We have been lucky to find the best Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter that features 4K support, high-quality connector, and durable. Every Microsoft device including Surface Pro series, Surface 3, Surface Book and Surface Dock are using Mini DisplayPort for connecting to external displays.
SEE ALSO:
- Best Active Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter for Microsoft Surface
- Best Active Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort for Microsoft Surface
Active vs Passive Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter
When you are looking for an adapter to convert from Mini DisplayPort to DVI for your Surface devices, you need to know what is different between passive and active adapter.
There are a lot of users who experience problems when they try to connect dual external displays to their Surface Dock. The main reason is Surface Dock doesn’t support dual-mode Display (DP++). The DP++ can dynamically convert the signal from Mini DisplayPort to DVI. So Surface Dock need an active adapter that has a special chip for signal conversion.
Generally, an active adapter is more expensive than a passive adapter. However, if you have a Surface Dock, then the active adapter will be a required accessory. Here are the best active adapters that allow your Surface devices to output up to 4K display.
Best Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapters for Microsoft Surface | ||
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1. Cable Matters Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (Active Mini DP to DVI) Supporting Eyefinity Technology By Cable Matters
$15.99 $21.99 27% OFF |
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2. gofanco Mini DP to DVI Active Mini Displayport 1.2 to DVI-D Single Link Adapter Converter Thunderbolt 2, Eyefinity Compatible, Multiple Screens Supported for Gaming, Up to 4K @ 30Hz (See Bullet 2) By gofanco
$6.88 |
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3. StarTech.com Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter - 1080p - Single Link - Active - Mini DP (Thunderbolt) to DVI Monitor Adapter (MDP2DVIS), Black Active By StarTech
$29.99 $44.99 33% OFF |
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1 Cable Matters Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI
-27%To start with, the Microsoft Surface team recommends this Cable Matters gold plated Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter for use with the Surface devices especially the Surface Dock. This active adapter allows your Surface devices output up to 1920 x 1200 or 1080p resolution to your HDTVs, monitors or projectors via DVI port.
This cable features a lightweight and portable design and durable gold-plated connectors for improving data transmission. This active adapter allows your Surface Dock to connect to a dual 1080p display without any problems. This adapter also supports AMD Eyefinity multi-display technology and compatible with all Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt Port 2 that available on Surface/Mac/PC and tablets. This adapter is not compatible with the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port.
2 gofanco® Active Gold Plated Mini DisplayPort to DVI Converter 4K
The next one is the GOFANCO Active Gold Plated Mini DisplayPort to DVI Convert adapter. This active adapter is also recommended by the Microsoft Surface team. This active adapter is designed to compatible with Microsoft Surface Dock and AMD Eyefinity graphics adapter.
It has been tested to support resolution up to 1080p @60Hz or 4K (3840×2160) @30Hz. For resolutions above 1920×1200 60Hz, you will require monitors to support DVI-D single link speed of 340 MHz. It compatible with all Surface Pro series, Surface 3, Surface Book, other ultrabooks and laptops with a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port output.
3 StarTech MDP2DVIS Mini DisplayPort to DVI Active Adapter
-33%The last one is the StarTech.com active Mini DisplayPort to DVI active adapter. This active adapter supports Mini DisplayPort 1.1a while also backward compatible with mDP 1.0. This adapter will convert Mini DisplayPort to DVI while maintaining the high quality of the picture.
This active adapter is capable of resolution up to 1920×1200 or 1080p. It offers an active conversion for graphics adapters that are not capable of outputting multi-mode DP++ such as Surface Dock or AMD Eyefinity graphics adapter. It is also compatible with all tablets, ultrabooks, and laptops with a Mini DisplayPort Output and HDMI-enabled HDTV, monitors and projectors.
Conclusion
Those are the best Active Mini DisplayPort to DVI Converter adapter that works perfectly with your Microsoft Surface devices and Surface Dock. With GOFANCO active adapter will bring you the full 4K resolution to your 4K TVs and monitors if those display support DVI-D with the single link speed of 340Hz. Finally, any of those adapters will allow your Surface Dock to connect to two additional displays without any problems.
Please kindly share with us any problems you experienced with our recommended active adapters in the comments section below.
COMMENTS
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Hi,
thank you for this information. I was about to order two surface docks for my home office and my business.
I my business im using two external displays with HDMI. In my home office however I’m using two external displays to connect with DVI.
The surface dock has quite a few other benefits I don’t want to miss (e.g. power cord included, USB, LAN).
So, could you recommend a solution where I can use two external screens?
Are active mDP/DVI adapters sufficient for this task?
Do I have to mind anything with mDP/HDMI adapters?
Evan, thank you for your efforts. I really like this page.
Regards,
Stef
Thank Stef for reading my article. Here is my recommendation:
1. At your home, you will need 2 active mDP/DVI adapters for connecting your Surface Dock to both DVI Monitors.
2. At your business, you will also need 2 active mDP/HDMI (https://surfacetip.com/best-active-mini-displayport-hdmi-adapter/) for connecting your Surface Dock to both HDMI Monitors.
I hope this will help you. I personally also have this setup at my home.
Thanks for the useful info. Your article only specifically mentions adapters for use with the Surface Dock. Which of these would work WITHOUT the Surface Dock, connected directly to the mini DP port of my Surface Pro 3?
Thank you.