Displayport-compatible screens needed for Eyefinity?

Post by **GeneralAdmission** » 13 Sep 2009, 23:47

Here's better shot of one of the rigs I saw at the launch event, just for reference:

As you can see, this card has 2 DVI ports adapted to HDMI and the DP port->DVI->HDMI. For connection to 3 DVI monitors the only adapter needed would be the Bizlink box you see on the floor. You can see product information here, but I couldn't find any pricing via web search.

This box was running Stalker: Call of Pripyat @ 3x1920x1080 with very playable framerates, so I'm guessing the GPU must be at least at the mid-level of the Eyefinity product spectrum. Footage here: (link removed)

Post by **BHawthorne** » 13 Sep 2009, 23:50

*edited by BHawthorne* Removed inaccurate old info about adapters.

Post by **thales100** » 14 Sep 2009, 00:30

From what I can see about this new tech, ATi is doing their best to make this compatible with as much as possible. Making a whole new line of cards with 3xDVI slots only for a niche market such as this would be counter productive when you can just use a few adapters.

This "niche market" is all about Eyefinity is related, isnt it ? Why not have a "plug and play" advantage over the current solution ? "Few adapters" that cost U$ 150 will make a huge difference for many potential customers.

Post by **BHawthorne** » 14 Sep 2009, 01:05

*edited by BHawthorne* Removed inaccurate pre-release info about adapters.

Post by **thales100** » 14 Sep 2009, 01:36

Just spend $9 for the adaptor and go on with life. :wink:

U$ 9 for an active DP / DVI adapter ? :shock:

Post by **BHawthorne** » 14 Sep 2009, 02:59

*edited by BHawthorne* Removed inaccurate pre-release info about adapters.

cybereality · Post by **cybereality** » 14 Sep 2009, 04:10

So will this $10 adapter work? Yes or no?
http://www.amazon.com/Bafo-Technology-BF-3381-DisplayPort-Adapter/dp/B002C5CSC4/

If so I see no problem with this at all. If I need to buy some $100-200 active converter then I am not even going to bother with this Eyefinity business.

Post by **GeneralAdmission** » 14 Sep 2009, 06:19

Perhaps an active converter means one that requires USB power, like the Bizlink model shown in the picture I posted above.

Why it would need to be powered I don't know, but that's how the system was setup at the launch event. None of the DVI->HDMI and miniDP->DP connections I saw required dedicated power.

If such adapters are indeed required and they run $100+, that is a significant problem.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 14 Sep 2009, 11:40

From what I understand, an 'active' converter would only be needed to take it from DisplayPort to VGA, as the adaptor would have to take the digital signal and make it analogue. Since DisplayPort doesn't pass an analogue signal. Or something along those lines.

DisplayPort -> DVI or HDMI isn't going to cost a bomb - its still a digital signal, so all it really does is change the pinout and port shape. I would hope that if ATi are sensible, they would bundle the DisplayPort -> DVI adaptors in the box at least. Of course, they could go the Apple route and charge extortionate amounts of cash for every little adaptor and extra that should have been in the box in the first place. Hey, it works for Apple, doesn't it?

I'd like to know how many people using VGA-only displays that aren't CRT who'd be interested in this... because I don't honestly think it'll be many.

Post by **thales100** » 14 Sep 2009, 11:46

Don't your displays have at least a DVI port on them? Your sig says you have LG W2252TQ LCDs which clearly have DVI-D ports on them.

Sure m8, the DVI wouldnt be a problem for me, i've posted about the active adapters based on Dave Baumman post :

DisplayPort outputs are required to be used, however active adapters can also be used convert >2 "legacy" outputs to other display output types. So, with an active DP-to-DVI or active DP-to-VGA those other display input types can be used.

