Getting Dual Monitors to work with XPS 13 9360

Question

Hello,

I have a Dell XPS 13 9360. I want to connect it to two Dell monitors. The monitors are a Dell Ultrasharp 1907 FP and a Dell 1905 FP. I currently use the Dell 1905 FP as an external monitor with the XPS laptop, connected by DVI through a DVI to HDMI cable to an adapter that goes into the USB-C port. It works fine.

I purchased a StarTech.com 4K USB-C to HDMI, VGA & DVI multi port video display adapter. I connected the Dell 1907FP to the StarTech via a DVI cable and connected the Dell 1905 FP to the StarTech's HDMI port via a DVI to HDMI cable. I then connected the StarTech to the XPS laptop via the USB-C port. I hoped this would allow both monitors to display, but it does not. The XPS does not automatically or manually detect the Dell 1907 FP, but it does detect the 1905 FP. However, each monitor works separately with the laptop, just not together.

How can I get the two monitors to work with the laptop at the same time?

Thanks,

Pete

jphughan · Accepted Answer

@php2020 there's no indication that the adapter you have supports using multiple outputs simultaneously. Many adapters like that, including Dell's own DA300 adapter that includes multiple video outputs plus some other useful connectivity ports, only support one display at a time.

if you're only concerned about running relatively low resolution displays such as the ones you have now, and you don't want to buy a full docking station, the simplest and lowest cost solution would be a USB-C MST hub, which is explicitly designed to run multiple independent displays from a single system output. And then since you're currently using DVI, if you get an MST hub with HDMI outputs, you can use HDMI to DVI adapters/cables. If on the other hand you get one that uses DisplayPort outputs, you'd need DisplayPort to DVI active cables, not the more common passive cables you'd find, which don't work with most MST hubs. Here is a link to an example MST hub (that offers HDMI outputs), and here is an example DisplayPort to DVI active cable if you get a version that includes DisplayPort outputs.

If you want a bit more futureproofing, since you're using an XPS 13 and therefore have Thunderbolt 3 available, you could get a Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort adapter. They look similar to an MST hub, but since they use Thunderbolt 3, they have access to twice as much video bandwidth as an MST hub. So whereas an MST hub would allow dual displays up to 2560x1600 each, a TB3 to Dual DP adapter would allow dual displays up to 4K 60 Hz each. And you'd still want active cables with that adapter if you'll be running DVI for now. Plugable, StarTech, OWC, and Sonnet all make TB3 to Dual DP adapters, and they all have a reputation for quality products.

php2020 · Accepted Answer

@jphughan, thanks so much for the suggestions. I am going to give the MST hub a chance with a DVI to HDMI cable. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again!

jphughan · Answer

@php2020  just noticed that the link to the MST hub didn't post correctly.  I've just updated my first post to fix that.  There is an even simpler option if you happened to be considering new displays anyway, which would be to use DisplayPort daisy chaining.  In this setup, if you had a display that included a DisplayPort output to facilitate creating a daisy chain, you could use a USB-C to DisplayPort cable to connect to Display #1, and then you'd connect a DisplayPort cable from Display #1 to Display #2.  Your system would see both displays as independent entities.  I've been using this setup for years.  No need to buy an MST hub or special active cables.  You do need at least one display that supports daisy chaining though, and both displays must use DisplayPort.  I only mention this option because you really might want to think about upgrading your displays anyway.  The ones you have now are really low resolution by today's standards and aren't even widescreen.  You've got a pretty current laptop, so it would be nice to pair them with proper displays, and the extra real estate really does make a huge difference when it comes to productivity.  A 24' 1080p display would be a major step up, and they're pretty cheap nowadays, especially if you buy them used.

jphughan · Answer

@php2020  thanks for reporting back, and excellent news!   Just for reference if you ever consider newer displays, the dual HDMI hub that I linked would handle dual displays up to 2560x1440 each at the normal 60 Hz refresh rate, or dual displays up to 4K each at only 30 Hz, although 30 Hz isn't an acceptable experience for most people.  Enjoy your setup!

php2020 · Answer

@jphughan... and it works perfectly - thank you.

XPS

Getting Dual Monitors to work with XPS 13 9360

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