Jonas Dannert Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 (edited) WATCHOUT 5 - Multi outputAll 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-connectorDual-Link DVI - more expensive, resolution up to 2560x1600, powered from separete USB or external Power SupplySOME EXAMPLES, not all tested by us:6 outputs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121430http://www.asus.se/Graphics_Cards/AMD_Series/EAH6970_DCII2DI4S2GD5/http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168141214195 outputs: http://www.gigabyte.eu/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3790#shttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102929http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102924http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168141029383 outputs: http://powercolor.co...ures.asp?id=342 (SINGLE SLOT) http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102920Maybe 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.aspxhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008333 Edited May 8, 2017 by Jonas Dannert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Can i use two firepro v7800 composed of six screens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas Dannert Posted October 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 But why on my computer with two AMD 5870 graphics card can output four-screen? Do you mean there will be no synchronization problem? http://shopp1984.blog.163.com/prevPhDownload.do?host=shopp1984&albumId=230032286&photoId=7270845753# http://shopp1984.blog.163.com/prevPhDownload.do?host=shopp1984&albumId=230032286&photoId=7270858349# http://shopp1984.blog.163.com/prevPhDownload.do?host=shopp1984&albumId=230032286&photoId=7270570330# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas Dannert Posted October 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 You will get an image on all four outputs on the DESKTOP, in GDI mode, but not in fullscreen, DirectX/Direct3D mode that WATCHOUT needs/run in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasL Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 I'm so disappointed,Pandoras Box can support four screens with NVIDIA graphics ,but with EYEFINITY why WATCHOUT 5 Multi output ONLY works with one graphics card? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidSquid Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Just to confirm.... The 4 head Matrox 9140 is NOT supported by Watchout????? I can see picture but have experiencing horrific slow playback issues. I've tried many file containers and can not get constant steady playack. Squid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasL Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 The above sticky does state : "NVidia NVS series will not do, they lack sufficient DirectX acceleration for WATCHOUT-use. Same thing with AMD FireMV and Matrox M91xx-series." I would think that's clear your 4 head Matrox 9140 is NOT compatible with Watchout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealspike Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas Dannert Posted December 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Myers Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas Dannert Posted January 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Myers Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 You were right! They were indeed passive. I did find that using an ACTIVE DP --> DVI adapter and a passive DVI --> HDMI adapter did the trick! It was a little messy, but it worked! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas Dannert Posted January 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 it doesn't say it active, like here: http://www.cableclub.com/mini-displayport-adapter-c-667.html So they are NOT active. These are: http://www.accellcables.com/products/DisplayPort/DisplayPort.htm http://www.accellcables.com/products/DisplayPort/DP/dp_vga.htm http://www.accellcables.com/products/DisplayPort/DP/mdp_vga.html http://www.amazon.com/Accell-UltraAV-B101B-003B-Display-Adapter/dp/B003HC85D2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasL Posted January 24, 2012 Report Share Posted January 24, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattia Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas Dannert Posted January 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 This is true ONLY for outputs OVER 2 , as described here: http://dataton.com/forum/topic/93-wo5-multi-output/ "The card has 2 DVI, 2 minidisplay and one hdmi" Please note that out of these 3, legacy outputs, ONLY two can be used at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryV Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makkot Posted February 16, 2012 Report Share Posted February 16, 2012 Eyefinity works on digital output only, so your vga needs cant be satisfied unless you convert the signals by scan converter/mixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas Dannert Posted February 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makkot Posted February 17, 2012 Report Share Posted February 17, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jnaude Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 HI Would this bea good card to use for 4 Displays. SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonas Dannert Posted July 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 No, It will not work. This card, or any HD4000-series card, has no Eyefinity support. WATCHOUT will only see two outputs. Isn't this card EOL:ed, too? You'll need a HD58/59xx, HD68/69xx or HD78/79xx series card. /jonas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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