The biggest determining fact for answering this question is, what video ports do you have on your computer? This will take a little bit of research on your end. You can pull out your computer manual or visit the computer manufacturer's website to get exact video port specifications for your computer model. Or you can peek at your video ports and see what you have and compare them to the images below.
The Pen Display 24 has three options for you to connect to your computer: USB-C DP Alt Mode, HDMI, and DisplayPort. Once you determine what video ports you have on your computer, this will narrow down your choices. I have listed below what the video ports look like and their corresponding video cables.
The Pen Display 24 also has a Quick Start Guide that is included in the box. It is located on the back of the Thank You card and is the first thing you see when you open the Pen Display 24 box. We also have an online version you can view on our website at https://www.xencelabs.com/us/quick-start/pen-display-24.
The images below will give you a visual as to what the three different types of video ports look like that come with the Pen Display 24.
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If your computer supports USB-C DP Alt Mode, you can use the USB-C to USB-C 2m cable, and no other video or USB cable is needed for the connection.
Only one cable is needed for video, pen, and Control button communications.
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If you use the HDMI cable, you will also need to use the USB-C to USB-A 2m cable.
The USB-C to USB-A cable allows the Pen functions and the Control button communications to pass through to the computer. |
If you use the DisplayPort cable, you will also need to use the USB-C to USB-A 2m cable.
The USB-C to USB-A cable allows the Pen functions and the Control button communications to pass through to the computer. |
If you have multiple video ports to choose from, you might ask which would give you the best performance/image on my Pen Display 24.
The Pen Display 24 needs in the area of 18Gpbs of bandwidth running 4K at 60Mhz using the 10-bit color channel. This will allow you to display the full 1.06 billion colors and give you lighting fast response times.
Important note: If your computer does not support USB-C DP Alt Mode, you will not be able to use the USB-C to USB-C cable with HDMI or the DisplayPort cable. You will need to use the USB-A to USB-C 2m cable that is also provided with the Pen Display 24 kit.
USB-C to USB-C 3.1 (Gen 2 DP 1.4) or Thunderbolt 3 Connection: The USB-C to USB-C DP Alt Mode connection will allow you to use one cable for both your video and data communication (pen and Control button functions). This connection supports up to 40Gpbs of video bandwidth and 25Gpbs of data transfer.
HDMI 2.1 Connection: The HDMI connection will allow you to display the full 1.06 billion colors but will also require you to use the USB-A to USB-C 2m cable. The reason for the need to use the USB cable in conjunction with the video cable is to allow the pen and Control button functions to be passed to the computer, as the HDMI only supports video signal data. This connection supports up to 48Gpbs of bandwidth.
DisplayPort 2.1 Connection: The DisplayPort connection will allow you to display the full 1.06 billion colors and will also require the use of the USB-C to USB-A cable. Just like the HDMI, the DisplayPort connection will only support video signals and no data transfers. This connection supports up to 80Gpbs of bandwidth.
The bottom line is that any of the above video ports will produce an excellent image and allow you to create beautiful art. If you have the choice to use the USB-C to USB-C connection, that will reduce your cable monster by one cable.
If you have questions or would like further assistance, please reach out to Xencelabs Customer Care at CustomerCare@xencelabs.com.
