Dell C2422HE/C2722DE Display Manager User Guide

Overview

Dell Display Manager (DDM) is a Microsoft Windows application designed to manage one or multiple Dell displays. It offers features such as manual image adjustment, automatic preset mode assignment, energy management, window configuration, and image rotation. After installation, DDM operates automatically upon system startup and displays its icon in the notification area. Hovering over the notification area icon provides information about the connected Dell displays.

The application supports various Dell display models. For example, the C2422HE and C2722DE models are shown with their respective default display settings within the DDM interface.

Note: Dell Display Manager communicates with the display using the DDC/CI channel. Ensure that DDC/CI is enabled in the monitor's menu for the application to function correctly.

Using the Quick Settings Dialog

Clicking the Dell Display Manager notification area icon opens the Quick Settings dialog. If multiple supported Dell displays are connected to the computer, you can select a specific target display from a menu. The Quick Settings dialog allows for easy adjustment of brightness, contrast, resolution, and window configuration. It also enables automatic switching between preset modes or manual selection of preset modes.

You can also access the advanced user interface of Dell Display Manager through the Quick Settings dialog to adjust basic functions, configure auto mode, and access other features.

Key Features:

• Quick DDM Access: Use the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+D to launch the DDM UI.
• Easy Arrange Navigation: Use the Page Up/Page Down keys or the '>' key to browse through Easy Arrange configurations.
• Individual Display Control: Select a specific display from a dropdown menu. An icon appears on the selected display for one second to confirm your selection if multiple displays are connected.
• Self-test Function: Perform a self-test check for the display.
• Move DDM UI: Move the DDM UI to the display you wish to control.
• Mini UI: Press Ctrl+Shift+D to launch a mini UI below the mouse pointer.

Setting Basic Display Functions

You can choose Manual Mode to manually select preset modes or Auto Mode to apply preset modes based on the active application. On-screen messages indicate the current preset mode when it changes. Brightness and Contrast settings for the selected display can also be adjusted directly from the Basic tab.

Note: When multiple Dell displays are connected, selecting 'Enable display matrix control' allows brightness, contrast, and preset color controls to be applied to all displays simultaneously.

Assigning Preset Modes to Applications

The Auto Mode tab allows you to associate specific Preset Modes with particular applications. When Auto Mode is enabled, Dell Display Manager automatically switches to the corresponding Preset Mode when the associated application launches. The assigned Preset Mode can be the same or different for each connected display.

Dell Display Manager provides preset settings for many popular applications. To add new applications to the assignment list, simply drag the application from your desktop, the Windows Start Menu, or any location onto the current list.

Note: The system does not support assigning preset modes to batch files, scripts, loaders, or Zip archives and compressed files.

You can also configure the system to use the Game preset mode for applications running in full-screen mode via Direct3D. To prevent applications from using this mode, assign a different preset mode to them.

Configuring Windows with Easy Arrange

Easy Arrange helps you efficiently arrange application windows on your desktop. First, select a predefined layout suitable for your task, then drag application windows into the defined zones. Press '>' or use the Page Up/Page Down keys to find more layouts. To create a custom layout, arrange your windows as desired and click Save.

When using multiple displays in an array or matrix, Easy Arrange configurations can be applied across all displays to create a unified desktop. Enable the 'Span multiple monitors' option for this functionality. For effective use, displays must be properly aligned.

Note: For optimal use of Easy Arrange, ensure that application windows have a minimum effective resolution. If an Easy Arrange zone is smaller than the required window size for certain applications, the application may not fit the zone.

Advanced Easy Arrange Usage:

• Custom Layouts: Save and name up to 5 custom Easy Arrange layouts. Configure x*y layouts.
• MRU Configurations: Use Ctrl+Shift+Home to cycle through the 5 most recently used (MRU) configurations.
• Adjusting Split Zone Size: Hold Ctrl and adjust the current Easy Arrange configuration to resize individual cells and their count. New Easy Arrange layouts are saved to the Easy Arrange icon location. Pressing Ctrl and clicking the modified layout icon restores it to the default configuration.
• Portrait Mode Layouts: Easy Arrange layouts are displayed in portrait mode when the monitor is rotated.

