I've got a graphics card that outputs DVI(f), a monitor that inputs VGA(m) and a projector that inputs HDMI(f) and I want to clone the output onto both. [(m) and (f) stand for male and female ports.] What's the best way to do this? I've been trying various splitters/adaptors but not quite getting the results I expected. For instance there is a DVI-I(integrated) to VGA + DVI-D(digital only) "splitter" available, which I thought - along with a DVI-D to HDMI lead - would work. But my graphics card objected strongly to having the two displays plugged in: it would only drive one at a time. I think the driver gets some information back from the display, so it can print what type it is, so is confused by two on one port(some ATI helper utility crashed when I first plugged both in). You don't want to know why I've just ordered three video cable gender changers , I suspect my new and more complicated plan involving a pure HDMI splitter will also fail. My config is Windows XP 32-bit, Athlon X2 4400+, Radeon HD3850 graphics card. The monitor and projector are both 1080p native res. By the way, my graphics card does have a 2nd port, a VGA, but it's plugged into another VGA monitor (1280x1024 LCD), so I really want to clone from the single DVI port. Any help would be appreciated!
To clarify: How many displays are involved 2 (a projector and a monitor) or 3 (two monitors and a projector)?
Three, but one monitor is just hooked up to the VGA port of my graphics card (and displays a different part of the desktop). So I don't think it's going to be involved. I want to split the DVI port between the remaining monitor and projector - in cloned mode so they both display the same.
Unless your card explicitly supports two monitors over that cable, you aren't going to be able to get both working simultaneously. You are in a bit of a pickle with regards to solving this. The projector doesn't support analog and the monitor doesn't support digital. What you'll probably have to do is get a VGA splitter and a VGA to DVI/HDMI box or vice verse (DVI/HDMI splitter with HDMI/DVI to VGA box).
Thanks, I wondered if I had an analogue/digital problem. What's odd is this thing I've got: http://www.simplyanythingshop.co.uk/hdmi-to-vga-cable-v13-video-hdtv-lead-1080p-18m-gold-22025-p.asp HDMI on one end, VGA on the other! I suspect I'll need to buy an active box for either splitting or conversion. Maybe I can get away with the passive HDMI splitter cable I already have and an active HDMI-to-VGA box as you suggest.
Funny thing is: they delivered a product to that description. ...so what you're saying is the above is troll cable? It certainly doesn't *work* because I tried connecting the graphics card's VGA port via it to the projector's HDMI and it didn't detect anything.
That cable can't work for what the ports on the ends are usually used for (as you have discovered). That's not to say some one couldn't use a VGA connector to carry a HDMI signal. The company sold it to make money, and the successfully did this, but the product they sold has no purpose. I would be surprised if the pins on the ends are actually connected.
*This is a thread-jack, nobody move!* Handy thread this- I've been looking at getting another monitor in order to attain dual monitor Cheesecake, however, there are precious few monitors the same as mine that come with both vga & dvi-d ( I have acer p193w, need x193w newer version ) inputs, and my mobo will only support vga & hdmi, or vga & dvi-d. Thus, my only other option is either a hdmi/dvi > vga active box for ~£40, or a cheapish 4550 graphics card ( onboard is 4250 ) for ~£30. I think the graphics card makes most sense really, since I dont game currently and a 19" monitor suits me fine. Point being I suppose, a second graphics card + something like display fusion or similar would work best for the OP, rather than faffing about with adaptor cables.. *threadjack over, nothing to see here people*
the above cable is for special tv's that are able to take a vga connection over hdmi. they will not work for normal vga to hdmi use
You'll need some sort of active distributer to duplicate your signal across different interfaces.. or a new card!
Thanks all for your help. Guinevere - that's the direction I'm thinking of going in, but do you reckon I need an active HDMI duplicator, or an active HDMI->VGA converter? Or both? (many boxes)
I've attempted this in this past, it's not really built to work this way, what I found worked for me was to plug both two output display connects in simultaneously for the set-up to work. But I think it was a fluke more than anything. You most likely will need some sort of intermediary box that will receive the signal from the card and then duplicate the image to two external displays. I'm not sure if such a device exists. Alternatively upgrade your graphics card, and set the displays to duplicate rather than extend and you should have it working.
I think the cheapest solution would be to just add in another card if you can. I really don't like the idea of adding multiple converter boxes in a daisy chain, sounds like the recipe for compatibility issues. What do you want to run on each monitor? High use of GPU stuff (Games?), Video (1080p HD?) or just standard productivity stuff? Software like Ultramon will do a good job of mirroring productivity apps across outputs, but don't expect miracles for HD or games. http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/tour/mirroring.asp If I was use I'd be on the lookout for a new video card (Either as a replacement or more likely as an addition), or ditch the idea of running to all three screens. I know you "want to" but do you "need to" ?
Guinevere is right, multiple converters are a recipe for trouble. You want to connect the projector and its clone monitor to the same graphics card so that you get hardware cloning and connect the monitor displaying the separate part of the desktop to a seconds graphics card. If your current graphics card is good then just get a cheap second one. If your current graphics card is lacking then use this as an excuse to treat yourself to a good one because the alternative (multiple flaky boxes) would set you back at least £180 (Matrox Dual-Head-2-go + Startech VGA-to-HDMI converter).
I just bought an HDMI-to-VGA converter box (Ebay, £38.50)... To test it, I did DVI (from graphics card) to HDMI with a cable I already have, then put that into the box and took the VGA to the monitor. The image appeared on the screen, but at about 80% of the usual size - in both X and Y so there was a black border all the way around! The LCD monitor clocks and adjustments didn't go far enough to stretch it to fill the entire 1080p panel. (I'm trying to send it back and get a refund - might try a different make of box). [[ Edit: this converter box appears to give a black border at many resolutions. Also, I just tried a more complicated configuration and found the HDMI signal did not survive the passive HDMI splitter plus the 10m extension cable to the projector intact (got bands of green pixels overlayed all over the screen). However, the passive splitter outputs are fine when routed straight to the HDMI->VGA box through a shorter cable. ]] A second graphics card might be possible, though I have no idea what that does to spanned 3D applications (right now I can span across both monitors in OpenGL with a reasonable frame rate if I want to). My current card is a Radeon HD 3850: I do games (though not on maximum settings) and 3D CAD type stuff so make quite heavy use of the GPU.
OK, I've got this set-up working (more or less). The "black border" problem was a setting in my graphics driver settings where it assumed it was going to a TV and allowed for "overscan". Setting that to 0% fixed the issue. Video cloned successfully on the VGA monitor (using a HDMI->VGA converter) and the projector, these being via an active HDMI splitter box. Main problem at the moment is the HDMI-to-VGA converter gives a poor quality signal output at 1080p60, so I get some banding around vertical black/white lines on the screen. I'm going to send it back and try a more different or less cheap brand.
