Adding a HDMI projector to my 3 monitor setup

Marc60 · Mar 19, 2014

I want to add a projector to my existing 3 monitor extended desktop for film production purposes.

Currently I'm getting 3 displays using a Radeon hd 6870:

2 x DVI connections
1 x mini DisplayPort (with a miniDP to DVI active connector)

From what I have read 3 is the max number of outputs I can get from the card even though there is another mini DisplayPort and a HDMI output both unused. Is that right?

What are my options for adding a 4th display going to the projector? The projector takes HDMI 1080p (1920x1080px)

Unfortunately I don't think there is room to squeeze any more cards in to my existing case!

Can you think of a solution short of turning off one of the other displays when connecting the projector?

Running Win7pro

*** UPDATE ***

Maybe a 4th output IS possible via the 2nd DP according to this review?: http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/AMD-Radeon-HD-6870-and-6850-Review-Barts-Architecture-Refresh/New-AA-Display-

You can see above that reference cards have a pair of DVI connections (one dual link, one single link), an HDMI 1.4a ready connection and a pair of mini-DisplayPort outputs. This allows you to run four displays out of the box (two DP, two DVI)

Can anyone confirm? If that's the case then I could just use a DP to HDMI adapter for the 4th display?

rhysiam · Mar 19, 2014

Marc60 :

An MST Hub will do the trick, but it's pricey. Each Displayport can drive up to 3 1080P displays. Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814997003
You'd need a miniDP to DP converter to get to the MST Hub, and the the appropriate DP to DVI (or whatever) cables to get from the hub to the monitors.

The AMD Tech sheet: http://www.amd.com/us/Documents/AMD_Radeon_Display_Technologies_WP.pdf
See page 8, confirms up to 6 display support on that card, as long as you're using MST hubs or MST daisy chaining.

Like I say, not the cheapest option but it'll work.

rhysiam · Mar 19, 2014

Oh, also. Does your computer have onboard graphics on the chipset? (Do you have display outputs from the motherboard itself?)
Onboard video is usually disabled by default at boot when the computer detects a PCIe video card. However most bios' allow you to enable the onboard video. Windows plays very happily with multiple video cards and you can drive your projector, or one of the monitors, from the onboard graphics. That'll cost you nothing too!

Marc60 · Mar 19, 2014

Hi rhysiam, my motherboard spec's are here: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/10/28/asus_p8p67_evo_rev_30_motherboard_review/#.Uyo5xPl_vIs

Can't see any onboard GFX but maybe I missed it? Shame as that would have been the easy option.

Reading up on the MST hub now... thanks for the info.

rhysiam · Mar 19, 2014

OK, done a bit more reading. That card will support 4 displays out of the box, but 2 need to be connected to either Displayport or an Active Displayport adapter. Grab a second active displayport adapter (the "active" is important) for your projector and you're good to go. That'll be cheaper than an MST hub too.

Marc60 · Mar 19, 2014

Really? Great find. Thank-you. So I just need one of these? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Active-Mini-DisplayPort-DP-to-HDMI-Adapter-Cable-For-ATI-Eyefinity-Macbook-PC-/251455368179?pt=UK_Computing_Sound_Vision_Video_Cables_Adapters&hash=item3a8be86bf3

..although it does say in the product description (in broken English):

3 Monitor must be connected with the same Graphics

Marc60 · Mar 19, 2014

I'll try the DP>>HDMI adapter route then. As a back-up I've noticed a cheaper alternative to the MST hub, a USB 2.0 >> HDMI device from the same manafacturer: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Club3D-SenseVision-Graphics-Adaptor-Black/dp/B0057YGW3I

Appreciate your help rhysiam, that's very kind. Thanks

sora · Mar 20, 2014

^

You could get this for cheaper
http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Grade-DisplayPort-converter-Desktops/dp/B005HK6RAU/

Probably not as good though.

rhysiam · Mar 20, 2014

sora :

That won't work. It's not an "active" adapter unless I missed something in the write up? (Do correct me if I'm wrong!)

AMD cards can only support 2 non displayport outputs. Any additional displays beyond 2 must be connected either with a displayport, or an ACTIVE displayport adapter. The one you linked would work fine to drive a 2nd display, but not a 3rd or 4th one.

Marc60 · Mar 20, 2014

Yep, it needs to be active for 3rd / 4th displays. And there have even been issues with some 'active' cables not cutting it. AMD provides a 'safe list' of retailers / cable models if in doubt.

Marc60 · May 6, 2014

rhysiam :

Finally have this set up and can confirm that simply plugging in another Active Displayport adapter and running a HDMI lead to the projector as 4th displays works perfectly. Now running 3 x 1920x1280 monitors + 1 x 1280x720 projector all of the same gfx card.

Thanks rhysiam!

rhysiam · May 6, 2014

No problems. Thx for posting back, so often I never get the end of the story!
Glad to hear it all worked.

Search

Adding a HDMI projector to my 3 monitor setup

Marc60

Reputable

rhysiam

rhysiam

Splendid

rhysiam

Splendid

Marc60

Reputable

rhysiam

Splendid

Marc60

Reputable

Marc60

Reputable

sora

Splendid

rhysiam

Splendid

Marc60

Reputable

Marc60

Reputable

rhysiam

Splendid

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page