Displayport-compatible screens needed for Eyefinity?

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 27 Sep 2009, 10:17

Hey to prove the 1920x1080 is OK with a passive. Try setting the res to 3x1920x1080 with your passive DP to DVI and see if it works.

Just to prove yes or no.

and congrats and enjoy :)

jayodom · Post by **jayodom** » 27 Sep 2009, 10:20

I have seen the '1920x1080 or less is OK for passive adaptor' around the threads many many times. However I have yet to see some one with that actually working. I think that is rubbish. From what I have read of what the limitation is it is nothing to do with bandwidth but the (non existent in the DP out) timing signal, which an active adaptor adds into the mix going to your DVI.

Exactly.

At this point passive adapters don't work. Don't buy one for Eyefinity purposes All they do is carry on an existing DVI video stream. The secret to the sauce is allowing the DisplayPort to be a DisplayPort by coupling it to a authentic DisplayPort device. And a DisplayPort device has DisplayPort electronics that tells the DisplayPort on the video card to do it's DisplayPort thing. From all the info I've gathered....

- Jay

geniv2 · Post by **geniv2** » 27 Sep 2009, 10:25

I just ordered the Dell active DP->DVI converter
~85 after Bing cash back

earlier I was playing with clone mode dual screen:
Dell 2408wfp + BenQ G2400WD

Here's a few quick info for anyone that cares:
1) The Dell do have a NOTICEABLE better color (everything is brighter and more vibrant) as compared to my BenQ with a TN panel
2) The Dell 6ms response time is NOTICEABLE not as "smooth" as the BenQ at 2ms response time. I played a short game of Resident Evil5 and NSF Shift.
3) I did some input lag test with both monitor and the 2408wfp is have about a 20-25 ms lag behind the BenQ. (the benQ supposely have a 8ms input lag... so 8+25 = 33ms lag for the Dell
4) The Dell have a sheet load of input options and features over the BenQ

For me I'm gonna keep the BenQ as I'm a fast pace FPS type gamer and that's all I pretty do with that rig. some people may not notice the input lag or slower reponse time but I definitely notice response time between the two and that just turned me off..

I was suppose to sell the 2x Dell 24008WFPb A02 to Ibrin. I hope he doesn't mind me opening it up for testing. I'm putting it back tomrrow after some more testing.

(Don't worry IBrin I will not molest your monitor too much :P

geniv2 · Post by **geniv2** » 27 Sep 2009, 10:35

Hey to prove the 1920x1080 is OK with a passive. Try setting the res to 3x1920x1080 with your passive DP to DVI and see if it works.

Just to prove yes or no.

and congrats and enjoy :)

nope doesn't work. u are sheet out of luck

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 27 Sep 2009, 10:39

[quote]Hey to prove the 1920x1080 is OK with a passive. Try setting the res to 3x1920x1080 with your passive DP to DVI and see if it works.

Just to prove yes or no.

and congrats and enjoy :)

nope doesn't work. u are sheet out of luckNo I am not out of luck, just good to get real experience from this rather than the vague '1920x1080 works OK' rubbish that is floating around the net at the moment. I want 3x1920x1200 with CF and 2xDVI and 1x (no active adaptor needed) HDMI!

So I'll wait :)

And thanks for confirming this I hope the info spreads wide....

geniv2 · Post by **geniv2** » 27 Sep 2009, 11:54

I found another wierd thing about EyeFinity...

maybe its' my system or combination of monitors..
(once again they are all 24" 1920x1200)

but the only EyeFinity resolutions I can pick are

5760x1200 (native resolution)
3840x1024
2400x600

None of those other triplehead 16:9 or 16:10 resolution that the Matrox Th2G
can do like:

5040x1050
4320x900
4098x768
etc..

why does it matter you ask? Well if you have a game that don't run well in fully glory hole of 5760x1200 you want to scale down the resolution of triplehead. now you are flucked because you only have option of triple 4:3 ratios

and in my case some of my older games run in max resolution of 4098x768
only... (ex. outrun 2000 and motoracer 3)

I'm sure this can be fixed by driver/firmware update though. I guess time will tell how much support AMD will give to EyeFinity.

I'm already pissed off right from the start that XP is not supported and I need a active DP adapter... (I have to upgrade my OS and order a $85ish adapter)

BTW: I hope they come out with bezel managment soon.

