diff --git a/src/abstract_wayland_output.cpp b/src/abstract_wayland_output.cpp
index 3b7fb74b6e..8961614990 100644
--- a/src/abstract_wayland_output.cpp
+++ b/src/abstract_wayland_output.cpp
@@ -386,4 +386,14 @@ RenderLoop::VrrPolicy AbstractWaylandOutput::vrrPolicy() const
     return renderLoop()->vrrPolicy();
 }
 
+bool AbstractWaylandOutput::isPlaceholder() const
+{
+    return m_isPlaceholder;
+}
+
+void AbstractWaylandOutput::setPlaceholder(bool isPlaceholder)
+{
+    m_isPlaceholder = isPlaceholder;
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/src/abstract_wayland_output.h b/src/abstract_wayland_output.h
index ce95278b14..4a98a08f4a 100644
--- a/src/abstract_wayland_output.h
+++ b/src/abstract_wayland_output.h
@@ -151,6 +151,8 @@ public:
     void setVrrPolicy(RenderLoop::VrrPolicy policy);
     RenderLoop::VrrPolicy vrrPolicy() const;
 
+    bool isPlaceholder() const;
+
 Q_SIGNALS:
     void modeChanged();
     void outputChange(const QRegion &damagedRegion);
@@ -195,6 +197,7 @@ protected:
     void setCapabilityInternal(Capability capability, bool on = true);
     void setSubPixelInternal(SubPixel subPixel);
     void setOverscanInternal(uint32_t overscan);
+    void setPlaceholder(bool isPlaceholder);
 
     QSize orientateSize(const QSize &size) const;
 
@@ -219,6 +222,7 @@ private:
     int m_recorders = 0;
     bool m_isEnabled = true;
     bool m_internal = false;
+    bool m_isPlaceholder = false;
     uint32_t m_overscan = 0;
 };
 
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/CMakeLists.txt b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/CMakeLists.txt
index f12fdb9978..2a59269acc 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ set(DRM_SOURCES
     dumb_swapchain.cpp
     shadowbuffer.cpp
     drm_pipeline.cpp
+    drm_abstract_output.cpp
+    drm_virtual_output.cpp
 )
 
 if (HAVE_GBM)
@@ -34,7 +36,7 @@ endif()
 
 add_library(KWinWaylandDrmBackend MODULE ${DRM_SOURCES})
 set_target_properties(KWinWaylandDrmBackend PROPERTIES LIBRARY_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/bin/org.kde.kwin.waylandbackends/")
-target_link_libraries(KWinWaylandDrmBackend kwin Libdrm::Libdrm SceneQPainterBackend SceneOpenGLBackend)
+target_link_libraries(KWinWaylandDrmBackend kwin Libdrm::Libdrm SceneQPainterBackend SceneOpenGLBackend VsyncSupport)
 
 if (HAVE_GBM)
     target_link_libraries(KWinWaylandDrmBackend gbm::gbm)
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/abstract_egl_drm_backend.h b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/abstract_egl_drm_backend.h
index 25be32f6ca..ef6a493c83 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/abstract_egl_drm_backend.h
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/abstract_egl_drm_backend.h
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ class DrmBackend;
 class DrmGpu;
 class DrmOutput;
 class DrmBuffer;
+class DrmAbstractOutput;
 
 class AbstractEglDrmBackend : public AbstractEglBackend
 {
@@ -26,27 +27,27 @@ class AbstractEglDrmBackend : public AbstractEglBackend
 
 public:
     virtual int screenCount() const = 0;
-    virtual bool addOutput(DrmOutput *output) = 0;
-    virtual void removeOutput(DrmOutput *output) = 0;
-    virtual bool swapBuffers(DrmOutput *output, const QRegion &dirty) {
+    virtual bool addOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output) = 0;
+    virtual void removeOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output) = 0;
+    virtual bool swapBuffers(DrmAbstractOutput *output, const QRegion &dirty) {
         Q_UNUSED(output)
         Q_UNUSED(dirty)
         return false;
     }
-    virtual bool exportFramebuffer(DrmOutput *output, void *data, const QSize &size, uint32_t stride) {
+    virtual bool exportFramebuffer(DrmAbstractOutput *output, void *data, const QSize &size, uint32_t stride) {
         Q_UNUSED(output)
         Q_UNUSED(data)
         Q_UNUSED(size)
         Q_UNUSED(stride)
         return false;
     }
-    virtual int exportFramebufferAsDmabuf(DrmOutput *output, uint32_t *format, uint32_t *stride) {
+    virtual int exportFramebufferAsDmabuf(DrmAbstractOutput *output, uint32_t *format, uint32_t *stride) {
         Q_UNUSED(output)
         Q_UNUSED(format)
         Q_UNUSED(stride)
         return 0;
     }
-    virtual QRegion beginFrameForSecondaryGpu(DrmOutput *output) {
+    virtual QRegion beginFrameForSecondaryGpu(DrmAbstractOutput *output) {
         Q_UNUSED(output)
         return QRegion();
     }
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ public:
         return m_gpu;
     }
 
-    virtual QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> renderTestFrame(DrmOutput *output) = 0;
+    virtual QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> renderTestFrame(DrmAbstractOutput *output) = 0;
 
     static AbstractEglDrmBackend *renderingBackend() {
         return static_cast<AbstractEglDrmBackend*>(primaryBackend());
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_abstract_output.cpp b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_abstract_output.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..84023e1735
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_abstract_output.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/*
+    KWin - the KDE window manager
+    This file is part of the KDE project.
+
+    SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021 Xaver Hugl <xaver.hugl@gmail.com>
+
+    SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+*/
+#include "drm_abstract_output.h"
+#include "drm_gpu.h"
+#include "drm_backend.h"
+
+namespace KWin
+{
+
+DrmAbstractOutput::DrmAbstractOutput(DrmGpu *gpu)
+    : AbstractWaylandOutput(gpu->platform())
+    , m_renderLoop(new RenderLoop(this))
+    , m_gpu(gpu)
+{
+}
+
+bool DrmAbstractOutput::initCursor(const QSize &cursorSize)
+{
+    Q_UNUSED(cursorSize)
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool DrmAbstractOutput::showCursor()
+{
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool DrmAbstractOutput::hideCursor()
+{
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool DrmAbstractOutput::updateCursor()
+{
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool DrmAbstractOutput::moveCursor()
+{
+    return true;
+}
+
+DrmGpu *DrmAbstractOutput::gpu() const
+{
+    return m_gpu;
+}
+
+RenderLoop *DrmAbstractOutput::renderLoop() const
+{
+    return m_renderLoop;
+}
+
+}
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_abstract_output.h b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_abstract_output.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..619158c760
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_abstract_output.h
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/*
+    KWin - the KDE window manager
+    This file is part of the KDE project.
+
+    SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021 Xaver Hugl <xaver.hugl@gmail.com>
+
+    SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+*/
+#pragma once
+
+#include "abstract_wayland_output.h"
+
+namespace KWin
+{
+
+class DrmBackend;
+class DrmGpu;
+class DrmBuffer;
+class GbmBuffer;
+
+class DrmAbstractOutput : public AbstractWaylandOutput
+{
+    Q_OBJECT
+public:
+
+    virtual bool initCursor(const QSize &cursorSize);
+    virtual bool showCursor();
+    virtual bool hideCursor();
+    virtual bool updateCursor();
+    virtual bool moveCursor();
+
+    virtual bool present(const QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> &buffer, QRegion damagedRegion) = 0;
+
+    virtual bool isDpmsEnabled() const = 0;
+    virtual GbmBuffer *currentBuffer() const = 0;
+    virtual QSize sourceSize() const = 0;
+
+    DrmGpu *gpu() const;
+    RenderLoop *renderLoop() const override;
+
+protected:
+    friend class DrmBackend;
+    friend class DrmGpu;
+    DrmAbstractOutput(DrmGpu *gpu);
+
+    virtual void updateMode(int modeIndex) override {
+        Q_UNUSED(modeIndex)
+    }
+    virtual void updateMode(uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint32_t refreshRate) = 0;
+
+    RenderLoop *m_renderLoop;
+    DrmGpu *m_gpu;
+};
+
+}
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_backend.cpp b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_backend.cpp
index b37e973477..669880447d 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_backend.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@
 #include "session.h"
 #include "udev.h"
 #include "wayland_server.h"
+#include "drm_gpu.h"
+#include "egl_multi_backend.h"
+#include "drm_pipeline.h"
+#include "drm_virtual_output.h"
 #if HAVE_GBM
 #include "egl_gbm_backend.h"
 #include <gbm.h>
@@ -142,19 +146,23 @@ void DrmBackend::reactivate()
     m_active = true;
 
