My 1000th post!
Some of the threads have places that you can get active adaptors, but it is all over the place. So post here where you can buy them and in what countries they send to.
TESTED and CONFIRMED below:
1. DELL USA, only to USA. As the image below DP-to-DVI.
2. Amazon.com, only to USA Note there are 5 merchants on Amazon.com who also sell it, at least one specifies International shipping. As the image below DP-to-DVI.
3. Apple do a mini-DP to DVI adaptor, so a mini-DP to DP passive adaptor also required. Available at most international Apple online stores. However this adaptor has had some problems, buyer beware (check out the reviews at your Apple online store first!) NOTE: confirmed working with this Mini-DP to DP adaptor.
4. This Dutch Company will ship internationally, select the correct options for Europe, send them an email for further afield. See post 6. As the image below DP-to-DVI.
5. Sewell Direct, all countries As the image below DP-to-DVI.
5. HP have a HP branded version, search for: HP DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI-D Cable: Reference No. NR078AA. HP reseller Bechtle also carry it.
Also Tested and works DP to VGA adapters, CHEAPER FTW!
NOT TESTED and UNKNOWN if they work below:
6. EDIT: the USB appears to be for audio, unlikely that it will work, see the monoprice below which does NOT work* see post 11 below. A mini-DP to HDMI adaptor that could work; although not tested. They should soon be shipping internationally; send them an email. Be good for the mini-DP out that is on the x2 version (in the shots we have seen so far).
TESTED and KNOWN to NOT WORK below:
7. Tested USB adaptor, butUSB does audio only here, cheap from monoprice
SOME SOUND ADVICE:
The adaptor needs to look like:
If it looks like:
It isn't going to work. No matter what they say, to be a proper active adaptor, it needs to have that box and the USB lead (or some other method of power)... like the top pic.
THE WHY's OF ACTIVE ADAPTORS
VGA, DVI, and HDMI connections all require a timing signal generated external to the video signal. A monitor needs this timing signal to function properly.
The ATI 5870 only has two timing signal generators, even though is has four outputs: 2xDVI, 1xHDMI, and 1xDP (DisplayPort). Thus, in order to use three monitors with this GPU, one needs to utilize the DP connection.
There are actually two types of DP connections: DP and DP+. DP+ connections are capable of passing through signals for other connection types (such as DVI and VGA). DP-only connections cannot do this. If one were to connect an inexpensive passive DP-to-DVI adapter to a DP+ port and a DVI monitor, it would work properly. But if one tries the same thing with a DP-only port, it will not work. This is a why an "active" adapter is needed; it actively transcodes a DP signal into DVI (or some other connection standard). These adapters must be powered; most (all?) use a simple USB connection.
The six-output card that is coming soon will have two DP+ connections and four DP connections. That means that it could require up to four active adapters if one intends to connect six monitors all without DP inputs. Right now the best adapter available seems to be manufactured by BizLink (which is also being rebranded by Dell and Accell). It costs ~$100 + tax/shipping, which is clearly not cheap. The kicker is that this is an adapter that goes from DP to dual-link DVI, supporting resolutions up to 2560x1600. Such a device is necessary if one is planning on connecting 30" monitors. However, the vast majority of 3+ monitor users only need an adapter that moves from DP to single-link DVI. In theory this should be much cheaper, and ATI is looking to source such a device with a target price of $35.
The EyeFinity developer, SunSp*t, has said that the goal for EyeFinity was to inject the technology into an ATI line of GPUs as a value-added feature (meaning if it doesn't get used by a consumer then the product is still good) for no extra cost (which is why all of the 5000-series GPU's DP connections aren't DP+).
So far EyeFinity is looking to be not quite as promising as the initial outlook suggested. There is no Windows XP support. There is no multiple-orientation support (such as portrait-landscape-portrait for 30" 2560x1600 monitor surrounded by two 1200x1600 portrait monitors). Crossfire and EyeFinity do not (yet) work together. As advertised, bezel management features do not yet exist in any Windows OS. However, the development team seems committed to improving the product, and already it can largely do what the Matrox TripleHead2Go does.
It is likely that within the year EyeFinity will surpass all of the TripleHead2Go's capabilities and then some, plus it will find its way into many more homes because it is a 3+ monitor solution that is native to the GPU. Another nice thing is that this technology allows a user to buy monitors one at a time and increase screen real estate gradually without having to purchase any other hardware. Don't jump in without doing your research, however; if you do right now you are an early adopter and should expect some hassles.