Topic: Why is the Switch's USB-C output choppier than HDMI?

I recently bought a portable monitor (Lepow Z1 Gamut) which accepts both USB-C and HDMI inputs.

I was able to connect the Switch both ways:

A) Switch --> USB-C cable --> monitor
B) Switch --> dock (powered) --> HDMI cable --> monitor

I tested with Animal Crossing. Although both output methods work, USB-C seems to have a much worse refresh rate, making the game look choppier than either the HDMI method or playing on the switch itself (no monitor).

Questions:

1) For those of you who have tested USB-C and HDMI, are you seeing the same behaviour?

2) What is the source of the poor USB-C performance:

a) the Switch (I suspect this)
b) the monitor (I only have one, so can't rule out the possibility that the monitor handles USB-C badly)
c) Animal Crossing's code (in other words, software-specific logic to throttle-down USB-C output)
d) something else?

3) If the USB-C slowness is in the Switch, then is it because...

a) The Switch has to do more work to generate USB-C output than HDMI output.

b) The Switch has to do extra work to generate any video output (instead of displaying on the screen); if it were docked, the extra power could help it keep up, but since it's not docked, the lack of extra power causes it to generate video more slowly.

4) Are there any workarounds to get USB-C output performing closer to HDMI?

Thanks!

Likely is that you're using the Switch that way. It has lower performance when undocked since it's draining from the battery. Undocked, the GPU is running at about 50% and in your case it's worse, since you're asking it to do a lot more work with half the power, because when it outputs to another screen the resolution and FPS are higher.
Docked it doesn't matter, so the GPU can run harder and the fans can kick up higher to combat the heat and it can handle the increased resolution and FPS better.

I see, so if I want to use the Switch with a portable monitor @ 1080p 60Hz, I'll need to use the dock (or a third-party alternative).

The dock is fine when set up near the TV, but if I'm on a soft surface like a couch, the dock wobbles and bounces and falls over. A more secure third-party dock would be ideal, but I've read that they put the Switch itself at risk.

Are there ways to make the dock more stable on a soft surface?

I have a portable monitor that also charges the Switch through the USB-C cable and everything runs fine. But the monitor needs to be plucked into a socket or a power bank.

Which portable monitor do you have?

@tripecac

This one.
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B089GL88WJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_s...

So unless that monitor says it works with Switch I would not use it. That's the jest of what I think if one goes the route of USB-C.

This is the monitor I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0863NZF2R/

It has the word "Switch" in its title:

Portable Monitor - 2020 Lepow Z1-Gamut 15.6'' FHD Laptop Display [Improved Color Gamut] IPS 1080P Ultra-Slim Type-C & HDMI Second Screen, Dual Speakers, Ideal for Laptops PCs Phones Switch PS4/3 Xbox

It was the second monitor listed on this page of recommendations:

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/10/feature_which_1080p...

...which was the top result when I googled "best portable monitor for switch".

The monitor works fine when connected via HDMI to the docked Switch, although the colors seem washed out compared to a TV or tablet.

When it's connected via USB-C to the undocked Switch, it's choppy. This is consistent with the idea that if the Switch is not receiving power, it downgrades its output. So, I'm guessing that the monitor is not sending power back to the Switch when connected via USB-C.

What is the term for that 2-way behavior: video one way and power the other way in the same USB-C connection?

At this point, if I want to use the Switch with this monitor, my options seem to be either:

a) Switch --> USB-C --> monitor (low frame rate, too choppy to enjoy)

b) Switch --> official dock --> HDMI --> monitor (safe, but the dock is awfully unstable on a couch or bed)

c) Switch --> third-party dock/hub --> HDMI --> monitor (risky, but I'd pick a dock which is more stable on a couch/bed)

d) Switch --> third-party dock/hub --> USB-C --> monitor (same as #c except it requires dock to send power to Switch via USB-C)

I don't see the point of #a (due to the choppy frame rate; I might as well play handheld).

The instability of the official dock on a soft surface rules out #b... unless I can find longer cables, which would allow the dock to be somewhere other than the bed/couch. Specifically, I would need a longer HDMI cable (normal HDMI to mini HDMI which the monitor uses) and [while I'm at it] a longer USB3 cable between the monitor and its power adapter. Do you know if third party cables put the Switch at risk? Or is it safe to experiment with those?

As for #c and #d, although I think it would be great to have a USB-C dock/hub which can happily bounce on a soft surface, I'm worried about hurting the Switch. Of all the third party docks/hubs out there, which ones can plug into the Switch via wires (and not "cradle" it like the official dock) while sending power to the Switch (so that it runs at a higher frame rate) and have the best track record for keeping the Switch safe? Is that too tall an order at this time?

@tripecac The monitor works fine when connected via HDMI to the docked Switch, although the colors seem washed out compared to a TV or tablet.
This would be a setting problem not a Switch output issue that the user needs to adjust the settings. Did you read the reviews that others wrote on there as well on Amazon about that monitor?

Yes, I think the portable monitor itself isn't as vibrant as my tablet, TV, or other monitors. That's certainly not a fault of the Switch.

My concern at this point is finding a way to use the portable monitor on a soft surface without having to put the official dock on that soft surface as well, since the official dock isn't very secure.

I have never heard of any HDMI cables causing problems. I'm using a third party one, because I too needed a longer one. And it's just a cheapy Amazon Basics one.
Should be able to find both the cables you need for less than $50, I would think.

Yeah, the HDMI cable is a standard one .... Issues with 3rd party docks were the Switch USB-C port not being exactly standard. Never had cause to try any myself but I'm sure there must be a few people around here who wanted longer cables to assure you those work fine

@tripecac try setting RGB range to either full or limited. It's very well possible that either one helps you fix the issue. Alternatively, you may be able to change a setting on the monitor named something like or black level (or also RGB range). Settings on screen and Switch should be corresponding, so RGB=full on Switch, means black level=high on monitor. Good luck.