Partial workaround for headless HDR

bastionJersey commented

2025-12-03 09:58:12 -06:00

(Migrated from github.com)

I thought it might help someone to share this here.

I got HDR working on my OLED deck using a Lindy 'HDMI 8K60 EDID Emulator', item number 32119. It says it "is designed for systems that require an uninterrupted signal to overcome EDID related issues", so I thought I'd see how that works with a headless PS5. The answer is mostly; I needed an HDR-capable device to plug it into to get it working. It also stops working when you restart the PS5, so you have to plug it into the monitor or whatever again.

So you plug the Lindy dongle into the PS5 hdmi port, then a cable into the end of it, then the cable into the monitor. It's a 32" Alienware OLED monitor, there was only one kind when I bought it so I don't know the model number off the top of my head. I don't know if the make or model makes any difference. The PS5 didn't detect the HDR until I set the dongle to 'clone EDID'. Then I unplugged the cable and connected the deck using the HDR settings in the guide.

HDR worked continuously for a couple of days with the PS5 going into rest mode. When I turned it off and back on again, it stopped working though. I had to hook it up to the monitor for a minute, and it's working again, no monitor attached. I don't know why restarting it made it forget. I didn't need to clone the monitor EDID again so maybe it does something different when it turns on, that checks for a real monitor.

It's kind of early days but it works great so far, when I don't mess around with it. I'm happy to leave it in rest mode but obviously this won't work for someone who prefers to turn it off, and you still need something with HDR for the setup. And the dongle is kind of pricey for a dongle. I wanted the PS5 for the HDR on the deck though, so it was worth it for me. Hope this is useful!

I thought it might help someone to share this here. I got HDR working on my OLED deck using a Lindy 'HDMI 8K60 EDID Emulator', item number 32119. It says it "is designed for systems that require an uninterrupted signal to overcome EDID related issues", so I thought I'd see how that works with a headless PS5. The answer is mostly; I needed an HDR-capable device to plug it into to get it working. It also stops working when you restart the PS5, so you have to plug it into the monitor or whatever again. So you plug the Lindy dongle into the PS5 hdmi port, then a cable into the end of it, then the cable into the monitor. It's a 32" Alienware OLED monitor, there was only one kind when I bought it so I don't know the model number off the top of my head. I don't know if the make or model makes any difference. The PS5 didn't detect the HDR until I set the dongle to 'clone EDID'. Then I unplugged the cable and connected the deck using the HDR settings in the guide. HDR worked continuously for a couple of days with the PS5 going into rest mode. When I turned it off and back on again, it stopped working though. I had to hook it up to the monitor for a minute, and it's working again, no monitor attached. I don't know why restarting it made it forget. I didn't need to clone the monitor EDID again so maybe it does something different when it turns on, that checks for a real monitor. It's kind of early days but it works great so far, when I don't mess around with it. I'm happy to leave it in rest mode but obviously this won't work for someone who prefers to turn it off, and you still need something with HDR for the setup. And the dongle is kind of pricey for a dongle. I wanted the PS5 for the HDR on the deck though, so it was worth it for me. Hope this is useful!

github-actions[bot] commented

2026-03-24 22:57:17 -05:00

(Migrated from github.com)

This issue is stale because it has been open for 90 days with no activity.

slalix commented

2026-04-30 09:18:33 -05:00

(Migrated from github.com)

I think I found a way to get HDR working in actually headless mode.

