TripleHead2Go Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my computer is compatible with TripleHead2Go?

The best way to make sure your system is compatible with TripleHead2Go is to download and run the Compatibility Tool (if you're using a supported Windows operating system) or use the Compatibility Wizard (if you haven't purchased the computer yet or you own a Mac). For more information, visit the GXM System Compatibility page. Note that you must verify and validate your system's compatibility prior to purchase.

I'm looking to buy a system to use with TripleHead2Go. Is there a list of compatible graphics cards

Yes. The Compatibility Wizard provides a complete list of compatible systems, based on GPU model.

Can I run a different application on each monitor?

Yes. The Desktop Management feature of your PowerDesk software enables you to control where your windows open, allowing you to drag different application windows to specific monitors and maximize them. PowerDesk also lets you extend your application window across multiple monitors if you choose to.

Can I work with my laptop lid closed?

Yes. Once TripleHead2Go is connected to your laptop and monitors, you can close your laptop, put it aside, and simply use an external keyboard and mouse along with your two or three extra displays. Setting up TripleHead2Go in this manner varies from laptop vendor to laptop vendor. For more information on working only with external monitors, see your laptop documentation.

Can I use my laptop screen in addition to a TripleHead2Go for a total of four screens?

Yes. In this case, your laptop screen is your primary monitor, and your TripleHead2Go becomes your secondary monitor. Note that you can set your TripleHead2Go as the primary monitor and your laptop screen as the secondary monitor. Configuration varies depending on your graphics card. For more information, see your laptop documentation.

Do you support the Apple Cinema 27" Display (2010 model) with the TripleHead2Go DP Edition?

The Apple Cinema 27" Display does not have a built-in scaler, therefore only the native 1280x720 resolution will work with the TripleHead2Go DP product, other resolutions will not be available.

Can I use TripleHead2Go with two monitors and then upgrade to three monitors at a later date?

Yes. TripleHead2Go supports extra resolutions (beyond the four native modes your product ships with), such as triple widescreen support, dual resolution support and a higher refresh rate for standard CRT monitors. You can enable these extra modes on your TripleHead2Go Analog Edition if you are running Nvidia or ATI graphics cards under Windows 2000 or Windows XP by downloading the Matrox TripleHead2Go Mode Expander Tool (TMET) software applet. For TripleHead2Go Digital Edition and DP Edition, you can enable these extra modes using Matrox PowerDesk software. See our Download Software page to download the latest Matrox software for your product.

Do I need a special brand of monitor?

TripleHead2Go can be used with any monitor that supports compatible resolutions. Note that all monitors connected to TripleHead2Go must run at the same resolution and refresh rate. To get the most of your Matrox product, we recommend you use three identical monitors (that is, monitors of the same size, display resolution, and refresh rate).

Can I use different sized monitors?

Compatibility is determined by resolution, not screen size. Although you can use different sized monitors, all displays connected to TripleHead2Go must run at the same resolution and refresh rate. To get the most of your Matrox product, we recommend you use three identical monitors (that is, monitors of the same size, display resolution, and refresh rate).

Can I mix analog (VGA) and digital (DVI) monitors with TripleHead2Go Digital Edition or DP Edition?

Yes. Any combination of analog and digital monitors is supported with TripleHead2Go, though you may require an adapter if the output connector on the TripleHead2Go is different from the monitor's input connector. Matrox can't guarantee the quality or functionality of any third party hardware used to connect your TripleHead2Go product (for example, a DisplayPort to HD-15 (VGA) adapter with your DP Edition product).

Can I use HDMI monitors with TripleHead2Go Digital Edition?

HDMI is compatible with DVI, so standard DVI-to-HDMI adapter cables may be used, as long as these HDMI adapter cables support the required resolutions and timings.

Can I use TripleHead2Go Digital Edition if my system only has a VGA connector?

Yes. TripleHead2Go Digital Edition has dual-link digital and analog (VGA) input connectors. If your laptop or desktop computer has only an analog (VGA) output and appears on the compatibility list, TripleHead2Go will work with the systems VGA connector.

Is full screen DVD and video playback supported with TripleHead2Go?

Yes. If your laptop or desktop computer is already equipped with a DVD player, you will be able to watch a DVD or video content on any of the monitors of your multi-monitor environment. Playback will be as smooth as it would have been without TripleHead2Go. Note that the native size of video file determines if the video plays across all your monitors.

How can I tell if my graphics card or laptop supports dual-link digital?

