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Struggling mightily with only one HDMI port

1K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  victorzamora 
#1 ·
Alright all, I've googled and searched with no luck for solutions to this issue. I recently got an Oculus Rift that needs to an HDMI port. I have an LG 34" 2560x1080p 21:9 Ultrawide monitor with 2xHDMI ports. I need them both connected simultaneously, but my GTX980 only has 1x HDMI port (plus DVI and 2xDP ports).

Things I've tried: DP->HDMI Cable. I can't get 2560x1080 resolution. Oh well. Then I tried a DVI->HDMI Cable. This seems to work fine during POST, BIOS screens, and then up until I get the Windows Logo with the loading circle below it. Immediately after that screen, it goes black. I can still remote in using RDP and Teamviewer and play Oculus games on it. It's "fully functional" except I can't see anything on the monitor. Even changing/reducing resolutions doesn't do anything. Windows recognizes the DVI display connection.
 
#2 ·
#4 ·
I would be surprised that the monitor doesnt have a native DP port on it. If it does you may be best off just running DP to the monitor and HDMI to the VR headset.
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ding Chavez View Post

What model is the monitor? No DVI or display port on it?
I can't remember the model of the monitor, but it's an LG with just two HDMI inputs. Using a native DP cable or DVI cable would be the easiest but not really an option.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zer0CoolX View Post

I would be surprised that the monitor doesnt have a native DP port on it. If it does you may be best off just running DP to the monitor and HDMI to the VR headset.
That'd be easiest but it's just two HDMI ports for inputs.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smanci View Post

You have configured the monitors in the control panel and windows options right? I'm currently on a 970, using a 1440p monitor w/5m HDMI and 1080p TV w/DVI->HDMI adapter.
Yeah, I've tried that repeatedly. Every resolution I can think of. My dp->HDMI cable runs 1920x1200 max but won't let it get to full resolution and it looks gross and stretched (as would be expected).

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by victorzamora View Post

I can't remember the model of the monitor, but it's an LG with just two HDMI inputs. Using a native DP cable or DVI cable would be the easiest but not really an option.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
just get a dvi-d -> hdmi cable, $10 tops.
I'm running 1080p @ 144hz on one of those cables, so should be able to do 2560x1080 @60hz
 
#10 ·
Alright, my post went pretty much ignored. You need an Active DP to HDMI adapter. The passive Display Port to HDMI cables max out at 1080p. If they do support resolutions above that, then the refresh rate gets limited to 30 Hz or 24 Hz. You're not going to have any better luck with a DVI to HDMI cable either. You can't say because it works for you at 1080p 144hz that it will also work at 2560x1080... that's not how these cables work. The OP has already tried DVI to HDMI... didn't work.

You need an "Active" Display Port to HDMI adapter for 2560x1080 60Hz+. Just like the one I linked above. I know this because I own every cable being discussed here and personally tested them all because this type of information is sparse on the internet. So I bought all the cables and tested them.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by spinFX View Post

just get a dvi-d -> hdmi cable, $10 tops.
I'm running 1080p @ 144hz on one of those cables, so should be able to do 2560x1080 @60hz
That's the problem.....I bought one. I bought two cables total. One was DP->HDMI, the other was DVI->HDMI. The DVI->HDMI cable works until the Windows logo appears and then all I get is a black screen when I should get a logon screen. The DP->HDMI cable only allows a goofy max resolution.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Depauville Kid View Post

Alright, my post went pretty much ignored. You need an Active DP to HDMI adapter. The passive Display Port to HDMI cables max out at 1080p. If they do support resolutions above that, then the refresh rate gets limited to 30 Hz or 24 Hz. You're not going to have any better luck with a DVI to HDMI cable either. You can't say because it works for you at 1080p 144hz that it will also work at 2560x1080... that's not how these cables work. The OP has already tried DVI to HDMI... didn't work.

You need an "Active" Display Port to HDMI adapter for 2560x1080 60Hz+. Just like the one I linked above. I know this because I own every cable being discussed here and personally tested them all because this type of information is sparse on the internet. So I bought all the cables and tested them.
I'm not sure why my response to you didn't post.....your comment was FAR from ignored. I actually ordered an Active DP to HDMI adapter when I read your comment and it's going to be delivered tomorrow. I called local stores with zero luck.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by victorzamora View Post

I'm not sure why my response to you didn't post.....your comment was FAR from ignored. I actually ordered an Active DP to HDMI adapter when I read your comment and it's going to be delivered tomorrow. I called local stores with zero luck.
Good. With some of the Nvidia cards, you might also need to create a custom resolution. If it doesn't work right out of the box, let me know and I can walk you through the settings for that.
 