You don't need to connect the PS5 to an HDR-capable monitor; you can connect it to anything. By anything, I mean some kind of "active" adapter. I got it working with the cheapest HDMI-to-VGA adapter and, of course, passthrough EDID emulator. Your emulator's EDID must contain a static HDR metadata block. If it doesn't, HDR won't work. You can use an EDID adapter that already has it, or flash your own EDID (like I did, but first, make sure the EDID emulator is programmable.). You can find some useful info in this blogpost: https://walmsley.tech/re-writing-edids-on-hdmi-dummy-plugs/

You can find already programmed with HDR-capable EDID and generally-programmable EDID-emulators here: https://aliexpress.com//item/1005008202202993.html

Tested on:
Model: PS5 Fat (CFI-1200B)
Firmware: 9.60
Chiaki-ng version: 1.9.9
SteamOS version: 3.7.21
EDID that I've used: steam_deck_oled_ps5_1080p60_hdr.bin.zip
Edid-decode result: https://gist.github.com/slalix/d2492578d1a1f2773e66aa7739df1e5c

I created my own EDID to make it more similar to the Steam Deck OLED screen. If you find any issues with this EDID, feel free to comment of gist page.

Software that I used to write my EDID on EDID-emulator: https://github.com/galkinvv/edid-checked-writer
Various EDIDs: https://github.com/linuxhw/EDID

A couple of photos as a proof that it works:

Video settings

Yes, this is indeed possible in remote playback mode. Simply enter this settings section on actual monitor and then connect via chiaki-ng.

TLOU Settings

TLOU Screenshots

Cyberpunk 2077 Settings

Cyberpunk 2077 Screenshot

Witcher 3 Screenshot

I think I found a way to get HDR working in actually headless mode. You don't need to connect the PS5 to an HDR-capable monitor; you can connect it to anything. By anything, I mean some kind of "active" adapter. I got it working with the cheapest HDMI-to-VGA adapter and, of course, passthrough EDID emulator. Your emulator's EDID must contain a static HDR metadata block. If it doesn't, HDR won't work. You can use an EDID adapter that already has it, or flash your own EDID (like I did, but first, make sure the EDID emulator is programmable.). You can find some useful info in this blogpost: https://walmsley.tech/re-writing-edids-on-hdmi-dummy-plugs/ You can find already programmed with HDR-capable EDID and generally-programmable EDID-emulators here: https://aliexpress.com//item/1005008202202993.html Tested on: Model: PS5 Fat (CFI-1200B) Firmware: 9.60 Chiaki-ng version: 1.9.9 SteamOS version: 3.7.21 EDID that I've used: [steam_deck_oled_ps5_1080p60_hdr.bin.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/27245119/steam_deck_oled_ps5_1080p60_hdr.bin.zip) Edid-decode result: https://gist.github.com/slalix/d2492578d1a1f2773e66aa7739df1e5c I created my own EDID to make it more similar to the Steam Deck OLED screen. If you find any issues with this EDID, feel free to comment of gist page. Software that I used to write my EDID on EDID-emulator: https://github.com/galkinvv/edid-checked-writer Various EDIDs: https://github.com/linuxhw/EDID A couple of photos as a proof that it works: <details> <summary>Video settings</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1cd9100d-22e9-4723-8ae4-51c730c0e2bb" /> Yes, this is indeed possible in remote playback mode. Simply enter this settings section on actual monitor and then connect via chiaki-ng. </details> <details> <summary>TLOU Settings</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ac47bd3e-85f1-4c8e-a1b3-f4d37fe99e9a" /> </details> <details> <summary>TLOU Screenshots</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d98467b5-ccf1-4c36-be26-0979952eb29f" /> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/bfd225c4-1f36-4714-9366-8c270f4e5655" /> </details> <details> <summary>Cyberpunk 2077 Settings</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e018903b-a6d5-4a28-81f6-d4bb2f47249e" /> </details> <details> <summary>Cyberpunk 2077 Screenshot</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e6ac6eaf-1d0c-45b4-9e60-ac5084acf7a2" /> </details> <details> <summary>Witcher 3 Screenshot</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/48281f9c-8850-44ed-84d5-6bf9b0bc0917" /> </details>

agonzalezramos commented

2026-05-12 11:40:34 -05:00

(Migrated from github.com)

I think I found a way to get HDR working in actually headless mode.

