PIP and PBP: Using Multiple Inputs on One Screen

What is picture-in-picture (PIP)?

Picture-in-picture, usually shortened to PIP, shows your main input across the full screen and adds a second input inside a smaller window on top of it. The second source is often a video feed, a security camera, a console, or a second computer. The smaller window can typically be moved to one of several corners and resized from the monitor's on-screen menu, though the exact options vary by model.

PIP is useful when one signal clearly matters more than the other. A common setup is playing a game on the main screen while a stream or sports broadcast runs in the corner. Another is keeping a live preview or monitoring feed visible while you work in a full-screen application. Because the primary image keeps its full native size and shape, PIP imposes no layout compromise on the main task. The trade-off is that the secondary window is small, so it suits casual viewing more than detailed work.

A related feature is picture-outside-picture, which places the second window just outside the main image area, often on an ultrawide panel. That keeps the main image unclipped while giving the secondary source a slightly larger, more legible window. Before buying, check how many PIP windows the monitor supports and whether window position, size, and source selection are all adjustable. If you mostly want to glance at a second signal while focusing on one main screen, a monitor with clean PIP controls is the practical choice.

What is picture-by-picture (PBP)?

Picture-by-picture, or PBP, divides the screen into two or more side-by-side zones, each fed by a different input. Instead of layering, every source gets its own rectangular region. Two inputs are the most common arrangement, but some monitors can show three or four sources at once. Each zone draws from its own cable and port, so all inputs must be connected and active at the same time.

PBP shines when you need two full applications or two computers visible simultaneously at a usable size. A typical setup connects a work laptop to one input and a personal desktop to another, letting you switch context by moving the mouse between them without a second monitor. Video editors and streamers use it to keep a preview, timeline, and chat visible in one place. In each case, every window is large enough to read and interact with, which PIP cannot offer.

The catch is that each zone only gets part of the panel, so a standard 16:9 monitor splits into two fairly narrow areas. Wider screens, especially 21:9 and 32:9 ultrawide models, make PBP far more comfortable because each side keeps a natural aspect ratio close to what a normal monitor would look like. If you plan to run two sources side by side all day, the panel's width is the single most important factor.

PIP vs. PBP: which should you use?

The real question is whether your two sources deserve equal space. Use a picture-in-picture layout when one input is primary and the other is background: gaming plus a stream, work plus a news feed, or a main presentation plus a notes window. Use picture-by-picture when both inputs get steady attention, such as two computers, a video call plus a document, or multiple monitoring feeds.

Screen size and aspect ratio decide how well each mode works. On a 24-inch or 27-inch display, splitting the panel in half leaves each side feeling cramped, so PIP is usually the better fit. On 34-inch ultrawide or larger models, PBP becomes genuinely practical because each half is close to a standalone monitor in usable space. If you are choosing a monitor specifically for multi-input use, size and aspect ratio matter more than almost any other specification. Our guide to monitor size selection and the ultrawide monitor piece walk through how width changes the experience.

There is also a software alternative: a built-in KVM switch combined with one input lets you control two computers on a single screen by switching rather than splitting. That solves a different problem, keeping one full-screen workspace instead of showing two at once. For a quick comparison of when switching beats sharing a screen, see our article on built-in KVM.

Connections and bandwidth for multi-input use

Every PIP or PBP session needs at least two active input ports, so the monitor's port selection directly limits what you can do. Common combinations are two HDMI ports, one HDMI and one DisplayPort, or one HDMI plus a USB-C port that carries display, data, and power over a single cable. If your laptop only has USB-C, a monitor with USB-C input is often the simplest path to a second source. USB4 takes that further: the USB4 specification defines a method to dynamically share a single high-speed link between multiple data and display protocols, which is why one cable can feed video into a monitor while also charging the laptop. See our USB-C monitor guide for the practical details.

Bandwidth also shapes what each input can deliver. The HDMI 2.2 specification supports up to 96Gbps, with resolutions such as 8K60 and 4K120, so a modern HDMI connection has plenty of headroom for a single full-screen signal. In PIP or PBP mode, each input typically runs at its own resolution and refresh rate, and the monitor composites them. That means one input might be 4K at 60Hz while another is 1080p at 60Hz, depending on the model's scaling policy. If you plan to run two 4K sources simultaneously, confirm the monitor actually supports two inputs at that resolution at once, because some models cap secondary inputs at lower resolutions.

HDR adds another wrinkle. When a PIP window shows HDR content while the main screen runs SDR, the monitor must display both at once. The HDMI 2.2 specification addresses exactly this with source-based tone mapping (SBTM), described as especially useful when HDR and SDR video or graphics are combined into a single picture, such as picture-in-picture. If you regularly mix HDR video with SDR work, an HDMI 2.2-capable monitor is the safer choice.

