Toshiba DVI and VGA Dynadocks - Multimonitor on your Mini!

[jdduncan]

Now that DisplayLink has released beta drivers for their USB Video chipsets, I have been testing Toshiba Dynadocks on my Intel Mini and have been very happy with the results. The docks are working great! I have tested both the DVI and VGA versions of the Dynadock with both types of monitors and am getting good performance. There are some limitations, but I'm very happy to be using Multimon again after having it in the PC world. Youtube videos look great on the 2nd monitor. Make sure to check out the readme for the Mac OS driver at DisplayLink.

http://www.displaylink.com/mac_beta_drivers.html





Here is a list of the devices in the Dynadock and what I have been able to test:

Video - DVI Model works with both DVI and VGA connections
VGA Model works only with VGA connection (Duh!)

6 Port USB Hub - all ports work

USB Sound - Headphone Jack - Speakers work
S/PDIF - I am unable to test
Mic Jack - Untested

USB Ethernet - Works in both 100mb and 10mb modes

Serial Port - Untested

I am going to use one of the DVI models permanently. I have another DVI model and a VGA model and I would like to sell them. They both include cables and A/C adapters.

The DVI version is $165 new. I would take $100 for it.
The VGA version is $139 new. I would take $75 for it.



_________________
Mini mac 2.0ghz core 2 duo
19" Westinghouse Widescreen LCD
17" MAG LCD Monitor
Leopard w/XP under Parallels
Toshiba DVI Dynadock
Apple thin keyboard and mouse

[fishera]

so exactly how does this dock work?

and another overall question I have about the multimonitor thing is this: Does it share from the 64MB integrated graphics or does it suck ram? Basically, how does it power those pixels?

thanks! I might be interested actually.
_________________
Mac mini, 1.66GHz Core Duo, 250GB HD, 2GB ram
iBook G3, 500MHz PowerPC G3, 30GB HD, 284MB of ram
Palm Treo 680, T-Mobile USA, 4GB card

[jdduncan]

The Dynadock has a video chip and memory in the unit so your system memory is not affected except for normal driver install.

I have tested all of the ports except the digital sound and the microphone and all are working, including the serial port.

The drivers are definitely beta and there are a few bugs, but overall the dock is working great.
_________________
Mini mac 2.0ghz core 2 duo
19" Westinghouse Widescreen LCD
17" MAG LCD Monitor
Leopard w/XP under Parallels
Toshiba DVI Dynadock
Apple thin keyboard and mouse

[gheorghev]

I have two G4 mac minis and would like to use them with a second monitor. they run 10.4.11 and leopard (this one is also overclocked at 1.58 Ghz).
would these function with dynadocks?
thanks!

[JohnnyBoy]

I was going to recommend that you googled "USB to DVI adapter" -- but a G4 CPU isn't powerful enough to act as a GPU for a second screen.

Perhaps if you could find another Mac with it's own display, you could connect it to your Mini using an ethernet cable and use ScreenRecycler to "borrow" its screen... http://www.screenrecycler.com/home.html
_________________
Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

[gheorghev]

Well, looks good. I even have an Imac lamp that would do just fine, but then the reason Im not using it is the noisier attitude. "Borrowing" the screen would be just fine if I could cut the noise down: I mostly do word processing and I need peace. I have a nice 20" eizo pivot oldie screen with my mini, and would like to get an identical second one.
Also, Im intending to use the two mini setup via a Belkin KVM switch I just bought: So the idea was: belkin one monitor, keyboard and mouse, with the main mini getting another monitor. Will see.
Dynadock is readily available on the market here, but then it specifically says G4 is a no go. Not sure why...
And yes, my other lane was heading towards a newertech usb-vga adapter... but I find it somewhat expensive. I could buy a 27" that would probably solve all these without hassles, if I only could
Thanks a lot and please tell me if you think a g4 mini is a dead end as far as the two monitors scenario is concerned.
A happy new year!

[gheorghev]

Hmm...

What if I install screen recycler on both minis, that is when I use one the other is a screen, and then when I switch, the other is served? It could work, I guess, and I could ask a friend to write me a quick software switch between the two screen recycler sessions running. Just a thought...

?

[JohnnyBoy]

Yes, you can do that.... on the main Mini, you install ScreenRecycler and on the secondary Mini, you install "JollysFastVNC". You can see the effect in the video here: http://www.screenrecycler.com/video.html

This way, you'll only have to spend money on the ScreenRecycler software and that extra screen for your second Mini. And you'll finish with a very quiet word processor over two screens!
_________________
Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)