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WO5 - Multi output


Jonas Dannert

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WATCHOUT 5 - Multi output

All outputs MUST come from one card.

WATCHOUT 5 Multi output ONLY works with one graphics card.

That one graphics card may have up to six (6) outputs, provided the graphics card vendor
includes driver support for multiple outputs under DirectX in 3D mode.

 

This should be in extended desktop mode, do NOT involve any Eyefinity group setup.

For FULL functionality in Multi output mode, Windows 7 SP1 is a REQUIREMENT.
WindowsXP will not work reliably in Multi output mode.

Performance of this is of course HIGHLY dependent upon hardware chosen and the selected content/encoding.
It's VERY easy to run out of resources, with 6 1080p streams out of one Display computer, if not careful.

All outputs also MUST be the same resolution AND refresh rate. 

 

*) Since version 6.1 the displays can have different resolutions but NOT different frame rates.

   See the release notes: 

   Displays connected to the same display computer can now have different resolutions.

 

This is not so much a limitation of WATCHOUT 5/6, this is inherent to the graphic card setup.
Also related to keeping the sync between the different outputs.

The AMD/ATI Radeon with EYEFINITY does support more than two outputs with WATCHOUT 5/6.
Not all vendors do that. Preferably use the HD68xx/69xx-series for this, they are tried and tested.
AMD FirePro 5900/7900/9800-cards are also very good, tested choices.

With NVidia, maximum number of outputs from one card seems to be 2 or maybe 3, at the moment, depending on card chosen.
How many of those one can get to work with WATCHOUT is not totally clear yet. 2 seems to be the limit.

NVidia NVS series will not do, they lack sufficient DirectX/Direct3D hardware acceleration for WATCHOUT-use.

Same thing with AMD FireMV and Matrox M91xx-series.


Irrespectively the number of connectors, DisplayPort or MiniDisplayPort, all outputs over two (2) “legacy” connectors,
VGA/DVI/HDMI, MUST use ACTIVE DP/MiniDP—>DVI/HDMI adapters, passive will NOT work.

Or use displays/projectors with DP/MDP inputs. Not yet so common, unfortunately.

There are 2 different types of ACTIVE DP/MDP-adapters, Single-Link DVI and Dual-Link DVI.
Single-Link DVI - cheap, resolution up to 1920x1200, powered from the DP/MDP-connector
Dual-Link DVI - more expensive, resolution up to 2560x1600, powered from separete USB or external Power Supply


SOME EXAMPLES, not all tested by us:

6 outputs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121430
http://www.asus.se/Graphics_Cards/AMD_Series/EAH6970_DCII2DI4S2GD5/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121419

5 outputs:
http://www.gigabyte.eu/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3790#s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102929
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102924
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102938


3 outputs:
http://powercolor.co...ures.asp?id=342 (SINGLE SLOT)

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102920
Maybe a bit weak, but cheap…


AMD:s professional cards, FirePro, are an alternative, although somewhat more expensive:

http://www.amd.com/us/products/workstation/graphics/ati-firepro-3d/Pages/ati-firepro-3d.aspx
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008333

Edited by Jonas Dannert
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  • 2 weeks later...

That's a pity, Jonas.

I think Dataton should look into extending DX/D3D into multiple graphics cards. VJ software such as Resolume, Archaos, etc are able to use all the outputs from a pc with more than one graphics card installed. So does another multi-display software from Austria though this is currently limited to max 4. It does down bring the cost of graphics cards since 2 output cards are generally cheaper. Additionally, these have less configuration headaches and the need for active adapters.

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  • 2 months later...

I've been doing tests with the Radeon 6970 and 6950 to find out that they will give me a maximum number of 2 digital outputs(DVI/HDMI).

 

Are those 6 outputs mentionned above done through HD15(VGA)? I've been doing Watchout stuff for 10 years now and to me there shouldn't be a retrograde to VGA in order to make 6 outputs, but...

 

Is there a card that will allow me to drive 3 digital outputs?

 

Hopefully Dataton will make this limitation vanish with an update...

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This is NOT a limitation of WATCHOUT!!

It's how the graphic cards and it's driver is designed to work.

It has nothing to do with WATCHOUT.

 

It's entirely possible to get 6 digital DVI outputs IF:

- choosing the proper card

- use the proper ACTIVE DP-DVI adapters

- know how to set them up

If you claim 10 years experience with WATCHOUT, you would know this.

 

Please read the first post through!!