Note: If you frequently use Windows Snap functionality, you can enable 'Hold down the SHIFT key to enable zone positioning'. This prioritizes Windows Snap over Easy Arrange. To use Easy Arrange positioning, simply press the Shift key.

Managing Multiple Video Inputs

The Input Manager tab allows convenient management of multiple video inputs connected to your Dell display. When working with multiple computers, you can easily switch between different inputs.

All available video input ports on the display are listed. You can assign custom names to each input. Save your changes after editing. You can define shortcut keys to quickly switch to frequently used inputs, or define a separate shortcut key for rapid switching between two specific inputs.

The application also includes a KVM wizard to help set up multi-PC input and USB switching. Follow the wizard steps to select the number of computers, video input ports, USB upstream ports, and assign friendly names to each PC.

Note: DDM continues to communicate with the display even when it is showing video from another computer. You can install DDM on the primary computer and use it to control input switching, or install DDM on other computers connected to the display.

Restoring Application Positions

When reconnecting your computer to the display, DDM can help restore application window positions. Access this feature by right-clicking the DDM icon in the notification area.

Selecting 'Auto-restore window layout' allows DDM to track and remember your application window positions. Upon reconnecting the computer to the display, DDM will automatically place application windows back into their original positions.

To revert to a preferred layout, select 'Save current window layout', and then choose 'Restore saved window layout'.

DDM can recognize different displays and restore the corresponding application positions. This is useful if you use displays with different resolutions or configurations.

Note: For this feature to work, the applications must be running. DDM does not launch applications.

Applying Power Saving Features

On supported Dell models, the Options tab provides PowerNap energy-saving options. You can choose to reduce the display brightness to the minimum level or put the display to sleep when the screensaver activates.

Other Shortcuts

You can define shortcut keys to quickly access various DDM functions:

• Program Shortcut Key: Quickly launch the Quick Settings dialog.
• Easy Arrange MRU Shortcut Key: Quickly apply the 5 most recently used window configurations.
• Application Window Shortcut Key: Launch the quick option menu for Auto Mode and Easy Arrange.

Attaching DDM to Active Windows (Windows 10 Only)

The DDM icon can be attached to the active window for easy access to its features. Right-clicking the attached icon provides quick access to functions like switching window positions, changing color preset modes, and associating auto preset modes.

Pressing Ctrl+Shift+Ins on an active application window also triggers the attached DDM menu.

You can move application windows between Easy Arrange zones or between different displays using this feature.

Troubleshooting

If DDM fails to work with your display, DDM will show specific icons in the notification area. An error message may appear stating, 'This program requires a supported Dell monitor and connection, and compatible display driver.' Please note that DDM is designed exclusively for Dell brand monitors. It is not supported for displays from other manufacturers.

If DDM cannot detect or communicate with a supported Dell display, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Ensure video cables are securely connected to both the display and the computer.
2. Check the display's On-Screen Display (OSD) menu to confirm that DDC/CI is enabled.
3. Obtain the latest display drivers from your graphics card manufacturer (Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, etc.). Outdated or incorrect display drivers are a common cause of DDM issues.
4. Remove any docking stations, extension cables, or hubs between the display and the graphics card port. Some inexpensive extension cables, hubs, or hubs may not properly support DDC/CI and can cause DDM to malfunction. If a newer version is available, update the device's driver.
5. Restart your computer.

DDM may not be compatible with the following displays:

• Dell monitors manufactured before 2013, and Dell D series monitors. For more information, visit www.dell.com/support/monitors.
• Gaming monitors using Nvidia G-sync technology.
• Virtual and wireless displays that do not support DDC/CI.
• Some older DP 1.2 displays may require disabling MST/DP 1.2 via the monitor's OSD.

If your computer is connected to the internet, the system will prompt you to upgrade when a newer version of DDM is available. It is recommended to download and install the latest DDM application. You can also right-click the DDM icon to check for new versions.