     for (const auto &output : qAsConst(m_outputs)) {
-        output->pipeline()->updateProperties();
-        if (output->isEnabled()) {
-            if (output->gpu()->atomicModeSetting() && !output->pipeline()->isConnected()) {
-                output->pipeline()->setActive(false);
+        if (auto drmOutput = qobject_cast<DrmOutput *>(output)) {
+            drmOutput->pipeline()->updateProperties();
+            if (drmOutput->isEnabled()) {
+                if (drmOutput->gpu()->atomicModeSetting() && !drmOutput->pipeline()->isConnected()) {
+                    drmOutput->pipeline()->setActive(false);
+                }
+                drmOutput->showCursor();
+            } else {
+                drmOutput->pipeline()->setActive(false);
             }
-            output->renderLoop()->uninhibit();
-            output->showCursor();
-        } else {
-            output->pipeline()->setActive(false);
         }
+        output->renderLoop()->uninhibit();
     }
     for (const auto &output : qAsConst(m_outputs)) {
-        output->pipeline()->setActive(output->isEnabled());
+        if (auto drmOutput = qobject_cast<DrmOutput *>(output)) {
+            drmOutput->pipeline()->setActive(output->isEnabled());
+        }
     }
 
     if (Compositor *compositor = Compositor::self()) {
@@ -173,9 +181,8 @@ void DrmBackend::deactivate()
         return;
     }
 
-    for (DrmOutput *output : qAsConst(m_outputs)) {
+    for (const auto &output : qAsConst(m_outputs)) {
         if (output->isEnabled()) {
-            output->hideCursor();
             output->renderLoop()->inhibit();
         }
     }
@@ -318,7 +325,7 @@ DrmGpu *DrmBackend::addGpu(const QString &fileName)
     return gpu;
 }
 
-void DrmBackend::addOutput(DrmOutput *o)
+void DrmBackend::addOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *o)
 {
     m_outputs.append(o);
     m_enabledOutputs.append(o);
@@ -326,7 +333,7 @@ void DrmBackend::addOutput(DrmOutput *o)
     Q_EMIT outputEnabled(o);
 }
 
-void DrmBackend::removeOutput(DrmOutput *o)
+void DrmBackend::removeOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *o)
 {
     if (m_enabledOutputs.removeOne(o)) {
         Q_EMIT outputDisabled(o);
@@ -351,19 +358,38 @@ void DrmBackend::updateOutputs()
         }
     }
 
-    std::sort(m_outputs.begin(), m_outputs.end(), [] (DrmOutput *a, DrmOutput *b) { return a->pipeline()->connector()->id() < b->pipeline()->connector()->id(); });
+    if (m_outputs.isEmpty()) {
+        qCDebug(KWIN_DRM) << "adding placeholder output";
+        m_placeHolderOutput = primaryGpu()->createVirtualOutput();
+        // placeholder doesn't actually need to render anything
+        m_placeHolderOutput->renderLoop()->inhibit();
+    } else if (m_placeHolderOutput && m_outputs.count() > 1) {
+        qCDebug(KWIN_DRM) << "removing placeholder output";
+        primaryGpu()->removeVirtualOutput(m_placeHolderOutput);
+        m_placeHolderOutput = nullptr;
+    }
+
+    std::sort(m_outputs.begin(), m_outputs.end(), [] (DrmAbstractOutput *a, DrmAbstractOutput *b) {
+        auto da = qobject_cast<DrmOutput *>(a);
+        auto db = qobject_cast<DrmOutput *>(b);
+        if (da && !db) {
+            return true;
+        } else if (da && db) {
+            return da->pipeline()->connector()->id() < db->pipeline()->connector()->id();
+        } else {
+            return false;
+        }
+    });
     if (oldOutputs != m_outputs) {
         readOutputsConfiguration();
     }
-    if (!m_outputs.isEmpty()) {
-        Q_EMIT screensQueried();
-    }
+    Q_EMIT screensQueried();
 }
 
 namespace KWinKScreenIntegration
 {
     /// See KScreen::Output::hashMd5
-    QString outputHash(DrmOutput *output)
+    QString outputHash(DrmAbstractOutput *output)
     {
         QCryptographicHash hash(QCryptographicHash::Md5);
         if (!output->edid().isEmpty()) {
@@ -375,7 +401,7 @@ namespace KWinKScreenIntegration
     }
 
     /// See KScreen::Config::connectedOutputsHash in libkscreen
-    QString connectedOutputsHash(const QVector<DrmOutput*> &outputs)
+    QString connectedOutputsHash(const QVector<DrmAbstractOutput*> &outputs)
     {
         QStringList hashedOutputs;
         hashedOutputs.reserve(outputs.count());
@@ -387,7 +413,7 @@ namespace KWinKScreenIntegration
         return QString::fromLatin1(hash.toHex());
     }
 
-    QMap<DrmOutput*, QJsonObject> outputsConfig(const QVector<DrmOutput*> &outputs)
+    QMap<DrmAbstractOutput*, QJsonObject> outputsConfig(const QVector<DrmAbstractOutput*> &outputs)
     {
         const QString kscreenJsonPath = QStandardPaths::locate(QStandardPaths::GenericDataLocation, QStringLiteral("kscreen/") % connectedOutputsHash(outputs));
         if (kscreenJsonPath.isEmpty()) {
@@ -407,7 +433,7 @@ namespace KWinKScreenIntegration
             return {};
         }
 
-        QMap<DrmOutput*, QJsonObject> ret;
+        QMap<DrmAbstractOutput*, QJsonObject> ret;
         const auto outputsJson = doc.array();
         for (const auto &outputJson : outputsJson) {
             const auto outputObject = outputJson.toObject();
@@ -479,7 +505,7 @@ void DrmBackend::readOutputsConfiguration()
     }
 }
 
