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    Alienware 15R2 HDMI Output to QHD DVI

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by nickbarbs, Jan 30, 2016.

  1. nickbarbs

    nickbarbs Notebook Deity

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    I'm having trouble outputting from the 15R2 HDMI port -> DVI into my QHD Crossover screen.

    The cable used is an HDMI to DVI Cable.

    When i connect my screen i hear the windows new hardware chime, but no output goes to the QHD screen and I'm unable to select the screen via the windows display properties, nvidia control panel, etc. I do see it recongizes the model number of the screen, just cant ouput to it.

    Any idea if the HDMI port on our machines is HDMI 2.0? Would i be able to use HDMI to connect to an HDMI -> HDMI QHD or 4k screen?

    Cheers
     
  2. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    The HDMI port is 2.0. Says so in the specs and bottom of configuration pages.
     
  3. webjeff

    webjeff Notebook Evangelist

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    nickbarbs,

    I had the same problem. I have a AW17R3 and a QHD Crossover and that Crossover only takes a DVI-DL. Here's what I've learned...

    Not all DVI cables are the same. Most DVI cables only support up to 1980x1200 resolution. What you need (or want) is a DVI-Dual Link cable (Active). Often these are much more expensive (99 bucks). My old laptop AW M17XR3 had a mini-display port and I was able to get an active mDp to DVI-Dual Link Active adapter (from apple of all places) for 99 bucks and it worked.

    However, these new alienware's only have HDMI and USB-C ports. To my knowledge and research, there does NOT exist any way to convert an HDMI signal to a DVI-Dual Link signal. Dual Link being the key here since that's the only way to support QHD+ resolutions. I have done a lot of searching here and none exist to my knowledge. So, I started investigating the USB-C port since that's suppose to be an all encompassing port. I did find a couple USB-C to "mini display port" which I tried to use my mDp to DVI-Dual Link cable I had from Apple. No luck!!!! I will say, these USB-C to mDp cables were off brand and were very fishy, nobody else makes them though. USB-C is really new.

    They also do not seem to make a USB-C to DVI-Dual Link cable (although it should be possible). I believe it's just too new of a port right now.

    Bottom line, I was unable to figure it out and ended up just finishing up my GA setup and now have it connected from the AMP to my display using a straight DVI-DualLink to DVI-DualLink cable (no converters). If you find a solution, I'd LOVE to hear it.
     
  4. nickbarbs

    nickbarbs Notebook Deity

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    I have an hdmi to dvi dual link cable supposedly.. Not sure why qhd doesn't show up here as supposedly even, 4k over hdmi is possible. Looks like my next monitor purchase will be a, 4k external anyway, + gpu, when I move to Hong Kong
     
  5. webjeff

    webjeff Notebook Evangelist

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    Are you sure? I am almost positive they do not exist. A lot of them are mislabeled. Look at this, for example, on amazon:
    http://www.amazon.com/Link-Depot-Plated-DVI-D-DVI-2-HDMI/dp/B00180F402

    It clearly says DVI Dual Link and hdmi, but most of the reviews are 1 star because it doesn't support QHD resolutions... so it's not a true dual link. I believe it's poor marketing, because it can support a dual link connector, but still limited because it's not a true dual link cable, I believe to convert the signal it needs extra power and processing. Which is why my cable going from mDp to DVI-DL requires a usb power as well.

    I've looked into this pretty extensively :) I do not believe they exist.
     
  6. nickbarbs

    nickbarbs Notebook Deity

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    if you looked into it extensively then I do trust you. Frankly what you said could easily be the case as you have two theoretically compatible standards from different generations. I only paid 6,£ for my cable... I read somewhere about this being a driver issue. Let me post the link when I get home
     
  7. webjeff

    webjeff Notebook Evangelist

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    nickbarbs,

    Keep me informed on what you find!! You would THINK something exists, but I have tried/thought about every which way to make this work. I decided to just hook up the damn AMP to make it work, but I am curious to know what you find out.

    What's weird is the USB-C to mini-displayport cable I got. I know my mini-display port to dual link DVI works because I was using that on my old laptop. So, knowing that, I thought this would be a solution for me, but it didn't work. Unfortunately, only off-brand manufacturers make this particular cable. I'm waiting for a big player to make it and then I'll give that a shot again for kicks. Although, I'm not holding my breath, it appears that HDMI and DisplayPort seems to be the preferred connection on monitors. Only certain korean monitors have only a DVI-DL connector like mine and yours :(

    Oh well, maybe time for a new monitor :p

    Let me know what you find out and if you get this working!
     
  8. nickbarbs

    nickbarbs Notebook Deity

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    Have you tried this ?

    http://chang-gu.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/connect-2560x1440-qhd-monitor-over-hdmi.html
     
  9. webjeff

    webjeff Notebook Evangelist

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    I have not. Have you tried this? Did this work for you?
     
  10. nickbarbs

    nickbarbs Notebook Deity

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    i tried it and i could not get it to work. if you could give it a go, and confirm, would be good

    I don't see any reason why HDMI to DVI shouldn't work. this makes sense.