Darksaber
Sep 10, 2007, 11:01 PM
[page=Introduction]
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/matroxlogo.jpg
I would like to thank Matrox (http://www.matrox.com/) for supplying the review sample.
To give you a little backgound on the company, their overwiew is a perfect fit:
Over the years, Matrox has earned its reputation as industry leader and innovator in today's most state-of-the-art technologies, designing software and hardware solutions in the fields of Graphics, Video editing and Image processing.
Founded in 1976, Matrox has over 30 years of experience building award-winning products and solutions designed to meet our clients' diverse needs in the high-technology industry. Privately held, the company employs over 900 people worldwide at its headquarters in Montreal, as well as in international offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and China.
Matrox operates three successful divisions: Matrox Graphics, Matrox Imaging and Matrox Video, each providing an extensive array of real-world relevant OEM and end-user solutions to businesses and individuals across a diverse range of industry sectors.
Most companies have an "About Us" page, but Matrox also has a website called "Matrox Culture" and it contains the following:
At Matrox, our culture is defined by our insatiable willingness to continue to prosper and initiate innovation within the high-technology sector. We're a company that strives to maintain the highest regard of corporate responsibility and adhere to respectable business practices and standards.[...]
We have the pleasure of reviewing a very unique product from Matrox called the TripleHead2Go. It is available in two versions, one with analog and one with digital output. This is a step up from the DualHead2Go Digital we had the pleasure of reviewing here (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/DualHead2Go_Digital).
Key Features of the Matrox TripleHead2Go Analog
Run three independent displays from your workstation, gaming system or laptop, even if that system only supports a single display output.
Achieve an incredible 45" of total diagonal (or more), running your Windows desktop at up to 3840 x 1024 resolution stretched across three displays (1280 x 1024 per display).
Upgrade existing certified, mission-critical workstations to TripleHead displays to enable a Surround Design experience without opening the PC tower case or installing a new graphics solution.
Experience Surround Gaming by expanding supported 3D games across three displays; achieve a much wider in-game field of view.
Harness the full graphics rendering power of your existing desktop or laptop graphics solution. This includes the full video and 3D capabilities of your embedded graphics solution.
Very small device that fits in the palm of your hand.
Compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.
To give you an Idea how the Matrox TripleHead2Go Analog GXM module is to be used, here a few images from the Matrox website:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup3.jpg)
We will be using the TripleHead2Go Analog with two Acer AL1721 and one Samsung 720N LCD Monitor. All of these have a VGA port and can handle a resolution of 1280 x 1024 each. This is the the highest resolution the TripleHead2Go can handle (3840 x 1024). A Santa Rosa based 2.4 GHz Macbook Pro with a GeForce 8600 GT will act as input to the Matrox device.
[page=Packaging & Contents]
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/packfront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/packfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/packback_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/packback.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/innerbox_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/innerbox.jpg)
Matrox packs the TripleHead2Go into a slim box, which uses blue as the main color. The device is illustrated on the front of the package, while the back lists its features in multiple languages. Inside the thin cardboard box is another sturdy, brown one.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/antistatic_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/antistatic.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cablespacked_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cablespacked.jpg)
This inner box holds the device, which is packed in an antistatic bag and a bag with all needed cables in a heavy duty plastic bag.
Contents
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cables_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cables.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/contents_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/contents.jpg)
You will find a VGA cable and a VGA to DVI cable inside the bag. Both are of very high quality and feature ferrite cores on either end, even though it is less than a meter long. A CD with drivers and documentation is also inside the inner package.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/powerbrick_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/powerbrick.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/powercables_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/powercables.jpg)
Unlike the DualHead2Go Digital, the TripleHead2Go requires a power brick as it draws more than the 0.5A a USB connection can deliver. The power supply is rated for 3A and Matrox includes a two pronged cable for countries like Germany or Austria and a three pronged one used in the UK.