-void DrmBackend::enableOutput(DrmOutput *output, bool enable)
+void DrmBackend::enableOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output, bool enable)
 {
     if (enable) {
         Q_ASSERT(!m_enabledOutputs.contains(output));
@@ -547,7 +573,7 @@ void DrmBackend::updateCursor()
 
     bool success = true;
 
-    for (DrmOutput *output : qAsConst(m_outputs)) {
+    for (DrmAbstractOutput *output : qAsConst(m_outputs)) {
         success = output->updateCursor();
         if (!success) {
             qCDebug(KWIN_DRM) << "Failed to update cursor on output" << output->name();
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_backend.h b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_backend.h
index 0e6d6df90d..f26c7bf791 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_backend.h
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_backend.h
@@ -25,9 +25,10 @@ class Udev;
 class UdevMonitor;
 class UdevDevice;
 
-class DrmOutput;
+class DrmAbstractOutput;
 class Cursor;
 class DrmGpu;
+class DrmVirtualOutput;
 
 class KWIN_EXPORT DrmBackend : public Platform
 {
@@ -46,14 +47,14 @@ public:
 
     Outputs outputs() const override;
     Outputs enabledOutputs() const override;
-    QVector<DrmOutput*> drmOutputs() const {
+    QVector<DrmAbstractOutput*> drmOutputs() const {
         return m_outputs;
     }
-    QVector<DrmOutput*> drmEnabledOutputs() const {
+    QVector<DrmAbstractOutput*> drmEnabledOutputs() const {
         return m_enabledOutputs;
     }
 
-    void enableOutput(DrmOutput *output, bool enable);
+    void enableOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output, bool enable);
 
     void createDpmsFilter();
     void checkOutputsAreOn();
@@ -81,8 +82,8 @@ protected:
 
 private:
     friend class DrmGpu;
-    void addOutput(DrmOutput* output);
-    void removeOutput(DrmOutput* output);
+    void addOutput(DrmAbstractOutput* output);
+    void removeOutput(DrmAbstractOutput* output);
     void activate(bool active);
     void reactivate();
     void deactivate();
@@ -97,10 +98,11 @@ private:
     QScopedPointer<Udev> m_udev;
     QScopedPointer<UdevMonitor> m_udevMonitor;
     Session *m_session = nullptr;
-    // active output pipelines (planes + crtc + encoder + connector)
-    QVector<DrmOutput*> m_outputs;
-    // active and enabled pipelines (above + wl_output)
-    QVector<DrmOutput*> m_enabledOutputs;
+    // all outputs, enabled and disabled
+    QVector<DrmAbstractOutput*> m_outputs;
+    // only enabled outputs
+    QVector<DrmAbstractOutput*> m_enabledOutputs;
+    DrmVirtualOutput *m_placeHolderOutput = nullptr;
 
     bool m_active = false;
     QVector<DrmGpu*> m_gpus;
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_gpu.cpp b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_gpu.cpp
index 405d7ec8f3..38449a9f53 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_gpu.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_gpu.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "renderloop_p.h"
 #include "main.h"
 #include "drm_pipeline.h"
+#include "drm_virtual_output.h"
 
 #if HAVE_GBM
 #include "egl_gbm_backend.h"
@@ -91,7 +92,11 @@ DrmGpu::~DrmGpu()
     waitIdle();
     const auto outputs = m_outputs;
     for (const auto &output : outputs) {
-        removeOutput(output);
+        if (auto drmOutput = qobject_cast<DrmOutput *>(output)) {
+            removeOutput(drmOutput);
+        } else {
+            removeVirtualOutput(dynamic_cast<DrmVirtualOutput*>(output));
+        }
     }
     if (m_eglDisplay != EGL_NO_DISPLAY) {
         eglTerminate(m_eglDisplay);
@@ -219,14 +224,14 @@ bool DrmGpu::updateOutputs()
 
     // check for outputs which got removed
     QVector<DrmOutput*> removedOutputs;
-    auto it = m_outputs.begin();
-    while (it != m_outputs.end()) {
+    auto it = m_drmOutputs.begin();
+    while (it != m_drmOutputs.end()) {
         if (connectedOutputs.contains(*it)) {
             it++;
             continue;
         }
         DrmOutput *removed = *it;
-        it = m_outputs.erase(it);
+        it = m_drmOutputs.erase(it);
         removedOutputs.append(removed);
     }
 
@@ -272,7 +277,7 @@ bool DrmGpu::updateOutputs()
                 }
 
                 auto pipeline = new DrmPipeline(this, con, crtc, primary);
-                DrmOutput *output = new DrmOutput(m_backend, this, pipeline);
+                DrmOutput *output = new DrmOutput(this, pipeline);
 
                 // outputEnabled only adds it to the render backend but not to the platform
                 // this is necessary for accurate pipeline tests
@@ -296,6 +301,7 @@ bool DrmGpu::updateOutputs()
                 qCDebug(KWIN_DRM, "For new output %s on GPU %s use mode %dx%d@%d", qPrintable(output->name()), qPrintable(m_devNode), output->modeSize().width(), output->modeSize().height(), output->refreshRate());
 
                 connectedOutputs << output;
+                m_outputs << output;
                 outputDone = true;
                 break;
             }
@@ -304,8 +310,7 @@ bool DrmGpu::updateOutputs()
             }
         }
     }
-    std::sort(connectedOutputs.begin(), connectedOutputs.end(), [] (DrmOutput *a, DrmOutput *b) { return a->m_pipeline->connector()->id() < b->m_pipeline->connector()->id(); });
-    m_outputs = connectedOutputs;
+    m_drmOutputs = connectedOutputs;
 
     for(DrmOutput *removedOutput : removedOutputs) {
         removeOutput(removedOutput);
@@ -318,10 +323,10 @@ bool DrmGpu::updateOutputs()
 
 DrmOutput *DrmGpu::findOutput(quint32 connector)
 {
-    auto it = std::find_if(m_outputs.constBegin(), m_outputs.constEnd(), [connector] (DrmOutput *o) {
+    auto it = std::find_if(m_drmOutputs.constBegin(), m_drmOutputs.constEnd(), [connector] (DrmOutput *o) {
         return o->m_pipeline->connector()->id() == connector;
     });
-    if (it != m_outputs.constEnd()) {
+    if (it != m_drmOutputs.constEnd()) {
         return *it;
     }
     return nullptr;
@@ -345,7 +350,7 @@ void DrmGpu::waitIdle()
 {
     m_socketNotifier->setEnabled(false);
     while (true) {
-        const bool idle = std::all_of(m_outputs.constBegin(), m_outputs.constEnd(), [](DrmOutput *output){
+        const bool idle = std::all_of(m_drmOutputs.constBegin(), m_drmOutputs.constEnd(), [](DrmOutput *output){
             return !output->m_pageFlipPending;
         });
         if (idle) {
@@ -397,7 +402,6 @@ static void pageFlipHandler(int fd, unsigned int frame, unsigned int sec, unsign
 {
     Q_UNUSED(fd)
     Q_UNUSED(frame)
-
     auto backend = dynamic_cast<DrmBackend*>(kwinApp()->platform());
     if (!backend) {
         return;
@@ -444,6 +448,7 @@ void DrmGpu::dispatchEvents()
 
 void DrmGpu::removeOutput(DrmOutput *output)
 {
+    m_drmOutputs.removeOne(output);
     m_outputs.removeOne(output);
     Q_EMIT outputDisabled(output);
     Q_EMIT outputRemoved(output);
@@ -476,4 +481,23 @@ const QVector<DrmPipeline*> DrmGpu::pipelines() const
     return m_pipelines;
 }
 
