Plugable USB-C Triple Display Docking Station with DisplayLink USB Graphics, Alt Mode Video Output, and PD Charging

Mac users: For details about the current state of macOS compatibility with DisplayLink please see our blog post here.

UD-ULTCDL Port Layout – Click to Enlarge

For those who have been asking for a charging dock with DisplayPort connectivity or additional 4K support, check out our UD-ULTC4K 4K Triple Display Docking Station. For more info click here.

USB 3.1 Type-C is set to revolutionize connectivity. We’ve designed our USB-C Triple Display Docking Station to showcase what this new standard is capable of with flexibility and scalability in mind. More features, less compromise.

Utilizing cutting edge USB 3.1 technologies in conjunction with the tried and tested features of our best-selling UD-3900 docking station, the Plugable UD-ULTCDL Triple Display Docking Station provides up to three additional display outputs via a combination of USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode (“Alt Mode”) and DisplayLink USB graphics. The dock provides up to 60W of power via USB-C Power Delivery (“PD”) standard to charge your host computer while adding Gigabit Ethernet, audio input/output, and expanded USB device connectivity with 4 USB 3.0 Type-A ports and a single USB 3.0 USB-C port. All through a single USB-C cable.

The UD-ULTCDL (nicknamed our “Ultimate” docking station) is the first device of its kind to combine these three powerful, unique, and complementary technologies to unleash the potential of your computer.

Device Specifications

The Plugable Ultimate USB-C Universal Docking Station features:

• One HDMI 1.4 (USB-C Alt Mode, powered from host system graphics chipset) 2K ( 1920×1200 ) @ 60Hz / 4K ( 3840×2160 ) @ 30Hz
• One DVI/VGA (DisplayLink-based) 2K ( 1920×1200 ) @ 60Hz
• One HDMI 1.4 (DisplayLink-based) 2K ( 1920×1200 ) @ 60Hz
• One Front USB 3.0 Type-C port (with 1.5A Power Delivery)
• One Front USB 3.0 Type-A port (with BC1.2, 1.5A charging support)
• Three Rear USB 3.0 Type-A ports (standard 900mA)
• Gigabit Ethernet (Full-duplex required)
• Audio In/Out (3.5mm TRS “headphone” jacks)
• 65W (20V, 3.25A) Power Adapter

In the Box

Plugable UD-ULTCDL dock with stand, 1m USB-C to USB-C cable, and 65W (20V, 3.25A) power adapter. Units purchased in Europe include both UK and EU compliant power supply (plugs).

Hardware Requirements

Operating System and Driver Details

System Compatibility

Fully Compatible Systems (Alt Mode, PD, and DisplayLink)

USB-C is a new standard with much versatility. As a result, compatibility information is complex. Some USB-C systems support Alt Mode video output, while others do not. Some can be powered and charged via USB-C PD, while others do not.

For a list of known systems see the below compatibility chart:

Partially Compatible Systems (Supporting Alt Mode, PD, or DisplayLink, but not all)

Many current USB-C systems which do support Alt Mode video output do not support charging via USB-C. Systems such as this will output video from the dock, but will still need their proprietary OEM chargers.

Conversely, while some USB-C phones and tablets may accept charging via PD, most do not support Alt Mode video output.

Incompatible Systems

• Not compatible with potential future ARM-based Windows RT/Surface RT systems.
• No Android phones or tablets currently support Alt Mode video output.
• ASMedia USB 3.1 controllers as they do not support Alt Mode video output.
• Cannot be mixed with non-DisplayLink USB graphics adapters and drivers (e.g. MCT, j5, or SMSC).

Legacy System Support (Non USB-C)

The UD-ULTCDL relies upon new functionality introduced with USB 3.1 and as such is not recommended with USB 3.0/2.0 legacy systems. If you have a legacy USB-A (3.0) system we would recommend our UD-3900, UD-5900, or UD-6950 instead.