[page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/top_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/top.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bottom_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bottom.jpg)
The TripleHead2Go Analog is constructed of steel, which makes it very sturdy. There are air vents all over the device, and the device does get hot during use, unlike the DualHead2Go Digital. The square indents on the underside act as heatsinks to the chips on the PCB. The top mentions the name of the device as well as the website URL of Matrox. The underside is covered in different stickers and air vents as well. The device is actually much smaller than the DualHead2Go Digital, even though it supports one additional LCD.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/input_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/input.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/output_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/output.jpg)
You will find one D-SUB input and another output D-SUB connector on the front of the device. This output connector is clearly labled as "RIGHT" which means that it has to be connected to the display which is on the right - in our case one of the Acer AL1721s. There is also a dual LED, which shows you if the LCDs are on and up and running by red or green color respectively. On the other side you will find two further D-SUB connectors which are clearly labled as CENTER and LEFT for each respective monitor. Unlike the DualHead2Go Digital, the TripleHead2Go requires an external power source, with the connector on this side as well.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/pcbtop_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/pcbtop.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/pcbbottom_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/pcbbottom.jpg)
The PCB features three large ICs. Two of which are covered by small but fine aluminum heatsinks. The third can be found on the underside of the PCB and is meant to be covered by thermal paste, but actually does not seem to make contact with the outer casing. This chips is a Cyclone IC from Altera, but as you can see in the image, the label on the surface cannot be made out anymore.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cablesconnected_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cablesconnected.jpg)
Connecting everything is very straight foward and takes about five minutes. There is no specific order in which you have to connect everything. Just plug 'em in, turn the notebook and monitors on and install the included software. The two larger black connectors go straight to the outer Acer LCDs while the single blue one is hooked up to the Samsung Syncmaster. The fourth connector is connected to the PC or in our case the Macbook Pro.
[page=Software]
Software
This review will not cover the configuration of the TripleHead2Go in detail, as it is very similar to that of the DualHead2Go Digital. For further information on setup, simply take a look at that review here (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/DualHead2Go_Digital). Matrox has included an additional application to ease the setup of games for the surround gaming experience. We will focus on this utility in this review.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/installer_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/installer.jpg)
Inserting the CD will call up a full screen menu with the contents. It is set up to recognize the language of the OS and show the right menu - in this case German.
Installing the Surround Gaming Utility is quite straight forward. There is no restart required, but the version included on the CD is not the newest available. Take a look at the Matrox website for the latest one.
Setup Process:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu3.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu4_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu4.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu5_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu5.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu6_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu6.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu7_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu7.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu8_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu8.jpg)
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sguapp1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sguapp1.jpg)
The newest version of the SGU can handle a much larger list of games than the one included on the CD. The purpose of the application is simple. You can search for any of the listed games on your hard drive. Once the right executable is found, SGU can optimize the game's configuration file to show the right resolution on the screen. Games which have been patched with unoffical files like backups will not be recognized correctly. Even if the game of your choice is not included, you may create a cfg file yourself and save it under the appropriate name in the right directory. The SGU application will then find it upon the next start of the software. Creating these *.cfg files is nothing for the faint of heart. You better be well versed in creating batch files and understand the registry system in Windows.
[page=Up and Running]
Windows XP
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/initialsetup_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/initialsetup.jpg)
Setup of the unit was a bit tricky this time around. The Macbook Pro did not allow the use of the Matrox TripleHead2Go as the primary monitor. That setting was simply greyed out in the Display Properties. After a long troubleshooting session, installing the newest NVIDIA drivers with a patched INF did the trick and the needed option became available. Having the newest graphic drivers on a notebook is not as simple as downloading them from the manufacturer website, as most of those are not up to date. After that everything worked flawlessly as you can see, I managed to span a browser across all three displays. Techpowerup.com even works at a resolution of 3840 x 1024 due to it's dynamic width.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/ironmanscreens_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/ironmanscreens.jpg)
The second aspect of such a setup is the use as a large movie screen. The maximum resolution you can get on any mainstream content is 1080p which translates to a resolution of 1900 x 1080 pixels. The image above shows the just released Iron Man trailer in form of a 1080p Quicktime file. While the height was shrunk to 1024 pixels, there is more than enough space left over even with full HD content.
