DisplayPort MST, or Multi-Stream Transport, is a technology that has transformed the way we connect and utilize multiple monitors.
Introduced with the DP1.2 standard, MST enables users to connect multiple displays to a single video output, offering a seamless and efficient multi-monitor experience.
By splitting a single video signal into multiple streams, MST allows each monitor to display independent content. This means that you can connect your laptop or desktop to multiple monitors using just one DP port, eliminating the need for additional video outputs.
What is MST?
Multi-Stream Transport (MST) is a DisplayPort technology that enables the connection multiple monitors to a single video output. It was initially made available with the DP1.2 standard.
DisplayPort MST splits a single video signal into multiple streams and displays it independently on different displays. Users can thus utilise a single DP port to connect their laptop or desktop to multiple monitors. SST (Single-Stream Transport) only supports one video stream to one monitor as compared to MST.
It was initially made available with the DP1.2 standard.
DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport allows for a single video signal to be divided into multiple streams, each of which can then be displayed on a separate monitor.
As a result, users can use a single DP port to connect their laptop or desktop to multiple monitors. SST (Single-Stream Transport) only offers one video stream to one monitor, in contrast to MST.
How Does MST Work?
DisplayPort MST utilizes a daisy-chaining method to connect monitors to an MST-supported laptop or PC.
![How Does MST Work?](https://mimlearnovate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-120.png)
In order to receive the video signal and send it to further displays in a daisy-chain configuration, the setup’s monitors must have MST functionality.
Benefits of Using MST
The benefits of using DisplayPort MST are numerous.
- Firstly, it greatly enhances productivity by expanding your workspace and providing more screen real estate for multitasking.
- With multiple independent displays, you can seamlessly work on different applications, documents, or projects simultaneously. This is particularly advantageous for professionals in fields such as graphic design, video editing, programming, and financial analysis, where having ample screen space is essential.
- Additionally, MST offers a streamlined and organized cable management solution. Instead of dealing with a mess of cables, daisy-chaining multiple monitors allows for a cleaner setup, reducing cable clutter and making your workstation more visually appealing.
Requirements for Using DP MST
Before you can connect multiple monitors with DP MST, there are a few requirements to keep in mind.
- The laptop or desktop you want to connect to the monitors needs to have a port that supports DP MST.
- Secondly, the monitors support MST, have the feature enabled, and have an MST Output port for daisy-chaining (the last monitor does not need to support MST).
- Thirdly, your laptop’s or computer’s graphics card needs to enable DisplayPort MST.
There are situations when Thunderbolt or a USB-C port will also support DisplayPort MST. This is due to the fact that this USB port is built with DP Alt Mode and also supports MST.
However, if you have a MacBook, you might be disappointed to learn that this multi-monitor setup is not compatible with it because it only supports DP SST.
One USB-C cable can be used to connect your laptop to two monitors when using this AV Access USB-C dual monitor KVM switch, which supports Type-C MST.
The physical shape of the connector, known as USB-C, can be built with any of the USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, or Thunderbolt 3 standards or protocols.
HDMI and DisplayPort
In most setups, HDMI is a highly compatible standard while DisplayPort is a highly compatible video connector type. Gamers could struggle to choose, say, between DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1.
You could learn about DisplayPort and HDMI and then decide that best meets your needs.