Diagnosing HDMI Port issues using Pairs and Patterns technique

Diagnosing HDMI Port issues using Pairs and Patterns technique
Type	Troubleshooting/Diagnostics
Device(s)	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, PlayStation 5 Slim
Difficulty	◉◌◌◌ Easy

🔍 The Basics

The image of the t824 mechanic reader breaks down the two sections of the HDMI circuit readings:

Pairs (highlighted in green)

Patterns (the rhythm side)

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✅ Identifying the Pairs

What are the pairs?

The pairs are groups of two identical diode readings, always separated by a ground reading.

How to find them:

Orientation matters: Depending on how the reader is plugged in, the pairs can start in the bottom right corner.

Diode Mode Readings:

A diode reading measures voltage drop between two points.

The multimeter sends voltage from one probe through the board’s components, and when it reaches the other probe, it displays the voltage drop.

Example:

Top left reading: 0.85

We call this a .85 diode mode reading (it’s actually 0.85 volts).

How to identify pairs:

Start by looking for identical readings.

Example:

0.85 → 0.07 (ground) → 0.85

These two .85 readings are a pair, with ground in between (like an Oreo cookie).

What to expect:

There are 4 identical pairs (8 separate readings), each with a ground in between.

Readings should be identical, with an acceptable variance of ±0.01.

Example:

If the reading is 0.85, acceptable variance is 0.84 or 0.86.

Once you confirm all 4 pairs are OK, move to the Patterns.

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🎵 Understanding the Patterns

Why are they called Patterns?

Unlike the pairs, these readings aren’t uniform — they follow a rhythm pattern.

How to check Patterns:

We use a simple song/rhythm to remember the expected readings:

Start at the end of the line (22 in this case) and work backward.

What you’re looking for:

Readings in the range of .500, .600, .700

The readings do not need to be identical, just within range.

Example:

Reading 22 = 0.70 → OK (in range)

Reading 21 = 0.56 → OK (in range)

As long as they fall within the .500 - .700 range, they’re considered good.

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🔥 Why This Method Matters

This method is unique , it’s something I developed specifically for HDMI circuit testing.

Pro Tip:

When verifying the circuit:

Start at one end for the pairs

Start at the other end for the patterns

This prevents misreads and confusion.

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⚙️ Quick Circuit Overview

Pairs Side:

Goes directly to the encoder/retimer with only filters or bidirectional diodes.

➤ This side produces the image.

Patterns Side:

Goes to a handoff IC (Xbox) or diodes/resistors (PlayStation) before going to the encoder/retimer.

➤ This side negotiates image quality, frame rate, etc.

There is a range of readings that can be displayed on the Mechanic Reader and a Multimeter when measuring diode mode.

The range looks like this generally:

GROUND 0.00 … 0.100 … 0.200 … 0.300 … 0.400 … 0.500 … 0.600 … 0.700 … 0.800 … 0.900 … 1.000 OL

Anything generally in the .00-.300 and the .900-1.00 zone is considered ‘bad’. This isnt always the case, but its often the case.