| Author |
multiple monitor question...?
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| Gundyman 2003-12-21, 12:42 pm |
| I know win support multiple, never think how to install one.
Can anyone tell me how to add extra monitor?
I know we can use S-video to connect to the TV.
Where can i find another port for the extra monitor (LCD)? I looked at the bad of my video card. It only show had one port...
Do LCD come with USB adaptor?
Sometime a simple question, but I can't figure out the answer...
Thank you
Merry X'mas | |
| azimuth40 2003-12-21, 2:14 pm |
| Windows in the 9x flavors supports 9 monitors. I am not sure about the count on 2K/XP . As far as the physical hookup it is the same as the first monitor. You either get another video card or you buy a dual head one. Dual head cards now-a-days can be had for around $100 U.S. using Nvidia or ATI GPU chips. Current ones have 128MB of RAM. They come with one standard VGA and one of the new universal video connectors for hooking to digital LCD or wall projectors. Normally the card also includes a screw on adapter to convert the second connector to a standard VGA plug.
These cards are normally listed as TV out or DVI out
Here are some pictures from a local store chain in California.
Nvidia chipset
http://www.pcclub.com/product_detai...itemno=A9602742
ATI chipset
http://www.pcclub.com/product_detai...itemno=A9630803
Make sure the brand that you select comes with the converter because they are about $10 if you have to buy one.
http://www.pcclub.com/product_list....DVI%20Converter
Oh if you want to go the dual head route make sure you hit the brands website and check the meadia functions. Some cheap brands don't let you pick and choose what goes on each monitor. Short of buying a new card you might find an old PCI card in a spare computer or from a friend. Your BIOS will normally have an option that says whether the AGP or PCI slot is the primary monitor | |
| Gundyman 2003-12-22, 3:30 pm |
| OK, thanks...
If I want to more than 2 LCDs, (One on left, right and center) then I need adaptor with 3+ port and connect to the port from the video card?
It will be a nice view to have LCD Left, right and center | |
| azimuth40 2003-12-22, 4:46 pm |
| quote: Originally posted by Gundyman
OK, thanks...
If I want to more than 2 LCDs, (One on left, right and center) then I need adaptor with 3+ port and connect to the port from the video card?
It will be a nice view to have LCD Left, right and center
Unless you have lots of disposable cash then 3+ ports are out of the relm of possibility. ATI I believe still makes PCI cards and LCD's come in analog and digital versions. I would suggest that you get one AGP and one PCI card. If you look around you might find PCI new on close out.
I bought 4 ATI 16MB Rage Pro 128's shrinkwrap new for $5 dollars each this past summer at of all places Walmart. 16MB just happens to be Microsofts minimum for 3D operations. I have already used two of them in older systems and have two spares for emergencies. Definitely not gaming cards but for multi-monitors like programming where it is not the primary they work just fine. | |
| Gundyman 2003-12-23, 10:53 am |
| I just want to know how to connect more than 2 monitor to a PC...
I saw on the store (x'mas shopping) that a local PC store hook up all the monitor as big screen. So, there must be a way to do it.
Just want to know
Also, if the windows support that many monitor.. Then that shall be a way to do it. Maybe a converter adaptor that hook up somewhere..? | |
| plantwiz 2003-12-23, 12:39 pm |
| win2k will support up to 10 monitors. XP should be same. | |
| azimuth40 2003-12-23, 2:04 pm |
| quote: Originally posted by Gundyman
I just want to know how to connect more than 2 monitor to a PC...
I saw on the store (x'mas shopping) that a local PC store hook up all the monitor as big screen. So, there must be a way to do it.
Just want to know
Also, if the windows support that many monitor.. Then that shall be a way to do it. Maybe a converter adaptor that hook up somewhere..?
Oh, what you saw in the store, if it is a typical store, may not what you have been asking about. Did they all have the same identical picture? To display monitors so that a buyer can comparison shop, stores buy a special box that duplicates the signal from a single video card and fans it out to multiple monitors. Ask a salesperson to point the little box out to you. Except for special applications like this, it has no practical value. That is unless you want the same exact picture on multiple monitors.
Most people don't want that but want different pictures or a wider screen. Notice Deja-vue's post with two LCD's hooked to I believe an ATI video card, the pictures are not the same but represent a wider desktop.
http://www.examnotes.com/forums/sho...10&pagenumber=1
Now on your problem, what exactly am I not being clear about?. If I open up a PC and find 5 free PCI slots, I can go buy 5 PCI video cards and 5 monitors. I install the drivers for each different brand of card, if they are all the same model and brand then I just install it once. Windows will then do the rest.
If I wanted just two monitors then a common dual head AGP video card provides the support in its own driver. Buy two more monitors then windows will see 7 monitors and provide a setup on for what I want to display on each.
If I go out and find PCI video cards that support two monitors each, Matrox made and may still make them then I would have the potential for 12 monitors in my scenario. However as has been pointed out Win9x only supports 9 and as pointe out by plantwiz Win2K or XP supports 10.
I think that you are making it overly complicated or confusing it with entirely different functions that you saw in a computer store. Basically you stick the cards in and it works. Please let us know where you are still missing information. | |
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| Gundyman 2003-12-27, 10:09 pm |
| That is great... I shall get the 4 ports one..
Thanks
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| DaPunisher 2003-12-28, 9:18 pm |
| I've been looking for a good video splitter. Thanks for the link! | |
| azimuth40 2003-12-30, 4:19 am |
| quote: Originally posted by DaPunisher
I've been looking for a good video splitter. Thanks for the link!
Glad it helped sometimes the things that are not mainstream are hard to locate. |
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