+DrmVirtualOutput *DrmGpu::createVirtualOutput()
+{
+    auto output = new DrmVirtualOutput(this);
+    output->setPlaceholder(true);
+    m_outputs << output;
+    Q_EMIT outputEnabled(output);
+    Q_EMIT outputAdded(output);
+    return output;
+}
+
+void DrmGpu::removeVirtualOutput(DrmVirtualOutput *output)
+{
+    if (m_outputs.removeOne(output)) {
+        Q_EMIT outputDisabled(output);
+        Q_EMIT outputRemoved(output);
+        delete output;
+    }
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_gpu.h b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_gpu.h
index c8d0450da7..b6ef14b025 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_gpu.h
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_gpu.h
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ class DrmConnector;
 class DrmBackend;
 class AbstractEglDrmBackend;
 class DrmPipeline;
+class DrmAbstractOutput;
+class DrmVirtualOutput;
 
 class DrmGpu : public QObject
 {
@@ -40,7 +42,7 @@ public:
     ~DrmGpu();
 
     // getters
-    QVector<DrmOutput*> outputs() const {
+    QVector<DrmAbstractOutput*> outputs() const {
         return m_outputs;
     }
 
@@ -97,11 +99,14 @@ public:
     DrmBackend *platform() const;
     const QVector<DrmPipeline*> pipelines() const;
 
+    DrmVirtualOutput *createVirtualOutput();
+    void removeVirtualOutput(DrmVirtualOutput *output);
+
 Q_SIGNALS:
-    void outputAdded(DrmOutput *output);
-    void outputRemoved(DrmOutput *output);
-    void outputEnabled(DrmOutput *output);
-    void outputDisabled(DrmOutput *output);
+    void outputAdded(DrmAbstractOutput *output);
+    void outputRemoved(DrmAbstractOutput *output);
+    void outputEnabled(DrmAbstractOutput *output);
+    void outputDisabled(DrmAbstractOutput *output);
 
 protected:
     friend class DrmBackend;
@@ -138,7 +143,9 @@ private:
     QVector<DrmConnector*> m_connectors;
     // pipelines
     QVector<DrmPipeline*> m_pipelines;
-    QVector<DrmOutput*> m_outputs;
+    QVector<DrmOutput*> m_drmOutputs;
+    // includes virtual outputs
+    QVector<DrmAbstractOutput*> m_outputs;
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_output.cpp b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_output.cpp
index a8b9ba6ebc..a26a91b372 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_output.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_output.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@
 #include "drm_object_connector.h"
 #include "drm_gpu.h"
 #include "drm_pipeline.h"
+#if HAVE_GBM
+#include "drm_buffer_gbm.h"
+#endif
 
 #include "composite.h"
 #include "cursor.h"
@@ -34,12 +37,9 @@
 namespace KWin
 {
 
-DrmOutput::DrmOutput(DrmBackend *backend, DrmGpu *gpu, DrmPipeline *pipeline)
-    : AbstractWaylandOutput(backend)
-    , m_backend(backend)
-    , m_gpu(gpu)
+DrmOutput::DrmOutput(DrmGpu *gpu, DrmPipeline *pipeline)
+    : DrmAbstractOutput(gpu)
     , m_pipeline(pipeline)
-    , m_renderLoop(new RenderLoop(this))
 {
     m_pipeline->setUserData(this);
     auto conn = m_pipeline->connector();
@@ -72,11 +72,6 @@ DrmOutput::~DrmOutput()
     }
 }
 
-RenderLoop *DrmOutput::renderLoop() const
-{
-    return m_renderLoop;
-}
-
 bool DrmOutput::initCursor(const QSize &cursorSize)
 {
     m_cursor = QSharedPointer<DrmDumbBuffer>::create(m_gpu, cursorSize);
@@ -214,7 +209,7 @@ void DrmOutput::initOutputDevice()
 void DrmOutput::updateEnablement(bool enable)
 {
     if (m_pipeline->setActive(enable)) {
-        m_backend->enableOutput(this, enable);
+        m_gpu->platform()->enableOutput(this, enable);
     } else {
         qCCritical(KWIN_DRM) << "failed to update enablement to" << enable;
     }
@@ -228,7 +223,7 @@ void DrmOutput::setDpmsMode(DpmsMode mode)
             m_turnOffTimer.start();
         }
         if (isEnabled()) {
-            m_backend->createDpmsFilter();
+            m_gpu->platform()->createDpmsFilter();
         }
     } else {
         m_turnOffTimer.stop();
@@ -255,13 +250,13 @@ void DrmOutput::setDrmDpmsMode(DpmsMode mode)
         setDpmsModeInternal(mode);
         if (active) {
             m_renderLoop->uninhibit();
-            m_backend->checkOutputsAreOn();
+            m_gpu->platform()->checkOutputsAreOn();
             if (Compositor *compositor = Compositor::self()) {
                 compositor->addRepaintFull();
             }
         } else {
             m_renderLoop->inhibit();
-            m_backend->createDpmsFilter();
+            m_gpu->platform()->createDpmsFilter();
         }
     } else {
         qCCritical(KWIN_DRM) << "failed to set active to" << active;
@@ -293,11 +288,6 @@ DrmPlane::Transformations outputToPlaneTransform(DrmOutput::Transform transform)
     }
 }
 
-bool DrmOutput::hardwareTransforms() const
-{
-    return m_pipeline->transformation() == outputToPlaneTransform(transform());
-}
-
 void DrmOutput::updateTransform(Transform transform)
 {
     const auto planeTransform = outputToPlaneTransform(transform);
@@ -309,7 +299,7 @@ void DrmOutput::updateTransform(Transform transform)
     }
 
     // show cursor only if is enabled, i.e if pointer device is present
-    if (!m_backend->isCursorHidden() && !m_backend->usesSoftwareCursor()) {
+    if (!m_gpu->platform()->isCursorHidden() && !m_gpu->platform()->usesSoftwareCursor()) {
         // the cursor might need to get rotated
         showCursor();
         updateCursor();
@@ -394,9 +384,13 @@ DrmPipeline *DrmOutput::pipeline() const
     return m_pipeline;
 }
 
-DrmBuffer *DrmOutput::currentBuffer() const
+GbmBuffer *DrmOutput::currentBuffer() const
 {
-    return m_pipeline->currentBuffer();
+#if HAVE_GBM
+    return dynamic_cast<GbmBuffer*>(m_pipeline->currentBuffer());
+#else
+    return nullptr;
+#endif
 }
 
 bool DrmOutput::isDpmsEnabled() const
@@ -404,4 +398,9 @@ bool DrmOutput::isDpmsEnabled() const
     return m_pipeline->isActive();
 }
 