Refresh rate and variable refresh rate in multi-input mode

Variable refresh rate (VRR) is designed for a single full-screen signal. The HDMI specification describes VRR as enabling a gaming source to deliver video frames as fast as it can, often slower than the static refresh rate, reducing or eliminating lag, judder, and frame tearing. That works because the display waits for each frame to be ready. With two inputs composited into one image, the monitor cannot wait for two independent frame streams, so VRR typically drops out or applies only to the primary input. NVIDIA's G-SYNC page makes a similar point: G-SYNC displays deliver tear-free, stutter-free gaming over a full variable refresh rate range, but that guarantee applies to the display operating as a single gaming monitor.

In practice, most monitors fix a single refresh rate for the whole panel during PBP, often the lower of the two inputs' rates. If your main input runs at 144Hz and the secondary at 60Hz, the panel usually runs at 60Hz for both, or at a common divisor. That is fine for productivity, but it undermines high-refresh gaming. If you game seriously, keep the game on a single full-screen input and use PIP only for a secondary, non-gaming source.

One practical check before buying: read the monitor's specification sheet to see whether PIP and PBP modes support your desired refresh rate and VRR on each input. Some models state explicitly that VRR is available only in single-input mode, while others keep VRR on the main input during PIP. If tearing-free gameplay and multi-input viewing both matter, look for a model that documents both behaviors.

HDR in PIP and PBP modes

HDR in a multi-input layout is more complex than in a single full-screen feed, because the monitor has to reconcile content with different brightness and color requirements in the same image. When one window is HDR and the rest is SDR, a monitor without special handling will often wash out one or the other. The HDMI 2.2 source-based tone mapping feature exists precisely for this scenario, letting the source device perform part of the tone mapping so that HDR and SDR content can coexist in one frame. For the best experience mixing HDR video with SDR work, choose a monitor that supports SBTM or has clearly documented HDR handling in PIP mode.

Display brightness capability is another factor. The VESA DisplayHDR certification tiers, from 400 up to 1400 cd/m2, give you a way to compare how much luminance a display can sustain. A higher tier generally means more headroom for bright highlights, which helps when the HDR window occupies only part of the screen and the backlight has to illuminate both that window and the surrounding SDR area. If HDR is a priority, also check the HDR monitors and HDR10 guides on this site.

On the software side, Windows makes HDR a system-level setting. In Windows, you enable HDR from Settings, then System, then Display, and the same path lets you turn HDR off when running on battery to save power. HDR does not automatically combine with PIP; the monitor decides how to tone map a mixed frame. If you regularly watch HDR content in a PIP window, test the combination before committing to a setup.

What to look for in a monitor for PIP and PBP

Start with the input ports. Count how many sources you want to connect, then look for a monitor with at least that many active inputs plus the right connector types: HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C are the three to expect. For two laptops, a monitor with two USB-C ports or one USB-C plus HDMI is the most flexible. For a desktop plus a console, two HDMI ports are the simplest.

Next, verify the PIP and PBP implementation. Read the spec sheet for details like how many PBP windows are supported, what resolution each input can run at simultaneously, and whether HDR and VRR are available in multi-input mode. Also consider the on-screen menu: adjusting window size and position should be quick and intuitive, since you will use it often. Finally, choose the screen size and aspect ratio for your actual desk and viewing distance. A 24-inch monitor works best with PIP, while 34-inch and larger ultrawide models make PBP genuinely useful. For a single-source backup, a portable display with PIP is fine for intermittent use.

If you want to see concrete models that support these features, browse our buying guides. For wide-screen PBP setups, look at the best 34-inch monitors and best 49-inch monitors. For a balanced 16:9 panel that handles both modes well, the best 32-inch monitors and best monitors for home and office are good starting points. If your desk is small and PIP is the main use, the best 24-inch monitors guide will point you to sensible options.

What to pick for your use

Questions

What is the difference between PIP and PBP?

PIP layers a second input as a small window over the full-screen main image. PBP splits the screen into side-by-side zones, each showing its own input. PIP gives one source priority, while PBP gives every source equal space.

How many cables do I need for PIP or PBP?

You need one active cable and port per source. Two inputs means two cables, and four inputs means four, though a single USB-C cable can carry one of those inputs while also charging a laptop.

Does PBP reduce resolution or refresh rate?

Each input is displayed in a portion of the panel, so it is scaled or cropped to fit that zone. The refresh rate may also drop to a common value across all zones, which matters most for gaming. VRR is often unavailable in multi-input mode.

Can I use PIP and PBP with two computers?

Yes. Connect each computer to a different input port, then open the monitor's on-screen menu to enable PIP or PBP and assign sources to the zones. Many monitors also include a KVM function to share one keyboard and mouse between both computers.

Will HDR work in a PIP window?

It depends on the monitor. HDMI 2.2's source-based tone mapping helps HDR and SDR content coexist in one frame, which is exactly the PIP scenario. Check the spec sheet for HDR behavior in multi-input mode before buying.

Which monitors support PIP and PBP?

Most mid-range and higher-end monitors, especially 27-inch and larger models, support at least PIP. PBP is more common on ultrawide and professional displays. Always check the specification sheet for the number of supported sources and zone layouts.