You don't need to connect the PS5 to an HDR-capable monitor; you can connect it to anything. By anything, I mean some kind of "active" adapter. I got it working with the cheapest HDMI-to-VGA adapter and, of course, passthrough EDID emulator. Your emulator's EDID must contain a static HDR metadata block. If it doesn't, HDR won't work. You can use an EDID adapter that already has it, or flash your own EDID (like I did, but first, make sure the EDID emulator is programmable.). You can find some useful info in this blogpost: https://walmsley.tech/re-writing-edids-on-hdmi-dummy-plugs/

You can find already programmed with HDR-capable EDID and generally-programmable EDID-emulators here: https://aliexpress.com//item/1005008202202993.html

Tested on: Model: PS5 Fat (CFI-1200B) Firmware: 9.60 Chiaki-ng version: 1.9.9 SteamOS version: 3.7.21 EDID that I've used: steam_deck_oled_ps5_1080p60_hdr.bin.zip Edid-decode result: https://gist.github.com/slalix/d2492578d1a1f2773e66aa7739df1e5c

I created my own EDID to make it more similar to the Steam Deck OLED screen. If you find any issues with this EDID, feel free to comment of gist page.

Software that I used to write my EDID on EDID-emulator: https://github.com/galkinvv/edid-checked-writer Various EDIDs: https://github.com/linuxhw/EDID

A couple of photos as a proof that it works:

Video settings
TLOU Settings
TLOU Screenshots
Cyberpunk 2077 Settings
Cyberpunk 2077 Screenshot
Witcher 3 Screenshot

@slalix , thank you for your post. I was wondering, do you think that maybe this dummy dongle would be enough?

https://www.amazon.es/FUERAN-Plug-Virtual-Emulador-Adaptador-3840x2160/dp/B0C175WYS5/ref=sr_1_8?__mk_es_ES=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&crid=2HR7LFKETV6G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jrJlF80gyLjGv-BM_9dHIGbUQgxJf0i-HBprKcuVndi8y2w-MfSAi1oJAXfzPe6hRY5NKSqWYEI6Z2UzTHaPfNKpcx123wI93yLlYRDBa5MoAxajY5tvq4Cud75LKVdYEg9UlN3EHjLVq1JA81dbIjItp4AL1xTQg7D3Six2KmGbNH4cv4lvy96uC93Hi8SKwrPXJcEp214EVWWe6zjJaepqW9Btc1i7Yd_qHJwrsfTaCXElvMsnmG0ARjZkB5aKzj-PkLLsvOz66ay0-AFaI8tNDo6Nih44-nIAgJehGZE.I8t8AWndL6P16MA4qIwMoaScPoxMlxzIeHH5h_QP2j8&dib_tag=se&keywords=edid%2Bhdr&qid=1778603395&sprefix=edid%2Bhdr%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-8&th=1