+QSize DrmOutput::sourceSize() const
+{
+    return m_pipeline->sourceSize();
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_output.h b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_output.h
index d8fca89e95..b7886319be 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_output.h
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_output.h
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 #ifndef KWIN_DRM_OUTPUT_H
 #define KWIN_DRM_OUTPUT_H
 
-#include "abstract_wayland_output.h"
+#include "drm_abstract_output.h"
 #include "drm_pointer.h"
 #include "drm_object.h"
 #include "drm_object_plane.h"
@@ -34,44 +34,31 @@ class Cursor;
 class DrmGpu;
 class DrmPipeline;
 
-class KWIN_EXPORT DrmOutput : public AbstractWaylandOutput
+class KWIN_EXPORT DrmOutput : public DrmAbstractOutput
 {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     ///deletes the output, calling this whilst a page flip is pending will result in an error
     ~DrmOutput() override;
 
-    RenderLoop *renderLoop() const override;
+    bool initCursor(const QSize &cursorSize) override;
+    bool showCursor() override;
+    bool hideCursor() override;
+    bool updateCursor() override;
+    bool moveCursor() override;
 
-    bool showCursor();
-    bool hideCursor();
-    bool updateCursor();
-    bool moveCursor();
-    bool present(const QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> &buffer, QRegion damagedRegion);
+    bool present(const QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> &buffer, QRegion damagedRegion) override;
     void pageFlipped();
-    bool isDpmsEnabled() const;
+    bool isDpmsEnabled() const override;
 
     DrmPipeline *pipeline() const;
-    DrmBuffer *currentBuffer() const;
-
-    bool initCursor(const QSize &cursorSize);
-
-    /**
-     * Drm planes might be capable of realizing the current output transform without usage
-     * of compositing. This is a getter to query the current state of that
-     *
-     * @return true if the hardware realizes the transform without further assistance
-     */
-    bool hardwareTransforms() const;
-
-    DrmGpu *gpu() {
-        return m_gpu;
-    }
+    GbmBuffer *currentBuffer() const override;
+    QSize sourceSize() const override;
 
 private:
     friend class DrmGpu;
     friend class DrmBackend;
-    DrmOutput(DrmBackend *backend, DrmGpu* gpu, DrmPipeline *pipeline);
+    DrmOutput(DrmGpu* gpu, DrmPipeline *pipeline);
 
     void initOutputDevice();
     bool isCurrentMode(const drmModeModeInfo *mode) const;
@@ -80,17 +67,14 @@ private:
     void setDrmDpmsMode(DpmsMode mode);
     void setDpmsMode(DpmsMode mode) override;
     void updateMode(int modeIndex) override;
-    void updateMode(uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint32_t refreshRate);
+    void updateMode(uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint32_t refreshRate) override;
     void updateTransform(Transform transform) override;
 
     int gammaRampSize() const override;
     bool setGammaRamp(const GammaRamp &gamma) override;
     void setOverscan(uint32_t overscan) override;
 
-    DrmBackend *m_backend;
-    DrmGpu *m_gpu;
     DrmPipeline *m_pipeline;
-    RenderLoop *m_renderLoop;
 
     QSharedPointer<DrmDumbBuffer> m_cursor;
     bool m_pageFlipPending = false;
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_pipeline.cpp b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_pipeline.cpp
index 6b8571c4c8..ac38520cd0 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_pipeline.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_pipeline.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 #include "drm_buffer.h"
 #include "cursor.h"
 #include "session.h"
-#include "abstract_output.h"
+#include "drm_output.h"
 #include "drm_backend.h"
 
 #if HAVE_GBM
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_virtual_output.cpp b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_virtual_output.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..35ed1c2fa1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_virtual_output.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+/*
+    KWin - the KDE window manager
+    This file is part of the KDE project.
+
+    SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2018 Roman Gilg <subdiff@gmail.com>
+    SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021 Xaver Hugl <xaver.hugl@gmail.com>
+
+    SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+*/
+#include "drm_virtual_output.h"
+
+#include "renderloop_p.h"
+#include "softwarevsyncmonitor.h"
+#include "drm_gpu.h"
+#include "drm_backend.h"
+#include "logging.h"
+#if HAVE_GBM
+#include "drm_buffer_gbm.h"
+#endif
+
+namespace KWin
+{
+
+DrmVirtualOutput::DrmVirtualOutput(DrmGpu *gpu)
+    : DrmAbstractOutput(gpu)
+    , m_vsyncMonitor(SoftwareVsyncMonitor::create(this))
+{
+    connect(m_vsyncMonitor, &VsyncMonitor::vblankOccurred, this, &DrmVirtualOutput::vblank);
+
+    static int s_serial = 0;
+    m_identifier = s_serial++;
+    setName("Virtual-" + QString::number(m_identifier));
+    m_modeIndex = 0;
+    QVector<Mode> modes = {{{1920, 1080}, 60000, AbstractWaylandOutput::ModeFlags(AbstractWaylandOutput::ModeFlag::Current) | AbstractWaylandOutput::ModeFlag::Preferred, 0}};
+    initialize(QByteArray("model_").append(QByteArray::number(m_identifier)),
+               QByteArray("manufacturer_").append(QByteArray::number(m_identifier)),
+               QByteArray("eisa_").append(QByteArray::number(m_identifier)),
+               QByteArray("serial_").append(QByteArray::number(m_identifier)),
+               modes[m_modeIndex].size, modes, QByteArray("EDID_").append(QByteArray::number(m_identifier)));
+    m_renderLoop->setRefreshRate(modes[m_modeIndex].refreshRate);
+}
+
+DrmVirtualOutput::~DrmVirtualOutput()
+{
+}
+
+bool DrmVirtualOutput::present(const QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> &buffer, QRegion damagedRegion)
+{
+    Q_UNUSED(damagedRegion)
+
+    m_currentBuffer = buffer;
+    m_vsyncMonitor->arm();
+    m_pageFlipPending = true;
+    Q_EMIT outputChange(damagedRegion);
+    return true;
+}
+
+void DrmVirtualOutput::vblank(std::chrono::nanoseconds timestamp)
+{
+    if (m_pageFlipPending) {
+        RenderLoopPrivate *renderLoopPrivate = RenderLoopPrivate::get(m_renderLoop);
+        renderLoopPrivate->notifyFrameCompleted(timestamp);
+    }
+}
+
+void DrmVirtualOutput::updateMode(int modeIndex)
+{
+    Q_UNUSED(modeIndex)
+}
+
+void DrmVirtualOutput::updateMode(uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint32_t refreshRate)
+{
+    Q_UNUSED(width)
+    Q_UNUSED(height)
+    Q_UNUSED(refreshRate)
+}
+
+void DrmVirtualOutput::setDpmsMode(DpmsMode mode)
+{
+    setDpmsModeInternal(mode);
+    m_dpmsEnabled = mode == DpmsMode::On;
+}
+
+bool DrmVirtualOutput::isDpmsEnabled() const
+{
+    return m_dpmsEnabled;
+}
+
+void DrmVirtualOutput::updateEnablement(bool enable)
+{
+    gpu()->platform()->enableOutput(this, enable);
+}
+
+QSize DrmVirtualOutput::sourceSize() const
+{
+    return pixelSize();
+}
+
+GbmBuffer *DrmVirtualOutput::currentBuffer() const
+{
+#if HAVE_GBM
+    return dynamic_cast<GbmBuffer*>(m_currentBuffer.get());
+#else
+    return nullptr;
+#endif
+}
+
+}
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_virtual_output.h b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_virtual_output.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6ad02a58b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/drm_virtual_output.h
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+/*
+    KWin - the KDE window manager
+    This file is part of the KDE project.
+
+    SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2018 Roman Gilg <subdiff@gmail.com>
+    SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021 Xaver Hugl <xaver.hugl@gmail.com>
+
+    SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+*/
+#pragma once
+
+#include "drm_abstract_output.h"
+
+#include <QObject>
+#include <QRect>
+
+namespace KWin
+{
+
+class SoftwareVsyncMonitor;
+class VirtualBackend;
+
+class DrmVirtualOutput : public DrmAbstractOutput
+{
+    Q_OBJECT
+public:
+    DrmVirtualOutput(DrmGpu *gpu);
+    ~DrmVirtualOutput() override;
+
+    bool present(const QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> &buffer, QRegion damagedRegion) override;
+    GbmBuffer *currentBuffer() const override;
+    QSize sourceSize() const override;
+    bool isDpmsEnabled() const override;
+
+    int gammaRampSize() const override {
+        return 200;
+    }
+    bool setGammaRamp(const GammaRamp &gamma) override {
+        Q_UNUSED(gamma);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+
+private:
+    void vblank(std::chrono::nanoseconds timestamp);
+    void updateMode(int modeIndex) override;
+    void updateMode(uint32_t width, uint32_t height, uint32_t refreshRate) override;
+    void setDpmsMode(DpmsMode mode) override;
+    void updateEnablement(bool enable) override;
+
+    QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> m_currentBuffer;
+    bool m_pageFlipPending = true;
+    int m_modeIndex = 0;
+    bool m_dpmsEnabled = true;
+
+    int m_identifier;
+    SoftwareVsyncMonitor *m_vsyncMonitor;
+};
+
+}
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_gbm_backend.cpp b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_gbm_backend.cpp
index 584f091911..cd33326f66 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_gbm_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_gbm_backend.cpp
@@ -144,10 +144,10 @@ bool EglGbmBackend::initRenderingContext()
     }
     return true;
 }
-bool EglGbmBackend::resetOutput(Output &output, DrmOutput *drmOutput)
+bool EglGbmBackend::resetOutput(Output &output, DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput)
 {
     output.output = drmOutput;
-    const QSize size = drmOutput->pipeline()->sourceSize();
+    const QSize size = drmOutput->sourceSize();
     int flags = GBM_BO_USE_RENDERING;
     if (drmOutput->gpu() == m_gpu) {
         flags |= GBM_BO_USE_SCANOUT;
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ bool EglGbmBackend::resetOutput(Output &output, DrmOutput *drmOutput)
     output.current = {};
     output.current.gbmSurface = gbmSurface;
 