All in all this is a pretty neat little kit. I'm sure it will improve later on with peroper support. this is like the 3 rd day it is out.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 27 Sep 2009, 13:10

Um... with stock ATi drivers I pretty much have 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200 and 1920x1200 available. Kinda makes sense that if that's the default res options for one panel that having three wouldn't grant stuff like 5040x1050. If you single the monitors up again, do you get 1680x1050 as a res option?

whismerhill · Post by **whismerhill** » 27 Sep 2009, 13:40

No I am not out of luck, just good to get real experience from this rather than the vague '1920x1080 works OK' rubbish that is floating around the net at the moment. I want 3x1920x1200 with CF and 2xDVI and 1x (no active adaptor needed) HDMI!

So I'll wait :)

And thanks for confirming this I hope the info spreads wide....

at this point in time I'm not quite sure HDMI changes a single thing to the problem !

darnit.. I wish I saw this post before I formated my drive..
in the process of installing 64 bit Windows 7 now..
anyone know how it performas with 32 bit dx9 games?

small quick overview : http://www.digitalversus.com/article-858.html

Post by **suiken_2mieu** » 27 Sep 2009, 15:24

The ATI route for Triplehead is becoming very expensive for anyone looking to upgrade. If you buy 3 new monitors you're in the whole, if you keep your existing monitors you still have to pay 450+ for the card and the active adapter (which seems to be the cheapest route). I think the TripleHead2go may still be in business for people who don't need 3x1920x1080 or higher.

Edit: Actually even if you wanted to go bigger there's still SoftTH and it allows you to play many games, albeit alot less, it's also alot cheaper.

Edit 2: this is my 69th post. haha.

Dave Baumann · Post by **Dave Baumann** » 27 Sep 2009, 15:30

At this point passive adapters don't work. Don't buy one for Eyefinity purposes All they do is carry on an existing DVI video stream. The secret to the sauce is allowing the DisplayPort to be a DisplayPort by coupling it to a authentic DisplayPort device. And a DisplayPort device has DisplayPort electronics that tells the DisplayPort on the video card to do it's DisplayPort thing. From all the info I've gathered....

To get into terminology - there are DP certified devices and there are DP+ Certified devices. DP+ means that you can carry other signal over the DP output, allowing for passive adapters; DP only carries DP signals. The DP output on these initial boards are DP only.

Dave Baumann · Post by **Dave Baumann** » 27 Sep 2009, 15:33

BTW: I hope they come out with bezel managment soon.

That is the next major priority for the software support for Eyefinity.

Dave Baumann · Post by **Dave Baumann** » 27 Sep 2009, 15:35

The ATI route for Triplehead is becoming very expensive for anyone looking to upgrade.

Bear in mind you've not seen the whole of the HD 5800 story at the moment. :)

Post by **thales100** » 27 Sep 2009, 15:41

Bear in mind you've not seen the whole of the HD 5800 story at the moment. :)

I bet on that Dave, thats why i bought two of these babies. 8) Btw thanks for posting again in these forums.

Post by **Tamlin** » 27 Sep 2009, 15:46

:welcome

For those who don't know (or read profiles), Dave Baumann is Product Manager, AMD Graphics Division. :)

[quote]The ATI route for Triplehead is becoming very expensive for anyone looking to upgrade.

Bear in mind you've not seen the whole of the HD 5800 story at the moment. :)

Its the same cryptic answer Kyle at [H] gave:

Also, it is my understanding that in the near future you will NOT need an active adapter to output through DP to DVI or HDMI.

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1034668445&postcount=410

Are we talking here about an upgrade to the card itself or via drivers?

On another point, some talk about this cable being usable for Eyefinity over DP. Can you confirm this?

http://www.ramelectronics.net/computer-parts/computer-cables/monitor-cables/displayport-cables/displayport-to-hdmi-adapter-dport2hdmi/prodPTC00006.html

Its a lot cheaper then the $99 cables from Dell.

Dave Baumann · Post by **Dave Baumann** » 27 Sep 2009, 15:48

Btw thanks for posting again in these forums.

Hey, I intend to stick around for a while yet - posting may be infrequent as things are (as I'm sure you'll understand) crazy busy right now. :)

I intend to stress to a few more internally that they keep an eye on things here - I think there is going to be some excellent feedback in here that we should be listening to.

Post by **Tamlin** » 27 Sep 2009, 16:19

[quote]Btw thanks for posting again in these forums.

Hey, I intend to stick around for a while yet - posting may be infrequent as things are (as I'm sure you'll understand) crazy busy right now. :)

I intend to stress to a few more internally that they keep an eye on things here - I think there is going to be some excellent feedback in here that we should be listening to.

We can understand that things are busy right now. Eyefinity is big stuff for us (hence its own section) bringing TH capability to the masses. Heck, even I am considering being a TH convert (if I can find a way to setup extra screens while keeping my NEC, which is something I need to have).

