Summary of Headless Ghost – HDMI emulator
The Headless Ghost is a compact HDMI emulator that simulates a high-resolution display to unlock full GPU potential when no monitor is connected. It enables hardware-accelerated remote desktops, GPGPU tasks like rendering or crypto mining, and allows software requiring a graphics card to run without a physical screen. Compatible with HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, and mini HDMI via adapters, it supports resolutions up to 4K, requires no drivers, and features an open-source design with programmable EDID memory.
Parts used in the Headless Ghost:
- HDMI socket adapter
- Mini HDMI adapter
- DisplayPort adapter
- DVI adapter
- Black PCB with gold corrosion resistant finish
- Exposed programming pins
About this project
It fixes a problem you probably didn’t even know you had – unlocking the full potential of your graphics card hardware.
By simulating the presence of an attached display, Headless Ghost allows you to use all of the power and available resolutions locked away inside your graphics hardware, which might otherwise be disabled when there is no screen available.
What does it do?
When attached, a Headless Ghost emulates the presences of a high resolution display, this enables the GPU hardware and unlocks a range of resolutions to work with. The Headless Ghost fits directly into an HDMI socket and will work with mini HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI outputs using readily available adaptors. NB: Some passive DisplayPort adapters do not the full range of HG resolutions.
Great! Why would I want that?
Many computer systems do not enable their GPU hardware when there is no display attached; a well documented issue amongst the Mac Mini and Intel HD graphics user bases. Having a dummy plug like the Headless Ghost attached fully enables the GPU which allows for:
- Hardware accelerated remote desktop access at high resolutions
- Running software which requires the presence of a graphics card without a display
- Fully utilizing GPU hardware for GPGPU tasks such as crypto currency mining, rendering and simulations
- Ensuring the correct display mode on a media centre PC when used with a AV receiver or switch that doesn’t pass EDID correctly
- Taking screenshots at resolutions not support by your real monitor (e.g. Retina or 4K)
Specification
- Supports resolutions from 800×600 all the way up to 4096×2160 (4K!)
- Operating system and software agnostic – works with Windows, OSX, Linux and just about anything else
- Requires no drivers, configuration or power supply – just set it and forget it
- Manufactured on black PCBs, with a gold corrosion resistant finish, in the UK
- Appears as a headless ghost display in the OS graphics properties window for easy identification amongst other displays
- Programming port – exposed programming pins on the board allow for new EDID data to be easily downloaded into the Ghost’s memory
- Open source – design files for the Headless Ghost will be available after the Kickstarter has ended
For more detail: Headless Ghost – HDMI emulator
- How does the Headless Ghost enable GPU usage?
It emulates the presence of a high resolution display to fully enable the GPU hardware which might otherwise remain disabled. - Can I use this device with a DisplayPort output?
Yes, it works with DisplayPort outputs using readily available adaptors, though some passive adapters may not support the full range of resolutions. - What operating systems are compatible with the Headless Ghost?
It is operating system agnostic and works with Windows, OSX, Linux, and just about anything else. - Does the Headless Ghost require any drivers or power supply?
No, it requires no drivers, configuration, or power supply as it simply needs to be plugged in. - What is the maximum resolution supported by the device?
The device supports resolutions from 800x600 all the way up to 4096x2160 which is 4K. - Can I modify the EDID data on the Headless Ghost?
Yes, exposed programming pins on the board allow for new EDID data to be easily downloaded into the Ghost's memory. - Why would I need a headless ghost for a Mac Mini?
Many systems like the Mac Mini do not enable GPU hardware without a display attached, so this plug fully enables the GPU for those users. - Is the design of the Headless Ghost open source?
Yes, the design files will be available after the Kickstarter has ended.
