Kelly Crossley

Q: ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 3 displays?

Is it possible to setup my Mac Pro the ATI Radeon HD 5770 with the following displays?

 

Mini DisplayPort --> StarTech MDP2DVI Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter --> LG IPS235 Monitor

Mini DisplayPort --> StarTech MDP2DVI Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter --> LG IPS235 Monitor

Dual-Link DVI --> IOGEAR DVI to HDMI Adapter --> 15' HDMI Cable --> Samsung 32" LED 1080p TV

 

This setup will be used in a design studio. I know the first two will work because I'm already using that setup, but I wasn't sure if I could add the Samsung 32" LED TV as well. The two LG IPS235 monitors are for my desktop use. The Samsung 32" LED TV will be used to show clients print and website design proofs and will likely be set to mirror one of my desktop monitors.

 

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Posted on Oct 18, 2012 10:09 AM

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Q: ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 3 displays?

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Helpful

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Dec 19, 2012 7:36 AM in response to Kelly Crossley
    Level 9 (61,322 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 19, 2012 7:36 AM in response to Kelly Crossley

    I do not speak for Apple. But I always thought an Apple-branded card bought through an Apple Authorized dealer was warranted by Apple.

     

    I think the technician may be making a mistake. But perhaps there is some subtlety I am missing. I think that dealing with the Vendor or Manufacturer should not be your problem. If it drags on, you may want to ask to the store manager to intervene.

     

    Apple wants you to be a happy customer. Be polite and businesslike at all times. Customers who scream and threaten to sue everyone will never be happy customers, so they tend to get no breaks whatsoever.

  • by Kelly Crossley,

    Kelly Crossley Kelly Crossley Dec 19, 2012 7:41 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 3 (720 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 19, 2012 7:41 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    I agree and I was polite. Seemed strange to me too. The first Genius I spoke with said graphics cards only carry a 90-day warranty, which obviously is incorrect. The senior tech called Apple level 2 support and said I need to go through the retailer/OEM. We'll see how it goes. Quite frankly, I don't care who replaces the card, as long as it's replaced. Apple did document everything so we'll see what happens. I'm waiting for AMD to open to give them a call.

  • by Kelly Crossley,

    Kelly Crossley Kelly Crossley Dec 19, 2012 7:49 AM in response to Kelly Crossley
    Level 3 (720 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 19, 2012 7:49 AM in response to Kelly Crossley

    I just got off the phone with AMD tech Support, who said Apple or the Retailer is repsonsible for warranting the card. I emailed B & H last night. I guess I'll try them before I go back to Apple. Very frustrating. Not the typical Apple experience I'm accustomed to–and pay for.

  • by Kelly Crossley,

    Kelly Crossley Kelly Crossley Dec 21, 2012 2:32 PM in response to Kelly Crossley
    Level 3 (720 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 21, 2012 2:32 PM in response to Kelly Crossley

    AppleCare is honoring the warranty. They're having a local AAR replace it for me. I knew I could count on Apple.

  • by contactmo,

    contactmo contactmo Jan 16, 2013 11:40 AM in response to Kelly Crossley
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 16, 2013 11:40 AM in response to Kelly Crossley

    I'm running into the same issue.

    Montiors.

    -42" TV with HDMI or VGA

    23" apple display VGA or DVI

    24" HP displa VGA or DVI

     

    Ive tried a few different adapters but used none that were "Active". I always end up with only 2 of the displays working. Can someone direct me on which adapters to purchase to use witht the 5770?

     

    Thanks

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Jan 16, 2013 12:31 PM in response to contactmo
    Level 9 (61,322 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 16, 2013 12:31 PM in response to contactmo

    Ive tried a few different adapters but used none that were "Active".

    I always end up with only 2 of the displays working.

    ACTIVE adapters is the key to getting the third display to light up:

     

    http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

     

    Read that article and the table with extreme caution, as it contains Mini DisplayPort (which work) and Displayport (which do not fit) and ACTIVE as well as non-active dongles.

     

    DVI can be adapted to HDMI by merely re-wiring -- no ACTIVE components are required. A DVI -> HDMI cable is all that is needed.

     

    For displays wider than 1920, use of DVI requires Dual-Link DVI, so-called because the data lines are doubled in the cables and connectors to reach the very demanding high data rates required.

     

    For your high-end use, Analog VGA is rather primitive, and you may not be able to specify or accept highest resolutions your displays could produce over DVI or DisplayPort.

     

    --------

     

    Amazon in the Us carries the appropriate ACCELL adapters (and several different wrong ones as well -- shop carefully) for very reasonable prices.

     

    .

  • by lswing217tb2,

    lswing217tb2 lswing217tb2 Feb 11, 2013 10:28 AM in response to Kelly Crossley
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2013 10:28 AM in response to Kelly Crossley

    Ok, I've tried to get as much info as possible, and just want to confirm before I buy another adapter. Am I correct that as long as you have two active and one passive you can run three monitors on the 5770?

