m14x r2 and multiple external displays

Hi All

This m14x r1 --> r2 journey has been epic. Just when I thought I had won out, a new problem emerges.

My old VJ setup with my (gt555m 1.5GB) m14x r1 was to use the internal display for controlling my software, with two additional external displays (one connected to HDMI, one to VGA). This never failed.

Two different Alienware CSRs have now told me that the r2 can only support one external display (two if you disable the internal). I have confirmed this to be the case at home - My r2 will disable one of the three displays when I click "Apply", whereas the r1 would happily activate all three displays for spanned/discrete video output.

A new wrinkle is that an NBR owner is saying they are using the internal + two external displays just fine (via HDMI and MDP). I will follow up with them and make sure they have an r2.

(I am also not able to get any signal out of the minidisplayport. I bought the top-rated MDP-->HDMI adapter cable on Amazon, but nothing is detected when I use to to plug into my projector. I'm assuming we can adapt the MDP output to HDMI?)

If the m14x r2 has reduced support for the number of external displays, then I need to revamp my VJ setup Seems very strange that AW would gimp a feature like this in the newer model, esp when I see people mention "surround gaming", etc. in this context. Clearly people would be cheezed off if their new r2 acted this way?

Can anyone help shed some light on this problem? FYI the first AW CSR I spoke with said it's an r2 circuitry design issue, which should mean that three displays will either never work, or always work.

thanks

 

Interesting - Malibal has also confirmed that their newest 15" Clevo does not support internal + two external. Very surprised that the m14x r1 would be superior on this front...? So disappointed.

 

I'm planning to try two external display + internal display within two weeks. I'll let you know what results I get...

 

This is killing me! I always have the feeling that AW CSRs are just telling me whatever will get me off the phone fastest. Because there is no online support w/ a ticket system, there is no written proof of anything they say. They should have this answer for me instantly, not require me to dig, dig, then go back and confront them. It's so tedious to get real answers from them.

 

Here's the info from the NBR user:

 

We discussed the issue on another thread already, and we came to the conclusion that the issue was driver related.

The new driver for some GPUs fixes this issue but said driver is not yet available for the GT 650m.

We may have a good surprise on the next driver update.

 

yep. go look at the release notes for the 301 series driver, it says this.

 

OK, so consensus is what, exactly? That the hardware should support three displays, but the driver is gimped? So internal + HDMI + MDP should work? What about internal + VGA + HDMI? Thanks

 

VGA + HDMI not working , you must have HDMI or VGA + MDP or USB DP , either 1 of em.

As the 3rd display I can't figure it out yet...waiting latest driver.

 

I was going to buy a 27" monitor later in the year anyway, pretty sure most new screens come with HDMI and HDMI cords are pretty cheap nowadays. I mean there's very nice Samsung 23" screens for $180 in Smiths, that's extremely cheap for Samsung.

 

I'm not sure I understand you? It looks like internal + two externals are working for you? Which connections are being used in that top picture?

Thanks

 

HDMI + USB DP. Also tested with VGA + MDP.

Options are ;

HDMI + USB DP
HDMI + MDP
VGA + USB DP
VGA + MDP

 

I'm sorry, "USB DP"? I have never heard of that. (I only want to use the native connections because every adapter seems to introduce some latency, which messes with responsiveness).

So you can confirm that it's possible to use the internal display + HDMI + MDP for three screen setups?

Thanks

 

Nice! Thanks for the info.

 

I have tried using this cable as my second digital video output, but the projector is never detected. Is there any reason this should not work? I have asked Dell a few times now for recommendations for supported MDP cables/adapters, but no response at all.

Amazon.com: Cable Matters 10 ft Mini DisplayPort Male to HDMI Male Cable with Audio Transmission in White in Retail Package: Electronics

 

Maybe try install your projector's driver for pc?

 

Thanks for the info, but how about HDMI + VGA MDP Adapter???
An MDP USB to VGA adapter? plus HDMI
OR VGA MDP + HDMI, whould also work?
Whould that work also?
Also I'm running the 314.07 drivers GTX650m

 

I run a 2 extrenal + internal setup every day at my office. I'm using a mini DP to DVI adapter and the built in HDMI.

 

hey iPhantomhives, any luck getting 4 displays total, like on the m14x r1? I used to be able to display 3 external + laptop display on my m14x r1, but cant get the same setup to work on my m14x r2. Any ideas? I currently have the hdmi, vga, and mini display port all hooked up. The problem seems to be that only the mini display port is controlled by nvidia GeForce, while all the other ports are controlled by Intel which only allows 2 displays.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

The issue is that the internal display, the VGA, and the HDMI, are all actually connected to the Intel GPU. This only supports 2 displays.

The MiniDP is directly connected to the nVidia GPU, so you can use that with any of the other two.

 

Hi all, I just registered here. Regarding this topic, I find it very interesting as I own an m14xr2 and was looking for a way to hook-up to three external monitors. After one week, I managed to do it. Here is my setup:

- Monitor 1: HDMI-HDMI
- Monitor 2: HDMI-MDP (uses MDP to HDMI adapter)
- Monitor 3: HDMI-VGA (uses a VGA to HDMI "active" converter. A cable-only connection would not work as I painfully discovered)

For this to work, the internal monitor (the one with the laptop) must be disconnected, since the laptop can only support up to three active monitors at the same time. I did this using the standard monitor tool in windows control panel after hooking up all the monitors.

As an extra note, I have also hooked up Alienware keyboard and mouse, and now I am able to put my m14xr2 a abit far since I no longer require to use its keyboard, trackpad and internal monitor.

Ok let me know if you have any input

 

Hi zu.ry.ne, could you provide a link of the VGA to HDMI "active" converter cable that you are using? thanks!

 

Hi cajun0518, I hope this reply is not too late. It seems I did not receive any notification in my mail and only encountered this thread again by accident.

The VGA to HDMI active converter that I use is the "Lenkeng LKV352". I provide two links:
- The product as is displayed on Amazon: Amazon.com: Lenkeng Lkv352 VGA and Audio to HDMI Video Converter Adapter 1080P Upscaler: Electronics
- Video demo: VGA TO HDMI CONVERTER LKV352 WITH 1080P SCALER [email protected] - YouTube

Hope this helps.