Why Does Image Quality With My Silicon Motion Graphics Adapter or Docking Station Not Seem As Crisp As My Laptop Screen or Directly Connected External Monitor?

Last Update: February 14th, 2022
Article ID: 1238985

Silicon Motion technology uses the Silicon Motion software driver on Windows and Silicon Motion InstantView application on macOS to generate a "virtual desktop" image that is sent over a USB connection to the adapter. These pixels are rendered by the Silicon Motion chip within the adapter to then send a video image to the connected monitors.

Because of the amount of data being sent the software driver must compress the data being sent so it can pass through efficiently over USB connections. This is why some images may not appear as "crisp" using a Silicon Motion adapter or docking station.

In our testing, Red colors are primarily affected where they can appear pixelated or blurry when viewed closely.