Monday, August 30th 2010
AMD Intros Affordable DP-DVI Active Adapter for Eyefinity Users
AMD rolled out a reference-design DisplayPort to DVI active adapter today, that lets the masses create Eyefinity setups on existing monitors easier. The adapter plugs into full-sized and mini DisplayPort connectors on ATI Radeon graphics cards, and gives out a single-link DVI signal. The conversion between DP to DVI is active, and conserves video quality, as well as other features such as content protection. This is because when Eyefinity-ready graphics cards with DisplayPorts from AMD came to be, some manufacturers sold cheap $10 DP-DVI dongles that pass DVI signals from the DP directly (passive conversion). Such dongles more often don't work, because Radeon GPUs don't give out DVI signals from DP. Active adapters (those which actively convert DP signals to DVI) were sold at the time in upwards of $100.
AMD has managed to bring the price of such active adapters down to $30. There however, is a limitation. The output is a single-link DVI, meaning that it will support digital resolutions only up to 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz (1080p is supported). It shouldn't matter for the target users, because the DisplayPort on ATI Radeon HD 5000 graphics cards conveys only one TMDS link, so even with a DVI dual-link capable adapter, it would only give out single-link output. At least a bulk of the users are covered, at a very affordable price point. AMD will market this adapter directly, and through its growing network of add-in board partners (in bundles with graphics cards, or directly). PowerColor beat AMD to today's announcement, and released PowerColor-branded AMD-reference DP-DVI adapter last week.
Source:
HardwareCanucks
AMD has managed to bring the price of such active adapters down to $30. There however, is a limitation. The output is a single-link DVI, meaning that it will support digital resolutions only up to 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz (1080p is supported). It shouldn't matter for the target users, because the DisplayPort on ATI Radeon HD 5000 graphics cards conveys only one TMDS link, so even with a DVI dual-link capable adapter, it would only give out single-link output. At least a bulk of the users are covered, at a very affordable price point. AMD will market this adapter directly, and through its growing network of add-in board partners (in bundles with graphics cards, or directly). PowerColor beat AMD to today's announcement, and released PowerColor-branded AMD-reference DP-DVI adapter last week.
16 Comments on AMD Intros Affordable DP-DVI Active Adapter for Eyefinity Users
Makes you wonder about AMD saying Eyefinity supports up to 3x 2560x1600...how exactly does this work? I've been trying to get my 3008WFP's working for ages with no success...now I don't wonder why.
:shadedshu
tried multiple cards, an eyefinity6 card, you name it. I've mentioned these issues previously on the forums here, and even sent in "tickets" to ATi...all to no avail.
I gave up figuring it was some HDCP issue, or something, but then I heard from Dell that only the 27-inch works for eyefinity and DP(2048x1440). They do not recommend the 3008WFP.
Why Dell recommends that monitor, I do not know, but I do know that they've actually been quite helpful with the issues I've had with DP and the 5-series cards. I do beleive that DP is a Dell thing, too...
There's far more to this story, of course, and what AMD was using for thier demos...but I ain't gonna get into that one. The 5-series cards do not support 2650x1600 over DP with 3008WFP, and that's that.
Perhaps to get 3x 2560x1600 you need the third monitor connected to a DVI port on a second card? Is that even possible, or do all the monitors have to be connected to the primary card?
I've had so many issues with these cards, I figured it was just all part of that...but who knows. I gave up on these cards long ago.
it's awesome that they are finally here, but with all the AMD has going on a 30$ adapter should have been easy to push out a hell of a lot earlier.
also, they should be bundling these with any card thats a 5850 or better.
a piece of plastic and some copper and silicon in it shouldn't cost $100.
is there info saying they will come with 6800's?
If you are buying 3 displays, I doubt they are top of the range.. :) (at least I can come up with muuuuch better uses for that sort of money)
Its got something to do with timing crystals/circuitry (google didnt find me specifics), that displayport doesnt need - so it takes up less room on the card, and is easier to implement to add more DP ports.
This is why active adaptors are needed, passive adaptors only work at all because ATI built in a 'failsafe' that shares the timing between one DVI port and the DP port - meaning only one DVI monitor can run off them.
if someone can find a detailed link please do so, i'm having trouble finding specific information.
that said, this is awesome - triple 1080P monitors is exactly what most people want from eyefinity.
I also believe this is extremely likely, considering bta said:I'm really, really glad they're finally here and can't wait to try out an eyefinity setup.:rockout:
Do you guys know any of the new Samsung screens that support 1920x1200? All I can find these days is 1920x1080, but I need at least 24 inchers that got my T260's 1920x1200 to be the side monitors. :cry:
As I said before, I think that they didn't release these till now because they simply hadn't developed the tech yet, ie, they couldn't. Just my opinion though, no sources.