Is this an active or passive dongle? Needing an active adapter for a 3-monitor rig, but the packaging lacks clear documentation.

Question

InsigniaCustomerSupport · Accepted Answer

This unit is a passive adapter, it will only carry one display signal.

GamerGuy76 · Answer

Not Active and yes you're right. The package or the website has no detailed information. You can buy an Active one online for the same price. I found out the hard way. Junk

JDSNetworking · Answer

this is a 1-1 adaptor that is passive, not powered for multiple monitors from the same adaptor. There are 2 types of multiple screen setups: "extended" (different video on each screen) or "cloned" (the exact same thing on each screen, like for a classroom display where all the screens show the same thing). For extended, you will need 3 separate video outputs from the computer. For cloned, you would only need 1 video output from the computer that would go into a video "splitter" that would have multiple outputs. If you want 3 monitors in the "extended" setup and do not have 3 video outputs, you would either need to use a different video card, or a USB to video adaptor... although the video output from them can be low quality and they are a little flaky sometimes.

Answered by JDSNetworking 10 years ago

Zune · Answer

This is passive for sure

igottashine91 · Answer

From my use and looking at prices of some other adapters I'm gonna guess this is a passive unit.

xxcorydxx · Answer

Pretty sure it's passive.

BobtheBuilder · Answer

Passive.

MusicEnthusiact · Answer

passive

gatep5 · Answer

As far as I can tell this is a passive adapter.

Phypher · Answer

The adapter is plug and Play so it works as soon as you plug it in

mossback · Answer

What type of video card are you running? Make and model would be helpful.

IF by "adapter" you mean you need to a video card, to run 3 monitors let me know that too. Some video cards have that built in. Depending on your current setup it may only support Dual monitors. Typically you will see a DVI and VGA output on the back of video cards, some new versions are using Mini DVI or Display Port plugs.

Anything you can tell me about your system will help.

“Is this an active or passive dongle? Needing an active adapter for a 3-monitor rig, but the packaging lacks clear documentation.”

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