Matrox DualHead2Go User manual

User Guide
(Mac
®
version)
20121-301-0250
2012.10.18
ENGLISH
Matrox
®
DualHead2Go
™
and TripleHead2Go
™
DualHead2Go Digital Edition • DualHead2Go DP Edition • DualHead2Go Digital ME
TripleHead2Go Digital Edition • TripleHead2Go DP Edition • TripleHead2Go Digital SE

2 Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version)
Contents
Overview ...................................................................................................................4
Hardware supplied....................................................................................................................................4
Optional hardware (sold separately)........................................................................................................6
Software supplied......................................................................................................................................6
Installation overview.................................................................................................................................6
More information .....................................................................................................................................6
Connecting your DualHead2Go Digital Edition product.........................................7
Before you begin .......................................................................................................................................7
Connection overview................................................................................................................................8
Step-by-step connection setup.................................................................................................................8
Connecting your DualHead2Go DP Edition product ............................................11
Before you begin .....................................................................................................................................11
Connection overview..............................................................................................................................12
Step-by-step connection setup...............................................................................................................12
Connecting your DualHead2Go Digital ME product.............................................15
Before you begin .....................................................................................................................................15
Connection overview..............................................................................................................................16
Step-by-step connection setup...............................................................................................................16
Connecting your TripleHead2Go Digital Edition product .....................................19
Before you begin .....................................................................................................................................19
Connecting three monitors ....................................................................................................................20
Connecting two monitors ......................................................................................................................23
Connecting your TripleHead2Go DP Edition product...........................................26
Before you begin .....................................................................................................................................26
Connecting three monitors ....................................................................................................................27
Connecting two monitors ......................................................................................................................30
Connecting your TripleHead2Go
Digital SE product ..................................................................................................33
Before you begin .....................................................................................................................................33
Connecting three monitors ....................................................................................................................34
Connecting two monitors ......................................................................................................................37

Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version) 3
Installing your Matrox PowerDesk software ........................................................ 40
Obtaining Matrox PowerDesk software ................................................................................................ 40
Installing your Matrox PowerDesk software .........................................................................................40
Starting the Matrox quick setup utility ................................................................................................. 40
Matrox PowerDesk for Mac .................................................................................. 41
Accessing Matrox PowerDesk software.................................................................................................. 41
Accessing Matrox PowerDesk help ........................................................................................................41
Quitting Matrox PowerDesk ..................................................................................................................41
About.......................................................................................................................................................41
Configuring PowerDesk for Mac........................................................................... 42
Quick Setup............................................................................................................................................. 42
Desktop Management Preferences......................................................................................................... 44
EDID Management.................................................................................................................................45
Information and Troubleshooting.........................................................................................................47
Product information............................................................................................... 49
Specifications ..........................................................................................................................................49
Environmental .................................................................................................................................... 51
Notes........................................................................................................................................................51
Terms...................................................................................................................... 52
Customer support ................................................................................................. 53
Matrox Web.............................................................................................................................................53
Technical support ...................................................................................................................................53
Driver and software download...............................................................................................................54
View your warranty information........................................................................................................... 54
Register your Matrox product................................................................................................................ 54
Software license agreement ................................................................................. 55
Index ...................................................................................................................... 56

4 Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version)
Overview
Thank you for purchasing this Matrox GXM product. DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go products
enable you to connect two to three analog, digital, or DisplayPort™ monitors at a time to your Mac
system.
Hardware supplied
*
DualHead2Go Digital Edition
DualHead2Go DP 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) USB cable
Matrox hardware Matrox input cable
(DisplayPort to DisplayPort) USB cable Thunderbolt™/Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort
adapter

Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version) 5
DualHead2Go Digital ME
TripleHead2Go Digital Edition
TripleHead2Go DP Edition
TripleHead2Go Digital SE
Matrox hardware Matrox input cable
(Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort) USB cable
Matrox hardware Matrox input cable
(HD-15 to HD-15) Matrox input cable (DVI to DVI) USB cable
Matrox hardware Matrox input cable
(DisplayPort to DisplayPort) USB cable Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort
adapter
Matrox hardware Matrox input cable
(DisplayPort to DisplayPort) USB cable Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable

6 Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version)
Optional hardware (sold separately)
Depending on your connection setup, you may also need any of the following hardware:
 DVI to HD-15 (VGA) adapter
 Micro-DVI to VGA adapter
 Mini-DVI to VGA adapter
 DisplayPort to DVI adapter
For more information on connecting your product, see the “Connection setup” section for your
Matrox product. To purchase any Matrox cables or adapters not included with your Matrox product,
see the Matrox online store (shopmatrox.com). To purchase any optional Apple® cables or adapters,
see your Apple retailer.
Software supplied
 Matrox PowerDesk – to use your Matrox product. Matrox PowerDesk software supports
Mac OS X®. Matrox makes new software available on the Matrox Technical Support Web
site (www.matrox.com/graphics/en/support/gxm/software).
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 page 40.
3 Configure your PowerDesk software – see page 42.
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/en/support/gxm) for the latest Matrox software, technical support, and
product information.

Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version) 7
Connecting your DualHead2Go Digital
Edition product
This section describes how to connect two (2) digital (DVI-I) or analog monitors to your Matrox
product.
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 two (2) 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.
Note: To purchase any Matrox cables or adapters not included with your product, see the
Matrox online store (shopmatrox.com). To purchase any optional Apple cables or
adapters, see your Apple retailer.