     

    Here's my current setup;

     

    MDP>DP, 2560 x 1600 30" Dell (passive)

     

    MDP>HDMI Cat5 converter to 1920 x 1080 TV (active)

     

    Ok, so that works, now I just hooked up a 1920 x 1080 using a DVi>HDMI cable, no go, makes sense from my reading. (passive)

     

    Will I have success if I change the "MDP>DP, 2560 x 1600 30" Dell (passive)" to a dual link powered mdp to dvi, like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030XMREG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1& smid=A2EUTVCJXLAJ4K

     

    That would make a two active one passive setup I believe.

     

    Thanks in advance!

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 11, 2013 11:23 AM in response to lswing217tb2
    Level 9 (61,322 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 11, 2013 11:23 AM in response to lswing217tb2

    Do not try to debug these "all at Once".

     

    Split the problem in two by disconnecting one of the displays so that only two are involved.

     

    Now try to get the DVI->HDMI connection working. (That will be a trial all by itself.)

    Tips:

     

    DVI to HDMI is a simple re-wire. No signal boosting, so no active components should be needed.

     

    But to get Mac Automatic configuartion to work at all, the HDMI device MUST present its name and capabilities. Many do not do so readily, or do not do so unless then are configured on the display as the Primary port, and specified as a computer port if possible.  The ( Detect Displays ) button is supposed to force a re-Identify if the device cooperates.

  • by lswing217tb2,

    lswing217tb2 lswing217tb2 Feb 11, 2013 1:13 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2013 1:13 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thanks, I did some testing. Leaving the main 2560 x 1600 display connected, if I disconnected the tv (mdp>hdmi), the new connected 1920 x 1080 monitor worked (dvi>hdmi). Plug tv in and it works, then 1920x1080 monitor goes off again.

     

    So, I need to get a usb powered (active) for my tv and it should be good?

     

    EDIT; Looks like nobody makes an active mdp>hdmi. So can I just swap the mdp>dp for a dual link dvi, as per my original question, as long as two of the three monitors are active we are good to go?

     

    Message was edited by: lswing217tb2

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 11, 2013 1:14 PM in response to lswing217tb2
    Level 9 (61,322 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 11, 2013 1:14 PM in response to lswing217tb2

    Exactly what adapter is being used for this one:

     

    MDP>HDMI Cat5 converter to 1920 x 1080 TV (active)

  • by lswing217tb2,

    lswing217tb2 lswing217tb2 Feb 11, 2013 1:17 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2013 1:17 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    It's a powered hdmi>cat5 with a send and receive module. Using it to run to a hdtv 50 feet away. So out of one of the mdp's is an mdp>hdmi which then plugs into the box, goes over 50' of cat5, then converted back to hdmi for the hdtv. Works great! OS sees it as Cat-6066.

     

    So if I inplug that, my dvi>hdmi works instantly...

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 11, 2013 1:27 PM in response to lswing217tb2
    Level 9 (61,322 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 11, 2013 1:27 PM in response to lswing217tb2

    If you ask it nicely, Mini DisplayPort can put out a signal that is timing-compatible with DVI. But its signal levels are low, and if the 5770 needs to drive two such conversions, its signal levels are VERY low and stop working. You need an adapter that is ACTIVE in that it has buffer circuits that drive the output of the Mini DisplayPort up to DVI/HDMI Voltages so that your Cat-5 driver can see them and repeat them.

     

    If running a display up to 1920 wide, that should only need to be the Single-Link US$35 Accell ACTIVE adapter or UK StarTech ACTIVE adapter. Amazon and NewEgg sell them.

     

    The US$100 Apple Adapter is a Dual-Link DVI ACTIVE adapter. Dual-Link DVI has doubled data conductors (3 of them) to drive wider displays, so it need more power and pulls it in from a USB.

  • by lswing217tb2,

    lswing217tb2 lswing217tb2 Feb 11, 2013 1:39 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2013 1:39 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thank you kindly! Just to clarify...

     

    Ok, so my persisting problem is the new 1920x1080 monitor is hdmi only, hence me wanting to run the dvi>hdmi cable. I would like to leave that.

     

    The mdp>hdmi box over cat5 1920x1080 would also be tough to find a powered convertor for, not available I think. I would like to leave that.

     

    So if I put an active dual link dvi in place of my current mdp>dp for the 2560x1600 monitor, I should be good correct? It will free up the power of the card for the other mdp and the dvi outs?

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 11, 2013 2:04 PM in response to lswing217tb2
    Level 9 (61,322 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 11, 2013 2:04 PM in response to lswing217tb2

    Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort is not a conversion of any kind. The only change is the shape of the connector. There is no way to power than conversion, since it is not a conversion at all.

     

    As I suggested  above, I think you need to buy an ACTIVE adapter for Mini DisplayPort to Single-Link DVI, then a cable or adapter that adapts to your HDMI converter to Cat-5.

  • by lswing217tb2,

    lswing217tb2 lswing217tb2 Feb 11, 2013 2:19 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2013 2:19 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Ok, so active mdp>dvi, then use dvi>hdmi cable to get signal to hdmi>cat5 converter boxes.

     

    That powered mdp should free up power for the dvi>hdmi.

     

    Thanks for all the quick and detailed responses.

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