| Forum Home | ||||
| Press F1 | ||||
| Thread ID: 115559 | 2011-01-24 02:50:00 | Multi-monitor computer | CYaBro (73) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1172082 | 2011-01-24 02:50:00 | Hey, I've been asked by a colleague to come up with a system that can run 5 monitors. They want to be able to have all 5 screens showing something different at the same time, or group 2 or more together to show the same thing, while the rest show something different. What it is for is a council building / theatre / hall hire where they will have 5 plasma screens around the building displaying info. This info will be generic info most of the time but when a show is on in the theatre they want to have some screens showing info about that. Not sure what format these will be in, most likely powerpoint or something like that. I'm guessing that 3 graphics cards will be required, with dual monitor support on each, or USB-VGA adapters may be good enough as they aren't going to be playing games or showing HD content on the screens. We will most likely run Cat5e/Cat6 shielded cable to each screen and use VGA extenders/converters for each screen as some of the runs will be 55-60M. Anyone ever done anything like this? Am I on the right track? |
CYaBro (73) | ||
| 1172083 | 2011-01-24 02:56:00 | Well I just been into ACC today and I noticed their computers have 1 into 2 VGA cables I suppose you would call them y splitters or something, but if your wanting all screens to be independent then I don't know. I guess you would need something like the video security guys use | gary67 (56) | ||
| 1172084 | 2011-01-24 03:11:00 | AMD have a range of card that support eyefinity and up to 6 monitor from one card...only trouble is they are mostly DP connection..... ascent.co.nz You will need to find adapters.......other than that, you can get USB to VGA adapter that drive 1280x1024, so if the res isnt that high, you would only need 4 of these at $125 + a dual card www.rextron.com |
SolMiester (139) | ||
| 1172085 | 2011-01-24 03:13:00 | I'm guessing that 3 graphics cards will be required, with dual monitor support on each, or USB-VGA adapters may be good enough as they aren't going to be playing games or showing HD content on the screens. We will most likely run Cat5e/Cat6 shielded cable to each screen and use VGA extenders/converters for each screen as some of the runs will be 55-60M. They want to be able to have all 5 screens showing something different at the same time, or group 2 or more together to show the same thing, while the rest show something different. Anyone ever done anything like this? Am I on the right track? I personally have 2 ATI cards running crossfireX, both of them have 3 monitor support so you don't have to have 3 graphics cards, 2 will do---most mid-range cards have 3 monitor support and if you go for the high end card, some have 6 monitor support (6 mini-hdmi ports). In ATI, running multiple monitor is called eyeInfinity, and the support isn't great (IMHO). In my case with the mid range card, I can run 3 monitors off 1 card simple enough. But if I want to run 3 monitors off 2 card in crossfireX (higher frame rate) mode I have to buy another adapter, which will cost around $100 and it is a pure pain in the a$$!!! I was furious when I find out I have to spend more money and I will never buy ATI again........ I don't know what is the story with Nvidia multi-screen support tho, very interested to find out.. shielded cable will be nice if you are using VGA. |
powerover (12121) | ||
| 1172086 | 2011-01-24 03:20:00 | Actually, I reckon the Rextron devices will be the easiest to use, the DP adapters for the 6 port ATI card are too expensive! We use the VGA models for some of the older PC's at wotk that dont have expansion ports... | SolMiester (139) | ||
| 1172087 | 2011-01-24 07:30:00 | I did that *years* ago on a Pentium 60Mhz with 96MB RAM and 5 good old SiS Trio 64v (Or something similar) cards. Was running Win98. Turns out there was a hard limit to the amount of asteroids the "flying through space" screen saver would show, and I found it looked best on only 4 monitors instead of spanning across 5 :p Personally I'd still look at going that way if I was to do it again, provided nothing 3D was required. pricespy.co.nz Problem is these days most motherboards don't ship with 5x PCI slots :D |
Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 1172088 | 2011-01-25 01:45:00 | Thanks Sol. I quoted them the ATI Eyefinity6 card with the mini display port - VGA adapters. Will see what happens. Hopefully get the job as would like to see the system setup and working :D |
CYaBro (73) | ||
| 1172089 | 2011-01-25 01:50:00 | Thanks Sol. I quoted them the ATI Eyefinity6 card with the mini display port - VGA adapters. Will see what happens. Hopefully get the job as would like to see the system setup and working :D Be careful with the eyefinity setup mate, $900 for the card plus (in your case) 5 x DP to VGA\DVI adapter ($20 each)....unless your screens have DP connections.... The Rexton system would be cheaper.....1 x cheap dual head card $100 + 4 x $125....done |
SolMiester (139) | ||
| 1172090 | 2011-01-25 03:40:00 | Be careful with the eyefinity setup mate, $900 for the card plus (in your case) 5 x DP to VGA\DVI adapter ($20 each)....unless your screens have DP connections.... The Rexton system would be cheaper.....1 x cheap dual head card $100 + 4 x $125....done Budget wasn't a problem for these guys so went with the more expensive option first. Easier to come down in price than go up :rolleyes: |
CYaBro (73) | ||
| 1 | |||||