-    if (output.output->hardwareTransforms()) {
+    if (size == drmOutput->pixelSize()) {
         output.current.shadowBuffer = nullptr;
     } else {
         makeContextCurrent(output.current);
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ bool EglGbmBackend::resetOutput(Output &output, DrmOutput *drmOutput)
     return true;
 }
 
-bool EglGbmBackend::addOutput(DrmOutput *drmOutput)
+bool EglGbmBackend::addOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput)
 {
     if (isPrimary()) {
         Output newOutput;
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ bool EglGbmBackend::addOutput(DrmOutput *drmOutput)
     return true;
 }
 
-void EglGbmBackend::removeOutput(DrmOutput *drmOutput)
+void EglGbmBackend::removeOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput)
 {
     QVector<Output> &outputs = drmOutput->gpu() == m_gpu ? m_outputs : m_secondaryGpuOutputs;
     auto it = std::find_if(outputs.begin(), outputs.end(),
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ void EglGbmBackend::removeOutput(DrmOutput *drmOutput)
     outputs.erase(it);
 }
 
-bool EglGbmBackend::swapBuffers(DrmOutput *drmOutput, const QRegion &dirty)
+bool EglGbmBackend::swapBuffers(DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput, const QRegion &dirty)
 {
     auto it = std::find_if(m_secondaryGpuOutputs.begin(), m_secondaryGpuOutputs.end(),
         [drmOutput] (const Output &output) {
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ bool EglGbmBackend::swapBuffers(DrmOutput *drmOutput, const QRegion &dirty)
     }
 }
 
-bool EglGbmBackend::exportFramebuffer(DrmOutput *drmOutput, void *data, const QSize &size, uint32_t stride)
+bool EglGbmBackend::exportFramebuffer(DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput, void *data, const QSize &size, uint32_t stride)
 {
     auto it = std::find_if(m_secondaryGpuOutputs.begin(), m_secondaryGpuOutputs.end(),
         [drmOutput] (const Output &output) {
@@ -261,9 +261,8 @@ bool EglGbmBackend::exportFramebuffer(DrmOutput *drmOutput, void *data, const QS
     return memcpy(data, bo->mappedData(), size.height() * stride);
 }
 
-int EglGbmBackend::exportFramebufferAsDmabuf(DrmOutput *output, uint32_t *format, uint32_t *stride)
+int EglGbmBackend::exportFramebufferAsDmabuf(DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput, uint32_t *format, uint32_t *stride)
 {
-    DrmOutput *drmOutput = static_cast<DrmOutput*>(output);
     auto it = std::find_if(m_secondaryGpuOutputs.begin(), m_secondaryGpuOutputs.end(),
         [drmOutput] (const Output &output) {
             return output.output == drmOutput;
@@ -283,7 +282,7 @@ int EglGbmBackend::exportFramebufferAsDmabuf(DrmOutput *output, uint32_t *format
     return fd;
 }
 
-QRegion EglGbmBackend::beginFrameForSecondaryGpu(DrmOutput *drmOutput)
+QRegion EglGbmBackend::beginFrameForSecondaryGpu(DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput)
 {
     auto it = std::find_if(m_secondaryGpuOutputs.begin(), m_secondaryGpuOutputs.end(),
         [drmOutput] (const Output &output) {
@@ -492,12 +491,12 @@ QRegion EglGbmBackend::beginFrame(int screenId)
     }
 }
 
-bool EglGbmBackend::doesRenderFit(DrmOutput *output, const Output::RenderData &render)
+bool EglGbmBackend::doesRenderFit(DrmAbstractOutput *output, const Output::RenderData &render)
 {
     if (!render.gbmSurface) {
         return false;
     }
-    QSize surfaceSize = output->pipeline()->sourceSize();
+    QSize surfaceSize = output->sourceSize();
     if (surfaceSize != render.gbmSurface->size()) {
         return false;
     }
@@ -558,13 +557,12 @@ void EglGbmBackend::endFrame(int screenId, const QRegion &renderedRegion,
     Q_UNUSED(renderedRegion)
 