If attached to a legacy USB 3.0 system using a USB 3.1 rated Type-C to Type-A adapter cable, the dock will have limited functionality and is why we market this dock as incompatible with legacy systems. Only the ports controlled by the DisplayLink chip (two video outputs, audio and Ethernet) will be functional; the Alt Mode video output and USB Power Delivery/Charging will not function on legacy systems.

Please take caution if purchasing a Type-C to Type-A adapter cable as many cables on the market do not follow proper USB Type-C Power Delivery signalling and could potentially cause damage to your system or dock!

Graphics Specifications and Performance

Docking Station Setup Instructions

Additional Information

FAQs

• Q: I have never used a laptop or desktop with more than one monitor before. Now that my Windows system has more than one display I am not sure how things are supposed to work or how to change them. Do you have any videos that can help?
  A: We have a produced a series of short videos that introduce the concepts of multi-monitor setups, how to make changes to the way things behave and how to solve common problems. The direct links to the videos are:

  • Introduction to multiple displays in Windows
  • Common multi-monitor problem – spatial orientation
  • How to make a display the ‘Main’ display in Windows
  • Multi-monitor problem – spatial orientation part two
  • Introduction to display scaling in Windows
• Q: I don't see a power button on the docking station, can the dock turn on my laptop? What about waking my laptop from sleep mode?
  A: No, you must press the power button on your laptop. Waking the laptop from sleep mode varies per host system. Not all hosts are setup to wake from external USB devices.
• Q: Does the docking station support audio pass through to my display with built-in speaker?
  A: Yes, if your display has built in speakers and are connected to our dock via “2K” HDMI, audio should be sent to the display when the Plugable Audio device is set as the Default Playback Device within Windows’ Sound settings. If connected to the “4K” HDMI port, you should see your monitor model identified as an available playback device.
• Q: How do I play audio through the headphone jack on the dock or through my monitor attached to the dock?
  A: First check if the docking station is set to be your primary playback device in your sound setting’s control panel/system preferences. If you wish for audio to play through the headphone jack on the dock, select “Plugable Audio” as your preferred playback device in your operating system. If your HDMI monitor has speakers or its own headphone jack, you should see your monitor listed as a selectable playback device in your operating system.
• Q: What do the blue LED and the green LED on the Plugable UD-ULTCDL indicate?
  A: The blue LED indicates that the Plugable UD-ULTCDL is being powered by its power adapter. The green LED lights up and stays steady when a device is connected through any of the 5 USB ports on the dock. If no devices are connected to the USB ports on the Plugable UD-ULTCDL, the green LED only lights up for around five seconds when the dock itself is connected to the upstream system.
• Q: What's the difference in USB-C ports on the front and rear of the docking station?
  A: The USB-C port located on the back side of the docking station is designed to charge your host computer as well as connect the docking station to the host machine. The front facing USB-C port is for device connectivity only and is part of the built-in USB 3.0 hub on the front facing USB 3.0 (type-A) ports.
• Q: Can I use this USB-C docking station with an Intel Thunderbolt 3 capable system?
  A: Yes, here is a diagram to help understand the differences between the different USB generations and Thunderbolt 3:
• Q: Does the Alt Mode HDMI port support 4K resolution at 60Hz?
  A: No. The port complies with HDMI 1.4, and as such 3840×2160 is only achievable at 30Hz. 2560×1440 and all lower resolutions will display at 60Hz.
• Q: Can I hook up another USB-C Alt Mode video adapter to the USB-C port on the front of the dock?
  A: No, for a couple of reasons. USB-C systems only support one “Alternate Mode” output, and for a USB-C port to support this feature it must be physically wired to the graphics processor (GPU) in the host system. The one available Alt Mode connection from a host system is being used by the docking station to provide its HDMI output. Additionally, the USB-C port on the front of the dock is not wired in such a way to support this functionality.
• Q: Can I connect a DisplayPort monitor to this dock with an adapter?
  A: No, converting HDMI or DVI output to DisplayPort would require an expensive and complex active adapter (with a built in signal converter chipset). While technically possible, we do not support this configuration. Please note passive HDMI/DVI to DisplayPort adapters/cables will not function with this dock. If you need DisplayPort for your monitors, please take a look at our UD-ULTC4K docking station.
• Q: Can I use the dock in conjunction with a KVM switch?
  A: No, Plugable does not recommend or support using our dock with a traditional KVM switch. If you simply need to share the dock between two systems, the dock can be manually disconnected from the first system and then manually connected to the second system.
• Q: Can I connect my Apple SuperDrive to the dock?
  A: Some devices such as the Apple SuperDrive look for Apple-specific signaling and will not work when connected through any USB hub. See Apple HT201788.
• Q: Can I game on this docking station? Is NVIDIA Surround or AMD Eyefinity supported?
  A: Gaming is possible over the 4K HDMI display output as that is tied directly into the host system’s GPU via USB-C Alternate Mode.Surround gaming is not possible as the “2K” HDMI and DVI display outputs are USB graphics devices – USB graphics devices, like the UD-ULTCDL, are “virtual” devices where much of the heavy lifting is done by the CPU, by hooking into the graphics stack. The DirectX APIs used by games assume direct hardware access (a PCIe graphics card or USB-C Alternate Mode). DisplayLink’s drivers attempt to emulate as much of the functionality as possible, which is why some 3D functionality (like that needed for desktop and apps) works.We don’t recommend running games with USB graphics, because this emulation cannot be perfect. And even without specific compatibility problems, performance will always be a challenge – the extra CPU work required for USB graphics will be a source of reduced frame rates and problems. Normal desktop and application use are fine because they don’t push the system as hard as 3D games do.Common problems experienced when trying to run a game on a USB graphics adapter include:

