Dell P2018H Dell Display Manager User's Guide

Overview

Dell Display Manager (DDM) is a Windows application designed to manage a monitor or a group of monitors. It facilitates manual adjustment of the displayed image, assignment of automatic settings, energy management, window organization, image rotation, and other features on select Dell monitors. Upon installation, DDM launches automatically with the computer and its icon appears in the notification tray. Hovering the mouse pointer over the notification tray icon displays information about connected monitors.

NOTE: Dell Display Manager requires the DDC/CI channel to communicate with your monitor. Ensure DDC/CI is enabled in the monitor's menu.

Visual Description: A screenshot of the Dell Display Manager interface shows the monitor name 'Dell 20 Monitor' and a list of settings including 'Brightness / Contrast', 'Auto Adjust', 'Input Source', 'Color', 'Display', 'Menu', 'Personalize', and 'Others'. A sub-menu is visible, displaying 'Display Info', 'DDC/CI' with 'On' selected, 'LCD Conditioning', 'Reset Others', and 'Factory Reset'.

Using the Quick Settings Dialog

Clicking the Dell Display Manager notification tray icon opens the Quick Settings dialog box. If multiple supported Dell monitors are connected, a specific target monitor can be selected from a provided menu. The Quick Settings dialog box allows for convenient adjustment of the monitor's brightness and contrast levels. Users can manually select a preset mode or enable automatic selection of a preset mode based on the active application.

The Quick Settings dialog box also provides access to Dell Display Manager's advanced user interface for adjusting basic functions, configuring Auto Mode, and accessing other features.

Visual Description: A screenshot of the 'Quick Settings' dialog box for Dell Display Manager displays the selected monitor as 'Dell P2018H' with a resolution of '1600x900'. Options for 'Auto Mode' and 'Manual Mode' are presented, along with sliders for 'Brightness' and 'Contrast' set to 75%. Buttons include 'Change', 'Configure', and 'Open Dell Display Manager'.

Setting Basic Display Functions

A preset mode for the selected monitor can be manually applied via the menu on the 'Basic' tab. Alternatively, 'Auto Mode' can be enabled, which automatically applies your preferred preset mode when specific applications are active. A brief on-screen message indicates the selected preset mode. The monitor's brightness and contrast can also be adjusted directly from the 'Basic' tab.

Visual Description: A screenshot of the 'Dell Display Manager' application shows the 'Basic' tab selected. It displays the monitor model 'Dell P2018H' and resolution '1600x900'. Radio buttons for 'Auto Mode' (with a description 'Use preset mode assignments for active applications') and 'Manual Mode' (with a dropdown to 'Choose a preset mode') are visible. Sliders for 'Brightness' and 'Contrast' are set to 75%.

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 switches to the corresponding preset mode whenever the associated application is activated. The preset mode assigned to an application can be consistent across all connected monitors or vary between them.

Dell Display Manager comes pre-configured for many popular applications. To add a new application to the assignment list, drag the application from the desktop, Windows Start Menu, or another location and drop it onto the list.

NOTE: Preset mode assignments for batch files, scripts, loaders, and non-executable files like zip archives or packed files are not supported and will be ineffective.

An option is available to activate the 'Game' preset mode when a Direct3D application runs in full-screen mode. To override this for specific game titles, add them to the assignment list with a different Preset Mode. Applications listed in the assignment list take priority over the general Direct3D setting.

Visual Description: A screenshot of the 'Dell Display Manager' application's 'Auto Mode' tab displays a list for assigning preset modes to applications. Entries include '(Default for desktop apps)' with 'Standard' preset, '(Default for fullscreen Direct3D)' with 'Game' preset, '(Default for universal Windows apps)' with 'Standard' preset, 'Internet Explorer' with 'Standard' preset, and 'Microsoft Edge' with 'Standard' preset. A note indicates that applications in the list take priority over the general Direct3D setting.

Applying Energy Conservation Features

On supported Dell models, the 'Options' tab provides 'PowerNap' energy conservation options. When the screensaver activates, the monitor's brightness can be automatically set to a minimum level, or the monitor can be put into sleep mode to save additional power.

Visual Description: A screenshot of the 'Dell Display Manager' application's 'Options' tab shows 'PowerNap options'. Two checkboxes are available: 'Reduce brightness when screensaver activates' and 'Put the display to sleep when screensaver activates'.

Managing Multiple Video Inputs

The 'Input Manager' tab offers convenient ways to manage multiple video inputs connected to your Dell monitor, making it easy to switch between inputs when working with multiple computers. All available video input ports are listed, and each input can be given a custom name. Changes should be saved after editing.

Users can define a shortcut key to quickly switch to a favorite input and another shortcut key to switch between two specific inputs if frequent switching is required.

Visual Description: A screenshot of the 'Dell Display Manager' application's 'Input Manager' tab lists input ports: 'VGA' named 'My_Win10', 'DP (Active)' named 'My_MacBook', and 'HDMI' named 'My_Linux'. Below this, fields for 'Favorite input shortcut key' (e.g., Ctrl + Alt + 1) and 'Input switch shortcut key' (e.g., Ctrl + Alt + 2) are shown, with dropdowns to select specific inputs.

Visual Description: A dropdown menu within the 'Input Manager' tab shows available input sources: 'HDMI - My_Linux' and 'DP - My_MacBook'.

NOTE: DDM communicates with your monitor even when the monitor is displaying video from another computer. DDM can be installed on the PC you frequently use to control input switching, and can also be installed on other PCs connected to the monitor.

Troubleshooting

If DDM cannot work with your monitor, an icon will appear in your notification tray indicating the issue.

Clicking the icon displays a more detailed error message.

Note: DDM functions exclusively with Dell branded monitors. It is not supported for monitors from other manufacturers.

If DDM is unable to detect or communicate with a supported Dell monitor, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Ensure the video cable is properly connected to your monitor and PC, with connectors firmly inserted.
2. Check the monitor's On-Screen Display (OSD) to confirm DDC/CI is enabled.
3. Verify that you have the correct and latest display driver from your graphics vendor (e.g., Intel, AMD, NVidia). Display driver issues are a common cause of DDM failure.
4. Remove any docking stations, cable extenders, or converters between the monitor and the graphics port. Some low-cost accessories may not properly support DDC/CI and can cause DDM to fail. Update the driver for such devices if a newer version is available.
5. Restart your system.

DDM may not function with certain monitors, including:

• Dell monitor models released before 2013 and D-series Dell monitors. Refer to Dell Product Support websites for more information.
• Gaming monitors utilizing Nvidia-based G-sync technology.
• Virtual and wireless displays, which do not support DDC/CI.

If your PC is connected to the internet, you will be notified when a newer version of the DDM application is 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.

Visual Description: A notification tray icon is depicted, showing a message 'Please connect a supported Dell monitor' with the current time and date. Below this, a 'Dell Display Manager Error' dialog box is shown, stating 'This program requires a supported Dell monitor and connection, and compatible display driver. Check your display driver, cables and connections.' A context menu, accessed by right-clicking the Dell Display Manager icon while holding the 'shift' key, lists options such as 'Open Dell Display Manager...', 'Make text and other items larger or smaller', 'Refresh...', 'Save diagnostic report...', 'Auto-load at startup', 'Onscreen notifications', 'Check for new version...', and 'Exit'.