DisplayLink Releases New Windows Drivers (Version 6.3)
Posted on 21. May, 2012 by bernie in Windows
DisplayLink’s 6.x series of Windows drivers is now a worthy upgrade for all users.
On May 18th, DisplayLink released their latest version 6.3 Windows drivers. This single driver supports all USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 generation DisplayLink-based products (including all USB graphics products from Plugable), on Windows XP SP2 and later, and Server 2008 and later.
We’re recommending this driver for all USB 3.0 generation products (Like our Plugable USB 3.0 to HDMI adapter). And it’s a good upgrade for USB 2.0 users, too.
The largest improvements for existing users of any DisplayLink-based device, including USB 2.0 ones, are:
1) Much better support in Windows Vista/7 Basic mode (Aero off). While this is a corner case, it’s a huge amount of work on DisplayLink’s part, and will save a lot of frustration for those intentionally or unintentionally dropped into Basic mode by Windows.
2) Better performance / resolution scalability on slower CPUs by avoiding an extra copy for every pixel (introduced earlier in 6.x series)
3) Bugs and other issues resolved
Here are the details from DisplayLink’s release notes, ordered by our perceived importance of the improvement (based on our support cases here at Plugable).
Fixed issues since R6.2 (from DisplayLink’s release notes)
On Windows 7/Vista WDDM Basic, video is not supported. It may work in some
cases but exhibits poor performance. It may stop working after an update from
Windows Update that affects the graphics subsystem. (2028,1609, 3883)
On Vista and Windows 7 in Basic Mode, video will not play on DisplayLink
screens after installation until the PC is rebooted. In Aero mode no reboot
is needed before video will play. (4432)
Occasionally on Windows 7, applying a layout change involving DisplayLink
screens can change the resolution of or turn off one or more screens. To
recover, press the Windows+P keys and select a different setting. (6010, 8741,
9768, 8618, 9956, 10739, 12300, 12715, 13166, 13167, 13226, 13296, 13334)
Some systems may not boot into Windows when DisplayLink device is connected.
(13657)
All screens are black after several layout changes on some machines. (13550)
On some systems all displays may be black or flashing when resuming from
display power save. (13582, 13471)
Sometimes changing mode or layout position of a DisplayLink monitor may fail
with a “Cannot write to specific device” message in the system tray. To recover
replug the device. (13517)
Optimized for Video option removed from Devices and Printers. (13746)
Sometimes all monitors can get blank if trying to mirror two DisplayLink
monitors connected to the system. (13355)
Sometimes enabling previously switched off main monitor may cause all displays
to flicker. (13149)
Sometimes a blue screen can occur when disconnecting DisplayLink device while
having another monitor connected to laptop’s main VGA/DVI port. (13256)
PowerDVD 12 crashes with DisplayLink software installed. (13668)
USBCV tests not passing (13879, 13896, 13878)
Repeated replugging of certain Display Monitors can cause indeterminate
behaviour. (13581)
Failure to detect some hot swapped DVI monitors. (13597)
Fullscreen Direct X Metro applications will be software rendered on DisplayLink
and non-DisplayLink screens
DisplayLink USB 3.0 generation (DL-3×000) fixes
Audio on DL3x00 devices is not automatically default when first connected to
Windows XP systems. (13511)
Occasional failure in resuming from sleep for DL3x00 devices. (13440)
Occasionally after installation the Ethernet driver for the DisplayLink device
will not load. Unplug and replug to recover. (12050)
Wrong audio jack information. (13496)
On some Windows XP systems connecting a network cable to a DisplayLink device
causes the address bar of Windows Explorer to start blinking. (12568)
In particular circumstances a DL3x00 device can drop from SuperSpeed to High
Speed USB. (13769)
USB 3 connection dropping to USB 2 during power state transitions with some
DL3x00 devices. (13769)
Sometimes a DisplayLink monitor connected through DisplayPort may flash after
a resolution change. (13342)
DisplayPort monitor may remain black after being connected to a DisplayLink
device. (13577)
HDMI audio stops playing after some time. (13307)
HDMI compliance timing fails at resolution 640 x 480@60. (13652)
On some systems using Renesas USB 3.0 host controller disconnecting the
DisplayLink device while playing video may cause system to hang for up to
2 minutes. System will automatically recover after that time. (13364)
Audio not available on DisplayPort monitors immediately after drivers
installation. (13580)
Ethernet on DL3x00 devices unreliable when connected to specific Gigabit
Ethernet switches. (13161)
Default volume on DL3x00 devices too high. (13608)
Ethernet connection dropping out under heavy load on 10Mb networks. (13688)
Supported Operating Systems
This release can be installed on the following operating systems:
– Windows XP SP2 (32-bit edition only)
– Windows XP SP3 (32-bit edition only)
– Windows Vista SP1 (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
– Windows Vista SP2 (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
– Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
– Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
– Windows Server 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit editions)
(This OS has received limited testing)
– Windows Server 2008 R2
(This OS has received limited testing)
Download and Support
Download the latest DisplayLink drivers here: http://displaylink.com/support/downloads.php
If you have any problem at all with any Plugable brand device and the DisplayLink 6.3 drivers, please let us know.