#14 ·
Thanks. I tried custom resolutions with the cables I have with zero luck. I even tried reducing the refresh rate in hopes that it'd let me at least see something at the correct resolution with no luck. We'll see what happens this evening when I get the adapter. Unfortunately I'll be travelling, so I won't really get any time to play with it all.
 
#15 ·
An active DP to HDMI adapter is not required. A passive adapter will work fine if you get the right one. Not all passive DP to HDMI adapters are the same.
  • Type 1 adapters have a maximum TMDS clock of 165 MHz (1080p 60 Hz / 1440p 30 Hz)
  • Type 2 adapters have a maximum TMDS clock of 300 MHz (1080p 120 Hz / 1440p 60 Hz / 4K 30 Hz)
Get one of these (well, you've already got an active one, but for anyone reading in the future):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GW8DZV4/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0UDYLM/

 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glenwing View Post

An active DP to HDMI adapter is not required. A passive adapter will work fine if you get the right one. Not all passive DP to HDMI adapters are the same.
  • Type 1 adapters have a maximum TMDS clock of 165 MHz (1080p 60 Hz / 1440p 30 Hz)
  • Type 2 adapters have a maximum TMDS clock of 300 MHz (1080p 120 Hz / 1440p 60 Hz / 4K 30 Hz)
Get one of these (well, you've already got an active one, but for anyone reading in the future):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GW8DZV4/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0UDYLM/
Very interesting, and stuff I sadly wasn't aware of. The DVI cable I bought from a local computer shop and it was all they had. There's no specs or info on it regarding resolution. The DP cable I bought is spec'd at DP1.2. According to your chart, I believe it should have worked. Of course, after I had issues with it I noticed the description states "1080p" and it even references 1920x1200 and 1920x1080. I had read those earlier, but figured it just meant "HD compatible" and didn't stop to consider that it'd struggle with 2560x1080. For the record, THIS is the cable I bought.

Having said that: Is there a downside to the "active" DP->HDMI adapters other than cost? The one I ordered was like $15....just slightly more than the passive ones you linked. However, if there's a performance-related reason to go passive, I might buy a passive adapter.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by victorzamora View Post

Very interesting, and stuff I sadly wasn't aware of. The DVI cable I bought from a local computer shop and it was all they had. There's no specs or info on it regarding resolution. The DP cable I bought is spec'd at DP1.2. According to your chart, I believe it should have worked. Of course, after I had issues with it I noticed the description states "1080p" and it even references 1920x1200 and 1920x1080. I had read those earlier, but figured it just meant "HD compatible" and didn't stop to consider that it'd struggle with 2560x1080. For the record, THIS is the cable I bought.

Having said that: Is there a downside to the "active" DP->HDMI adapters other than cost? The one I ordered was like $15....just slightly more than the passive ones you linked. However, if there's a performance-related reason to go passive, I might buy a passive adapter.
Active adapters in general can sometimes have reliability problems, like no signal when waking up from sleep or things like that, but DP to HDMI active adapters tend to be pretty stable, I haven't had any problems with the ones I've used. I don't think there's much reason to switch it for a passive adapter if you've already ordered it, unless you find you have problems once you start using it.
 
#18 ·
Update: Thanks, everyone. I got the active adapter plugged in and running last night and it was 100% plug-and-play with absolutely zero effort. I'll keep the Tier-2 Passive Adapters in my back pocket for a rainy day, but I should be off-to-the-races now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glenwing View Post

Active adapters in general can sometimes have reliability problems, like no signal when waking up from sleep or things like that, but DP to HDMI active adapters tend to be pretty stable, I haven't had any problems with the ones I've used. I don't think there's much reason to switch it for a passive adapter if you've already ordered it, unless you find you have problems once you start using it.
That's good to know. Luckily it hasn't been an issue so far, but I've got a total of an hour of using my pc with this adapter. We'll see how it rolls long-term.
 
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