DisplayPort multi-monitor support - ever going to happen?

[Lifted]

It seems as if the industry is stuck in this place where they have multiple display interfaces. 15-pin VGA, DVI (DVI-D, DVI-A, DVI-I, etc.), DisplayPort, HDMI, and even S-Video and RCA are still shipping on new devices.

Will the industry ever move to DisplayPort so we can have multi-monitor via daisy chain, auxiliary data channel, etc.? At the time it felt like ages for the HD-DVD and Blu-ray "standard" to work itself out, but that was a drop in the bucket compared to the never ending addition of new display interfaces, without a clear next-gen standard.

If the industry doesn't want to adopt DisplayPort for whatever reason, they really need to decide on some standard that incorporates at least all of the current and planned features of DisplayPort, and just get it out there. Is there a reason why the industry wouldn't want to do this?

 

[VirtualLarry]

what about that upcoming display standard that runs over CAT6 cable?

 

[wirednuts]

you can already do up to what, 10 monitors with usb displaylink?

surprisingly, displaylink works really well... the only problem i have is you cant access the bios with a displaylink monitor.

if anyone knows of a displaylink enabled mATX board, let me know. my carpc would love to have one....

 

[Lifted]

what about that upcoming display standard that runs over CAT6 cable?

HDbaseT is yet another one. I'm not sure if that is supposed to be a consumer "entertainment" connecitvity option or if it is designed for use with computers as well. I think it's more of a HDTV thing, which really makes it an extension/replacement for HDMI, and that is an entertainment device interface that is not designed to support multiple monitors.

 

[Lifted]

you can already do up to what, 10 monitors with usb displaylink?

surprisingly, displaylink works really well... the only problem i have is you cant access the bios with a displaylink monitor.

if anyone knows of a displaylink enabled mATX board, let me know. my carpc would love to have one....

Displaylink is a product made by a single company, not an interface standard. I think it also requires drivers. There is a huge difference between this and a standard display interface that has native support for multiple monitors.

 

[wirednuts]

understood, but the display interface is usb, so it already is a standard. plus, there are multiple manufacturers jumping onboard, not only making small 7-10" screens, but full sized ones as well.... the only part missing right now is the motherboards with native hardware support (so drivers wouldnt be needed). intel was supposed to be doing it with g45, but i dont think its happened...

 

[Lifted]

It's not a standard. DisplayLink is a company that sells a technology. This technology AFAIK is limited to certain operating systems as it requires drivers and software to make it work. If true royalty free standards won't be adopted across the industry, I have no faith in this technology being adopted. You also lose all of the other advantages of DisplayPort, such as native extension over fiber, locking connectors, etc.

Think how convenient it would be if all monitors supported DisplayPort with multi-monitor daisy chaining (I believe supports up to 4). If this were the case, then every desktop and notebook could ship with a single DisplayPort and single HDMI port, you'd be covered for just about all displays. In the rare cases where a single DisplayPort isn't enough for running multiple high res monitors, then add a second DisplayPort to your typical ATI/Nvidia add on graphics cards along with an HDMI port and your set for 4 - 8 monitors and TV connectivity.

 

[Dark Shroud]

Dell has a few models of monitors that support Displayport native.

HDBaseT would be awesome for the PC world as it carries enough power that it could power most standard monitors. Think of it buy a midrange dell monitor with their soundbar add-on that connects everything through the monitor you would only need one cable to carry the video, audio, & power to this setup. The same would go for smaller TVs as well.

One HDBaseT connection for the main monitor and Displayport for the rest would be nice.

 

[Idontcare]

Is there a reason why the industry wouldn't want to do this?

$$

 

[ViRGE]

Daisy-chaining was only added to the spec late last year with DP 1.2. There will be products that support it, but it takes time for all of this stuff to come out. The spec was only the first step of the process; chips still have (had?) to be developed.

 

[StrangerGuy]

$$

So much emphasis on the video connectors and my 5770 doesn't even come with a freaking HDMI cable when the card has one.

 

[zerocool84]

So much emphasis on the video connectors and my 5770 doesn't even come with a freaking HDMI cable when the card has one.

Umm no video card you buy is going to come with any of the cables you need.

 

[Ben90]

So much emphasis on the video connectors and my 5770 doesn't even come with a freaking HDMI cable when the card has one.

I know total bullshit, I want to make some pizza right now, but the cheese I bought doesn't come with pizza dough nor sauce. I'M SO PISSED OFF.