> I think I found a way to get HDR working in actually headless mode. > > You don't need to connect the PS5 to an HDR-capable monitor; you can connect it to anything. By anything, I mean some kind of "active" adapter. I got it working with the cheapest HDMI-to-VGA adapter and, of course, passthrough EDID emulator. Your emulator's EDID must contain a static HDR metadata block. If it doesn't, HDR won't work. You can use an EDID adapter that already has it, or flash your own EDID (like I did, but first, make sure the EDID emulator is programmable.). You can find some useful info in this blogpost: https://walmsley.tech/re-writing-edids-on-hdmi-dummy-plugs/ > > You can find already programmed with HDR-capable EDID and generally-programmable EDID-emulators here: https://aliexpress.com//item/1005008202202993.html > > Tested on: Model: PS5 Fat (CFI-1200B) Firmware: 9.60 Chiaki-ng version: 1.9.9 SteamOS version: 3.7.21 EDID that I've used: [steam_deck_oled_ps5_1080p60_hdr.bin.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/27245119/steam_deck_oled_ps5_1080p60_hdr.bin.zip) Edid-decode result: https://gist.github.com/slalix/d2492578d1a1f2773e66aa7739df1e5c > > I created my own EDID to make it more similar to the Steam Deck OLED screen. If you find any issues with this EDID, feel free to comment of gist page. > > Software that I used to write my EDID on EDID-emulator: https://github.com/galkinvv/edid-checked-writer Various EDIDs: https://github.com/linuxhw/EDID > > A couple of photos as a proof that it works: > > Video settings > TLOU Settings > TLOU Screenshots > Cyberpunk 2077 Settings > Cyberpunk 2077 Screenshot > Witcher 3 Screenshot @slalix , thank you for your post. I was wondering, do you think that maybe this dummy dongle would be enough? https://www.amazon.es/FUERAN-Plug-Virtual-Emulador-Adaptador-3840x2160/dp/B0C175WYS5/ref=sr_1_8?__mk_es_ES=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&crid=2HR7LFKETV6G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jrJlF80gyLjGv-BM_9dHIGbUQgxJf0i-HBprKcuVndi8y2w-MfSAi1oJAXfzPe6hRY5NKSqWYEI6Z2UzTHaPfNKpcx123wI93yLlYRDBa5MoAxajY5tvq4Cud75LKVdYEg9UlN3EHjLVq1JA81dbIjItp4AL1xTQg7D3Six2KmGbNH4cv4lvy96uC93Hi8SKwrPXJcEp214EVWWe6zjJaepqW9Btc1i7Yd_qHJwrsfTaCXElvMsnmG0ARjZkB5aKzj-PkLLsvOz66ay0-AFaI8tNDo6Nih44-nIAgJehGZE.I8t8AWndL6P16MA4qIwMoaScPoxMlxzIeHH5h_QP2j8&dib_tag=se&keywords=edid%2Bhdr&qid=1778603395&sprefix=edid%2Bhdr%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-8&th=1

slalix commented

2026-05-13 07:46:51 -05:00

(Migrated from github.com)

@agonzalezramos
Hi!
The one marked "gray" definitely won't work. I bought 5 or 6 similar ones, and none of them worked on my PS5. At least in HDR mode.
The second one, "2.1-4K/120Hz-HDR/12bits-1P--hei", has a chance if it is passthrough (judging by its length, it is, but if I were you, I'd write to the seller to make sure).

I think these "dummy plugs" don't work because the PS5 requires a real video output. My guess is that PS5 looks for TMDS connection, but I can be wrong. Passthrough plug + HDMI-to-VGA adapter does exactly that, it receives HDMI signal, sends it to internal chip to re-encode it to VGA capable image (for downscaling at least), so from the PS5 perspective, the image is displayed and it's enables HDR modes based on EDID data.

@agonzalezramos Hi! The one marked "gray" definitely won't work. I bought 5 or 6 similar ones, and none of them worked on my PS5. At least in HDR mode. The second one, "2.1-4K/120Hz-HDR/12bits-1P--hei", has a chance if it is passthrough (judging by its length, it is, but if I were you, I'd write to the seller to make sure). I think these "dummy plugs" don't work because the PS5 requires a real video output. My guess is that PS5 looks for TMDS connection, but I can be wrong. Passthrough plug + HDMI-to-VGA adapter does exactly that, it receives HDMI signal, sends it to internal chip to re-encode it to VGA capable image (for downscaling at least), so from the PS5 perspective, the image is displayed and it's enables HDR modes based on EDID data.

agonzalezramos commented

2026-05-13 11:23:01 -05:00

(Migrated from github.com)

@slalix ,

Thanks for your answer! From the link that you shared.... there are several options from that seller... none of them only 1080p and HDR. Should I order the one that is custom? or any other of the ones that are being offered?

On the other hand, in your picture it looks like you had a sort of device that it's not the one from Aliexpress, right?

thanks!!