Comment here or email support@plugable.com anytime. We’re here to help!
Windows 8 Consumer Preview Support
Posted on 29. Feb, 2012 by Aaron Knopf in USB3-HUB81X4
We’re as excited about the Windows 8 Consumer Preview release as we expect many of our customers are. And we’re here to help if you install Windows 8 Consumer Preview on computers where you’re using or plan to use any Plugable devices.
We’ve already begun installing Microsoft’s latest operating system on PCs in our lab for the fun of hands-on exploration and–more importantly–for testing the compatibility of Plugable products on this platform.
Here’s what we know already.
Graphics Adapters
All Plugable graphics adapters rely on DisplayLink drivers that are explicitly called out during Windows 8 Consumer Preview setup as incompatible with the new operating system. DisplayLink has made Beta drivers available for Windows 8 on its public forum.
1) You will need to uninstall your current DisplayLink drivers when prompted to do so by Windows 8 Consumer Preview setup.
2) Once Windows 8 Consumer Preview is installed, you can download and install the Beta DisplayLink drivers from http://displaylink.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1331. Please read the known issues listed there for the Beta drivers to be aware of any that may affect you.
We have used these Beta drivers successfully on a computer running Windows 8 Consumer Preview with a Plugable UGA-2k-A graphics adapter. With an extended desktop, the Windows 8 “Metro” interface showed on the primary desktop, and the extended desktop functioned like a Windows 7 extended desktop.
The ability to control whether in duplicate or extend mode was located on an option called “Devices” that can be invoked from the lower right corner in the “Metro” UI.
Network Adapters
Windows 8 Consumer Preview should find the compatible ASIX or Realtek drivers for all Plugable network adapters via Windows Update. The computer will need a network connection separate from the one made available by the Plugable adapter.
USB 3.0 Devices
Windows 8 has native support for USB 3.0 and should properly manage the host controllers in any Plugable USB 3.0 cards and hubs. No third party drivers should be required.
Windows Easy Transfer Cable
The Plugable Windows Easy Transfer cable works in Windows 8. We’ll devote a future post to the topic of what the user interface looks like in Windows 8.
We’ll also cover using the optional Bravura software (license comes with the Plugable cable) in that future post.
If You Need Support
We hope all Plugable products function to your satisfaction on Windows 8 Consumer Preview. But if you experience problems or previously unseen quirks, we encourage you to post your questions at http://support.plugable.com or write to us at support@plugable.com. We’re here to help and eager to hear about your experiences with Windows 8.
Mac OS X 10.7.3 Breaks Display Rotation
Posted on 16. Feb, 2012 by Aaron Knopf in USB-VGA-165
We recommend not upgrading your Mac to the OS X 10.7.3 release if you are using a Plugable graphics display adapter.
This latest upgrade to the Mac OS was made publicly available at the beginning of this month. Unfortunately it breaks display rotation functionality in all third-party display drivers.
DisplayLink, the maker of the graphics chipset in Plugable graphics display adapters, is in touch with Apple about potential fixes for the problem. When word of a solution arrives, we’ll post it on the Plugable blog.
Meanwhile, if you already have upgraded to 10.7.3 and now find that your rotated display connected throgh a third-party graphics display adapter seems to be broken, here are the steps posted in the DisplayLink Mac forum (http://displaylink.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1484) to restore functionality:.
1. Shut down the Mac.
2. Disconnect the Plugable graphics display adapter.
3. Boot in safe mode by pressing and holding the shift key after the startup tone (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455).
4. Open the Display preferences in System preferences.
5. Reboot.
6. Connect your Plugable graphics display adapter. The display should work again, and its rotation should be back to standard.
If you have upgraded to 10.7.3 but do not use display rotation, you might not see any problems. However, we still do not recommend updating to 10.7.3 until DisplayLink is certain that all display-management functionality is stable in this version of Mac OS X.
DisplayLink’s latest Mac driver works properly with OS X 10.7.2 and earlier OS X releases.
You can find the current DisplayLink driver for OS X at http://displaylink.com/support/mac_downloads.php.
If you’re having trouble with your Plugable graphics display adapter on a Mac, you can look to our support forums at http://support.plugable.com or write to us at support@plugable.com. We’re here to help.
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