  • Games not launching
  • Games crashing
  • Screen flickering
  • Screen going black
• Q: What do the green and amber LEDs on the Ethernet port on the Plugable UD-ULTCDL indicate?
  A: The green link LED on the Ethernet port on the Plugable UD-ULTCDL is an indication that the Ethernet cable plugged into the port is live and it stays steady as long as the live cable is plugged in. The blinking amber activity LED is an indications that data is transferring through the port. Both these LEDs will not light up when:

  1. The drivers for the dock have not installed properly or is corrupted
  2. The Ethernet Cable plugged in is not live or is faulty
  3. The Ethernet cable is connected to a device that requires a half-duplex connection (see next question)
  4. The port has failed, please contact us at support@plugable.com as we’re always happy to help!

Troubleshooting

• Problem: I have confirmed my host machine is compatible with this docking station but one or more functions of the dock doesn't appear to be working.
  Solution: Resetting the docking station is a good step to take if one or more portions of the dock aren’t functioning:

  1. Disconnect docking station from host machine and power adapter
  2. Leave unplugged for 1 minute for power to dissipate
  3. Connect docking station initially into power only and confirm blue indicator light is on
  4. Connect docking station to host machine using USB-C cable and test for functionality
  5. If the above steps do not change the behavior, rebooting the host system may restore functionality

  If none of the indicator lights are lit or you are still are having problems, please contact us at support@plugable.com as we’re always happy to help!