@slalix , Thanks for your answer! From the link that you shared.... there are several options from that seller... none of them only 1080p and HDR. Should I order the one that is custom? or any other of the ones that are being offered? On the other hand, in your picture it looks like you had a sort of device that it's not the one from Aliexpress, right? thanks!!

slalix commented

2026-05-18 22:31:31 -05:00

(Migrated from github.com)

@agonzalezramos
Sorry, my bad. The pictures from my original post were of a different EDID emulator. Here are some with emulator from Aliexpress named "3840x2160 60Hz HDR". To make it work with HDR you just need to set resolution to 1080p on PS5 (it defaults to 4k as you insert it). The one named "4K 3840x2160 60Hz" does not support HDR, I tested it too =)
I can make a EDID dump from both of them if anyone interested.

Here are some photos:

Video settings

TLOU settings

TLOU gameplay

Cyberpunk 2077 settings

Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay

A bit more about this emulator compatibilities

Photo of an emulator that works

After using it for a couple of week I found out that PS5 can "forget" that this emulator has HDR compatibility after waking up from rest mode. Can be fixed by rebooting your PS5 and thats it, HDR will work again. Works via remote play too, so you don't need to physically do anything.

@agonzalezramos Sorry, my bad. The pictures from my original post were of a different EDID emulator. Here are some with emulator from Aliexpress named "3840x2160 60Hz HDR". To make it work with HDR you just need to set resolution to 1080p on PS5 (it defaults to 4k as you insert it). The one named "4K 3840x2160 60Hz" does not support HDR, I tested it too =) I can make a EDID dump from both of them if anyone interested. Here are some photos: <details> <summary>Video settings</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4d733c6c-4a58-4b1c-9100-f14070232b8d" /> </details> <details> <summary>TLOU settings</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5852d3fd-cbc0-4187-a605-3797fbe557db" /> </details> <details> <summary>TLOU gameplay</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e9731def-741a-4a3b-9883-8981408bcc1b" /> </details> <details> <summary>Cyberpunk 2077 settings</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ad0ce6f5-af45-4b1d-8421-13a8c3d12686" /> </details> <details> <summary>Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4c0e6ba3-c1a3-4ab9-b244-66c831b2e0bc" /> </details> <details> <summary>A bit more about this emulator compatibilities</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/f6b78f2d-f8d2-4c07-9741-a4f478f93abc" /> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8decd8c9-fa4b-428d-8759-fc3d9cab21a0" /> </details> <details> <summary>Photo of an emulator that works</summary> <img width="1280" height="960" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a32d8c0c-dcc5-41a0-9b5f-2eb6fcbcec0b" /> </details> After using it for a couple of week I found out that PS5 can "forget" that this emulator has HDR compatibility after waking up from rest mode. Can be fixed by rebooting your PS5 and thats it, HDR will work again. Works via remote play too, so you don't need to physically do anything.

agonzalezramos commented

2026-06-16 13:08:43 -05:00

(Migrated from github.com)

@agonzalezramos Sorry, my bad. The pictures from my original post were of a different EDID emulator. Here are some with emulator from Aliexpress named "3840x2160 60Hz HDR". To make it work with HDR you just need to set resolution to 1080p on PS5 (it defaults to 4k as you insert it). The one named "4K 3840x2160 60Hz" does not support HDR, I tested it too =) I can make a EDID dump from both of them if anyone interested.

Here are some photos:

Video settings
TLOU settings
TLOU gameplay
Cyberpunk 2077 settings
Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay
A bit more about this emulator compatibilities
Photo of an emulator that works
After using it for a couple of week I found out that PS5 can "forget" that this emulator has HDR compatibility after waking up from rest mode. Can be fixed by rebooting your PS5 and thats it, HDR will work again. Works via remote play too, so you don't need to physically do anything.

@slalix , just let you know that finally I can play in HDR!! That dongle was the right one. Thank you so much!!!

