Dell S2418HN
Dell S2418NX
Dell Display Manager
User’s Guide
Model: S2418HN/S2418NX
Regulatory model: S2418Nt
Contents
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Using the Quick Settings Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Setting Basic Display Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Assigning Preset Modes to Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Applying Energy Conservation Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Organizing Windows with Easy Arrange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Managing Multiple Video Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Contents
|
3
Overview
Dell Display Manager is a Windows application used to manage a monitor
or a group of monitors. It allows manual adjustment of the displayed image,
assignment of automatic settings, energy management, window organization,
image rotation, and other features on select Dell monitors. Once installed, Dell
display manager runs each time the computer starts and its icon is placed in
the notification tray. Information about monitors connected to the computer is
displayed when you hover the mouse pointer over the notification tray icon.
NOTE: Dell Display Manager needs to use DDC/CI channel to communicate
with your monitor. Please make sure DDC/CI is enabled in the menu as below.
4
|
Overview
Using the Quick Settings Dialog
Clicking Dell Display Manager’s notification tray icon opens the Quick Settings
dialog box. When more than one supported Dell model is connected to the
system, a specific target monitor can be selected using the menu provided.
The Quick Settings dialog box allows convenient adjustment of the monitor’s
brightness and contrast levels. You can manually select a preset mode or enable
automatic selection of a preset mode depending on the active application.
The Quick Settings dialog box also provides access to Dell display manager’s
advanced user interface, which is used to adjust basic functions, configure Auto
Mode, and access other features.
Using the Quick Settings Dialog
|
5
Setting Basic Display Functions
A preset mode for the selected monitor can be manually applied using the
menu on the Basic tab. Alternatively, Auto Mode can be enabled. Auto Mode
causes your preferred preset mode to be applied automatically when specific
applications are active. A message momentarily appears on the screen showing
the selected preset mode.
The selected monitor’s brightness and contrast can also be directly adjusted
from the Basic tab.
6
|
Setting Basic Display Functions
Assigning Preset Modes to Applications
The Auto Mode tab allows you to associate a specific preset mode with a
specific application, and apply it automatically. When Auto Mode is enabled,
Dell Display Manager automatically switches to the corresponding preset mode
whenever the associated application is activated. The preset mode assigned to
a particular application may be the same on each connected monitor, or it can
vary from one monitor to the next.
Dell Display Manager is pre-configured for many popular applications. To add
a new application to the assignment list, simply drag the application from the
desktop, Windows Start Menu, or elsewhere, and drop it onto the current list.
NOTE: Preset mode assignments targeting batch files, scripts, and
loaders, as well as non-executable files such as zip archives or packed
files, are not supported and will be ineffective.
In addition an option can be enabled that activates the Game preset mode when
a Direct3D application is run in full-screen mode. To override this behavior for
individual game titles, add them to the assignment list with a different Preset
Mode. Applications present in the assignment list take priority over the general
Direct3D setting.
Assigning Preset Modes to Applications
|
7
Applying Energy Conservation Features
On supported Dell models, an Options tab is available to provide PowerNap
energy conservation options. When the screensaver activates, the monitor’s
Brightness can automatically be set to minimum level or the monitor can be put
to sleep in order to save additional power.
8
|
Applying Energy Conservation Features
Organizing Windows with Easy Arrange
Some Dell models feature Easy Arrange, which allows the selected monitor’s
desktop to be organized into various predefined or custom window layouts.
When Easy Arrange is enabled, windows can easily be repositioned and resized
automatically to fill specific regions within a window layout.
To get started with Easy Arrange, choose a target monitor and select one of the
predefined layouts. The regions for that layout are displayed momentarily on the
monitor. Next, drag an open window across the monitor. While the window is
being dragged, the current window layout is displayed and an active region gets
highlighted as the window passes over it. At any time, drop the window into the
active region to place the window in that region.
To create a custom window layout, size and position the windows
(maximum 10) on the desktop and then click the Save link in Easy Arrange. The
size and position of the windows is saved as a custom layout and the custom
layout icon is created.
NOTE: This option does not save or remember the applications that are
open. Only the size and position of the windows is saved.
Organizing Windows with Easy Arrange
|
9
To use the custom layout, select the custom layout icon. To delete the currently
saved custom layout, close all windows on the desktop and then click the Save
link in Easy Arrange.
10
|
Organizing Windows with Easy Arrange
Managing Multiple Video Inputs
The Input Manager tab provides convenient ways for you to manage multiple
video inputs connected to your Dell monitor. It makes it very easy to switch
between inputs while you work with multiple computers.
All video input ports available to your monitor are listed. You can give each input
a name as you like. Please save your changes after editing.
You can define a shortcut key to quickly switch to your favorite input and
another shortcut key to quickly switch between two inputs if you often work
between them.
Managing Multiple Video Inputs
|
11
You can use the dropdown list to switch to any input source.
NOTE: DDM communicates with your monitor even when the monitor
is displaying video from another computer. You can install DDM on the
PC you frequently use and control input switching from it. You may also
install DDM on other PCs connected to the monitor.
12
|
Managing Multiple Video Inputs
Troubleshooting
If DDM cannot work with your monitor, DDM will show below icon in your
notification tray.
Click on the icon, DDM shows a more detailed error message.
Please note that DDM only works with Dell branded monitors. If you are using
monitors from other manufacturers, DDM doesn’t support them.
If DDM is unable to detect and/or communicate with a supported Dell monitor,
please take below actions to troubleshoot:
1. Make sure the video cable is properly connected to your monitor and your
PC, especially the connectors should be firmly inserted into position.
2. Check the monitor OSD to ensure DDC/CI is enabled.
3. Make sure you have the correct and latest display driver from the graphics
vendor (Intel, AMD, NVidia, etc.). Display driver is often the cause of DDM
failure.
4. Remove any docking stations or cable extenders or converters between
the monitor and the graphics port. Some low-cost extenders, hubs or
converters may not support DDC/CI properly and can fail DDM. Update
the driver of such device if the latest version is available.
5. Restart your system.
DDM may not work with below monitors:
• Dell monitor models earlier than year 2013 and D-series of Dell monitors.
You can refer to Dell Product Support websites for more information.
• Gaming monitors using Nvidia-based G-sync technology.
• Virtual and wireless displays do not support DDC/CI.
• Some early models of DP 1.2 monitors, it may be necessary to disable
MST/DP 1.2 using the monitor OSD.
Troubleshooting
|
13
If your PC is connected to the Internet, you will be prompted with a message
when a newer version of DDM application is available. It is recommended to
download and install the latest DDM application.
You may also check for new version by right clicking on DDM icon while
pressing and holding ‘shift’ key.
14
|
Troubleshooting
|