Dell E2222HS: Dell Display Manager User's Guide
Monitor Model: E2222HS
Regulatory Model: E2222HSf
Overview
Dell Display Manager (DDM) is a Microsoft Windows application designed to manage a single monitor or a group of monitors. It facilitates manual image adjustment, automatic settings assignment, energy management, window organization, image rotation, and other features for compatible Dell monitors.
Upon installation, DDM launches automatically with the system and places its icon in the notification tray. Hovering over this icon provides information about connected monitors.
? NOTE: Dell Display Manager utilizes the DDC/CI channel for communication with your monitor. Ensure that DDC/CI is enabled within the monitor's on-screen display (OSD) menu.
[Image Description: Screenshot of the Dell 22 Monitor OSD menu showing options like Brightness/Contrast, Input Source, Color, Audio, and a section for DDC/CI which is set to 'On'.]
Using the Quick Settings Dialog
To access the Quick Settings dialog box, click the Dell Display Manager's notification tray icon. If multiple Dell monitors are connected, you can select a specific monitor from a menu. This dialog allows for convenient adjustment of the monitor's brightness and contrast levels. Users can choose between Manual Mode or Auto Mode, and the screen resolution can also be modified.
The Quick Settings dialog also provides access to DDM's advanced user interface for adjusting basic functions, configuring auto mode, and accessing other features.
[Image Description: Screenshot of the Dell Display Manager Quick Settings dialog box. It shows fields for Display selection (Dell E2222HS), Resolution (1920x1080), options for Auto Mode and Manual Mode, sliders for Brightness and Contrast (set to 75%), and a section for 'Recently used' window layouts. A button to 'Open Dell Display Manager' is also visible.]
Quick DDM Access
| Feature | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Quick DDM Access | Quick key to call up DDM UI |
|
| Control individual monitor in multiple monitor setup |
|
Setting Basic Display Functions
You can select either Manual Mode, which allows manual selection of a preset mode, or Auto Mode, which applies a preset mode based on the active application. An on-screen message indicates when the current preset mode changes. The selected monitor's Brightness and Contrast can also be adjusted directly from the 'Basic' tab.
? NOTE: When multiple Dell monitors are connected, select "Enable display matrix control" to apply brightness, contrast, and color preset controls to all monitors simultaneously.
[Image Description: Two screenshots of the Dell Display Manager's 'Basic' tab. The first shows the default view with Brightness and Contrast sliders. The second screenshot, labeled with the note, shows the same tab with an additional checkbox for "Enable display matrix control".]
Assigning Preset Modes to Applications
The 'Auto Mode' tab enables users to associate a specific Preset Mode with a particular application, applying it automatically. When Auto Mode is active, DDM switches to the corresponding Preset Mode whenever the associated application is launched. The assigned Preset Mode can be consistent across all connected monitors or vary individually.
DDM comes pre-configured with many popular applications. To add a new application to the assignment list, drag it from the desktop, Windows Start Menu, or another location and drop it onto the current list.
? NOTE: Preset Mode assignments are not supported for batch files, scripts, loaders, or non-executable files like zip archives or packed files.
The Game preset mode can be configured for Direct3D applications running in full-screen mode. To prevent an application from using a specific mode, assign a different preset mode to it.
[Image Description: Screenshot of the Dell Display Manager's 'Auto Mode' tab. It shows a list of applications, including "(Default for desktop apps)", "(Default for fullscreen Direct3D)", and specific applications like "Adobe Acrobat Reader DC", "Internet Explorer", and "Microsoft Edge". Each application has a dropdown menu next to it to select a 'Preset Mode' (e.g., Standard, Warm).]
Organizing Windows with Easy Arrange
Easy Arrange helps users efficiently organize application windows on their desktop. The process involves selecting a pre-defined layout pattern that suits the user's workflow, then dragging application windows into the designated zones. Users can find more layouts by pressing the ">" key or using the Page Up/Page Down keys. To create a custom layout, arrange the open windows as desired and click 'Save'.
For Windows 10 users, different window layouts can be applied to each virtual desktop. If the Windows snap feature is frequently used, selecting "Hold down the SHIFT key to enable zone positioning" gives Windows snap priority over Easy Arrange. In this case, the Shift key must be pressed to use Easy Arrange positioning.
[Image Description: Screenshot of the Dell Display Manager's 'Easy Arrange' tab. It displays a grid of various predefined window layout patterns. Users can select a layout and drag application windows into the zones. Options include "Overlap transparent borders" and "Hold down the SHIFT key to enable zone positioning".]
Easy Arrange (Continued)
For monitors arranged in an array or matrix, Easy Arrange layouts can span across all monitors, treating them as a single desktop. Enabling the "Span multiple monitors" option facilitates this feature, requiring proper monitor alignment for effective use.
? NOTE: Some applications require a minimum effective resolution for their windows. If an Easy Arrange zone is smaller than the required window size, the application may not fit correctly.
[Image Description: Two screenshots of the Dell Display Manager's 'Easy Arrange' tab. The first shows the layout selection grid. The second shows the same grid with the "Span multiple monitors" checkbox enabled.]
Advanced Easy Arrange Usage
| Feature | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced Easy Arrange | Custom layouts |
|
| 5 MRU (Most Recently Used) layouts | Press Ctrl+Shift+Home to cycle through the last 5 MRU layouts. | |
| On-the-fly partition resizing |
|
Managing Multiple Video Inputs
The 'Input Manager' tab offers convenient ways to manage multiple video inputs connected to a Dell monitor, simplifying switching between inputs when working with multiple computers. All available video input ports are listed, and users can assign custom names to each input. Changes can be saved after editing.
Users can define shortcut keys for quick switching to favorite inputs or between two specific inputs if frequently used.
