Dual Monitor

[Gray]

At the moment i am contemplating running dual monitors, presently i dont have the room to do this, but i wouldnt mind testing it out initially just to see how it is, then if i like it i might make it a permanent fixture.

Currently i have one flatscreen LCD monitor which fits into my BFG GeForce 8800GT graphics card.

Now, i do have a spare monitor, but it is huuuuuge. One of the old CRT 19' models, hence why space would be scarce if i were to use that. Although i am sure it would be entirely possible [And probably easier than what i am thinking of doing next].

Because of the size and sheer bulkiness of the additional monitor, i heard about how people hook up their televisions to the computers, so i assume this would [could] act as a secondary monitor for the same purposes.

Distance would be a slight issue, since any wires would need to go around the wall, but i am sure its entirely doable.

But what would you need to do this? Is it the same setup as if it were a monitor? Is there any differences between a 19' monitor and 22' television? Are games "better" [Albeit i wouldnt use it much for games. Maybe...]

The nVidia control panel seems to support dual monitors, so that part seems easy. In theory.

BFG GeForce 8800 GT graphics card
Samsung LE22A656 LCD HD Ready Digital Television, 22 Inch

 

[Overdriven]

I'm currently doing this, but with a 22" LG and a 19" Samsung (1680x1050 and 1280x1024) using Realtime Soft UltraMon good tool for using two screens - on XP - Vista (iirc) supports dual monitors nativley?

Using a 19" CRT wouldn't cause you any problems I think and yeah, you can use a TV as a secondary monitor, but you'd be stuck with the default screen resolution (check TV manual)

 

[Gray]

I am trying to think what cable would be required to do the dual monitor from television.

I am looking at this quickhelp manual in my graphics card box, and it mentions the HDTV connections. I dont think the cable for HDTV is going to be required for what i want it for, but what are the general prices for those HDTV cables? [If required]

I notice my television has a VGA port on it, so basically would all i need to do is get a DVI to VGA cable and then do the rest on the computer?

 

[inactionman]

Pretty much. What kind of distance are we talking about here? Anything over 2m and you will need a premium cable, 5m is about the maximum.

 

[Gray]

Hmm yeah, i would *assume* the distance going around the wall would be at most 3m, give or take a bit.

Looks like the DVI-VGA cables cost about £20 or so, for approx 2m anyway.

 

[MYstIC G]

Check eBay for your cables, I had to get a HDMI to DVI cable (I think) and it was massively cheaper.

Similar setup to overdriven myself but got a 19" monitor & 32" TV hooked up. I work it that the TV is connected but not used unless I want to watch something on the larger screen (i don't need day to day dual screen & it just fucks with games). One keyboard shortcut and Ultramon either fires up or turns off 2 screen mode. Sorted.

 

[rynnor]

Has anyone got one of those multi-monitor frames or would reccomend one?

I have two 19" LCDs I want to use with one and I dont have room on my desk to have both with their normal bases.

 

[Sar]

I have my PC hooked up to my monitor as primary (1680*1050) and my 37" HDTV as secondary (720p to 1080p depending).

I would like to find out some method of having games launch on the secondary display - is there a command line switch that will do this?

Nvidia's desktop manager in Dualview doesn't do a great job.

 

[Yaka]

youll be best off getting a 2nd gfx card sar. dual view only likes to display somat in window mode on one screen which means your mouse pointer my end up on the other screen. or spread it over both which is not good unless you got matching displays. i use a gtx 280 for my gaaming screen and a 9600gs fanless one for irc/radom stuffs

 

[Sar]

Bugger that, may just clone the primary display and use an HDTV friendly res such as 1280x720.

Be nice to play GoW PC on the big telly, as well as other PC games.

 

[MYstIC G]

Use Ultramon and switch primary desktop between the two screens. It's a bit of a botch but it works for just a bit of gaming.

 

[Gray]

Finally got around to doing this a couple of days ago, maybe a week.

Ive connected my TV upto my graphics card using a DVI/VGA cable [Since my TV has a VGA port].

All is good, it works and was easy to setup.

One question though - I dont have any sound coming through on my TV, which is really unfortunate. Is there a way sound can be enabled for the second screen or will it be forever muted?

 

[WPKenny]

Finally got around to doing this a couple of days ago, maybe a week.

Ive connected my TV upto my graphics card using a DVI/VGA cable [Since my TV has a VGA port].

All is good, it works and was easy to setup.

One question though - I dont have any sound coming through on my TV, which is really unfortunate. Is there a way sound can be enabled for the second screen or will it be forever muted?

Interesting question. I suppose in theory it might be possible to program an app to use your L+R speaker out for one monitor's apps and use say line out or digital out for the second monitor but I've never heard of such a thing. Let me know if you do find one though.

 

[Ch3tan]

Gray, you cannot carry sound over a dvi or vga cable. You can over hdmi, if you have a gfx card with sound onboard.

To enable sound on your tv, output a 3.5m to 2 RCA from your PC to your tv. You will have to check the settings on your TV first, to see if it allows you to assign a audio input to the VGA input.

 

[Yaka]

if it is via vga/dvi on tv then it will prolly have 3.5mm conn so he would need a 3.5 to 3.5 cable, if you got tyour olden dial up modem then use the cable that came with that. its wot im doing with mine, v+ box conntect to panels dvi, and using the cables from me hayes modem