     Output &output = m_outputs[screenId];
-    DrmOutput *drmOutput = output.output;
     cleanupRenderData(output.old);
 
     const QRegion dirty = damagedRegion.intersected(output.output->geometry());
     QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> buffer = endFrameWithBuffer(screenId, dirty);
     if (!buffer || !output.output->present(buffer, dirty)) {
-        RenderLoopPrivate *renderLoopPrivate = RenderLoopPrivate::get(drmOutput->renderLoop());
+        RenderLoopPrivate *renderLoopPrivate = RenderLoopPrivate::get(output.output->renderLoop());
         renderLoopPrivate->notifyFrameFailed();
         return;
     }
@@ -667,7 +665,7 @@ bool EglGbmBackend::scanout(int screenId, SurfaceItem *surfaceItem)
     }
 }
 
-QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> EglGbmBackend::renderTestFrame(DrmOutput *output)
+QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> EglGbmBackend::renderTestFrame(DrmAbstractOutput *output)
 {
     for (int i = 0; i < m_outputs.count(); i++) {
         if (m_outputs[i].output == output) {
@@ -697,7 +695,7 @@ QSharedPointer<GLTexture> EglGbmBackend::textureForOutput(AbstractOutput *abstra
         }
     }
 
-    DrmOutput *drmOutput = itOutput->output;
+    DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput = itOutput->output;
     if (itOutput->current.shadowBuffer) {
         const auto glTexture = QSharedPointer<KWin::GLTexture>::create(itOutput->current.shadowBuffer->texture(), GL_RGBA8, drmOutput->pixelSize());
         glTexture->setYInverted(true);
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_gbm_backend.h b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_gbm_backend.h
index 90a524888f..82b45f63e7 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_gbm_backend.h
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_gbm_backend.h
@@ -58,16 +58,16 @@ public:
         return m_outputs.count();
     }
 
-    bool addOutput(DrmOutput *output) override;
-    void removeOutput(DrmOutput *output) override;
-    bool swapBuffers(DrmOutput *output, const QRegion &dirty) override;
-    bool exportFramebuffer(DrmOutput *output, void *data, const QSize &size, uint32_t stride) override;
-    int exportFramebufferAsDmabuf(DrmOutput *output, uint32_t *format, uint32_t *stride) override;
-    QRegion beginFrameForSecondaryGpu(DrmOutput *output) override;
+    bool addOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output) override;
+    void removeOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output) override;
+    bool swapBuffers(DrmAbstractOutput *output, const QRegion &dirty) override;
+    bool exportFramebuffer(DrmAbstractOutput *output, void *data, const QSize &size, uint32_t stride) override;
+    int exportFramebufferAsDmabuf(DrmAbstractOutput *output, uint32_t *format, uint32_t *stride) override;
+    QRegion beginFrameForSecondaryGpu(DrmAbstractOutput *output) override;
 
     bool directScanoutAllowed(int screen) const override;
 
-    QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> renderTestFrame(DrmOutput *output) override;
+    QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> renderTestFrame(DrmAbstractOutput *output) override;
 
 protected:
     void cleanupSurfaces() override;
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ private:
         DumbBuffer
     };
     struct Output {
-        DrmOutput *output = nullptr;
+        DrmAbstractOutput *output = nullptr;
         struct RenderData {
             QSharedPointer<ShadowBuffer> shadowBuffer;
             QSharedPointer<GbmSurface> gbmSurface;
@@ -98,8 +98,8 @@ private:
         KWaylandServer::SurfaceInterface *surfaceInterface = nullptr;
     };
 
-    bool doesRenderFit(DrmOutput *output, const Output::RenderData &render);
-    bool resetOutput(Output &output, DrmOutput *drmOutput);
+    bool doesRenderFit(DrmAbstractOutput *output, const Output::RenderData &render);
+    bool resetOutput(Output &output, DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput);
 
     bool makeContextCurrent(const Output::RenderData &output) const;
     void setViewport(const Output &output) const;
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_stream_backend.cpp b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_stream_backend.cpp
index ae97494ee1..0e59f662e2 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_stream_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_stream_backend.cpp
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ void EglStreamBackend::init()
     } else {
         // secondary NVidia GPUs only import dumb buffers
         const auto outputs = m_gpu->outputs();
-        for (DrmOutput *drmOutput : outputs) {
+        for (DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput : outputs) {
             addOutput(drmOutput);
         }
     }
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ bool EglStreamBackend::initRenderingContext()
     }
 
     const auto outputs = m_gpu->outputs();
-    for (DrmOutput *drmOutput : outputs) {
+    for (DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput : outputs) {
         addOutput(drmOutput);
     }
     return !m_outputs.isEmpty() && makeContextCurrent(m_outputs.first());
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ bool EglStreamBackend::initRenderingContext()
 bool EglStreamBackend::resetOutput(Output &o, DrmOutput *drmOutput)
 {
     o.output = drmOutput;
-    QSize sourceSize = drmOutput->pipeline()->sourceSize();
+    QSize sourceSize = drmOutput->sourceSize();
 
     if (isPrimary()) {
         // dumb buffer used for modesetting
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ bool EglStreamBackend::resetOutput(Output &o, DrmOutput *drmOutput)
         o.eglStream = stream;
         o.eglSurface = eglSurface;
 
-        if (!drmOutput->hardwareTransforms()) {
+        if (sourceSize != drmOutput->pixelSize()) {
             makeContextCurrent(o);
             o.shadowBuffer = QSharedPointer<ShadowBuffer>::create(o.output->pixelSize());
             if (!o.shadowBuffer->isComplete()) {
@@ -383,35 +383,40 @@ bool EglStreamBackend::resetOutput(Output &o, DrmOutput *drmOutput)
     return true;
 }
 
-bool EglStreamBackend::addOutput(DrmOutput *drmOutput)
+bool EglStreamBackend::addOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output)
 {
-    Q_ASSERT(drmOutput->gpu() == m_gpu);
-    Output o;
-    if (!resetOutput(o, drmOutput)) {
-        return false;
-    }
-    if (!isPrimary() && !renderingBackend()->addOutput(drmOutput)) {
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    connect(drmOutput, &DrmOutput::modeChanged, this,
-        [drmOutput, this] {
-            auto it = std::find_if(m_outputs.begin(), m_outputs.end(),
-                [drmOutput] (const auto &o) {
-                    return o.output == drmOutput;
-                }
-            );
-            if (it == m_outputs.end()) {
-                return;
-            }
-            resetOutput(*it, drmOutput);
+    Q_ASSERT(output->gpu() == m_gpu);
+    DrmOutput *drmOutput = qobject_cast<DrmOutput *>(output);
+    if (drmOutput) {
+        Output o;
+        if (!resetOutput(o, drmOutput)) {
+            return false;
         }
-    );
-    m_outputs << o;
-    return true;
+        if (!isPrimary() && !renderingBackend()->addOutput(drmOutput)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        connect(drmOutput, &DrmOutput::modeChanged, this,
+            [drmOutput, this] {
+                auto it = std::find_if(m_outputs.begin(), m_outputs.end(),
+                    [drmOutput] (const auto &o) {
+                        return o.output == drmOutput;
+                    }
+                );
+                if (it == m_outputs.end()) {
+                    return;
+                }
+                resetOutput(*it, drmOutput);
+            }
+        );
+        m_outputs << o;
+        return true;
+    } else {
+        return false;
+    }
 }
 