• Problem: My docking station not charging my laptop?
  Solution: Verify if your system supports PD over USB-C and also identify which port has this functionality if multiple USB-C ports are available. Please note that some systems that charge over USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 may not support charging from universal docks and may only charge from approved chargers and devices from the system manufacturer.
• Problem: I installed the dock on my laptop and everything works well with the laptop lid open. However, when I close the laptop lid the monitors connected to the dock turn off and the laptop shuts down. How do I fix this?
  Solution: Windows has special power management settings that control what happens when the laptop lid is closed. If this happening, these settings need to be changed. Please right-click on the Start button and select ‘Power Options’ from the menu.From the choices present on the left-hand side of the Power Options window, please click on ‘Choose what closing the lid does’. ** Important note – if you are running the Creators Update (or newer) to Windows 10, you will have click on the ‘Additional power settings’ option to access this window **Make sure the setting for ‘When I close the lid’ under the ‘Plugged In’ column is set to ‘Do Nothing’. Click the ‘Save Changes’ button and restart the system, making sure that the laptop’s power adapter is also connected, and test the behavior again.
• Problem: My laptop/tablet won't wake via docking station's attached keyboard or mouse. Is this expected behavior?
  Solution: This behavior is system specific. Many newer systems will not wake via an external keyboard or mouse. (This behavior can be confirmed by connecting a USB keyboard or mouse directly to a USB port on your system rather than the dock. If the system is unable to wake from a direct-attached USB device, it will not wake from a keyboard or mouse connected through the docking station.
• Problem: When I plug an Ethernet cable into the dock, none of the LEDs light up, and I do not get assigned a valid IP address. What could be causing this?
  Solution: The Ethernet controller in the docking station requires a full duplex connection. Half duplex connections are not supported.Often, the issue is caused by older Ethernet hubs and/or cabling that do not support full duplex connections.
• Problem: My wired (or wireless) mouse and/or keyboard are experiencing lag/latency (jumpy/jerky mouse pointer movement, missing key-presses, duplicate key-presses, etc) when connected to the dock.
  Solution: Dell released a patch that changes a Windows Registry entry related to the Intel Management Engine that is not Dell exclusive which has resolved these issues for several of our customers using a range of different host systems from different manufacturers. We recommend to try installing this patch if you have some of the aforementioned issues:
  https://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER03471411M/13/Dell_Dock_USB_TYPE-C_PATCH_2K0JJ_A00_SETUP_ZPE.exe
• Problem: Why does my wireless mouse or keyboard appear sluggish or not work properly when used with the dock?
  Solution: Most USB receivers for wireless mice and keyboards operate in the 2.4Ghz band. When connecting the receiver to any USB 3.0 port there is potential for interference that can affect the devices performance. The most effective method is to add a short USB 2.0 extension cable between the dock and the receiver to mitigate the effect, and many wireless keyboards and mice come with such a cable for this reason.Intel has a technical whitepaper on the behavior for those interested here:
  http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/io/universal-serial-bus/usb3-frequency-interference-paper.htmland we have written about the behavior in more detail here (please see the RF interference section):https://plugable.com/2017/03/17/troubleshooting-wi-fi-performance-and-wireless-keyboard-mouse-issues-on-usb-docking-stations/
• Problem: When I connect the dock to my system, my internal Wi-Fi adapter stops working or suffers from poor performance. Why is this happening?
  Solution There are several factors that can cause this to happen, along with several potential fixes. Please see our blog post on the topic for more information.
• Problem: I cannot use my Intel, Nvidia, or AMD/ATI graphics utility to manage the monitors connected to the dock. Why is this?
  Solution: The utilities provided by Intel, Nvidia and AMD/ATI are designed to only recognize and work with graphics adapters made by their respective manufacturers and they will not recognize USB-attached displays connected to the dock. It is recommended to use the facilities built-in to Windows to manage the displays connected to the dock (‘Display Settings’ on Windows 10 and ‘Screen Resolution’ on Windows 8.1 and 7).
• Problem: While I can adjust the brightness of my internal laptop display or directly connected external display using the Windows Display Settings application, this option is grayed out and not available for the displays attached to the dock. Is something wrong?
  Solution: Windows does not have the ability to adjust the brightness of a USB-attached display, so the behavior is expected. We recommend making use of the display’s internal on-screen menu options to adjust the brightness.