 

From above:

Irrespectively the number of connectors, DisplayPort or MiniDisplayPort, all outputs over two (2) “legacy” connectors,

VGA/DVI/HDMI, MUST use ACTIVE DP/MiniDP—>DVI/HDMI adapters, passive will NOT work.

 

Or use displays/projectors with DP/MDP inputs. Not yet so common, unfortunately.

 

There are 2 different types of ACTIVE DP/MDP-adapters, Single-Link DVI and Dual-Link DVI.

Single-Link DVI - cheap, resolution up to 1920x1200, powered from the DP/MDP-connector

Dual-Link DVI - more expensive, resolution up to 2560x1600, powered from separete USB or external Power Supply

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi Jonas,

 

I just came across something in this post that I didn't catch before... perhaps just in time for a gig I have coming up.

 

In regards to using ACTIVE DP/MiniDP --> DVI/HDMI adapters, how can one tell if a given adapter is ACTIVE or PASSIVE, if not directly provided in the product specifications? Traditionally, ACTIVE has meant it needs to be plugged in, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that is not the case here.

 

Not having read your post until now, I had bought a bunch of these for my gig, and am unsure if they qualify :

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158199

 

Is there any way to tell?

 

Thanks!

 

JJ

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Hi JJ,

 

Yes there is a way tell, it says ACTIVE Displayport adapter in the description and ACTIVE on them.

Like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999032

I have not seen an active DP->HDMI-adapter, though.

 

Yours are unfortunately most likely passive...

 

Here is some additional info from AMD too:

http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/amd-eyefinity-technology/how-to/Pages/faqs.aspx#whats-the-diff

http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Dataton Partner

I'm looking for Active MDP ---> VGA.

I checked the list

http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

 

when I enter some links to see the details of the adaptors, it doesn't say it active, like here:

http://www.cableclub.com/mini-displayport-adapter-c-667.html

 

Can someone post or email me a place to order from.

Thanks!

Michael Humash.

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I second what Jonas says.

I bought a supposedly AMD approved mini-dp to VGA adapter from cableclub.com, and it does not work. Zilch response from my HD6950 when the adapter is attached. CableClub.com is from China (that's where my shipping papers say they are from), and they do not understand the importance of the word 'Active' in cases like ours. So do not waste your time and money.

 

ThomasL

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Hello.

I have just installed video cards AMD Radeon HD6970 on 3 pc running WatchOUT 5:1.

I have big problem with the identification of the second monitor

The card has 2 DVI, 2 minidisplay and one hdmi

I'm using the two DVI, I read on the forum that to use more than two screens is necessary to use the Mini DisplayPort ports with active adapters.

This is also true for only 2 screens?

Thank you for your help.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Can I get some clarification on the details of DisplayPort adapters to legacy outputs?

 

If I understand things correctly, if I get a video card with 6 Mini DisplayPort outputs and pair that with 6 ACTIVE MDP -> VGA Adapters

 

I can output to 6 screens correct?

 

Most of our projectors are still VGA (Not DVI or DP) so I want to make sure that there isn't some limit on the type or number of outputs you are converting from DisplayPort, except for the need for an ACTIVE cable. i.e. you can only output to 2 VGA projectors even with ACTIVE MDP ->VGA cables.

 

Thanks!

 

- Craig

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If the adapters are truly ACTIVE, then there is no limitation that I'm aware of.

 

The only thing that seems a bit hard to find, is the ACTIVE MDP -> VGA adapters themselves...

 

 

/jonas

 

Yes, sorry Jonas I have been too much quick in my reply. Based on my personal and some other friends personal experiences, the multi vga output by eyefinity is a lot more LESS flexible than digital output.

 

We noticed that through Vga you could not reach maximum resolutions and full outputs. Resulting in a limited to 3 vga output / from 3840*1024 up to 5040*1050.

 

Really hope that things has changed or got better, but I recently had a not working (Vga X 4) output when connecting to an Encore just a few weeks ago (6970 card). Dvi has been the only way.

 

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

real time update:

I just found this link from an adapters supplier that confirms the 3 output limit at the time of its pubblication:

 

SOURCE:

http://www.accellcables.com/products/DisplayPort/DP/mdp_vga.htm

 

amazon for mdp>vga

http://www.amazon.com/Accell-B101B-002B-UltraAV-DisplayPort-Adapter/dp/B0041O7XHY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1318381377&sr=8-2

hope it can help

cheers

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  • 5 months later...

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