Looking for a real DisplayPort hub/splitter

Question

In my search for a new display, I came across the Dell Multi-Monitor Hub MMH11, which seemed to be an alternative to my search for daisy-chainable DisplayPort displays.

However, before I cave and spend $179 on this device, I am wondering if this will be similar to other splitting devices where it appears to the computer as one big monitor and the device does the splitting (which I don't want). Or, does this use the packet-based nature of DisplayPort to present two/three separate displays to the computer?

Also, would this device work on my MacBook Pro? (I know the Dell site says it's for Windows, but it also says that no driver installation is required. I'd assume since the MBP supports DP 1.2 it would work, but it's better to ask). Thanks!

Edit: I've checked out the similar-looking Cirago DisplayPort splitter, but I have extreme doubts as to whether or not it's a genuine displayport splitter, or just another monitor-conglomerate. Their DVI solution looks identical to Dell's, which I'm pretty sure won't do what I want. I also don't want to order this DisplayPort "hub" and find that it doesn't do what I want it to.

Answer 1

Finally, it looks like we have a real DisplayPort MST (multi-stream transport) hub:

See Club3D's product page for more info. It's pretty cheap too, only $120 CAD. Unfortunately for me, it requires DisplayPort 1.2 support (or AMD EyeFinity) which my MacBook Pro doesn't have, and it turns out that OS X doesn't support MST at all, but Windows does on Apple hardware.

Answer 2

The only chipset I'm aware that can do this yet is the IDT VMM1400, yet I'm not aware of any devices that use it. This should help find what you're looking for!

Oh, and the Cirago DisplayPort splitter has a description that seems certain to only provide a single display.

Answer 3

The UltraAV® Mini DisplayPort 1.2 MST Multi-Display Hub might suit. (130 USD.)

Advantage: it's directly used on mini displayport, adapters from DP to mDP are only needed for the screens.

NB: The splitter costs more than 200 € whereas the MST hub costs far less.

Answer 4

I just checked the spec doc for this (warning, PDF link):

http://i.dell.com/images/global/products/monitors/mmh11.pdf

It supports display splitting and cloning, so it should act like any multi-monitor setup. As for OS X support, I'm not sure.

Edit: I just found another adapter to do the same thing:

The matrox DualHead2Go DP Edition does this, but instead of DP -> 3xDVI it does DP->2xDP and it OS X compatible and supports output resolution of 2 x 1920 x 1200 with the help of USB power, but according to the two reviews, it says you have to have two of the same monitors for it work properly on OS X at least.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815106021

Edit: matrox has a compatibility listing of their products here for Apple products:

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/mac/choice/

Answer 5

The Atlona AT-MDP12 Mini Display Port Splitter appears to be a multi-port Mini Displayport Hub that really does split up the signals to provide individual self-contained screens instead of a single screen that spans monitors.

Found it here: TigerDirect.ca

More Info: Altona Website

This may be a godsend to me in particular, as I am running a pair of HP 4:3 ratio monitors pumping out 1600×1200 resolution apiece, off of the Belkin dual-head 4-port KVM. Since this KVM is VGA-only, I can attach two Mini Displayport to VGA adapters to this unit, and connect them to the KVM. Presto, dual monitors being run from a Macbook Pro in a HengeDock.

Edited to add: I just had a closer look at the documentation and they are NOT CLEAR if this is a traditional splitter (like a VGA splitter, which just duplicates a screen) or if it is a thunderbolt-style splitter (which would allow the graphics core on a MacBook Pro to see each DisplayPort port as a separate connection, and to pump different images to each monitor). I have emailed them to ask for a clarification, and will do my best to update this post if I receive a reply.

Answer 6

Found one. Belkin is releasing a Thunderbolt Hub in 2012, with TWO downstream Thunderbolt ports.

Only problem: it’s slated to be $299 retail. Ouch.