I have an ATi All-In-Wonder 9700 with a DVI output, a s-video output, a s-video input, and a coaxial input. I have two monitors: a 19" CRT with an old-fashioned blue plug (I'm not sure of the name for it) and a 15" LCD with one of those blue plugs and a DVI plug. I'd like to set these up for a dual-monitor setup. First of all, I assume its possible to have an extended desktop set up on two different sized monitors? I also need to know what to use to get both of them to input into the video card. Currently, I'm just using a blue plug-to-DVI convertor for my 19" crt. Thanks in advance! -Tek
I don't know about how you'd go about connecting the two monitors, but I know it is possible to use extended desktop with two different resolution monitors - I've done it. The only weird thing is becuase they don't exactly line up, sometime your mouse can hit a wall when you would think it would go over to the other monitor.
It seems like you've only got the 1 DVI connector which is werid because normally you have DVI and a VGA (seems like you got the VIVO version). Also google for a proggy called Ultramon which is a must for dual monitor setups.
yep, my card has vivo... I'm not buying a new agp gfx card for a while since I just bought this one not too long ago, so would my best option be to get a cheap pci gfx card or should I invest in a higher-quality pci gfx card? Would that still allow me to do extended desktop with two different vid cards? I would use the monitor my ATi card is hooked up to to play games and do 3d stuff, and then use the pci card for text and websites (good for programming tutorials and such )
Ultramon supports something like 17 monitors across however many PCI cards you got. Considering when using dual monitors your mostly going to be using 2D any cheap card will do. Ultramon lets to extend monitors across different cards (that's how some bit-techers have 3,4+ monitors).
okay...so would I only be able to play my games on the monitor hooked up to the good card, and if I move it to another monitor using a pci card, it won't play as good?
Could I use an adapter that is made for something like a dvd-player to be viewed on a monitor? That way I could use the s-video output and change it to vga-output to the 2nd monitor...would that work?
Normally you can only play games on the primary monitor, and with the secondary disabled. In my experience they play rather bad with both monitors enabled.
Agree with Atomic, games look awful with both monitors enabled. disabling the secondary monitor is a must when playing games. I've no idea I've never tried anything like that. I guess you could try it and see what happens.
I heard somewhere this is possible with an LCD and a DVI monitor. Somewhere in the DVI specs there are DVI signals and VGA signals... hence why DVI --> VGA converters don't involved any complex circuitry. I don't know if it'd work or kill your card or what, but Id give it a shot [ so long as your warranty is in tact ] So look up the DVI pin out. Then get a DVI --> VGA converter... check out which pins are analog then hack up a DVI cable and do your thing. AT YOUR OWN RISK, of course.
Well it seems my brother stole the LCD I wanted to use, but I might be able to get a 17" CRT but this only has VGA and no DVI.... I've seen a few things at Radio Shack and other stores that are made to allow you to use your DVD player/vcr/etc. and view it on a monitor via VGA. I'm trying to figure out if it'll work... But they cost a lot, and its probably just cheaper to get a PCI vid card....any suggestions on pci vid cards?
TekMonkey - it really doesn't matter on the PCI card any 2nd hand jobbie will do. Although it would make life easier if you got a ATI one for driver installs etc.
Im using a 9700pro with dual monitors... MITSUBISHI DP91 19''+BUFFALO 15'' LCD u can juz tick on ' extend the desktop to this device' in graphic config window.... but if u dont use the same resultion 4 both of the monitors... it may be a bit strange... personally im using 1280x1024 for the 19'' one n 1024x768 for the LCD screen.....it works fine. u can move ur mouse or anything across from the main monitor to the 2nd monitor.... its juz a expansion of ur desktop. but sometimes it sux when u play games....when u move ur mouse...it moves out of the screen which u r using 4 gaming...to the other monitor...n the game will be paused or even sudden closed!
zhenboy - he can't do that because he is using a vivo card which only has one dvi port and no VGA. If you disable your 2nd monitor before starting a game you wouldn't have any crashes.
lol... i knew tht....-H- i could stop the 2nd monitor b4 gaming... .............but its still good if u got ur gameplay in ur default monitor... n reading the cheats direct from ur 2nd monitor...lol i always do tht..........................
