DisplayPort FAQs

Adapters

DisplayPort (DP) adapters are used to convert DP to DVI for use with equipment supporting the DVI interface.

Warning

As they provide the least flexibility we avoid the use of Passive DisplayPort adapters in any situation.

Types of adapters

There are three main types of DP adapters:

• Passive single-link
• Active single-link
• Active dual-link

We recommend using Active adapters for most applications. Active adapters are shown in the image here and support a maximum 1920x1200 output resolution.

Using Active DisplayPort adapters will allow you to output resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 pixels per DisplayPort output.

Identifying DisplayPort adapters

DisplayPort adapters can be identified by the following:

Active adapters will always have the word Active on them (left), passive adapters will not have the word Active on them (middle), DisplayPort to dual link DVI adapters will always have a USB connector (right)

For more information please see here

Outputting more than 1920x1200

Yes, in order to output a dual link DVI signal (max 2560 x 1600), extra power is required. If you want to output up to 2560 x 1600 pixels you will need to use Active Dual Link adapters (not included). Active Dual Link adapters will always have an external USB cable as they require extra power.

Therefore the following rules apply:

• For 2 or less outputs of DVIsingle link, passive adapters can be used.
• For 3 or more outputs of DVIsingle link, active adapters must be used.
• For any amount of outputs of DVI dual link, active DisplayPort to dual link adapters must be used.

Recommended adapters

The following adapters have been used and tested with d3 systems.

Active DisplayPort to single-link

• StarTech DisplayPort to DVI Active Adapter
• Weison Active DP to single-link DVI Adapter

Active DisplayPort to dual-link

• StarTech DisplayPort to DVI Dual-link Active Adapter
• Accell DisplayPort to DVI-D Dual-link Adapter

DisplayPort Cables

• The maximum supported DisplayPort cable length is 2m (6ft).
• The DP cable needs to be triple shielded.
• Symptoms of an unsupported cable:
  • Flickering or black screen: Cable is too long or the differential pairs have too great resistance to transport the bandwith required
  • Noise on the signal: Shielding is not adequate for the environment
• Good quality cable can be purchased from Molex, Accell, BizLink