USB Power for TripleHead2Go

[Paul James]

Is the USB lead only used for powering the TripleHead2Go when running Qlab, or is Qlab sending data to the TripleHead2Go?

I intend using cat5 run to stage between Mac and TripleHead2Go so would like to power  TripleHead2Go by power adaptor on stage. are there any known problems with doing so?

Thanks for your help

[Dave "luckydave" Memory]

As far as I'm aware, the USB is only for power, but that's a question better directed to Matrox, the manufacturers of it. QLab only sees it as a display, so the display connection is the only part QLab needs. I don't know if the USB part is necessary for proper configuration with PowerDesk.

As for the long run, I've had bad luck using anything but a short adapter for getting from the computer to the TH2G, so you may be testing your luck with a Cat5 balun setup between the computer to the TH2G, rather than using three balun setups for the TH2G's output. Additionally, if there's any troubleshooting to be done, it's better to have the TH2G accessible, rather than in an inaccessible location, such as the grid over stage.

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[Freddy Komp]

From my experience, yes, it seems to keep it more stable with the computer attached via USB.. this is back in 2011, but I distinctly remember being on the support hotline to Matrox and them telling me that the USB is not just power...

[TgBrett]

Paul,

We have about 4 years experience with the TH2Go - DP edition.  We never tried extending the signal from the computer via Cat5 first, then to the TH2Go. so O can not comment on that.  We have however come from the mini DP port straight into the TH2Go and as LukyDave suggests, extended all three signals via separate baluns to 3 separate screens.  This has functioned for us quite well with a MacBook Pro mid 2010 on Qlab 2.  I do have 2 SSD's in the Mac (replacing the optical drive with a 500 GB SSD kit).  Hope that helps a bit.

[Paul James]

Hi and thanks for your replies, I contacted Matrox and got the reply below: The silly thing was this unit worked fine only to be told it was not the right product, in any case I have returned for exchange with the TripleHead2Go DP Edition version. I think I now understand why cat5 won't work but can any body give me a heads up on how I could extend from Macbook Pro to TripleHead2Go DP Edition. 

• Connects to the DisplayPort ™ or Mini DisplayPort video output of your system
• Support for DisplayPort monitors, with optional adapters for DVI and VGA monitor support
• 
  

 "Hello Paul,

 

Thank you for contacting Matrox

 

The TripleHead2Go Digital Edition is not right unit to use with your MacBook Pro (mid 2010 model), TripleHead2Go Digital SE Edition should be compatible unit with your Mac model.

 

In order for TripleHead2Go Digital SE to work properly, you should use the input connector cable comes with unit instead of cat5 connection.  Also, the USB cable has to be connected to the system in order to communicate with our software.

 

The resolution and compatibility is dependent on the GPU of your system.

Please consult the compatibility list, located at this link,

 

GXM System Compatibility - Recommended GXM Solutions for Mac:

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

[Chris Eschweiler]

Sent from an iGadget

On Jul 3, 2014, at 4:07 AM, Paul James <zoom_...@me.com> wrote:
 I think I now understand why cat5 won't work but can any body give me a heads up on how I could extend from Macbook Pro to TripleHead2Go DP Edition. 

If I'm reading this right, you initially had your CAT5 transmitter/receiver between your Mac and the Triplehead2Go. 

I have used three transmitters/receivers between the output of the Matrox and the projectors with little problem. 

Some things to note: not all CAT5 cables are equal. Longer runs of sub-par cable aren't good at rejecting noise, and will perform poorly. 

Not all Video-Over-CAT5 systems are equal. Some are bandwidth limited and don't handle higher resolutions. 

Hope this helps…

[Paul Gotch]

On Thu, Jul 03, 2014 at 02:07:43AM -0700, Paul James wrote:
> Hi and thanks for your replies, I contacted Matrox and got the reply below:

They appear to be reading from a script since because your Mac doesn't
have a native DVI port their script says you should plug it in via
Display port and therefore need the SE edition.

They are also confused by your mention of CAT-5 and clearly don't
understand what you are doing.

If I read their reply correctly then the issue is that there needs to
be a USB link between the TripleHead2Go and the computer in order to
configure the unit and this is probably your issue.

This could be worked around with a USB over cat 5 extender however
beware not all of these unit actually extend all USB devices most of
them emulate specific devices such as mice and keyboards and possibly
audio devices.

On a more practical matter the resolution you can extend over cat 5
will be limited and as you've already exchanged the unit for the SE one
the best setup would be

Computer->TripleHead2Go via DP and USB

TripleHead2Go -> DVI-Cat5 Balun -> Cat5-DVI Balun
-> DVI-Cat5 Balun -> Cat5-DVI Balun
-> DVI-Cat5 Balun -> Cat5-DVI Balun

Obviously this is more cat5 and baluns but it will give you full
resolution on each output.

-p
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Paul Gotch
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[Sam Kusnetz]

Hello all

I can confirm that at least the older (DVI) model of the TripleHead can
definitely run off an iPhone power brick at the end of a DVI-over-CAT5
extension. I have done this. You just set it up locally using a USB
cable, then once the settings are like you want them, send it off to the
far end of the theater.

I second Paul's comment about not all DVI baluns being equal. I like
Gefen's and (to my surprise) Monoprice's.

Cheerio
Sam
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Sam Kusnetz
QLab Field Operative
s...@figure53.com