• Problem Why does the “Display Color Calibration” tool in Windows seems to have no effect on the display(s) attached to my dock?
  Solution: The DisplayLink GPU does not support color calibration functionality. Most monitors have built-in controls that can be used to adjust the characteristics of the display, though we realize this approach may not be ideal in all cases. For environments that necessitate near-perfect color reproduction and display calibration capabilities via software, a dedicated graphics card is recommended.
• Problem: I use an application to change the color of my display to make it easier to see but it doesn’t seem to affect the display I have connected to the dock. Why is this?
  Solution: As mentioned above, the DisplayLink driver does not currently support this type of color adjustment so applications like f.lux will not affect displays connected to the dock. DisplayLink (the maker of the chip in the dock and author of the driver) is working to add this functionality in the future. Please see this post on the DisplayLink website for more information and the current state of the project.
• Problem: When I right-click in the Chrome browser, the context menu opens on a different display than the application is on. What causes this?
  Solution: This behavior has been known to occur in rare instances, and is a known bug in the Chrome browser being tracked by the Chrome developers. Please see this Chromium Issue for the most recent updates.
• Problem: After a recent update, when I use Chrome on my Mac or Windows system with a USB graphics device, the window looks distorted. Is there a workaround?
  Solution: Some versions of Chrome have had regressions which cause graphical distortion when Chrome windows are in use on USB-attached monitors.Usually this issue is fixed promptly in the next Chrome release, but if it persists the best current workaround is to disable hardware acceleration in the Chrome settings. To do so: Click the Chrome menu header -> Preferences -> Settings -> Show advanced settings -> Scroll down to “System” -> Uncheck “Use hardware acceleration when available”.To help make Google aware of the issue so they can properly prioritize fixing it, affected users can report the regression to Google using the built-in bug reporter: Preferences -> About -> Report an issue
• Problem: After the Windows Anniversary or Creators Update, applications that make use of OpenGL (like SketchUp for example) are not working properly and/or produce an error message when launched while the dock is connected to my system. Why is this happening and how do I fix this?
  Solution: Microsoft and DisplayLink (the maker of the chip in our dock and author of the driver) have identified a bug within the Windows 10 Anniversary and Creators Update. With the Anniversary or Creators Update to Windows 10, Microsoft has now integrated support for the DisplayLink technology used in our docking station into Windows itself, and in certain cases applications which make use of OpenGL may not work as expected.For example, the SketchUp application requires the use of graphics adapter that supports a standard known as OpenGL -> http://help.sketchup.com/en/article/114278In some instances, Windows mistakenly directs the tasks intended for the system’s internal graphics adapter (which does support OpenGL) to the DisplayLink-based docking station. Our docking station is not a traditional graphics adapter in and of itself (it relies on the CPU and internal graphics adapter to work), and this results in the incorrect behavior or error message. DisplayLink speaks to this issue directly here -> http://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/942862-my-device-is-not-working-properly-on-windows-10-an (under the section ‘OPENGL 1.1 REPORTED INSTEAD OF 4.X’)Pending Microsoft fixing the issue within Windows itself, there are two possible workarounds. The first is to configure Windows to have the ‘Main’ display set to a display directly connected to your internal graphics adapter, whether that is an internal laptop display or another external display connected to one of the systems built-in video outputs (a quick guide to doing so is here -> https://youtu.be/7nnKztRZXsw).If that doesn’t prove a suitable workaround, booting the system without the dock connected, launching SketchUp (or any other OpenGL application), and then connecting the dock may also help.Please note that the HDMI port on this dock is unaffected by this as that output is driven directly from the host computer graphics chipset over USB-C Alternate Mode video.
• Problem: In macOS the 4K output supports DPI scaling (HiDPI display) - adjusting for larger text or more space but the 2K and DVI outputs don't seem to, can I fix this?
  Solution: Unfortunately not at this time. The DisplayLink based video outputs do not support DPI scaling (HiDPI display) in macOS. If you need to increase element or text size you will need to lower the resolution instead.
• Problem: In macOS the Ethernet speed is slow.
  Solution: Unfortunately this is a known issue at this time that DisplayLink is working to address. You can find more info about it here. Our hope is that with a future driver update this will be resolved.

Model: UD-ULTCDL

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Plugable USB-C Triple Display Docking Station with DisplayLink USB Graphics, Alt Mode Video Output, ...

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