What is Multi-Stream Transport (MST)?
Multi-Stream Transport (MST) is a technology used in the DisplayPort interface that allows multiple monitors to be connected through a single video output port. The core function of MST is to split a single video signal into multiple streams, each of which can be sent to a different monitor. This makes MST an ideal solution for expanding display setups, especially in devices like laptops and desktops, which often lack sufficient video output ports.
As digital workspaces become increasingly common and the pace of work accelerates, many modern laptops and PCs are designed to be thinner and more portable, often lacking enough video output ports to support multiple external displays. This shortage of ports is at odds with the growing demand for multi-monitor setups, making MST technology critical for users who need to connect 2, 3, or even 4 monitors from a single video output. MST enables users to easily extend their workspace without needing multiple physical video outputs, significantly improving productivity in industries such as graphic design, financial trading, and more.
Why is MST Important?
In today’s fast-paced digital workplace, many professionals need to manage multiple applications or windows at once. Multi-monitor setups significantly enhance productivity—financial analysts can monitor stock trends, news, and financial data on different screens, avoiding the need to constantly switch between windows. Meanwhile, graphic designers can keep their design tools on one screen while viewing the work on another. Multi-monitor setups can increase productivity by over 30%, as users can keep more information visible at once, minimizing window-switching and reducing workspace clutter.
However, many modern laptops and desktops are designed with portability in mind and only come with one or two video outputs. This creates a dilemma for users who need to connect multiple monitors but don’t have enough available ports. MST technology solves this problem by allowing a single DisplayPort or USB-C interface to drive multiple displays. With MST, users can extend their desktop to 2, 3, or even 4 monitors using just one cable. This eliminates the need for additional hardware and extra ports, making it easier to set up and manage multi-display configurations without the hassle of bulky adapters or additional video outputs.
Which Computers Support MST?
Devices that support MST typically have one of the following:
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Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 Ports: These high-speed interfaces provide enough bandwidth to support MST, enabling users to connect multiple monitors through a single Thunderbolt port.
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DisplayPort 1.2 or Higher: DisplayPort 1.2 and higher versions offer the required bandwidth for splitting a single video signal into multiple streams.
Due to the design features of macOS, its multi-display functionality achieves greater stability through SST. DisplayLink is an ideal choice for Mac compatibility if a wider range of extended functionality is required.
What is DisplayLink?
DisplayLink is a technology that allows users to connect external monitors to their computers through USB interfaces. Unlike traditional video outputs like HDMI or DisplayPort, DisplayLink transmits video data over USB, allowing users to expand their display setups even if their device has limited ports.
The way DisplayLink works is by using the computer’s USB port to send video signals, which are then transmitted to external monitors via compatible DisplayLink adapters. This technology is especially useful for devices with limited video outputs, such as ultra-thin laptops and some tablets, where there are not enough HDMI or DisplayPort connections available for multiple monitors.
Do You Need DisplayLink for KVM Switches to Connect Mac and Monitors?
For KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switches that support MST, users typically only need a DisplayPort or USB-C cable to connect the computer and extend the video to multiple monitors. However, Mac users face a challenge because macOS does not support MST. As a result, if a Mac user wants to use a USB-C cable to connect a KVM and drive multiple monitors, they will need an additional DisplayLink docking station.
If a KVM switch itself has integrated DisplayLink functionality, users can avoid the need for an external docking station. This reduces the setup complexity and ensures that users do not need to purchase and manage an additional external dock. By integrating DisplayLink directly into the KVM switch, the setup becomes simpler and more streamlined, saving users the hassle of dealing with a separate docking station.
TESmart Launches KVM Switch with Thunderbolt-Based Multi-Monitor Support
To address the challenges of connecting multiple monitors through MST, TESmart has launched the HDC202-X24, a KVM switch designed to provide Thunderbolt-based multi-monitor support. This new device offers users a seamless way to extend their workspace, achieving multi-monitor setups similar to MST functionality.
Key features of the HDC202-X24 include:
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Thunderbolt Port with MST and DisplayLink Support: PC1’s Thunderbolt input not only supports MST but also allows Macs to connect via a single Thunderbolt cable and extend to two monitors (requires a Mac model that supports multiple external monitors).
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USB-C Port with 60W Charging Support: The USB-C port on the KVM switch supports up to 60W charging, making it easy to power your connected devices while using the KVM switch.
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Gigabit Ethernet: The KVM switch features a Gigabit Ethernet port, enabling network sharing between the two PCs connected to the KVM using just one cable.
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Thunderbolt Expansion Port: This port works just like the Thunderbolt port on the computer, allowing users to connect USB-C monitors directly to the KVM switch.
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EDID Emulator: Each input port has an EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) emulator, ensuring that the connected PCs always maintain the correct display settings when switching between them.
The HDC202-X24 offers a seamless multi-monitor experience for Mac users who have previously struggled with MST limitations. By integrating DisplayLink technology directly into the KVM switch, TESmart ensures that users can easily set up and manage multi-display configurations with minimal hassle, all without needing to purchase or manage an external docking station.
Conclusion
MST technology, which allows users to connect multiple displays with a single video output, is an essential tool for the modern digital workspace. While MST is widely supported on Windows devices with Thunderbolt or DisplayPort 1.2 (or higher) interfaces, Mac users are faced with the dilemma that macOS itself does not support MST. In this case, DisplayLink technology provides a workaround by allowing Mac users to connect multiple displays via USB ports.
TESmart's HDC202-X24 KVM switch, which utilizes dual-channel serial transmission on the Thunderbolt module, is the perfect solution for Mac users as it connects via a single Thunderbolt cable, expands the capacity of up to two external displays, and supports charging, network sharing, and more. This makes it easier for Mac users to manage multiple displays without the need for an additional external docking station and without the compatibility issues typically associated with using separate DisplayLink devices.