You need to check the specification of your graphics card or laptop to determine if dual-link DVI output is supported.

Why do I get black borders when I enable the Matrox Monitor Bezel Management feature?

TripleHead2Go Digital Edition and DP Edition provide Bezel Management by shifting the images from the left and right panels so that some of the data is effectively dropped behind the bezels. The data is shifted from the outside edges of the left and right panels, leaving a black border that is the same width as the gap. Please note that the number of adjustable pixels varies depending on the resolution your TripleHead2Go is using. The higher the resolution is the less adjustable pixel space you have. This is especially true if you're using triple the highest wide screen resolutions.

How do I set up a game to run in Surround Gaming mode (Windows only)?

To customize games so they can run across three displays, Matrox bundles a Surround Gaming Utility (SGU) with TripleHead2Go. The Surround Gaming Utility is a software application which automatically updates the configuration files of supported games so they're properly enabled for triple monitor resolutions. Note that certain game titles also have native support for TripleHead2Go. The SGU is not required for native titles because they will adjust automatically when a TripleHead resolution is selected in the game's graphics settings menu.

How does TripleHead2Go work?

Your computer's video output normally allows only one monitor to be connected to it. If instead of plugging a monitor into your system's video output you plug in a TripleHead2Go, your computer interprets this device as one triple-wide monitor, so it outputs a single extra-wide image. As you have three monitors connected to your TripleHead2Go, the TripleHead2Go takes the left third of this extra-wide image it receives from your computer and sends it to your left monitor, and sends the middle third to your central monitor and the right third to your right monitor. In this manner, TripleHead2Go effectively lets you drive three separate monitors from a single video output.

A TripleHead2Go used in DualHead mode behaves similarly: the extra-wide image is divided in two instead of three and each half is sent to your left and right monitors.

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Is TripleHead2Go a graphics card?

No. TripleHead2Go does not contain a GPU itself but connects to your computer's video output and uses your own system's graphics capabilities to render the extra-wide image that is then divided and sent to each monitor. For this reason, you can enjoy the same performance across all monitors, whether you're working with office applications in 2D, high-end applications that use 3D or OpenGL technology, or engaging in HD video playback. The more powerful your existing graphics, the more powerful your TripleHead2Go multi-monitor environment.

Can I use the TripleHead2Go DP Edition even if my monitors don't have a DisplayPort connector?

Yes. When the proper adapter is used, DisplayPort can convert its signal to DVI, VGA or HDMI. Matrox recommends optional cable adapters that enable you to connect your TripleHead2Go DP Edition to DVI- or Mini DisplayPort-compatible equipment. DisplayPort to HDMI and DisplayPort to HD-15 (VGA) cable adapters are currently unavailable from Matrox. Note that Matrox is unable to validate third party adapters.

Will adding TripleHead2Go affect my computer’s performance?

The technology behind TripleHead2Go does not slow down your computer. TripleHead2Go works with your system's existing graphics card, and the graphics card is still responsible for all 2D, 3D and video rendering. However, TripleHead2Go opens up wider multi-monitor opportunities for you and these multi-monitor environments may require a greater number of pixels to be drawn simultaneously than in a single-screen mode. Just like higher resolutions can impact performance in single-screen systems, performance may vary with higher triple-screen resolutions. The more powerful your existing graphics, the more powerful your TripleHead2Go multi-monitor environment.

Can I connect multiple DualHead2Go/TripleHead2Go units in one system?

Yes. You can connect two of the same units (make and model) in one system. For example, you can have two TripleHead2Go Digital Editions together, but not a TripleHead2Go Digital Edition with a TripleHead2Go Display Port Edition. See the Multi-GXM support page for further details.

Can the monitors be pivoted?

The current TripleHead2Go product lineup does not support the pivoting of individual screens. However, if your GPU supports pivot functionality, then you can rotate the desktop as whole. Additionally, Matrox offers a series of add-in boards that may meet your pivot needs.

an I place my laptop in between the monitors driven by TripleHead2Go?

While it may be physically possible to place your laptop monitor between the external monitors instead of off to the left or the right of them, it is not recommended to do so, as your virtual desktop won't have the same configuration as your physical one. The monitors connected to TripleHead2Go are viewed by your laptop as a single extra-wide display. Your mouse will move according to your virtual desktop (i.e. from one external monitor directly to the other), even if your laptop screen is between them.

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Contact technical support if you’re still experiencing difficulties with your TripleHead2Go.