Would this work for 3 monitors ?

Stonefield wrote on 6/12/2005, 10:49 PM
I was experimenting with different monitor configurations today and came up with an idea...

Would it be possible to get three monitors running with a dual head video card AND an old PCI video card ?

or

Can I use the dual head vid card alongside the motherboard's onboard vga output ???

I know 3 monitors ( plus NTSC tv preview ) is just outta control, but I'm crazy like that.

Comments

Grazie wrote on 6/12/2005, 10:54 PM
Nope! Not crazy . .. I was thinking this last week .. but didn't have the courage to ask! Thanks Stoney! - I'd like to use a 3rd screen for the "2nd Monitor Preview" option we now have in V6 .. yeah? . .Soooo... for me, 2 x 17" screens for editing and a 3rd screen purely for the Preview. I would still have the f/w-ed ExtMon for CC etc . . .



Spot|DSE wrote on 6/12/2005, 11:03 PM
Stan,
We did this on a system a while back, was a HUGE PITA to configure in Win2K, but probably would be much easier in XP. We were also using an Appian card back then, so that added to the headache too.
Never tried it for a studio use, we were rigging tradeshow displays.
Nothing crazy about it. Having 3 is great! I've got three on a single Appian, plus the 2 NTSC monitors.Like a spaceship, isn't it? But my program material isn't quite as sweet to look at as yours. :-)
Stonefield wrote on 6/12/2005, 11:03 PM
That's exactly what I would use it for Grazie....

I'm trying an experiment right now....dual head card and onboard VGA...hope I don't fry anything......

HEH...if this works....call me Captain Kirk sitting on the bridge of the Enterprise.....fingers crossed...

...........did you say TWO NTSC monitors ?????
Stonefield wrote on 6/12/2005, 11:12 PM
Hmmmm.....I plugged in the 3 monitor into the onboard VGA plug. That monitor won't even turn on now.....the ones from the dual head are still working fine....

I rebooted, and tried to FIND NEW HARDWARE.....nadda....

Anyone ?

WinXP Pro
Spot|DSE wrote on 6/12/2005, 11:17 PM
I should clarify, the two monitors are on a switch. My own room actually has 3, but the el cheap0 is always going, regardless of which NTSC monitor is sourced.
I recall seeing pix of three on split vid cards somewhere in this forum, someone had it happening, so I know it can be done with cards other than the Appian.
Liam_Vegas wrote on 6/12/2005, 11:33 PM
It is very likely that the onboard VGA is disabled in the bios. I installed a new video card in my Sons computer (so he could play better games!)... and of course I disabled the onboard VGA adaptor in order to get the new one working.

Just re-boot and press whatever key you need to get into the bios... and noodle through the menus until you find the one to enable the onboard VGA.

Windows XP can cope with multiple monitors on multiple monitor adaptors... so there is nothing that should prevent you from doing this.
Stonefield wrote on 6/12/2005, 11:50 PM
Did ALL that exactly.....went to bios and enabled the onboard VGA.....continued booting up.....and still nothing.

Did a complete reboot and still nothing.....went back and disabled the onboard VGA just to be safe....

I mailed my bro to see if he has an old PCI vid card I can try. As it stands, can't seem to use an AGP card with the onboard VGA display.

Would be cool if i"m wrong....gonna do some research.

***UPDATE

Ok, found this quote in a forum that probably came from some kid that knows way more than me...

"You can use a PCI card with the onboard ,but you cannot use the onboard and AGP at the same time."

Ok....time to dig up an old PCI video card.