6 Posts

March 7th, 2013 13:00

Hi, let me join in.

I wonder if one of you can confirm that it's impossible to use this inspiron 7720 in a triple monitor setup (no duplicating but only extending the screen)? I wonder because it is usually possible with optimus cards and win7/8 but not this time - could only manage to run any 2 out of three.

And to answer riscy00: why use a splitter? Simply use HDMI and vga and disable the laptop screen. I did this today.

272 Posts

March 7th, 2013 22:00

I know the OP raised the question about connecting two(2) external monitors as well as others asking about 3 monitors so here's some information regarding the questions.

Technically the 17R SE 7720 itself will allow up to 3 monitors (Built-in Display and 2 External Displays) to be connected in either Clone or Extended Mode and working all at once. Please see my reference section below for all the links that you'll need to understand this better and most of all how to hook it up.

@Albertsmtg The Nvidia GT 650M is a discrete GPU it has no display port logic it can only Render Graphics, it requires the Intel HD 4000 to actually display the rendered graphics to the attached displays, technically the Nvidia GT 650M can support up to 4 Active Displays but it's limited to what the Intel HD 4000 supports, see my reference section below.

Based on my Research:

The 17R SE 7720 is equipped with the following display ports (not to be mistaken for the trademark DisplayPorts physical port Technology)
1 External VGA Port, 1 External HDMI Port, 1 Built-in LCD Monitor connected via an LVDS interface (verified on my 17R SE 7720)

Without using Intel's WiDi technology (Drivers are available for the 17R SE 7720 in the Dell Driver Download Section) you'll be limited to using only 2 displays.

If you where looking to connect 2 external monitors with one on the HDMI port and another on the VGA port and get it to work this way (Option 2 in the table below), you will find that you are limited based on Intel's Configuration FAQ because the Built-in Display would have needed to been connected to an eDP interface, unfortunately the 17R SE 7720 uses an LVDS interface to accomplish this.  Option 1 in the table below may have been viable in this situation since the built-in display in this option may be connected via an LVDS interface but the 17R SE 7720 has no physical DisplayPort (trademark technology) ports.

So...
Using the Intel Configuration FAQ in my Reference section below and the 17R SE 7720's limitations of the unit having NO DisplayPorts along with the Built-in display being connected via an LVDS(Low-voltage differential signaling) interface instead of an eDP (embedded DisplayPort) interface you will need to use the 3rd configuration to get it to work properly.

Viable Connections from the Intel Configuration FAQ Table:

Active Display 1 Active Display 2 Active Display 3
DisplayPort* DisplayPort HDMI* or DVI or VGA or DisplayPort or Built-in Display2
DisplayPort or HDMI or DVI or VGA DisplayPort or HDMI or DVI or VGA Built-in Display3
DisplayPort or HDMI or DVI or VGA or Built-in Display2 DisplayPort or HDMI or DVI or VGA Intel® Wireless Display (Intel® WiDi)

1 To check if your computer's built-in display uses an embedded DisplayPort (eDP) or LVDS connector type:
From the Windows* desktop press Ctrl+Alt+F12 (My note here, this works if you have the Hotkey sequence enabled in the Intel Graphics and Media Control Center) key combination. If prompted select Advanced Mode application mode. Select Options and Support, Select Information Center, Change the System Information drop down to Built-in Display. Check the Connector Type field.

2 Built-in display uses connector types: eDP off the chipset or LVDS.

3 Built-in display uses eDP off a mobile processor.

 

 

Cheers
Hope the information helps everyone.

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

References -

Link: Intel HD 4000 Technical Specification write up:

Summary - "Another new feature is the support for up to 3 independent displays (depends on how the HD 4000 is used in the laptop - maybe only with a DisplayPort / eDP) as AMD offers with theirs Eyefinity support (up to 6 displays)."

Link: Nvidia GT 650M Technical Specification write up:

Summary - "The improved feature set now includes support for up to 4 active displays. Furthermore, high resolution monitors of up to 3840x2160 pixels can now be connected using DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 1.4a if available. HD-Audio codecs, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, can be transmitted via bitstream mode through the HDMI port. However, as most laptops will feature Optimus, the integrated GPU will likely have direct control over the display ports and may limit the feature set available by the Nvidia Kepler cards."

