Matrox TripleHead2Go Analog Edition User manual

User Guide
20020-301-0115
2009.11.02
ENGLISH
Matrox TripleHead2Go
Analog Edition • Digital Edition • DP Edition

2 Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide
Contents
About this user guide...............................................................................................4
Using this guide.........................................................................................................................................4
More information .....................................................................................................................................4
Overview ...................................................................................................................5
Hardware supplied....................................................................................................................................5
Software available......................................................................................................................................6
Installation overview.................................................................................................................................6
Connecting your TripleHead2Go Analog Edition product ......................................7
Before you begin .......................................................................................................................................7
Connecting three monitors ......................................................................................................................8
Connecting two monitors ......................................................................................................................10
Connecting your TripleHead2Go Digital Edition product .....................................13
Before you begin .....................................................................................................................................13
Connecting three monitors ....................................................................................................................14
Connecting two monitors ......................................................................................................................17
Connecting your TripleHead2Go DP Edition product...........................................20
Before you begin .....................................................................................................................................20
Connecting three monitors ....................................................................................................................21
Connecting two monitors ......................................................................................................................24
Connecting a second TripleHead2Go product .....................................................27
Before you begin .....................................................................................................................................27
Connecting two TripleHead2Go products ............................................................................................28
Installing your Matrox software .............................................................................29
Before you begin .....................................................................................................................................29
Obtaining Matrox PowerDesk software.................................................................................................29
Installing your Matrox PowerDesk software .........................................................................................29
Running the Matrox setup wizard .........................................................................................................30
Matrox PowerDesk software .................................................................................31
Accessing PowerDesk..............................................................................................................................31
Accessing Matrox PowerDesk help.........................................................................................................31

Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide 3
Troubleshooting..................................................................................................... 32
Product information............................................................................................... 39
Specifications .......................................................................................................................................... 39
Notes........................................................................................................................................................40
Warranty................................................................................................................. 43
Index ...................................................................................................................... 46

4 Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide
About this user guide
Your Matrox user guide provides information on installing and using your Matrox hardware. For
information on Matrox PowerDesk software features and options, see the help file included with your
PowerDesk software.
Using this guide
This guide assumes you’re familiar with basic functions like click, right-click and double-click, and
that you’re familiar with the basics of the operating system you’re using. Also, we use the following
conventions:
 Bold for headings and for references to text that appears on-screen.
 Italics for emphasis, file names, paths, publication titles, and new terms.
 Keyboard keys in square brackets, with a plus sign separating keys that you press
simultaneously. For example: press [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Del] to start Windows Task Manager.
 Arrows (“ Æ ”) to separate ordered directions. For example, “click OK Æ Close Æ OK ” is
the same as “click
OK , then click Close, then click OK ”.
 Green for cross-references. If you’re viewing online, click green text to jump to what’s
being referenced.
More information
We provide additional information in help and Readme files. Be sure to check for any last-minute
release notes included with your product. Also, check the Matrox Web site
(www.matrox.com/graphics) for the latest Matrox software, technical support, and product
information.
Note: This guide has references specific to version 2.05.00 or later of the Matrox software.
If you’re using a previous version of the Matrox software, certain references in this guide
may not reflect the software you have.

Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide 5
Overview
Thank you for purchasing Matrox TripleHead2Go. This product allows your single-monitor graphics
hardware to support up to three monitors at a time. Depending on your Matrox product, you can
connect up to three analog, digital, or DisplayPort monitors at a time to your Matrox TripleHead2Go
product.
Hardware supplied
*
TripleHead2Go Analog Edition
TripleHead2Go Digital Edition
* The hardware supplied with your Matrox product may vary depending on the SKU or part number of your product. For more
information, contact your Matrox representative.
Matrox hardware Matrox input cable
(HD-15 to HD-15) Matrox input cable (DVI to HD-15) Power supply
Matrox hardware Matrox input cable
(HD-15 to HD-15) Matrox input cable (DVI to DVI) USB cable

6 Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide
TripleHead2Go DP Edition
Software available
 Matrox PowerDesk – to use your Matrox product. Matrox PowerDesk software supports
Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003,
and Windows 2000. Matrox makes new display drivers available on the Matrox Technical
Support Web site (www.matrox.com/graphics/en/support/drivers).
Installation overview
To install your Matrox product:
1 Connect your product – see the “Connection setup” section for your Matrox product.
2 Install the software – see “Installing your Matrox software”, page 29.
Matrox hardware Matrox input cable
(DisplayPort to DisplayPort) USB cable

Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide 7
Connecting your TripleHead2Go Analog
Edition product
This section describes how to connect three analog monitors to your Matrox product.
 To connect three monitors, see “Connecting three monitors”, page 8.
 To connect two monitors, see “Connecting two monitors”, page 10.
Before you begin
To avoid possible problems that could damage your monitors or prevent you from using your Matrox
product, read the following guidelines before connecting your Matrox product.
 Whenever you change your connection setup, make sure you’re using the correct
connectors and that all connectors are properly fastened.
 Don’t change monitor connections while your computer is turned on. While your
computer is turned on, it may be using monitor settings that are specific to the current
monitor connections.
Some devices may be permanently damaged if incorrect settings
are used.
 To get the most out of your Matrox product, we recommend you use three identical
monitors (that is, monitors that support the same settings such as display resolution and
refresh rate). For information on the settings your monitor supports, see your monitor
documentation.