(page 1 of this thread)

whismerhill · Post by **whismerhill** » 14 Sep 2009, 12:08

I think dave bauman answer is incomplete since he does not take into account the difference between DVI(single link) & DVI(dual link)
it seems according to DP specs that active converters are needed for DVI(dual link) (the kind of link used between TH2GO & gfx cards)

most screens don't need DVI(dual link) to work (even though the gfx card is a DVI(dual link) output, it also does DVI(single link))
only the highest resolutions with high frequency refresh might need DVI(dual link)

With a single DVI link, the largest resolution possible at 60 Hz is 2.75 megapixels (including blanking interval). For practical purposes, this allows a maximum screen resolution at 60 Hz of 1915 x 1436 pixels (standard 4:3 ratio), 1854 x 1483 pixels (5:4 ratio) or 2098 x 1311 (widescreen 8:5 ratio)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

here's a DP to single link DVI adaptor : http://estore.circuitassembly.com/products/Displayport-to-DVI-D-Adapter-Male-to-Female-Single-Link.html

a few of those would likely be included in final products (at least 1 when the gfx cards sports only DP outputs)

neosin · Post by **neosin** » 15 Sep 2009, 14:48

doesn't the card have hdmi port?

can't u just use 2x dvi + 1 hdmi with hdmi>dvi adapter?

whismerhill · Post by **whismerhill** » 15 Sep 2009, 15:44

doesn't the card have hdmi port?

can't u just use 2x dvi + 1 hdmi with hdmi>dvi adapter?

depends on what card is considered some will be shipped with 6x mini-DP

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 15 Sep 2009, 17:00

[quote]doesn't the card have hdmi port?

can't u just use 2x dvi + 1 hdmi with hdmi>dvi adapter?

depends on what card is considered some will be shipped with 6x mini-DP
If those six-port EyeFinity cards don't ship with at least six mini-DP to DVI adaptors, I think ATi are going to have a few angry customers.

whismerhill · Post by **whismerhill** » 15 Sep 2009, 17:15

[quote][quote]doesn't the card have hdmi port?

can't u just use 2x dvi + 1 hdmi with hdmi>dvi adapter?

depends on what card is considered some will be shipped with 6x mini-DP
If those six-port EyeFinity cards don't ship with at least six mini-DP to DVI adaptors, I think ATi are going to have a few angry customers.

6 ? don't think so
since few people will get more than 1 screen
and very few people will get more than 3 ....

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 15 Sep 2009, 20:27

6 ? don't think so
since few people will get more than 1 screen
and very few people will get more than 3 ....

Without providing the adaptors, there is no point in providing the card. Mini-DP is pretty much Apple only at the minute, and a few passive DP->DVI adaptors won't cost ATi much to toss in the box. Considering that every since GPU I've bought in the last five years has come with:

Two DVI->VGA adaptors
S-Video leads
Component leads

And since the 4x00 series launched cards have come with multiple DVI->HDMI adaptors as well... there is no reason to sell a premium card intended for use with up to six screens, without the bundle that allows you to use it without buying lots of little 'accessories' at the same time.

Unless, of course, ATi have followed Apple's example of charging extortionate amounts for adaptors that should have been in the box in the first place.

Post by **BHawthorne** » 15 Sep 2009, 21:55

It's pretty much a moot point of debate though. It's not like this late in the game ATI is wanting input on their adapter bundles for the card. They'll either have them or not. Packaging on this stuff was most likely decided on months ago.

whismerhill · Post by **whismerhill** » 15 Sep 2009, 22:21

Two DVI->VGA adaptors
S-Video leads
Component leads

:shock:
never ever got more than one DVI->VGA and that was for cards that came with two DVI outputs, if they had one VGA & one DVI then there was no adaptor at all

I guess europe don't get the same bundles :roll:

DaFox · Post by **DaFox** » 15 Sep 2009, 23:57

[quote]Two DVI->VGA adaptors
S-Video leads
Component leads

:shock:
never ever got more than one DVI->VGA and that was for cards that came with two DVI outputs, if they had one VGA & one DVI then there was no adaptor at all

I guess europe don't get the same bundles :roll:

Thats the most that I have ever seen as well.

Post by **suiken_2mieu** » 16 Sep 2009, 04:03

[quote][quote]Two DVI->VGA adaptors
S-Video leads
Component leads

:shock:
never ever got more than one DVI->VGA and that was for cards that came with two DVI outputs, if they had one VGA & one DVI then there was no adaptor at all

I guess europe don't get the same bundles :roll:

Thats the most that I have ever seen as well.

I've gotten at the most, component leads, DVI->HDMI, and DVI->VGA.

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