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If you own a laptop computer quite often you are limited to a display on a single, or dual screen via DVI or HDMI out. Sapphire have released their new Vid 2X Display Expander, which allows two monitors to be connected to almost any computer, including a netbook, laptop or desktop. With the Vid 2X you don't need to install drivers or software to get it working, therefore negating any potential issues with your operating system installation. Simply plug in two HD monitors and a USB cable for the power and you can enjoy multi screen viewing.
Sapphire sent us the Displayport and DVI versions of the Vid 2X. To make the review more interesting today we thought a test with the ultra portable 11 inch Macbook Air would make for good reading. After all, what machine could benefit more from a 3000 pixel+ desktop resolution?
The Sapphire Vid 2X is multi platform capable, supporting Windows, Linux and Mac OS platforms.
The Vid 2X acts as a virtual monitor, based on the VESA Plug and Play standard, effectively fooling the graphics card and operating system into thinking that the output device is one extremely wide monitor, then splitting the output signal across two separate horizontally oriented monitors. It also has an operation mode which allows the user to clone the same output onto two separate panels.
PSE-DP4196
DisplayPort version of the Vid-2X product. Connects to your system or laptop via DisplayPort or Thunderbolt and to the displays via Single-Link DVI or HDMI. Supports up to 1920×1200(1080) per display. Sapphire also includes both DisplayPort to DisplayPort and mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cables for Apple users.
PSE-DV2185
Dual-Link DVI version of the Vid-2X product. Connects to your system or laptop via Dual-Link DVI and to the displays via Single-Link DVI or HDMI. Supports up to 1920×1200(1080) per display. Refer to your product documentation or closely inspect the DVI connector on your device to confirm support for Dual-Link.
The Dual Link DVI version arrives in a predominately blue box with an image on the front highlighting the multiple screen capabilities and the model identity listed top right.
Inside the box is a thick user manual, USB power cable, plug adapter and a DVI cable which is connected from the computer to the Sapphire Vid 2X unit. There is also a power connector which supports multiple countries.
The unit itself is small, measuring 114 mm x 32 mm x 107 mm (WxHxD). The weight of the Vid 2X is only 210g. It is finished in an attractive black with the company branding on the top of the chassis. At the front is an OLED display readout, a diagnostic button, a device reset button and a set of configuration switches.
These configuration switches allow the user to quickly configure the box. Switch 1 controls the output mode – stretch or clone and switch 2 the choice of monitor blanking time. Switches 3 to 8 control the number of pixels removed for the hardware bezel correction feature.
If Switch 1 is in the ‘on' position (up) then it changes from stretch screen to dual clone screen. If Switch 2 is in the ‘on' position (up) then it will use the LCD monitor blanking time, rather than the default fixed reduced blanking time. As you change the position of switches 3 through 8 it will remove pixels from the output stream, enabling the user to compensate for bezel thickness. Up to 186 pixels can be removed from each monitor output, for a total of 372 pixels.
One side of the product has a Dual Link DVI port. The supplied cable connects this directly to the computer for video input. There is also a USB header here which also plugs into the computer, to power the device.
The other side of the Vid 2X has dual DVI headers which connect to either one or two monitors. You can also use HDMI to DVI adapters to connect to HDMI panels if you wish, but these aren't supplied in the box.
It supports the following resolutions:
Display Mode Table @ 50Hz/60Hz, 24 bpp: Stretch-Mode : 3840×1200 / 3840×1080
Display Mode Table @ 60Hz, 24 bpp: Stretch-Mode : 3360×1050 / 3200×1200 / 3200×900 / 2880×1050 / 2880×900 / 2732×768 / 2560×1024 / 1920×1200
Stretch/Clone-Mode:1920×1080 / 1600×1200 / 1600×900 / 1440×1050 / 1440×900 / 1366×768 / 1360×768 / 1280×1024 / 1280×800 /1280×768 / 1024×768 / 800×600
On this page we present some super high resolution images of the product taken with the 24.5MP Nikon D3X camera and 24-70mm ED lens. These will take much longer to open due to the dimensions, especially on slower connections. If you use these pictures on another site or publication, please credit Kitguru.net as the owner/source.
The Displayport version arrives in a predominately blue box with an image on the front highlighting the multiple screen capabilities and the model identity listed top right.
The bundle includes a displayport cable, a mini displayport cable from computer to Vid 2X and a USB power cable. There is also a thick user manual and a series of power connectors for various countries.
The unit itself is small, measuring 114 mm x 32 mm x 107 mm (WxHxD). The weight of the Vid 2X is only 210g. It is finished in an attractive black with the company branding on the top of the chassis. At the front is an OLED display readout, a diagnostic button, a device reset button and a set of configuration switches.
These configuration switches allow the user to quickly configure the box. Switch 1 controls the output mode – stretch or clone and switch 2 the choice of monitor blanking time. Switches 3 to 8 control the number of pixels removed for the hardware bezel correction feature.
If Switch 1 is in the ‘on' position (up) then it changes from stretch screen to dual clone screen. If Switch 2 is in the ‘on' position (up) then it will use the LCD monitor blanking time, rather than the default fixed reduced blanking time. As you change the position of switches 3 through 8 it will remove pixels from the output stream, enabling the user to compensate for bezel thickness. Up to 186 pixels can be removed from each monitor output, for a total of 372 pixels.
The DisplayPort version of the product has a Displayport connector and a USB header. Both of these connect to the computer to power the Vid 2X and to deliver the video input signal.
