Dell U3415W - How to configure display segments as independent monitors? (980 Ti)

[rcald2000]

One assumption that I had prior to buying this monitor, was that I'd be able to configure parts of the monitors as completely independent displays. For example, the dell display manager software allows me to set segments of the display, and any window I drag into that segment will automatically take up that precise portion of the screen. But I routinely watch YouTube videos and I'm used to maximizing those windows. When I maximize a YouTube window, I had hoped that it would only maximize within the boundary of the segment that I set. But what actually happens is that it maximizes over the entire 3440 x 1440 monitor. What is the solution?

 

[Murissokah]

Hi there, rcald.

I happen to have this same monitor. By software all you can do is set it for multiple "snap" areas, as you already figured out. If you want to have it as two monitors, you can use two different connections to your PC. For instance, you could have both DisplayPort and HDMI connected to the same PC and then extend your desktop as a multi-monitor setup.

You have to do some fiddling, though, since as this means there are two different monitors for all intents and purposes, which means there are also two different settings. You could end up with a different tone in each area of the monitor. You can probably fix that through settings, though.

 

[rcald2000]

@Murissokah, I had forgotten that this monitor allowed for multiple simultaneous inputs. I'll search around my house for either a spare HDMI cable or a mini display-to-display cable and report back to this thread. Thank you for the suggestion.

- Rob

 

[rcald2000]

Okay, I gave it a shot. I connected both a display port cable and HDMI cable from the same video card to the same monitor. Then from the monitor menu, I selected: PBP -> PBP Model Enable -> PBP Aspect Ratio.

From there the two inputs were simulating two separate monitors. Then I had to go to Windows display settings and lower each monitor's resolution from 3440 x 1440 to 1720 x 1440; half the horizon resolution.

When I full screened a YouTube video, it did only full screen one half of the 3440 x 1440's horizontal's screen. I'm not in love with this workaround. I think a better solution for people considering getting this monitor is to leave one 1080p monitor connected in addition to this 3440 x 1440 monitor. The 1080p would be great for watching YouTube, while using the new 21:9 monitor for whatever else you're into. For many people that might be an annoying solution, since the point of many buying this display is to lesson monitors on your desk.

@Murissokah, thanks for the help. What's been your experience with the monitor?

 

[Murissokah]

Okay, I gave it a shot. I connected both a display port cable and HDMI cable from the same video card to the same monitor. Then from the monitor menu, I selected: PBP -> PBP Model Enable -> PBP Aspect Ratio.

From there the two inputs were simulating two separate monitors. Then I had to go to Windows display settings and lower each monitor's resolution from 3440 x 1440 to 1720 x 1440; half the horizon resolution.

When I full screened a YouTube video, it did only full screen one half of the 3440 x 1440's horizontal's screen. I'm not in love with this workaround. I think a better solution for people considering getting this monitor is to leave one 1080p monitor connected in addition to this 3440 x 1440 monitor. The 1080p would be great for watching YouTube, while using the new 21:9 monitor for whatever else you're into. For many people that might be an annoying solution, since the point of many buying this display is to lesson monitors on your desk.

@Murissokah, thanks for the help. What's been your experience with the monitor?

Glad to hear it worked out well!

Overall, I really like this monitor. After the honeymoon phase, I certainly see some areas that could have been better, but in all its a great piece of equipment. My summarized opinion:

Pros:

+Great image quality. The IPS high resolution screen combined with large screen estate is really impressive;

+Lots of desktop room. High resolution by itself does not translate into workable space, as cramming stuff into a 4k 25" inch monitor will make it so small that it becomes unusable. 34" on the other hand is awesome for that;

+Awesome for muti-box tasks. You can hook up a second computer (that missus' notebook you are trying to fix) and connect a second USB 3.0 uplink to it. Doing so will effectively turn the monitor into a KVM, you can press a button and switch between video inputs while also transferring your mouse and keyboard to the second box;

+21:9 aspect ratio. Movies and content made for this aspect ratio look stunning. High field of view in games that allow it makes for a very immersive experience and this monitor achieves that without bezels in the way.




Cons:

+21:9 aspect ratio. Whatever isn't made for this aspect ratio will either be distorted or not use the whole screen. This can be improved in many cases, but it's a fact the vast majority of content is 16:9 so expect some extra work;

+Controls could be better. A jog wheel or a remote wouldn't hurt. The software side does a lot with the few buttons available allowing the user to assign shortcuts and change dynamically according to the menu context, but having only 4 buttons sometimes make it a hassle to get anything done. Allowing more functions to be controlled by the OS would be even better;

+Quite a bad case of backlight bleeding in the corners. Dell states that this complies to the standard as they only guarantee the central circle of pixels. In the dark this bothers me, I might eventually get bothered enough to and open it up to try and patch this leak;

*Just remebered, when I first got the monitor, the stand had a slight tilt that bothered me. It took me a while to figure it out, but all you have to do is dettach the monitor from the stand, loosen the screws on the stand then realign it, it's pretty straightforward.