Widescreen Gaming Forum

Mach1.9pants, cool :)

My problem ...

[quote]A second possible way to avoid analog connections might be to fit a double adapter to the monitor's DVI input. Do these exist? Isn't the whole point of the "Dual" in "Dual Link DVI" to allow this?

A third possible way to avoid analog connections might be to use some kind of KVM switch? Could that work? Anybody have this kind of setup?

seems solved ...

All I need is a DVI Switch Box 2:1. Times three. They seem rare.

One model is the Cabac "DVI Switch Box 2:1 Manual Black" (SBDVI2P) for $AUD35. See also the manufacturer's specs.

In addition to three of these DVI switch boxes all I need, in terms of hardware, is:
* 2 graphics cards with 2 DVI outputs each.
* Triple Head to Go, Digital Edition.
* 3 Monitors with at least one DVI input. I don't need an extra DVI input, nor HDMI, nor even VGA.

I can now have a DTH2G setup AND a Direct-to-cards/Independent monitors setup, using entirely digital connections. I can use powerdesk, gridmove, or Ultramon.

you only need TWO of those DVI switcher since u can do the "dvi passthrough" from your th2g to the DVI port on your monitor. basically run single screen off your th2g.

if you think about it. you can put the extra $ you will spend on the DVI switcing thingy and put it to the cost of a better monitor that have dvi/hdmi/vga output and don't even bother with the switch box.


to tell you the truth unless you:
- have $ to spare
- area hardcore FPS, driving, flight sim gamming fan.

you don't really need a Th2g.

work/producitivy wise, the Th2go is useless. the only reason I got a th2go is it was onsale and I'm a big FPS fan and always looking for the next viceral 3D immersion experience. I have tired large screen HDTV, VR headsets and Triplehead. and so far Th2o is gave me the most practical and immersive experience and I would never want to go back to regular single screen gaming.

other than gaming the Th2g is useless to me though.

Geniv2 thanks for your further ruminations and challenges.

1) are you getting the 20" 3x widescreen new or u have it already?

No I haven't got 'em yet. I am racked between 20" and 22". Recall that I was trying to explore that issue in
Usability of Triple Standard V Triple Wide

Money is not an issue for me here and I very much am open to persuasion on this (I still need to do more in store comparisons too). I was persuaded to go 3 X 16:10. Then there remains the issue of 20" V 22" (or higher). Yours was one of the voices that incline me toward 20" with comments like ...

I find myself MUCH more productive with my 3x 4:3 20" screen than my current 3x 24" at 16:10

3 X 20" @ 16:10 seems, then, a great compromise. You don't have to turn your head as far. They will fit on the Ergotron Lx Triple Monitor Lift Stand without problems.

Against that choice, going 22" does open you up to more options. You could get a HDMI port, as you mention. Manufacturer's have really abandoned 20" widescreen. I'd suggest further explorations about 20" V 22" are really better had in Usability of Triple Standard V Triple Wide.

2) is analog THAT bad for you to avoid it?

Well you have answered your own question ...

it really have to do with how well your specific monitor handles vga input, some monitor looks like crap and some looks nearly as good as DVI)

I simply wish to get the best image regardless of which mode or monitor I've chosen.

to tell you the truth unless you:
- have $ to spare
- area hardcore FPS, driving, flight sim gaming fan.

you don't really need a Th2g.

I have the spare $ and I am a hardcore flight simmer. So thanks for reassuring me that I will want a TH2G ... "[for gaming, etc] Th2o is gave me the most practical and immersive experience and I would never want to go back"

btw: not sure what kind of mobo you have

but if u are going to get a 2nd video card try not to get a PCI card as your secondary.
get a PCIe x16 slot one, if you don't have dual PCIe x16 slot on your motherboard try to get a PCIe x1 videocard if possible.

reason: I use to run PCIe x16 primiary vd + PCI secondary VC
PCI have lower bandwidth so sometimes if you have alot going on on screen video will not be as smooth. (95% of the time if u won't notice it, but I'm picky and it's in few rare occasional that it will happen and you will notice it. though it won't really affect producitvity)

geniv2, yeah, thanks for the tip.