Surround Gaming
A very important feature of the TripleHead2Go series is the fact that you are able to use a SLI or CrossFire system with more than one monitor. Considering the fact that the analog Edition works at 3840 x 1024 resolution, you better have a high-end graphic card or even multi GPU system to get good frame rates.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/nwn2whole_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/nwn2whole.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/nwn2screens_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/nwn2screens.jpg)
We chose to use two games to showcase the Surround Gaming environment possible with the TripleHead2Go series. The first is one listed in the SGU application - Neverwinter Nights 2. Once you have installed the game, the utility will patch the game's configuration file to accomodate for the massive screen real estate. It works great, but due to the GeForce 8600 GT, the game did not run smoothly. Expect a current Dual Core system with a Radeon HD 2900 or GeForce 8800 GTX/Ultra to perform good enough for smooth game play.
The increased viewing angle you gain in the game is simply stunning and you will not want to go back to just a third of that on a normal system after getting used to this setup.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bioshockwhole_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bioshockwhole.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bioshockscreens_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bioshockscreens.jpg)
Considering the quite extensive, but still limited list of games, the question arises if the Matrox TripleHead2Go will also work on modern titles. Bioshock was just released and has become a huge success. It utilizes the Unreal Engine and can be considered state of the art. Even though the game is not officially supported with the Matrox SGU, setting the 3840 x 1024 resolution worked like a charm. The game recognized the three displays as one large unit and the game looks great as well. The notebook managed to crank out around 2 FPS with this setup. Any modern game, which does not use fixed resolution, but accepts whatever is available from the monitor, should work with the TripleHead2Go. Microsoft, ATI and NVIDIA encourage game developers to develop titles that will run independent of display resolution.
Mac OS X
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/macinitsetup_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/macinitsetup.jpg)
Setting up the unit on Mac OS X is done exacly as it was the case with the DualHead2Go Digital. You also need to set the resolution in the Mac OS manually first, without the GXM utility provided by Matrox. The displays do not become active if you do not do so, even if the correct resolution is set in the GXM utility. Spanning the Techpowerup.com website across all three displays with Opera or Safari is not a problem at all and you have the exact same resolution available as you would in Windows.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/macalldiff_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/macalldiff.jpg)
You may also place different applications on different displays. As you can see above, the leftmost display holds Opera, followed by iTunes, the Ironman trailer and a finder window on the Macbook Pro itself.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Matrox TripleHead2Go Analog will set you back $289 US Dollars or 225€ in Europe. The Digital variant will cost you around $40 - 50 US Dollars or 30€ more.
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Surround Gaming with SLI or Crossfire!!
Works great both in Windows and OS X
High quality cables
High quality enclosure
Can handle resolutions up to 3840x1024 over 3 displays
Small LED on device for display status
Solid software
Even works with modern games not listed in SGU
No Macrovision
Well packaged
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Pricey
External power brick needed
Gets hot after prolonged use
OS X documentation not very good
</td></tr>
<tr><th>9.6</th>
<td>
Matrox has been in the Graphics card business quite some time and they were always known for producing superior image quality for everyday applications instead of best performance in 3D games. Their GXM series has only received praise. Our opinion of the DualHead2Go Digital was no different. The TripleHead2Go Analog is smaller, but requires an external power brick, which limits portability a bit. But the fact that you can use the three extra screens in any way you like - even for gaming - makes up for those downsides and the price. The biggest limitation of an SLI or Crossfire system is the fact that you are bound to a single screen when gaming. This means that a lot of processing power is lost due to a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 or 1600 x 1200 on larger screens. The Matrox TripleHead2Go gives you the ability to harness every bit of such a setup and even push it to its limits, due to sheer real estate which can be displayed. If you have already spent large amounts of money for such a rig, have the displays as well and want the ultimate in portability without the heat, go ahead and grab the TripleHead2Go Digital edition, which is USB 2.0 powered and does not heat up like the analog device.
