multiple monitor question, need info please

[happyhero]

Hi on my current PC arrangement I have two monitors (DELL 2005FPW). They are connected to the two svga outputs on my pc so that I can use each monitor with separate windows open, ie I am not duplicating on the monitors but opening say for example Word or emails on one and IE on the other. I would like to continue to do this but I am thinking of upgrading my PC to something newer, trouble is most PC's seem to come with only one output, I was lucky the first time.

These monitor which I want to keep using have a connection which is labeled DVI-D . I think this connection can give me a better quality picture, but I never DVI on my PC. I have heard of DVI but what is DVI-D?

Some of the new PC's I see offer a single HDMI connection. One seems to have 1x HDMI and it also says it has 1x DVI-I(includ. adaptor D-sub VGA), what on earth does that mean?

Anyway basically can anyone tell me if I can have my current two monitors and use them the way I do now with a new PC that has these sort of connection eg. 1x HDMI cable?

ie is there a splitter cable that will go from one port to two monitors and is there software that will then let them work like this?

I am thinking that things are clever enough now to have the two monitors driven from one port.

Any help appreciated

 

[MarkBarl]

Yes, it is unusual to find multiple SVGA outputs on PC's.

Info in DVI-I/DVI-D can be found at here

The Wikipedia page says

"DVI-I" stands for "DVI-Integrated" and supports both digital and analog transfers, so it works with both digital and analog monitors. "DVI-D" stands for "DVI-Digital" and supports digital transfers only.

Basically the DVI-I is the output from the PC that can go to a DVI-D input on the Monitor or via a VGA adapter to a VGA port.

Some of the new PC's I see offer a single HDMI connection. One seems to have 1x HDMI and it also says it has 1x DVI-I(includ. adaptor D-sub VGA), what on earth does that mean?

HDMI is a High Def connection to a High def TV. The Adaptor is to convert the DVI-I signal to a VGA output. (Only works with DVI-I not DVI-D)

I am thinking that things are clever enough now to have the two monitors driven from one port.

Unfortunately not. You would be better getting a machine that has a separate video card, not an integrated one. Then get a Dual head (Has 2 outputs) Video Card probably PCI express. Depending on what performance you require i.e. games, graphics or normal email/office/internet will determine the price.

A quick search of Dabs finds this 256Mb Dual DVI-I card for £21.59

 

[acurachris]

Hi

I installed four monitors for someone using just XP software on a new HP machine - she used it to extend her desktop. The space on screen was great!

It can be tricky though. I had to installed a dual DVI / VGA PCI-Express card to drive two monitors (one d-sub and one DVI). Cheapish at about £25

Then i had to re-enable the onboard graphics (usually a d-sub) as the insertion of the PCI-E card normally deactivates it.

I then bought a USB VGA card for the fourth monitor. Cost about £40.

It can be done but don't expect the graphics to be great on all monitors. It will be good enough!

Not all PCs allow use of the PCI-E and onboard bios though.

This set-up will allow you to use your current monitors and could have more.

You can also buy a quad port card although that'll knock you back about £300 - £400

Hope this helps

Chris