FAQ:fit-Headless

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Revision as of 07:08, 27 April 2016 by Maxim (Talk | contribs) (Supported resolutions on fit-Headless emulators)

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What problem fit-Headless solves?

On Mac Mini Server

Screen sharing on a Mac Mini Server that has no display attached (headless) is low-resolution and slow.

On a headless PC

One of the key requirements in using a PC without a display attached (headless PC) is remote desktop access, but in many cases configuring the headless PC to support high resolution remote desktop proves to be so challenging that sometimes users connect a display to the PC just to be able to have remote desktop access!

How fit-Headless solves the problem?

fit-Headless is a small, low-cost HDMI plug that emulates a high resolution display. Once plugged, the Mac Mini / PC detects a connected display and enables the GPU. With the GPU enabled, screen-sharing / remote desktop access can work in high resolution.

Does fit-Headless help in running a headless Intel NUC?

Yes. See for example http://www.vfrank.org/2015/04/28/running-the-intel-nuc-headless-with-vmware-esxi/
fit-Headless solves a problem known as "AMT/vPro blank screen", see http://www.tekhead.org/blog/2015/05/

Supported resolutions on fit-Headless emulators

Under different OS (Windows, OSX and Linux) available resolutions may vary. Available resolutions depend on OS, display driver and GPU capabilities.

The below programmed EDID resolutions given for reference only (may be overridden by OS/GPU/driver):

fit-Headless fit-Headless 4K fit-Headless GS

640x480
720x400
720x480
720x576
800x600
1024x768
1152x864
1280x720
1280x1024
1920x1080 (default)

640x480
720x400
800x600
832x624
1024x768
1024x576
1152x870
1280x720
1280x800
1280x1024
1360x765
1360x768
1366x768
1368x769
1440x480
1600x900
1600x1200
1680x1050
1920x1080 (default)
2048x1536
2560x1440
2560x1600
2880x1800
3840x2160
4088x2304

640x480 @60Hz
640x480 @75Hz
720x400 @70Hz
800x600 @60Hz
800x600 @75Hz
832x624 @75Hz (Apple Mac II)
1024x768 @60Hz
1024x768 @75Hz
1280x1024 @75Hz
1152x870 @75Hz (Apple Mac II)

How can I get more resolutions with fit-Headless 4K on OSX?

To unleash the full potential of fit-Headless 4K under OSX we recommend the freeware utility "Display Menu" available on iTunes App Store. In most cases fit-Headless 4K will support up to 30 different resolutions:
https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/display-menu/id549083868?mt=12

Please also see the explanations and notes on fit-pc website:
http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-headless-4k-overview/

Google+ page that shows the resolutions related to OSX operation:
https://plus.google.com/+Fitpc-by-compulab/posts/cw5KR7CbTYU

SwitchResX

SwitchResX is a tool for Apple computers to take control of any screen connected to the Mac. No matter whether a MacBook Screen, an external monitor, a Retina display, a TV set or a beamer: SwitchResX can handle them all – if you want, straight from the menubar, a contextual menu or both.
http://www.madrau.com/
http://www.madrau.com/srx_howtouseit/howtouseit.html

Can I increase refresh rate?

Maybe, but it has no meaning. fit-Headless is connected to the host that streams the desktop through the network to the client PC.

  • The screen refresh rate the user is seeing is defined by the client, not the host.
  • The actual refresh rate of the host-remote-desktop-window is limited by the network capabilities and not by the host refresh rate.