How to Daisy Chain Monitors?
Connecting multiple monitors to your computer is a great way to increase productivity and make multitasking easier. As a matter of fact, there are different ways to achieve a multi-monitor setup, however, daisy chaining monitors together is a simple way to add to your existing setup without having to purchase additional video cards or adapters.
In this article, we will discuss the basics of daisy chaining monitors, how to set them up, and clear up the most common doubts in the installation process.
How to Combine Two Monitors Together?
The first step in choosing the right monitors is understanding what actions you would like them to perform. If your goal is to work from a dual monitor setup, then one extremely convenient way to connect monitors is through daisy chaining.
Through a DisplayPort cable, Thunderbolt, or USB-C connection, it is very simple to connect one monitor to another and successfully daisy chain monitors together. In your monitor’s user manual, will clearly state which port and which cables are suited for daisy chaining as it differs per model and what connections your specific monitor supports.
How Do You Start Daisy Chaining Monitors?
Setting up a daisy chain from start to finish is a simple project. These are the steps to follow:
Step 1
Verify that the video or graphics card (VPU or GPU) on your laptop/PC supports DisplayPort 1.2 MST.
Step 2
Connect your first monitor’s DisplayPort In to the laptop or PC in use.
Step 3
Connect the “DisplayPort Out” of the first monitor to “DisplayPort In” of the second monitor. If your VPU or GPU supports it, you can daisy chain up to six monitors.
To daisy chain more monitors, you just have to repeat the same steps: you can then daisy chain a third monitor into the second, a fourth into the third, and so on. Please keep in mind that there’s a limited amount of data that can be transferred through DisplayPort, and daisy-chaining more than 2 monitors might compromise the screen resolution.
Step 4
Lastly, adjust your display settings. You can choose between three main options: “DisplayPort Out Multi-Stream”, “Clone”, or “Extend”.
Extending all three screens allows you to have a seamless display space.
It is important to note that you can also daisy chain two monitors with Thunderbolt™ 3 and 4, and it’s foolproof to install.
Can You Daisy Chain Two Monitors with an HDMI Cable?
Daisy chaining is not supported via HDMI, nor VGA. You can only daisy chain only through DP in/out or Thunderbolt™.
Can I daisy chain monitor from USB-C to DisplayPort?
No, it is only possible to daisy chain monitors through a DisplayPort in/out or through a Thunderbolt™ 3 or 4 connection.
How to daisy chain monitors with USB-C?
Daisy chaining is not supported via USB-C alone. However, DisplayPort and Thunderbolt™ ports, which can perform daisy chaining, can come in the form of a USB type C port. Therefore, it is best to check your monitor’s user manual and see which ports are compatible with what types of functions.
Daisy chaining with Thunderbolt 4?
It is possible to power multiple monitors and external devices from a single Thunderbolt™ port. With daisy chaining being one of them, you can easily connect monitors together by starting with the Thunderbolt™ port of your laptop.
The process for daisy chaining with Thunderbolt™ 3 or 4 is as follows:
Step 1
Verify that the video or graphics card (VPU or GPU) on your laptop/PC supports DisplayPort 1.2 MST.
Step 2
Connect your first monitor to the laptop or PC in use using a Thunderbolt cable.
Step 3
Connect the first monitor to the second monitor using a Thunderbolt™ cable. You can then daisy chain multiple monitors.
Step 4
Lastly, adjust your display settings.
Which Philips Monitors Are Available for Daisy Chaining?
All monitors that feature either a DisplayPort Out or Thunderbolt™ 3 or 4 can be used for daisy chaining dual monitor and other complex setups.
An example is the Philips 40B1U6903CH, which features a large 39.7-inch screen (100 cm diag.), 5K2K (5120 x 2160) resolution and a speedy, multifunctional Thunderbolt™ 4 docking solution.
In addition, if you are looking for a solution that allows daisy chaining while simultaneously including USB-C connectivity, then the Philips 40B1U5601H offers easy connectivity of USB-C technology, and its DisplayPort out permits daisy chaining to other monitors. For more information about what the Philips 40B1U6903CH and Philips 40B1U5601H offer, you can visit them here and here.