using multiple external monitors with the pro 3

Question

threads that I can find here and elsewhere are all a year old.  I'm trying to find out if I can run at least two external fast and high performance monitors from the Surface Pro 3.  When running in this configuration, nothing has to display on the Pro 3.  A salesman at Best Buy told me that I can chain multiple monitors from the mini port but they have to be specially configured monitors.  I understand that USB solutions are not high performance.

Thanks,

Dean

Answer 1

Dean,

With a Display Port hub, we've successfully gotten 3 external displays working with the Surface Pro 3 at 1920x1200x60Hz.

Answer 2

How to you configure 2 external monitors using a Surface Pro 3?

I have the Surface Pro 3 Docking Station.

However, I can only get the tablet and 1 monitor working (the one connected directly to the tablet).

I cannot get the monitor to work from the docking station.

Is there some trick?

I have never had this type of problem with other laptops/tablets.

Please help!!!

If I can't get this to work, I will get rid of the Surface Pro 3 - I need dual monitors when dock (at desk for long periods of time).

Answer 3

Dean,

I installed a Plugable SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Dual Monitor Docking Station (UD-3900) this weekend ($109 from Amazon) and I am very pleased with the results.

I have two Dell 1080p displays patched to the SP3.  No lag, no problems.

The only snag I found is that the Plugable device accepts one HDMI in and one DVI in.  I had to get an HDMI to DVI dongle to patch the second monitor in.  I mention this in case you do purchase the device so you can have all necessary cables when you receive it.

I also have a Wacom Cintiq plugged in to the SP3 (while running the dual Dells) - because that's a precision device, I have it patched to the SP3's mini-display port.  I mention this because even with the Cintiq installed, the SP3 is successfully pushing three external displays at one time.

Final note:  I believe I read that the base models of SP3 may havetrouble pushing multiple displays.  I have the i5/256/8gb model.

Answer 4

How to you configure 2 external monitors using a Surface Pro 3?

I have the Surface Pro 3 Docking Station.

However, I can only get the tablet and 1 monitor working (the one connected directly to the tablet).

I cannot get the monitor to work from the docking station.

Is there some trick?

I have never had this type of problem with other laptops/tablets.

Please help!!!

If I can't get this to work, I will get rid of the Surface Pro 3 - I need dual monitors when dock (at desk for long periods of time).

I had the same question but i solve it. Well since the docking station have (1) mini display port i think you can daisy chain 2 monitors if your 2 monitors can support it. In my case i had 2 old lcd monitors that does not support display port. My solution was to connect my main monitor to the mini-diplay port at the docking station using the mini display to hdmi adapter...then for my second monitor i had to buy a usb to hdmi adapter...the one i bought is the "J5 Create USB 3.0 to DVI adapter"...it also comes with another adapter to convert the DVI to HDMI.

You may be able to get this adapter at your local best buy, office depot etc. I bought mine at my local office depot. This adapter runs in about $60 to $70 range.

It works very well for the surface pro 3 docking station...however is a little slow regarding playing videos on the display that have the usb adapter but still playable. But to edit spreadsheets or to create documents etc is awesome. Also, note that if your monitor is a very expensive one 4k for example the max resolution of the adapter is 1080p i believe.

Answer 5

I have Sceptre 32" HDTV, 19" dell monitor, and surface pro 3 screen running.

Heres how I did it without spending no more than $34.00.

Purchased Netgear PTV3000 Pro from ebay $29.99.

Purchased one mini screen to hdmi cable for $2.65.

Purchased one HDMI to DVI cable for 1.29.

Steps:

Connect MiniScreen side to SP3 and HDMI side to TV.

Turn on Surface Pro 3 and TV.

From right side of SP3  swipe  and go to Devices.

Select Project. And select Extend. This will entend the SP3 to the TV.

PTV3000 and to Monitor:

Connect HDMI cable to PTV3000 and connect other end to the Monitor. Note the "other end"

will depend of what type of connection you have on your monitor. For example some monitor has VGA, DVI,

and or HDMI. In my case, I have DVI so I purchased HDMI to DVI cable.

How to power up the PTV3000

Two cables should be included when you purchase the PTV3000.

1. USB to USB cable.
2. USB to AC cable.

If your Monitor has USB then use USB to USB cable, otherwise use the USB to AC cable.

Turn on your monitor and you should see these on the monitor from PTV3000:

Ready for connection. Launch wireless display on your phone, tablet or PC.

How to Connect PTV3000 to SP3.

If you followed the above steps you are ready to connect and end result should be two screens and SP3.

SP3 already has Miracast or Intel Widi so you do not have to go into their site to download anything.

On SP3 from right side swipe and go to Devices. Select Project when you get there you should be on Extend.

 Go down to very bottom where it says Choose Connect to a Different display. Select Add A Wirless Display.

This will search the PTV3000. Once you see the PTV3000 on the list, select Push2TV on SP3. It will say follow the screen on

your TV or Monitor. You should be connected in about 23 seconds.

For future connection from SP3 to PTV300:

Simply right swipe SP3, go to Devices, Project, go down to very bottom and click

Connect To A Different Display. You should see the Push2TV on your list and click on that.

Please note that there will be a message on TV or Monitor saying:

HDCP Authentication Failed

But after seconds later it will connect.  I have no idea how to get rid of that message but

as long as I was able to connect, I was satisfy with it. I have been using these two screens

plus SP3 screens using all different browswers or apps or music or videos etc etc for over month now

with 100 percent success. Hope this will help many others for the less of price you pay for other Devices.