-void EglStreamBackend::removeOutput(DrmOutput *drmOutput)
+void EglStreamBackend::removeOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput)
 {
     Q_ASSERT(drmOutput->gpu() == m_gpu);
     auto it = std::find_if(m_outputs.begin(), m_outputs.end(),
@@ -551,7 +556,7 @@ void EglStreamBackend::endFrame(int screenId, const QRegion &renderedRegion, con
     }
 }
 
-QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> EglStreamBackend::renderTestFrame(DrmOutput *drmOutput)
+QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> EglStreamBackend::renderTestFrame(DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput)
 {
     auto it = std::find_if(m_outputs.begin(), m_outputs.end(),
         [drmOutput] (const Output &o) {
@@ -562,7 +567,7 @@ QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> EglStreamBackend::renderTestFrame(DrmOutput *drmOutput
         return nullptr;
     }
     auto buffer = (*it).dumbSwapchain ? (*it).dumbSwapchain->currentBuffer() : (*it).buffer;
-    auto size = drmOutput->pipeline()->sourceSize();
+    auto size = drmOutput->sourceSize();
     if (buffer->size() == size) {
         return buffer;
     } else {
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_stream_backend.h b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_stream_backend.h
index a01b9c7ce3..20e971b94b 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_stream_backend.h
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/egl_stream_backend.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 namespace KWin
 {
 
-class DrmOutput;
+class DrmAbstractOutput;
 class DrmDumbBuffer;
 class DumbSwapchain;
 class ShadowBuffer;
@@ -41,10 +41,10 @@ public:
         return m_outputs.count();
     }
 
-    bool addOutput(DrmOutput *output) override;
-    void removeOutput(DrmOutput *output) override;
+    bool addOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output) override;
+    void removeOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output) override;
 
-    QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> renderTestFrame(DrmOutput *output) override;
+    QSharedPointer<DrmBuffer> renderTestFrame(DrmAbstractOutput *output) override;
 
 protected:
     void cleanupSurfaces() override;
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/scene_qpainter_drm_backend.cpp b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/scene_qpainter_drm_backend.cpp
index 0d410dfa20..d57605f4f7 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/scene_qpainter_drm_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/scene_qpainter_drm_backend.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ DrmQPainterBackend::DrmQPainterBackend(DrmBackend *backend, DrmGpu *gpu)
     }
     connect(m_gpu, &DrmGpu::outputEnabled, this, &DrmQPainterBackend::initOutput);
     connect(m_gpu, &DrmGpu::outputDisabled, this,
-        [this] (DrmOutput *o) {
+        [this] (DrmAbstractOutput *o) {
             auto it = std::find_if(m_outputs.begin(), m_outputs.end(),
                 [o] (const Output &output) {
                     return output.output == o;
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ DrmQPainterBackend::DrmQPainterBackend(DrmBackend *backend, DrmGpu *gpu)
     );
 }
 
-void DrmQPainterBackend::initOutput(DrmOutput *output)
+void DrmQPainterBackend::initOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output)
 {
     Output o;
     o.swapchain = QSharedPointer<DumbSwapchain>::create(m_gpu, output->pixelSize());
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ QRegion DrmQPainterBackend::beginFrame(int screenId)
 void DrmQPainterBackend::endFrame(int screenId, const QRegion &damage)
 {
     Output &rendererOutput = m_outputs[screenId];
-    DrmOutput *drmOutput = rendererOutput.output;
+    DrmAbstractOutput *drmOutput = rendererOutput.output;
 
     QSharedPointer<DrmDumbBuffer> back = rendererOutput.swapchain->currentBuffer();
     rendererOutput.swapchain->releaseBuffer(back);
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/scene_qpainter_drm_backend.h b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/scene_qpainter_drm_backend.h
index 5d26e687ad..7e4c28fe96 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/scene_qpainter_drm_backend.h
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/scene_qpainter_drm_backend.h
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ namespace KWin
 
 class DrmBackend;
 class DrmDumbBuffer;
-class DrmOutput;
+class DrmAbstractOutput;
 class DrmGpu;
 
 class DrmQPainterBackend : public QPainterBackend
@@ -36,9 +36,9 @@ public:
     void endFrame(int screenId, const QRegion &damage) override;
 
 private:
-    void initOutput(DrmOutput *output);
+    void initOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output);
     struct Output {
-        DrmOutput *output;
+        DrmAbstractOutput *output;
         QSharedPointer<DumbSwapchain> swapchain;
         DamageJournal damageJournal;
     };
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/shadowbuffer.cpp b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/shadowbuffer.cpp
index 4b99bbad6d..14074a27c6 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/shadowbuffer.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/shadowbuffer.cpp
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ ShadowBuffer::~ShadowBuffer()
     glDeleteFramebuffers(1, &m_framebuffer);
 }
 
-void ShadowBuffer::render(DrmOutput *output)
+void ShadowBuffer::render(DrmAbstractOutput *output)
 {
     const auto size = output->modeSize();
     glViewport(0, 0, size.width(), size.height());
diff --git a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/shadowbuffer.h b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/shadowbuffer.h
index 6fc2ec3bd4..dfb3bf535b 100644
--- a/src/plugins/platforms/drm/shadowbuffer.h
+++ b/src/plugins/platforms/drm/shadowbuffer.h
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 namespace KWin
 {
 
-class DrmOutput;
+class DrmAbstractOutput;
 
 class ShadowBuffer
 {
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ public:
     bool isComplete() const;
 
     void bind();
-    void render(DrmOutput *output);
+    void render(DrmAbstractOutput *output);
 
     int texture() const;
 
diff --git a/src/wayland_server.cpp b/src/wayland_server.cpp
index dac6f60271..506059e45c 100644
--- a/src/wayland_server.cpp
+++ b/src/wayland_server.cpp
@@ -325,23 +325,33 @@ void WaylandServer::initPlatform()
 void WaylandServer::handleOutputAdded(AbstractOutput *output)
 {
     auto o = static_cast<AbstractWaylandOutput *>(output);
-    m_waylandOutputDevices.insert(o, new WaylandOutputDevice(o));
+    if (!o->isPlaceholder()) {
+        m_waylandOutputDevices.insert(o, new WaylandOutputDevice(o));
+    }
 }
 
 void WaylandServer::handleOutputRemoved(AbstractOutput *output)
 {
-    delete m_waylandOutputDevices.take(static_cast<AbstractWaylandOutput *>(output));
+    auto o = static_cast<AbstractWaylandOutput *>(output);
+    if (!o->isPlaceholder()) {
+        delete m_waylandOutputDevices.take(o);
+    }
 }
 
 void WaylandServer::handleOutputEnabled(AbstractOutput *output)
 {
     auto o = static_cast<AbstractWaylandOutput *>(output);
-    m_waylandOutputs.insert(o, new WaylandOutput(o));
+    if (!o->isPlaceholder()) {
+        m_waylandOutputs.insert(o, new WaylandOutput(o));
+    }
 }
 
 void WaylandServer::handleOutputDisabled(AbstractOutput *output)
 {
-    delete m_waylandOutputs.take(static_cast<AbstractWaylandOutput *>(output));
+    auto o = static_cast<AbstractWaylandOutput *>(output);
+    if (!o->isPlaceholder()) {
+        delete m_waylandOutputs.take(o);
+    }
 }
 
 AbstractWaylandOutput *WaylandServer::findOutput(KWaylandServer::OutputInterface *outputIface) const