8 Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide
Connecting three monitors
Connection overview
Step-by-step connection setup
1 Turn off computer
Before you connect your Matrox product, make sure you shut down your system and turn off
your computer.
2 Attach the Matrox input cable
Attach one end of the cable provided with
your Matrox product to the connector on
your computer. Attach the other end of the
cable to the connector labeled
INPUT on
your Matrox product.
If your graphics hardware has an HD-15
connector, use the Matrox HD-15 to HD-15
cable to connect your Matrox product.
Matrox input cable
(HD-15 to HD-15)

Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide 9
If your graphics hardware has a DVI connector, use the Matrox DVI to HD-15 cable to
connect your Matrox product.
3 Connect the first monitor
Use your monitor cable to connect your
preferred monitor to the connector labeled
CENTER ( ) on your Matrox
product.
4 Connect the second monitor
Use your monitor cable to connect your
second monitor to the connector labeled
LEFT ( ) on your Matrox
product.
5 Connect the third monitor
Use your monitor cable to connect your
third monitor to the connector labeled
RIGHT ( ) on your Matrox
product.
6 Connect the external power
supply
Attach one end of the power supply cable
provided with your Matrox product to the
power connector on your Matrox product.
Plug the power supply cord into an electrical
outlet.
Monitor cable
(HD-15)
Monitor cable
(HD-15)
Monitor cable
(HD-15)
Power supply
cable

10 Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide
Your Matrox product is now connected. Restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see
“Installing your Matrox software”, page 29).
Connecting two monitors
Connection overview
Step-by-step connection setup
1 Turn off computer
Before you connect your Matrox product, make sure you shut down your system and turn off
your computer.

Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide 11
2 Attach the Matrox input cable
Attach one end of the cable provided with
your Matrox product to the connector on
your computer. Attach the other end of the
cable to the connector labeled
INPUT on
your Matrox product.
If your graphics hardware has an HD-15
connector, use the Matrox HD-15 to HD-15
cable to connect your Matrox product.
If your graphics hardware has a DVI
connector, use the Matrox DVI to HD-15
cable to connect your Matrox product.
3 Connect the first monitor
Use your monitor cable to connect your
preferred monitor to the connector labeled
CENTER ( ) on your Matrox
product.
4 Connect the second monitor
Use your monitor cable to connect your
second monitor to the connector labeled
LEFT ( ) on your Matrox
product.
Matrox input cable
(HD-15 to HD-15)
Monitor cable
(HD-15)
Monitor cable
(HD-15)

12 Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide
5 Connect the external power
supply
Attach one end of the power supply cable
provided with your Matrox product to the
power connector on your Matrox product.
Plug the power supply cord into an electrical
outlet.
Your Matrox product is now connected. Restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see
“Installing your Matrox software”, page 29).
Power supply
cable

Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide 13
Connecting your TripleHead2Go Digital
Edition product
This section describes how to connect up to three analog or digital monitors to your Matrox product.
 To connect three monitors, see “Connecting three monitors”, page 14.
 To connect two monitors, see “Connecting two monitors”, page 17.
Before you begin
To avoid possible problems that could damage your monitors or prevent you from using your Matrox
product, read the following guidelines before connecting your Matrox product.
 Whenever you change your connection setup, make sure you’re using the correct
connectors and that all connectors are properly fastened.
 Don’t change monitor connections while your computer is turned on. While your
computer is turned on, it may be using monitor settings that are specific to the current
monitor connections.
Some devices may be permanently damaged if incorrect settings
are used.
 To get the most out of your Matrox product, we recommend you use three identical
monitors (that is, monitors that support the same settings such as display resolution and
refresh rate). For information on the settings your monitor supports, see your monitor
documentation.
 While using the DVI input connector on your Matrox product, the highest display
resolutions are available only with graphics hardware that supports dual-link DVI. For
information on the capabilities of your graphics hardware, see its documentation. For
more information on your Matrox product, see “Product information”, page 39.