[Image Description: Screenshot of the Dell Display Manager's 'Input Manager' tab. It lists 'Input port' (VGA, DP, HDMI), 'Input name' (with fields to click and edit), and sections for 'Favorite input shortcut key' and 'Input switch shortcut key'. Users can select inputs like VGA and HDMI for these shortcuts.]
Managing Multiple Video Inputs (Continued)
The dropdown list allows switching to any available input source. Users can also use the dropdown list to switch to any available input source.
? NOTE: DDM can communicate with your monitor even when the monitor is displaying video from another computer. DDM can be installed on the computer used most frequently to control input switching. It can also be installed on other computers connected to the monitor.
[Image Description: A continuation of the 'Input Manager' tab screenshot, showing the dropdown list for selecting input sources (VGA, DP, HDMI).]
Restoring Application Positions
DDM assists in restoring application windows to their previous positions when reconnecting the computer to the monitor(s). This feature can be accessed by right-clicking the DDM icon in the notification tray.
If "Auto-restore window layout" is selected, DDM tracks and remembers the positions of application windows. DDM automatically places these windows back into their original positions upon reconnecting the PC to the monitor(s).
[Image Description: Screenshot of the DDM notification tray context menu, showing options like "Open Dell Display Manager", "Attach to active window", "Save current window layout", "Restore saved window layout", and "Auto-restore window layout".]
Restoring Application Positions (Continued)
To revert to a previously saved layout after rearranging windows, users can first select "Save current window layout" and then "Restore saved window layout".
DDM supports using monitors with different models or resolutions, and can apply different window layouts to them. DDM identifies the reconnected monitor and restores application positions accordingly. If a monitor needs replacement in a matrix configuration, the window layout can be saved beforehand and restored after the new monitor is installed.
? NOTE: Applications must remain running to benefit from this feature. DDM does not launch applications.
[Image Description: Another screenshot of the DDM notification tray context menu, similar to the previous one, highlighting the "Save current window layout" and "Restore saved window layout" options.]
Attaching DDM to Active Windows (Windows 10)
For Windows 10 users, the DDM shortcut icon can be added to the toolbar region of active windows. To enable this, right-click the DDM icon in the notification tray and select "Attach to active window" from the menu.
Clicking the icon in the toolbar reveals a quick menu with options for Auto Mode and Easy Arrange, facilitating easy adjustments.
[Image Description: Screenshot of the DDM notification tray context menu with "Attach to active window..." selected. Below it, a quick menu appears when the DDM icon is clicked in the toolbar, showing options like "Move window to" with sub-options for Fullscreen, Top half, Top right, Right half, etc.]
Applying Energy Conservation Features
On supported Dell models, the 'Options' tab provides 'PowerNap' energy conservation settings. Users can choose to set the monitor's brightness to the minimum level or put the monitor to sleep when the screensaver is activated.
Other Shortcut Keys
Shortcut keys can be defined for quick access to DDM functions:
- Program shortcut key: Opens the Quick Settings dialog box.
- Easy Arrange MRU shortcut key: Quickly applies the 5 most recently used window layouts.
- Application window shortcut key: Launches a quick menu for options under Auto Mode and Easy Arrange.
[Image Description: Screenshot of the Dell Display Manager's 'Options' tab. It shows 'PowerNap options' with radio buttons for "Reduce brightness when screensaver activates" and "Put the display to sleep when screensaver activates". Below this are fields for defining shortcut keys: "Program shortcut key" (Ctrl + Shift + D), "Easy Arrange MRU shortcut key" (Ctrl + Shift + Home), and "Application window shortcut key" (Ctrl + Shift + Num 0).]
Troubleshooting
If DDM does not function correctly with your monitor, an icon will appear in the notification tray indicating an issue.
Clicking this icon displays a more detailed error message.
[Image Description: Two screenshots showing DDM error states. The first shows the notification tray icon with the message "Please connect a supported Dell monitor". The second shows a pop-up error dialog titled "Dell Display Manager Error" stating "This program requires a supported Dell monitor and connection, and compatible display driver".]
Please note that DDM is exclusively compatible with Dell branded monitors. It does not support monitors from other manufacturers.
If DDM fails to detect or communicate with a supported Dell monitor, follow these troubleshooting steps:
- Verify that the video cable is securely connected between the monitor and the computer, ensuring connectors are firmly inserted.
- Check the monitor's OSD to confirm that DDC/CI is enabled.
- Ensure the correct graphics card driver from the vendor (e.g., Intel, AMD, NVIDIA) is installed, as graphics driver issues are a common cause of DDM failure.
- Remove any docking stations, cable extenders, or converters situated between the monitor and the graphics port. Some low-cost extenders, hubs, or converters may not properly support DDC/CI, leading to DDM failure. Update the driver for such devices if a newer version is available.
- Restart your computer.
Troubleshooting (Continued)
DDM may not function with certain monitors, including:
- Dell monitor models shipped before 2013 and D-series Dell monitors. For more information, visit www.dell.com/support/monitors.
- Gaming monitors utilizing Nvidia-based G-sync technology.
- Virtual and wireless displays, as they do not support DDC/CI.
- Some early models of DP 1.2 monitors may require disabling MST/DP 1.2 through the monitor's OSD.
If your computer is connected to the internet, you will be prompted to upgrade to a new version of DDM when available. Downloading and installing the latest DDM application is recommended.
You can also check for new versions by right-clicking the DDM icon while pressing and holding the Shift key.
[Image Description: Screenshot of the DDM notification tray context menu, showing options like "Refresh...", "Save monitor asset report...", "Save diagnostic report...", and checkboxes for "Auto-load at startup" and "Onscreen notifications".]