8 Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version)
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 GXM – User Guide (Mac version) 9
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
Attach one end of the cable provided with
your Matrox product to the input connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
If the graphics hardware on your computer
has a DVI connector, use a DVI to HD-15
adapter (sold separately) to attach the other
end of your Matrox input cable to your
computer.
If the graphics hardware on your computer
has a mini-DVI connector, use a mini-DVI
to VGA adapter (sold separately). Attach the
other end of your Matrox input cable to your
mini-DVI to VGA adapter, then connect
your adapter to your computer.
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
(shopmatrox.com).
Matrox input cable
(HD-15 to HD-15)
DVI to HD-15 adapter
DVI connector
Mini-DVI to VGA adapter
Mini-DVI connector
Note: If your computer has a micro-DVI connector, use a micro-DVI to VGA adapter (sold
separately) instead.

10 Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version)
4 Connect the first monitor
If your monitor has a DVI connector, use
your monitor cable to connect your 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.
5 Connect the second monitor
If your monitor has a DVI connector, use
your monitor cable to connect your 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.
Your Matrox product is now connected. Restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see
“Installing your Matrox PowerDesk software”, page 40).
Monitor cable
(DVI)
Monitor cable
(DVI)

Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version) 11
Connecting your DualHead2Go DP
Edition product
This section describes how to connect two (2) DisplayPort or digital (DVI) monitors to your Matrox
product.
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 two (2) 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.
WARNING: 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.
Note: To purchase any Matrox cables or adapters not included with your product, see the
Matrox online store (shopmatrox.com). To purchase any optional Apple cables or
adapters, see your Apple retailer.

12 Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version)
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.
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.
USB cable

Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version) 13
3 Attach the Matrox input cable
Attach one end of the Matrox DisplayPort to
DisplayPort cable provided with your
Matrox product to the DisplayPort input
connector ( ) on your Matrox product.
Attach one end of the Thunderbolt/Mini
DisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter
provided with your Matrox product to the
DisplayPort connector on your Matrox
input cable. Attach the other end to the mini
DisplayPort graphics connector on your
computer.
4 Connect the first monitor
Use your monitor cable to connect your
monitor directly to the first connector ( )
on your Matrox product.
Matrox input cable
(DisplayPort to DisplayPort)
Matrox input cable
(DisplayPort to DisplayPort)
Thunderbolt/Mini
DisplayPort to
DisplayPort adapter
Note: Thunderbolt – If your system has a Thunderbolt connector,
attach the other end of the mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter to
the Thunderbolt connector on your computer instead.
Note: To avoid problems related to image quality, make sure the DisplayPort connection to
your graphics hardware is firmly in place.
Monitor cable
(DisplayPort)

14 Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version)
If your monitor has a DVI connector, use a
DisplayPort to DVI adapter (sold separately)
to connect your monitor to the connector.
5 Connect the second monitor
Use your monitor cable to connect your
monitor directly to the second connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
If your monitor has a DVI connector, use a
DisplayPort to DVI 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 PowerDesk software”, page 40).
DisplayPort to DVI
adapter
Monitor cable
(DVI)
Monitor cable
(DisplayPort)
Monitor cable
(DVI)
DisplayPort to DVI
adapter

Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version) 15
Connecting your DualHead2Go
Digital ME product
This section describes how to connect two (2) digital (DVI-D) monitors to your Matrox product.
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 two (2) 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.
WARNING: To avoid damaging the
DisplayPort connector on your DisplayPort
monitor cable or on your graphics
hardware, carefully remove the DisplayPort
cable by pressing the latch on the top of the
DisplayPort connector while removing the
connector.
Note: To purchase any Matrox cables or adapters not included with your product, see the
Matrox online store (shopmatrox.com). To purchase any optional Apple cables or
adapters, see your Apple retailer.

16 Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version)
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.
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.
USB cable

Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version) 17
3 Attach the Matrox input cable
Attach one end of the Matrox mini
DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable provided
with your Matrox product to the
DisplayPort input connector ( ) on your
Matrox product.
Attach the other end to the mini DisplayPort
graphics connector on your computer.
Matrox input cable
(Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort)
Matrox input cable
(Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort)
Note: Thunderbolt – If your system has a Thunderbolt connector,
attach the other end of the mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter to
the Thunderbolt connector on your computer instead.
Note: To avoid problems related to image quality, make sure the DisplayPort connection to
your graphics hardware is firmly in place.

18 Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version)
4 Connect the first monitor
Connect the DVI connector on your
monitor cable directly to the first connector
( ) on your Matrox product.
5 Connect the second monitor
Connect the DVI connector on your
monitor cable directly to the second
connector ( ) on your Matrox product.
Your Matrox product is now connected. Restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see
“Installing your Matrox PowerDesk software”, page 40).
Monitor cable
(DVI)
Monitor cable
(DVI)

Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version) 19
Connecting your TripleHead2Go Digital
Edition product
This section describes how to connect up to three (3) digital (DVI-I) or analog monitors to your
Matrox product.
 To connect three (3) monitors, see “Connecting three monitors”, page 20.
 To connect two (2) monitors, see “Connecting two monitors”, page 23.
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 (3) 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.
Note: To purchase any Matrox cables or adapters not included with your product, see the
Matrox online store (shopmatrox.com). To purchase any optional Apple cables or
adapters, see your Apple retailer.

20 Matrox GXM – User Guide (Mac version)
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