14 Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide
Connecting three monitors
Connection overview
Step-by-step connection setup
1 Turn off computer
Before you connect your Matrox product, make sure you shut down your system and turn off
your computer.
2 Connect the USB cable
Plug one end of the USB cable provided with
your Matrox product into the USB
connector ( ) on your Matrox product.
USB cable

Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide 15
Plug the other end of the USB cable into a powered USB port on your computer. For more
information on powered USB ports, see your system manual.
3 Attach the Matrox input cable
If your graphics hardware has a DVI
connector, attach one end of the Matrox
DVI to DVI cable provided with your
Matrox product to the graphics connector
on your computer. Attach the other end of
the cable to the DVI input connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
If your graphics hardware has an HD-15
connector, attach one end of the Matrox
HD-15 to HD-15 cable provided with your
Matrox product to the graphics connector
on your computer. Attach the other end of
the cable to the HD-15 input connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
4 Connect the first monitor
If your monitor has a DVI connector, use
your monitor cable to connect your first
monitor directly to the first connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector,
use a DVI to HD-15 adapter (sold
separately) to connect your monitor to the
connector.
Note: If your computer doesn’t have a powered USB port, you’ll need a separate adapter.
To purchase a Matrox power adapter for your product, see the Matrox online store
(http://shopmatrox.com).
Matrox input cable
(DVI to DVI)
Matrox input cable
(HD-15 to HD-15)
Monitor cable
(DVI)

16 Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide
5 Connect the second monitor
If your monitor has a DVI connector, use
your monitor cable to connect your second
monitor directly to the second connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector,
use a DVI to HD-15 adapter (sold
separately) to connect your monitor to the
connector.
6 Connect the third monitor
If your monitor has a DVI connector, use
your monitor cable to connect your third
monitor directly to the third connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector,
use a DVI to HD-15 adapter (sold
separately) to connect your monitor to the
connector.
Your Matrox product is now connected. Restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see
“Installing your Matrox software”, page 29).
Monitor cable
(DVI)
Monitor cable
(DVI)

Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide 17
Connecting two monitors
Connection overview
Step-by-step connection setup
1 Turn off computer
Before you connect your Matrox product, make sure you shut down your system and turn off
your computer.
2 Connect the USB cable
Plug one end of the USB cable provided with
your Matrox product into the USB
connector ( ) on your Matrox product.
USB cable

18 Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide
Plug the other end of the USB cable into a powered USB port on your computer. For more
information on powered USB ports, see your system manual.
3 Attach the Matrox input cable
If your graphics hardware has a DVI
connector, attach one end of the Matrox
DVI to DVI cable provided with your
Matrox product to the graphics connector
on your computer. Attach the other end of
the cable to the DVI input connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
If your graphics hardware has an HD-15
connector, attach one end of the Matrox
HD-15 to HD-15 cable provided with your
Matrox product to the graphics connector
on your computer. Attach the other end of
the cable to the the HD-15 input connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
4 Connect the first monitor
If your monitor has a DVI connector, use
your monitor cable to connect your first
monitor directly to the first connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector,
use a DVI to HD-15 adapter (sold
separately) to connect your monitor to the
connector.
Note: If your computer doesn’t have a powered USB port, you’ll need a separate adapter.
To purchase a Matrox power adapter for your product, see the Matrox online store
(http://shopmatrox.com).
Matrox input cable
(DVI to DVI)
Matrox input cable
(HD-15 to HD-15)
Monitor cable
(DVI)

Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide 19
5 Connect the second monitor
If your monitor has a DVI connector, use
your monitor cable to connect your second
monitor directly to the third connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
If your monitor has an HD-15 connector,
use a DVI to HD-15 adapter (sold
separately) to connect your monitor to the
connector.
Your Matrox product is now connected. Restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see
“Installing your Matrox software”, page 29).
Monitor cable
(DVI)

20 Matrox TripleHead2Go – User Guide
Connecting your TripleHead2Go DP
Edition product
This section describes how to connect up to three DisplayPort or digital (DVI) monitors to your
Matrox product.
 To connect three monitors, see “Connecting three monitors”, page 21.
 To connect two monitors, see “Connecting two monitors”, page 24.
Before you begin
To avoid possible problems that could damage your monitors or prevent you from using your Matrox
product, read the following guidelines before connecting your Matrox product.
 Whenever you change your connection setup, make sure you’re using the correct
connectors and that all connectors are properly fastened.
 Don’t change monitor connections while your computer is turned on. While your
computer is turned on, it may be using monitor settings that are specific to the current
monitor connections.
Some devices may be permanently damaged if incorrect settings
are used.
 To get the most out of your Matrox product, we recommend you use three identical
monitors (that is, monitors that support the same settings such as display resolution and
refresh rate). For information on the settings your monitor supports, see your monitor
documentation.
WARNI NG: To avoid damaging the
DisplayPort connector on your DisplayPort
monitor cable or on your Matrox product,
carefully remove the DisplayPort cable by
pressing the latch on the top of the DisplayPort
connector while removing the connector.