Scroll Down to: DisplayPort to DVI-D Dual Link Adapter Cable
I can't find it for sale online though anywhere.
- Jay
That one box mid-way down that page would probably work. "DisplayPort to DVI-D Dual Link Adapter Cable". That looks like it has an active transcoder in it.
We need to find one that specifically states that it transcodes/converts the DP signal actively to a whole different signal type (DVI or HDMI). Passively running DP signal through to DVI port isn't working because our DVI/HDMI displays don't know what to do with a DP signal in from the DVI/HDMI port. It wouldn't be an issue if the video card was designed to push DVI/HDMI signal through the video card DP port. Then these passive adapters would work. It's a design limitation of the video card right now.
Scroll Down to: DisplayPort to DVI-D Dual Link Adapter Cable
I can't find it for sale online though anywhere.
- Jay
That one box mid-way down that page would probably work. "DisplayPort to DVI-D Dual Link Adapter Cable". That looks like it has an active transcoder in it.
We need to find one that specifically states that it transcodes/converts the DP signal actively to a whole different signal type (DVI or HDMI). Passively running DP signal through to DVI port isn't working because our DVI/HDMI displays don't know what to do with a DP signal in from the DVI/HDMI port. It wouldn't be an issue if the video card was designed to push DVI/HDMI signal through the video card DP port. Then these passive adapters would work. It's a design limitation of the video card right now.
I've emailed Biz Link to find out how/where to get one of these. I will update the thread when i get some info. I don't have the an eyefinity yet, but I want find out what works.
I did some digging, and I think I have figured out the problem.
Now, we knew up front that we had to use the DisplayPort for a third monitor. ATi noted that was because the card only has two TMDS signalers.
Display port has an _optional_ component where you can put single-link DVI-D on a couple of pins that would allow a cheap, inline DisplayPort -> DVI-D adapter to work.
Well, we know that ATi only put two TMDS chips on the thing. You can't use both DVI and the HDMI because you'd need three.
Which means that they couldn't have implemented the optional part of the DisplayPort spec-- or, they can't have it active when using two other connections, because they're still short a TMDS signaler.
Which means that we'll need an active converter that has a TMDS chip built into it, and not a simple in-line one. I pulled the trigger on the Dell one this morning. They claim it'll show up on the 5th. I'll report back with my findings.
Hopefully future revisions of the card will be able to fit a third signaling device... This annoys me, as the big reason I liked this idea is I wasn't going to need some box converting signals around like a TH2G...
Hopefully future revisions of the card will be able to fit a third signaling device... This annoys me, as the big reason I liked this idea is I wasn't going to need some box converting signals around like a TH2G...
Agreed, at this point we're just swapping one converter box for another. THe idea was to do away with converter boxes altogether. This is purely ATI passing the buck here. Just spend the $5 more per TMDS on the card and save us end users the $100 per port tax that you're imposing on us.
If nVidia are reading this their next card needs to have a proprietory connector going to a breakout box giving the choice of connecting between 6 DVI, 6 HDMI or 6 DP and package it with the card... They win again.
...or ATI need to come out with a cheap set of active converters very quickly.
My plan was to wait for the 6 DP output version and get three U2410's. That would still work fine since they are DP capable but I'd like to connect my existing 19" panels to the other three outputs. Even though they would only need single link DVI connections so should have been capable via standard DP - DVI converters if the DP outputs were compatible, it looks like my plans may be scuppered... :cry:
But it's not much help because it appears to cover the way the 'Six' card does things...
I've got a nasty feeling that the vanilla 5870 is running just four TMDS transmitters. (I saw four, because as far as I was aware, dual-link DVI needed twin TMDS chips?)
Right now, I'd be a little happier if someone could confirm that this does actually work with two monitors via DVI, and one via DisplayPort (without adaptors)...
Anyone else looking at that picture think a 6-port HDMI port setup (1 TMDS/DP per HDMI port) is starting to look a heck of a lot more appealing than a 6-port mini-DP? Isn't the HDMI port footprint small enough to pull it off? I am willing to pay whatever price premium is required as to not have to suffer a $100 per port added converter box cost.
Anyone else looking at that picture think a 6-port HDMI port setup (1 TMDS/DP per HDMI port) is starting to look a heck of a lot more appealing than a 6-port mini-DP? Isn't the HDMI port footprint small enough to pull it off? I am willing to pay whatever price premium is required as to not have to suffer a $100 per port added converter box cost.
Forgive the possible dumb-arse question, but might a DisplayPort to HDMI adaptor work? At this moment I doubt it, but... I ask. *shrug*
Without having a 5870 and a 2408 or U2410, I can't even try it myself. Which I'd like to do, I admit.
And no, I think HDMI (when the size of the cable shroud it taken into account) would require too much room to fit on a single slot-plate. :( Five might fit.
Been reading up on the standards of DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort. I do not see a reason why an adaptor wouldn't work, unless there are corners being cut on the TMDS linkups. I hope that the 5870 Six either dedicates one TMDS to each mini-DP, or goes for overkill and has two per mini-DP.
Just asked someone who might have had a chance to play with the 5870's 'in lab' whether he's had a chance to play and test different display configs.
...
Currently very tempted with the idea of getting a 5850 and the cheapest 24" DisplayPort capable monitor I can (which'd probably end up being a Dell 2408) to try this all out myself.
If I did, would anyone want a (slightly used) 4850 1GB or 8800GT?
for what its worth i can confirm a simple adaptor doesnt work
running sapphire 5870 , have 3 monitors , 1 dvi, 2 are vga on dvi adaptors.
yesterday tried using 2 monitors on dvi and hdmi to my TV as the third screen, didnt work ..
today have tried 2 dvi + dp adaptor
and 1 dvi, 1 hdmi, 1 dp adaptor
i have a 4350 and yesterday i did try that with one of the dvi's in there, i'll put it back in and try a few combos.
interestingly it did let me extend my desktops, but when i tried an eyefinity goup, it caused CCC to hang an eventually task manager killed it
where as without the 4350 i can only extend over 2 screens
if anyone has any suggestions i'm all ears. i bought this for Iracing mostly to replace a 4870 using soffth ( ive since sold the 4870 so cant try anything with that )
yeah goodluck geniv, update us with ur adapter.. if youve read thru this thread - dazboots already tried a passive DP to DVI adapter.. which worried us all to why 1 of 3 displays didnt show. all in all we need all the guinea pigs we can lol so if it works for u then its a miracle
yeah goodluck geniv, update us with ur adapter.. if youve read thru this thread - dazboots already tried a passive DP to DVI adapter.. which worried us all to why 1 of 3 displays didnt show. all in all we need all the guinea pigs we can lol so if it works for u then its a miracle
my 5870 arrives this monday, im next candidate
I really don't want to read through 13 pages of post.
once again: DID ANYONE ACTUALLY TRIED IT WITH A PASSIVE ADAPTER?
