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September 9th, 2020 15:00
U4320Q, additional PIP/PBP mode options
I bought a Dell U4320Q several weeks ago. Currently, the firmware version of this U4320Q is M2T101.
There are five different splits of the main screen into smaller ones available in the U4320Q menu:
#1 two screens (left and right)
#2 four screens (the main screen crossed in the middle)
#3 three screens (the main screen split three times vertically)
#4 three screens (one wide at the top and twice narrow at the bottom)
#5 three screens (two smaller on the left side and one bigger one the right)
Is there a possibility to suggest software guys an addition of at least two more options in PIP/PBP mode?#6 three screens (twice narrow at the top and one wide at the bottom) i.e. symmetrical to variant #4
#7 three screens (one bigger on the left side and two smaller on the right) i.e. symmetrical to variant #5
The last one #7 is much more comfortable then #5 for a right-handed person when he seats in the front of a monitor and wants to use one main computer with a bigger screen and two additional, smaller screens (e.g. two laptops). For Dell such modification should be a piece of cake. Just the next firmware release.
On page 12 you can find available PBP modes. It would be nice to add the following two options:
“PBP 3 window mode 4” – with the biggest window on the bottom.
“PBP 3 window mode 5” – with the biggest window on the left.
Probably it requires an update of monitor firmware. It should be an easy task for a DELL software team.
"PBP 2 window" mode, but with a horizontal line, would also be nice to have. Then all basic modes for 1/2/3/4 computers would be available. Thanks in advance.
It is strange that the proposed two modes were not pre-installed by default. At least for me, they are much, much, much more useful than those installed currently. I suppose it requires only a small modification in the last firmware version. Very similar modes already exist, but they chose only one version of them, not the right ones from my perspective. I hope for a firmware update soon. I am sure it will be quickly appreciated by DELL monitor customers, especially by those using more than two computers at the same time.
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DELL-Chris M
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September 15th, 2020 13:00
Very confusing. Your title (to us) implies a firmware update to the U4320Q Menu PIP/PBP mode hardware design.
Yet you referred to the DDM (Dell Display Manager) User's Guide software PIP/PBP mode options page 12 =
Versus the U4320Q User's Guide Menu hardware design PIP/PBP mode options page 38 =
Firmware updates would apply to the U4320Q, not to the DDM software.
A U4320Q firmware update is a costly endeavor to Dell versus a DDM software update.
All we can do is notify the DDM team of your thread.
RPDELL2020
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November 7th, 2020 10:00
I have referred to the DDM guide just to easier explain missing modes in U4320Q firmware. There are no similar photos in the monitor guide. Look at the photo below (taken from my monitor).
Using DDM guide terminology there are the following basic PBP modes:
1. PBP 2 window
2. PBP 4 window
3. PBP 3 window mode 1
4. PBP 3 window mode 2
5. PBP 3 window mode 3
Missing basic modes:
6. PBP 2 window (with the horizontal line instead of vertical)
7. PBP 3 window mode 4 (with the biggest window on the bottom)
8. PBP 3 window mode 5 (with the biggest window on the left)
The firmware update is REQUIRED because the display signal sources are managed directly by software installed on the monitor. It does not make sense to change only DDM software (in OS) because it uses the software interface provided by the monitor in order to set the current mode in hardware. It cannot set not existing PBP mode. First of all, there should be a possibility to set additional modes using just the OSD menu. DDM update is the secondary task, an optional one. Of course, it is easier to click on the DDM window than manually change settings in the OSD menu. DDM software can only use PBP modes provided by the monitor. Two months ago I wrote an email to DDM software development company (i.e. https://www.entechtaiwan.com/, dell.support@entechtaiwan.com). They confirmed that without a firmware update they can do nothing with that. Here is the answer:
"I'm afraid PIP/PBP layouts are determined by the firmware team at Dell. You would need to direct your request to Dell's support. We only handle the DDM software."
This is just the next piece/version of already existing software. It should be an easy task for the right people in your company to add missing modes, especially that they already implemented symmetrical versions. You do not have to write everything from the scratch. Piece of cake. Moreover, such an update significantly increases the value of the DELL product and hence user satisfaction. I do not understand why available modes are limited to 5. For me, the missing 3 modes are sometimes much more useful/convenient than those provided by default. Let the customer decide which mode is better for him in the current application.
DDM software can both arrange windows in OS and manage (indirectly) video input sources in the monitor.
Why does DELL sell a big monitor with 4 video sources and then does not provide full support for at least all basic modes of their arrangement? Such a policy is just unreasonable.
Best regards
(edited)