The other side of the Vid 2X has dual DVI headers which connect to either one or two monitors. You can also use HDMI to DVI adapters to connect to HDMI panels if you wish, but these aren't supplied in the box.
It supports the following resolutions:
Display Mode Table @ 50Hz/60Hz, 24 bpp: Stretch-Mode : 3840×1200 / 3840×1080
Display Mode Table @ 60Hz, 24 bpp: Stretch-Mode : 3360×1050 / 3200×1200 / 3200×900 / 2880×1050 / 2880×900 / 2732×768 / 2560×1024 / 1920×1200
Stretch/Clone-Mode:1920×1080 / 1600×1200 / 1600×900 / 1440×1050 / 1440×900 / 1366×768 / 1360×768 / 1280×1024 / 1280×800 /1280×768 / 1024×768 / 800×600
On this page we present some super high resolution images of the product taken with the 24.5MP Nikon D3X camera and 24-70mm ED lens. These will take much longer to open due to the dimensions, especially on slower connections. If you use these pictures on another site or publication, please credit Kitguru.net as the owner/source.
While we could have tested the Vid 2X with a Windows based laptop, we wanted to try the ultra portable, ultra slim 11 inch MacBook Air which has proven a big seller for Apple in the last 24 months. This machine has a moderate resolution screen, so we can think of no better audience for the Vid 2X to target.
Connecting the device to our 24 inch screens was straightforward, simply run the DVI cables from both screens into the Vid 2X and the Displayport cable from the Vid 2X into the Mini Displayport port on the Macbook Air. Sapphire supply both a full sized and Mini Displayport cable to cover the full range of Macintosh computers.
A USB cable is also supplied, to power the Vid 2X. Sapphire have bundled a dual head version in case the system has low power USB ports. We only attached a single USB header to the Macbook Air for power and it worked fine.
Setting up the two 24 inch screens was incredibly straightforward and no drivers were required. The latest version of OSX detected the Vid 2X box with a dedicated display profile. The 3840×1080 resolution was immediately available as shown above.
The Vid2X has an OLED readout which contains useful information. It gives a status indicator for population of both ports and the output resolution. In diagnostic mode the readout displays the ASIC version and input/output port status. It can also show information relating to Bezel correction and how many pixels have been removed, to compensate for active panels.
When I initially received the device for testing I was skeptical, believing that there would be an inordinate amount of fine tuning and tweaking required before achieving the desired result. I was shocked how easy it was to set up, requiring very little user intervention at all. I was also particularly impressed by the cooperation between the Vid 2X and Mac OSX, because it held the X and Y coordinate positions of application windows (on the multiple panels) via subsequent system boot up.
The MacBook Air is a lovely little computer, but due to the single screen and moderate resolution, it wouldn't be the ideal computer to use at home in an heavy duty office environment. With two extra 24 inch screens, the huge desktop real estate transforms the working experience. As the image above shows, the internal screen could be used for email and messaging, while the two large 24 inch panels could handle professional applications such as video editing and Photoshop duties.
Additionally, I noticed no reduction in display quality, which is very important. Previous adapters I have used have suffered from a minor amount of image quality reduction. The Vid 2X signal is very pure and doesn't compromise the quality of the screens at all.
The Sapphire Vid 2X is undoubtedly an extremely clever gadget which will prove very useful to a wide audience of people. Unlike many adapters we have tested, the quality of the signal is very strong and it doesn't lower the image quality of the external screens.
Sapphire have ensured the Vid 2X installation stage is hassle free, being a driver less design with full support across multi platform environments. If you own a Windows, Linux or Macintosh operating system then this device will work, without complex user intervention. Sapphire have created two different versions of the Vid 2X for DVI and Displayport based systems.
We tested today with an 11 inch MacBook Air with Mini DisplayPort out connector. All the cables required were supplied in the box, which was a pleasant surprise. The Vid 2X worked flawlessly with two 1920×1080 screens, and we didn't need to change any of the switches on the device to extend our main screen across the external 3840×1080 real estate. I was particularly impressed to note that OSX cooperated completely with the Vid 2X, storing the (X/Y) positions of application windows upon restart, maintaining a complex work environment perfectly.
The Vid 2X takes all the power it needs from the USB cable. While Sapphire supply a dual header USB cable to compensate for low power ports, we only ever had to use a single port for operation.
For the audience reading this who have several monitors in the house and a small laptop such as a Macbook Air, then this device is a ‘Must Have' purchase. It transforms the confined working environment from a modest internal resolution screen into a huge 3840px+ wide working environment. It would also be ideal for someone who requires only a single portable computer, moving quickly from three screens at home, to the single screen when on the move.
You can buy the Vid 2X now from Ebuyer. Remember there are two versions of the device, so make sure you buy the right one. DisplayPort version available here for £129.99. The DVI version is more expensive and is available here for £147.14.
Pros:
- Flawless setup.
- Compact.
- Multi Platform.
- Great image quality.
- Cables supplied in the box.
Cons:
- If you power from the computer, it takes at least one USB port.
very smart. and useful for macintosh owners. Good review thanks.
I always wondered why people only made those USB driven dual screen things. this is a heck of a step up.
Rather costly though, I think……..
Excellent idea. I have a 13 inch macbook air and fancy the mini displayport version. Shall invest in one end of the month.
Well thats interesting. I know a lot of higher end laptops have a single display out HDMI, but this makes it all very different. I have a Dell machine, would it work?
I think the pricing is great, for what you get. for many Apple users, the DP version will be a godsend, especially as you dont even need displayport screens !