features. A thunderbolt cable would be preferable.
- Try connecting the device to another USB port of host computer.
- Try adjusting the external monitor's resolution to 1080P.
- Test with another video cable.
- If possible, try using another monitor.
Yes, it does. To enable the "Display before Login" function, right-click on the macOS InstantView icon.
Yes, you can rotate the display by the following methods:
- For Apple M1/2 based systems with macOS Monterey 12 or later, simply right-click on macOS InstantView icon and select "Rotation".
- For Intel-based systems with macOS Big Sur 11 or later, navigate to System Settings → Displays → Rotation.
a.) Yes, it supports the clamshell mode under the following circumstances:
- Apple M1/2 based systems with macOS Big Sur 11 or later.
- Intel based systems with macOS Monterey 12 or later.
b.) No, it doesn't support the clamshell mode in the following circumstance:
- Intel based systems with macOS Catalina 10.15 and Big Sur 11.
The macOS InstantView creates a virtual display to go pass the limitation of the Apple M1/2 chip. It doesn't actually record or retain any data. Granting this permission is necessary for InstantView to access the information it requires to generate the image.
The message indicates that the SMI USB Display is not being recognized by host computer. Please try the following steps:
- Disconnect the device from host computer and power adapter (if connected).
- Leave the device unplugged for at least 1 minute for power to dissipate.
- Remove the macOS InstantView and reboot the host computer.
- Connect the device to the power adapter and then connect it to host computer.
- Open "System Settings" and click "Privacy & Security". Set "Allow accessories to connect" to "Always"
- Launch the macOS InstantView.
Please note that: For bus-powered docking station, it would be better to connect the original type-C power adapter of the computer to the dock's built type-C Power Delivery port to avoid insufficient load capability.
If above solution doesn't work, consider these steps:
- Use another USB type-C data cable with video transmission and power delivery features.
- Connect the device to another USB port of host computer. If the SMI USB Display is recognized by the host computer, you will see it in the USB Device Tree:
If all the above steps don't solve the issue, it's likely a hardware issue. Please contact the device vendor.
a.) Download the latest macOS InstantView:
Please download the latest version of macOS InstantView (R12 and later) from the following link: https://www.siliconmotion.com/downloads/ . The updated macOS InstantView is compatible with MacOS Ventura 13.0.
b.) Change the system settings:
- Run "macOS InstantVIew.app." If a prompt box appears as shown below, please click "Cancel."
- Open "System Settings" and click "Privacy & Security", then click "Open Anyway".
- Then click "Open", and "macOS InstantVIew.app" will run successfully. The prompt box will not pop up even if the software is reopened.
Please enter a password to grant permission.
If the above information doesn't solve your question, please feel free to contact us directly via Contact Us-Silicon Motion. Select "Others" and then "Graphics Soc/GPU" from the "Product Line" dropdown. We are here to assist you and provide the necessary support.