I'm looking to get a MSI X48C Platinum. This has 2 X PCIe X 16 slots, spaced nicely apart.

So far two methods have been mentioned to limit the size of your applications when maximizing them. Ultramon and Gridmove.

I just came across a third alternative:

The one fear that people sometimes mention - that when you maximize an application on a 22" screen it takes up the whole display, is moot, thanks to the nVidia graphics card which lets you set up "gridlines" within the display that will confine the maximized aplication image. Nifty - and it works even with my old PCI nVidia GeForce 4000mx.

Source: Newegg user review of ViewSonic VX2262wm

Howdy, I just wanted to chime in a "thanks" for this topic.

I entered a rabbit hole when I decided I wanted to get 3x 24" monitors when I remodeled my home office. I did just that, but didn't research all the issues that y'all are very familiar with. So I just blew $2000 on a rig that I'm assembling. It's not here yet, but I'm trying to do exactly what you guys are doing here.

I've got 3 1900x1200 monitors
They have HDMI & DVI.
I *think* they auto-switch, but I'm not 100% sure.

I'm sure I'll have questions once I get it going, but the OP really asked exactly what I wanted to know. Now I just need to test/implement.

the OP really asked exactly what I wanted to know

Hey I'm chuffed. :)

They have HDMI & DVI. I *think* they auto-switch, but I'm not 100% sure.

HDMI and DVI ports sound ideal. I'd guess they'll have a manual switch, rather than an automatic switch over. That is, a simple push button or similar. That'd be fine.

I don't like to be the potential bearer of bad news but have you considered these two issues?

1. 3 X 24" monitors might be two wide for working (gaming should be good). Some users have found they have to turn their head too far. I'm worried about 3 X 22" and intend not to use the outer halves of the outer monitors when working. This is explored in Usability of Triple Standard V Triple Wide

2. More importantly, Triple Head to Go, digital does not support 3 monitors at 1900x1200. Perhaps these monitors can scale down without losing image quality?

HDMI and DVI ports sound ideal. I'd guess they'll have a manual switch, rather than an automatic switch over. That is, a simple push button or similar. That'd be fine.

I'm really hoping I can get some nearly automatic switchover. I have a bit of WAF to consider. She doesn't use the machine often, but it would be bad if when she was using it, the screens didn't work or windows were missing.

I don't like to be the potential bearer of bad news but have you considered these two issues?

1. 3 X 24" monitors might be two wide for working (gaming should be good). Some users have found they have to turn their head too far. I'm worried about 3 X 22" and intend not to use the outer halves of the outer monitors when working. This is explored in Usability of Triple Standard V Triple Wide

Well, I considered that it's mostly ridiculous, yes. But I had bought the monitors already (hey, they were a good deal!). And then I had it in my head and I will accept nothing less than awesome. If that means my actual work-space working keeps me to only really using 2 monitors, so be it.

2. More importantly, Triple Head to Go, digital does not support 3 monitors at 1900x1200. Perhaps these monitors can scale down without losing image quality?

Again, monitors already bought (and mounted) before I realized this. Knowing this now, I would've gotten 3 monitors with native resolution of whatever TH2G supports. But I think that even with the problems of running at a non-native resolution, the games will be ok. The biggest issue for me with running at a lower resolution is the blurry text. Excuses, yes, but we'll see how it goes.

The biggest issue for me with running at a lower resolution is the blurry text. Excuses, yes, but we'll see how it goes.

If that is your biggest issue then no worries at all.

When you get the time to read over this thread you'll see that one of the possible configurations is to bypass TH2G for work/reading text. That may, probably will, entail hitting 3 hardware switches on each of your monitors (and therefore training your waf if need be). However, under this configuration you will be able to run your monitors at their native resolution!

You'll need a second video card for this with two DVI ports. It can be a low spec card.

On the other hand you may get it all to work through DTH2G if the monitors scale down from their native resolution well.