</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/editorschoice.gif</td></tr>
</table>
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/matroxlogo.jpg
I would like to thank Matrox (http://www.matrox.com/) for supplying the review sample.
To give you a little backgound on the company, their overwiew is a perfect fit:
Over the years, Matrox has earned its reputation as industry leader and innovator in today's most state-of-the-art technologies, designing software and hardware solutions in the fields of Graphics, Video editing and Image processing.
Founded in 1976, Matrox has over 30 years of experience building award-winning products and solutions designed to meet our clients' diverse needs in the high-technology industry. Privately held, the company employs over 900 people worldwide at its headquarters in Montreal, as well as in international offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and China.
Matrox operates three successful divisions: Matrox Graphics, Matrox Imaging and Matrox Video, each providing an extensive array of real-world relevant OEM and end-user solutions to businesses and individuals across a diverse range of industry sectors.
Most companies have an "About Us" page, but Matrox also has a website called "Matrox Culture" and it contains the following:
At Matrox, our culture is defined by our insatiable willingness to continue to prosper and initiate innovation within the high-technology sector. We're a company that strives to maintain the highest regard of corporate responsibility and adhere to respectable business practices and standards.[...]
We have the pleasure of reviewing a very unique product from Matrox called the TripleHead2Go. It is available in two versions, one with analog and one with digital output. This is a step up from the DualHead2Go Digital we had the pleasure of reviewing here (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/DualHead2Go_Digital).
Key Features of the Matrox TripleHead2Go Analog
Run three independent displays from your workstation, gaming system or laptop, even if that system only supports a single display output.
Achieve an incredible 45" of total diagonal (or more), running your Windows desktop at up to 3840 x 1024 resolution stretched across three displays (1280 x 1024 per display).
Upgrade existing certified, mission-critical workstations to TripleHead displays to enable a Surround Design experience without opening the PC tower case or installing a new graphics solution.
Experience Surround Gaming by expanding supported 3D games across three displays; achieve a much wider in-game field of view.
Harness the full graphics rendering power of your existing desktop or laptop graphics solution. This includes the full video and 3D capabilities of your embedded graphics solution.
Very small device that fits in the palm of your hand.
Compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.
To give you an Idea how the Matrox TripleHead2Go Analog GXM module is to be used, here a few images from the Matrox website:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/setup3.jpg)
We will be using the TripleHead2Go Analog with two Acer AL1721 and one Samsung 720N LCD Monitor. All of these have a VGA port and can handle a resolution of 1280 x 1024 each. This is the the highest resolution the TripleHead2Go can handle (3840 x 1024). A Santa Rosa based 2.4 GHz Macbook Pro with a GeForce 8600 GT will act as input to the Matrox device.
[page=Packaging & Contents]
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/packfront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/packfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/packback_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/packback.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/innerbox_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/innerbox.jpg)
Matrox packs the TripleHead2Go into a slim box, which uses blue as the main color. The device is illustrated on the front of the package, while the back lists its features in multiple languages. Inside the thin cardboard box is another sturdy, brown one.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/antistatic_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/antistatic.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cablespacked_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cablespacked.jpg)
This inner box holds the device, which is packed in an antistatic bag and a bag with all needed cables in a heavy duty plastic bag.
Contents
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cables_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cables.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/contents_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/contents.jpg)
You will find a VGA cable and a VGA to DVI cable inside the bag. Both are of very high quality and feature ferrite cores on either end, even though it is less than a meter long. A CD with drivers and documentation is also inside the inner package.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/powerbrick_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/powerbrick.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/powercables_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/powercables.jpg)
Unlike the DualHead2Go Digital, the TripleHead2Go requires a power brick as it draws more than the 0.5A a USB connection can deliver. The power supply is rated for 3A and Matrox includes a two pronged cable for countries like Germany or Austria and a three pronged one used in the UK.