Link: Intel WiDI information - If your external monitor does not have built-in WiDi support you'll also need a digital adapter AKA [Push to TV adapters, digital media hubs, digital media extenders, or digital media streamers].

 

Link: Intel Configuration FAQ's for using 3 Monitors with 3rd Generation Intel Core Processors with an Intel HD 4000/2500.

 

 

3 Apprentice

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1.5K Posts

February 20th, 2013 02:00

Hi riscy00,

I understand you wish to connect two monitor to this system. I would like to inform that you would need to purchase a splitter for the same.

Your system has a HDMI and VGA connector as well. So you can purchase any of the splitter for the same. I am attaching the pictures of the same for your reference:

VGA

HDMI

I hope I was able to answer your query today.

Thanks and Regards
Sandeep P
#iworkfordell

6 Posts

March 8th, 2013 03:00

--deleted--

6 Posts

March 8th, 2013 04:00

Hey, please forget my last message... I missed parts of your posting. So I need WiDi...great. At least a possible solution.

Thanks so much, great effort, great write up!

3 Apprentice

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1.5K Posts

March 8th, 2013 08:00

Hi albertsmtg,

Its great to hear your queries were answered to your satisfaction. If you have any further queries please feel free to contact us.

Thanks alot everyone for contributing and it would be useful for anyone having a similar query in future.

Thanks and Regards
Sandeep P
#iworkfordell

3 Posts

July 19th, 2013 09:00

Would you mind enumerating the steps?

So you plug in two external monitors, one in HDMI, one in VGA.

Then what do you do to disable the laptop screen? Does the VGA or HDMI monitor remain dark until that point? Can you use the one that is lit up to access a display control panel to turn on and off monitors?

6 Posts

July 22nd, 2013 03:00

The question is resolved.

 

That inspiron laptop does not support parallel connection of HDMI and vga, that's all.

3 Apprentice

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1.5K Posts

July 23rd, 2013 04:00

Hi neogodless,

You can use any HDMI or VGA splitter to connect two monitors on the system. Once the monitor(s) are connected to the system press Windows key+P together and you can set the display either to the monitor,system,clone or extended.

If you select projector only system would display image on Monitor only. Yes until and unless you don't select any of the option Monitor would be dark.

You can also use graphic card properties to change the display mode. However, using Windows+P is the easiest way you can setup external display.

If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us.

1 Rookie

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34 Posts

July 4th, 2015 18:00

Hi guys, you seem to know your stuff. I have a 7720 SE laptop as well and I have it currently working with a u2715h Dell monitor in 1440p resolution via HDMI (even though I read in many places that such a setup with HDMI can only do 1080p!). Anyway, I'd like to know what's the best way to connect my laptop to two u2715h monitors in extended mode in 1440p (if that's possible). I'm fine with not using the laptop screen.

2 Posts

July 19th, 2016 14:00

Dell D3100 docking - 1 usb3.0 to 3 monitors

6 Posts

December 14th, 2017 06:00

Hi Bilalm, please can you tell me how you got 1440p working via hdmi for the 7720? I would dearly like to be able to do that. My research has led me to conclude, although the GT650M is easily capable of handling 2560x1440p, the hdmi port may not by 1.4a compliant and/or the the primary intel GPU is the limiting factor being the primary GPU.

Your solution would be most welcome.

1 Rookie

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34 Posts

December 14th, 2017 07:00

Hi jeevster, my research "mislead" me to the same conclusion. However, I just gave it a try and it worked. I didn't do anything special. Just make sure your monitor setting is 1440p and in your control panel. I have a Dell u2715h monitor, using a typical Amazonbasics HDMI cable.

6 Posts

December 14th, 2017 15:00

Thanks for the quick reply. I've tried what you've suggested. Ive connected using a 1.4 compliant hdmi cable and tried using a custom 2560x1440 resolution but can't get above 1080p on the external monitor. Please can you advise me what software or method you used to achieve 2560x1440p

thanks

1 Rookie

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34 Posts

December 14th, 2017 16:00

Great! I can do 60 Hz. Actually 59 or 60 Hz are my only options..

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