In case that someone needs it, here's the link
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005008202202993.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2esp

:)

> [@agonzalezramos](https://github.com/agonzalezramos) Sorry, my bad. The pictures from my original post were of a different EDID emulator. Here are some with emulator from Aliexpress named "3840x2160 60Hz HDR". To make it work with HDR you just need to set resolution to 1080p on PS5 (it defaults to 4k as you insert it). The one named "4K 3840x2160 60Hz" does not support HDR, I tested it too =) I can make a EDID dump from both of them if anyone interested. > > Here are some photos: > > Video settings > TLOU settings > TLOU gameplay > Cyberpunk 2077 settings > Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay > A bit more about this emulator compatibilities > Photo of an emulator that works > After using it for a couple of week I found out that PS5 can "forget" that this emulator has HDR compatibility after waking up from rest mode. Can be fixed by rebooting your PS5 and thats it, HDR will work again. Works via remote play too, so you don't need to physically do anything. @slalix , just let you know that finally I can play in HDR!! That dongle was the right one. Thank you so much!!! In case that someone needs it, here's the link https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005008202202993.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2esp :)

👍 1

joneidy commented

2026-08-07 17:29:51 -05:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Could you share an EDID dump from the working Aliexpress HDMI dongles?

slalix commented

2026-08-10 05:29:48 -05:00

(Migrated from github.com)

@joneidy Sure thing!
Here you go:

BIN-dump: chinese_edid_emulator_dump.bin.zip
Edid-decode result: Chinese EDID Emulator dump Gist

@joneidy Sure thing! Here you go: - BIN-dump: [chinese_edid_emulator_dump.bin.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/30895680/chinese_edid_emulator_dump.bin.zip) - Edid-decode result: [Chinese EDID Emulator dump Gist](https://gist.github.com/slalix/bc8d11b80afcc15d13114fa3bd45f91a)

xlanor commented

2026-10-03 17:11:16 -05:00

(Migrated from github.com)

@agonzalezramos Sorry, my bad. The pictures from my original post were of a different EDID emulator. Here are some with emulator from Aliexpress named "3840x2160 60Hz HDR". To make it work with HDR you just need to set resolution to 1080p on PS5 (it defaults to 4k as you insert it). The one named "4K 3840x2160 60Hz" does not support HDR, I tested it too =) I can make a EDID dump from both of them if anyone interested.
Here are some photos:
Video settings
TLOU settings
TLOU gameplay
Cyberpunk 2077 settings
Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay
A bit more about this emulator compatibilities
Photo of an emulator that works
After using it for a couple of week I found out that PS5 can "forget" that this emulator has HDR compatibility after waking up from rest mode. Can be fixed by rebooting your PS5 and thats it, HDR will work again. Works via remote play too, so you don't need to physically do anything.

@slalix , just let you know that finally I can play in HDR!! That dongle was the right one. Thank you so much!!!

In case that someone needs it, here's the link https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005008202202993.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2esp

:)

I've just bought this dongle and I can confirm it works :)

> > [@agonzalezramos](https://github.com/agonzalezramos) Sorry, my bad. The pictures from my original post were of a different EDID emulator. Here are some with emulator from Aliexpress named "3840x2160 60Hz HDR". To make it work with HDR you just need to set resolution to 1080p on PS5 (it defaults to 4k as you insert it). The one named "4K 3840x2160 60Hz" does not support HDR, I tested it too =) I can make a EDID dump from both of them if anyone interested. > > Here are some photos: > > Video settings > > TLOU settings > > TLOU gameplay > > Cyberpunk 2077 settings > > Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay > > A bit more about this emulator compatibilities > > Photo of an emulator that works > > After using it for a couple of week I found out that PS5 can "forget" that this emulator has HDR compatibility after waking up from rest mode. Can be fixed by rebooting your PS5 and thats it, HDR will work again. Works via remote play too, so you don't need to physically do anything. > > [@slalix](https://github.com/slalix) , just let you know that finally I can play in HDR!! That dongle was the right one. Thank you so much!!! > > In case that someone needs it, here's the link https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005008202202993.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2esp > > :) I've just bought this dongle and I can confirm it works :)

Rows
Columns

Partial workaround for headless HDR #686