[page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/top_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/top.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bottom_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bottom.jpg)
The TripleHead2Go Analog is constructed of steel, which makes it very sturdy. There are air vents all over the device, and the device does get hot during use, unlike the DualHead2Go Digital. The square indents on the underside act as heatsinks to the chips on the PCB. The top mentions the name of the device as well as the website URL of Matrox. The underside is covered in different stickers and air vents as well. The device is actually much smaller than the DualHead2Go Digital, even though it supports one additional LCD.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/input_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/input.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/output_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/output.jpg)
You will find one D-SUB input and another output D-SUB connector on the front of the device. This output connector is clearly labled as "RIGHT" which means that it has to be connected to the display which is on the right - in our case one of the Acer AL1721s. There is also a dual LED, which shows you if the LCDs are on and up and running by red or green color respectively. On the other side you will find two further D-SUB connectors which are clearly labled as CENTER and LEFT for each respective monitor. Unlike the DualHead2Go Digital, the TripleHead2Go requires an external power source, with the connector on this side as well.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/pcbtop_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/pcbtop.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/pcbbottom_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/pcbbottom.jpg)
The PCB features three large ICs. Two of which are covered by small but fine aluminum heatsinks. The third can be found on the underside of the PCB and is meant to be covered by thermal paste, but actually does not seem to make contact with the outer casing. This chips is a Cyclone IC from Altera, but as you can see in the image, the label on the surface cannot be made out anymore.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cablesconnected_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/cablesconnected.jpg)
Connecting everything is very straight foward and takes about five minutes. There is no specific order in which you have to connect everything. Just plug 'em in, turn the notebook and monitors on and install the included software. The two larger black connectors go straight to the outer Acer LCDs while the single blue one is hooked up to the Samsung Syncmaster. The fourth connector is connected to the PC or in our case the Macbook Pro.
[page=Software]
Software
This review will not cover the configuration of the TripleHead2Go in detail, as it is very similar to that of the DualHead2Go Digital. For further information on setup, simply take a look at that review here (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/DualHead2Go_Digital). Matrox has included an additional application to ease the setup of games for the surround gaming experience. We will focus on this utility in this review.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/installer_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/installer.jpg)
Inserting the CD will call up a full screen menu with the contents. It is set up to recognize the language of the OS and show the right menu - in this case German.
Installing the Surround Gaming Utility is quite straight forward. There is no restart required, but the version included on the CD is not the newest available. Take a look at the Matrox website for the latest one.
Setup Process:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu2.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu3_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu3.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu4_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu4.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu5_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu5.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu6_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu6.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu7_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu7.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu8_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sgu8.jpg)
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sguapp1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/sguapp1.jpg)
The newest version of the SGU can handle a much larger list of games than the one included on the CD. The purpose of the application is simple. You can search for any of the listed games on your hard drive. Once the right executable is found, SGU can optimize the game's configuration file to show the right resolution on the screen. Games which have been patched with unoffical files like backups will not be recognized correctly. Even if the game of your choice is not included, you may create a cfg file yourself and save it under the appropriate name in the right directory. The SGU application will then find it upon the next start of the software. Creating these *.cfg files is nothing for the faint of heart. You better be well versed in creating batch files and understand the registry system in Windows.
[page=Up and Running]
Windows XP
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/initialsetup_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/initialsetup.jpg)
Setup of the unit was a bit tricky this time around. The Macbook Pro did not allow the use of the Matrox TripleHead2Go as the primary monitor. That setting was simply greyed out in the Display Properties. After a long troubleshooting session, installing the newest NVIDIA drivers with a patched INF did the trick and the needed option became available. Having the newest graphic drivers on a notebook is not as simple as downloading them from the manufacturer website, as most of those are not up to date. After that everything worked flawlessly as you can see, I managed to span a browser across all three displays. Techpowerup.com even works at a resolution of 3840 x 1024 due to it's dynamic width.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/ironmanscreens_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/ironmanscreens.jpg)
The second aspect of such a setup is the use as a large movie screen. The maximum resolution you can get on any mainstream content is 1080p which translates to a resolution of 1900 x 1080 pixels. The image above shows the just released Iron Man trailer in form of a 1080p Quicktime file. While the height was shrunk to 1024 pixels, there is more than enough space left over even with full HD content.