I hope you'll have time to answer a few questions while you're here though.

Besides my previous post, I was also wondering if you were considering to operate with virtual resolutions? Meaning, if I were to connect 2x 1680x1050 screens as satelites with a 1920x1200 as center screen, with a virtual resolution, the game will be rendered as with 3 1920x1200 screens (5760x1200), but only 1680x1050 worth of content would be displayed on each of my satelites.

thenjwaslike · Post by **thenjwaslike** » 27 Sep 2009, 17:26

I just ordered the Dell active DP->DVI converter
~85 after Bing cash back

im finally glad it works man, really good news!

also, did u get a email with the tracking info yet?
i got a confirmation email but nothing with tracking info..

"Dell Order Has Been Confirmed for Dell Purchase ID:XXXXXXX"

i did order on a friday evening though, maybe it hasnt processed and next business day is monday

Post by **BHawthorne** » 27 Sep 2009, 18:37

[quote]At this point passive adapters don't work. Don't buy one for Eyefinity purposes All they do is carry on an existing DVI video stream. The secret to the sauce is allowing the DisplayPort to be a DisplayPort by coupling it to a authentic DisplayPort device. And a DisplayPort device has DisplayPort electronics that tells the DisplayPort on the video card to do it's DisplayPort thing. From all the info I've gathered....

To get into terminology - there are DP certified devices and there are DP+ Certified devices. DP+ means that you can carry other signal over the DP output, allowing for passive adapters; DP only carries DP signals. The DP output on these initial boards are DP only.

Will we be able to buy DP+ boards in the future?

The largest stumbling block for all of us is we're a pre-existing userbase with pre-existing displays that are predominantly DVI or HDMI. Right now I'm sitting on 4 Samsung 245BW wondering what to do about adapters. A selling point for EyeFinity should be taking the need for a box in between the card and displays away. That $350 that went to Matrox could now go towards a better video card. This is an accessibility issue that needs to be key to EyeFinity. The initial DP only limitation I think was a miss-step that can be obviously addressed in different 5800 series cards. When the new cards that address this issue are out how will we know they're DP+ and not only DP? Will it be on the packaging where we could specifically look for DP+? It would be very helpful if the package states clearly that it is "compatible with passive DVI Single-Link and passive HDMI adapters compatible to DP+."

I highly suggest that some variation of the 6-port 5870 be targeted for Mini-DP+.

Magic Man · Post by **Magic Man** » 27 Sep 2009, 20:10

I highly suggest that some variation of the 6-port 5870 be targeted for Mini-DP+.

Ditto. The cards need to at least cater for single link DVI/HDMI via the DP outputs, i.e. they should be DP+ capable and switchable to standard DVI/HDMI signal output without any requirement for active converters.

I.e. Someone with all DVI displays should still be able to use the cards maximum outputs via simple, passive adaptors (preferably that AMD/ATI supply) at least upto 1920x1200.

Better, to obtain higher than single link DVI resolutions the requirement is for active converters - provide such an active converter break-out box. Rather than have separate active converters on each output for dual link DVI conversion, give us a single box that takes a DP input one side (6 inputs in the case of the six card), a USB source for power (could add any control jiggery pokery as well) and then provides 6 DVI/HDMI outputs on the other side (preferably both) - I can't believe those active converters cost anywhere near the prices they go for, combining the timing electronics and power all in one box for 6 outputs should be simple and cheap.

Alternatively, do a 6 version with 6 HDMI connections rather than DP...

The_Silent_One · Post by **The_Silent_One** » 27 Sep 2009, 20:17

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.

I appreciate finally finding one answer after literally hours of searching for answers to a few questions about these new cards. A sub question that I have after seeing that answer is do active adapters need to have external power? I did some searching for displayport to hdmi adapters (or dvi) and I found some at Startech that did not say which they were and another one that claimed that it was active but was only $20-$30. However, in the photo that was posted about the triplehead that shows the displayport to dvi and then dvi to hdmi, that adapter has a USB add-in that seems like it is for power. Most of the adapters that I've seen online, including the one for such a low price did not appear to have any additional power via usb or power brick.

Additional Question that I haven't been able to answer. Can 6 displays be run off of 2 cards today(for gaming)? Or are you limited to 3 displays even with 2 cards, or can you use 6 for windows, but only 3 in gaming mode. If I am correct, both crossfire and sli limit you to 2 monitors between 2 cards.

There is a heck of a sale on Samsung 23" monitors at CanadaComputers this week-end that I would hate to pass up on except that I don't want to buy extra monitors or even an extra card if I will jsut have to watch them collect dust or have to try and resell them.

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