Surround Gaming
A very important feature of the TripleHead2Go series is the fact that you are able to use a SLI or CrossFire system with more than one monitor. Considering the fact that the analog Edition works at 3840 x 1024 resolution, you better have a high-end graphic card or even multi GPU system to get good frame rates.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/nwn2whole_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/nwn2whole.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/nwn2screens_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/nwn2screens.jpg)
We chose to use two games to showcase the Surround Gaming environment possible with the TripleHead2Go series. The first is one listed in the SGU application - Neverwinter Nights 2. Once you have installed the game, the utility will patch the game's configuration file to accomodate for the massive screen real estate. It works great, but due to the GeForce 8600 GT, the game did not run smoothly. Expect a current Dual Core system with a Radeon HD 2900 or GeForce 8800 GTX/Ultra to perform good enough for smooth game play.
The increased viewing angle you gain in the game is simply stunning and you will not want to go back to just a third of that on a normal system after getting used to this setup.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bioshockwhole_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bioshockwhole.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bioshockscreens_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/bioshockscreens.jpg)
Considering the quite extensive, but still limited list of games, the question arises if the Matrox TripleHead2Go will also work on modern titles. Bioshock was just released and has become a huge success. It utilizes the Unreal Engine and can be considered state of the art. Even though the game is not officially supported with the Matrox SGU, setting the 3840 x 1024 resolution worked like a charm. The game recognized the three displays as one large unit and the game looks great as well. The notebook managed to crank out around 2 FPS with this setup. Any modern game, which does not use fixed resolution, but accepts whatever is available from the monitor, should work with the TripleHead2Go. Microsoft, ATI and NVIDIA encourage game developers to develop titles that will run independent of display resolution.
Mac OS X
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/macinitsetup_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/macinitsetup.jpg)
Setting up the unit on Mac OS X is done exacly as it was the case with the DualHead2Go Digital. You also need to set the resolution in the Mac OS manually first, without the GXM utility provided by Matrox. The displays do not become active if you do not do so, even if the correct resolution is set in the GXM utility. Spanning the Techpowerup.com website across all three displays with Opera or Safari is not a problem at all and you have the exact same resolution available as you would in Windows.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/macalldiff_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Matrox/TripleHead2Go_Analog/images/macalldiff.jpg)
You may also place different applications on different displays. As you can see above, the leftmost display holds Opera, followed by iTunes, the Ironman trailer and a finder window on the Macbook Pro itself.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Matrox TripleHead2Go Analog will set you back $289 US Dollars or 225€ in Europe. The Digital variant will cost you around $40 - 50 US Dollars or 30€ more.
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Surround Gaming with SLI or Crossfire!!
Works great both in Windows and OS X
High quality cables
High quality enclosure
Can handle resolutions up to 3840x1024 over 3 displays
Small LED on device for display status
Solid software
Even works with modern games not listed in SGU
No Macrovision
Well packaged
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Pricey
External power brick needed
Gets hot after prolonged use
OS X documentation not very good
</td></tr>
<tr><th>9.6</th>
<td>
Matrox has been in the Graphics card business quite some time and they were always known for producing superior image quality for everyday applications instead of best performance in 3D games. Their GXM series has only received praise. Our opinion of the DualHead2Go Digital was no different. The TripleHead2Go Analog is smaller, but requires an external power brick, which limits portability a bit. But the fact that you can use the three extra screens in any way you like - even for gaming - makes up for those downsides and the price. The biggest limitation of an SLI or Crossfire system is the fact that you are bound to a single screen when gaming. This means that a lot of processing power is lost due to a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 or 1600 x 1200 on larger screens. The Matrox TripleHead2Go gives you the ability to harness every bit of such a setup and even push it to its limits, due to sheer real estate which can be displayed. If you have already spent large amounts of money for such a rig, have the displays as well and want the ultimate in portability without the heat, go ahead and grab the TripleHead2Go Digital edition, which is USB 2.0 powered and does not heat up like the analog device.
</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/editorschoice.gif</td></tr>
</table>