HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor

Prince0427 · 01-24-2009, 08:32 AM

Hi guys, I've recently started to work at home and decided to get 2 monitors (an LG Flatron L207WT) and ( an Acer H223HQ 21.5" Full HD) monitors as a "dual view".
So in other words, I got my laptop screen and 2 additional screens..

Now the problem is that my laptop only supports VGA and HDMI.
So I can only connect 1 screen to the VGA input and have that as a dual view..
So what I did was to buy a Monster550 HDMI cable to connect to my Acer monitor in thoughts it would serve as a DVI connector.

What I now get is that I can still either view one of the other..
(see attachement).

How do I configure this thing to have both screens as a multi view incl. my own laptops screen.

Additional info.:

Screen resolutions..
Acer: 1920*1080
LG: 1680*1050

I also downloaded Ultramon since that is what we used at work and it doesn't help.
I can see a third monitor in Display Settings in Vista, but When I select "extend the desktop into this monitor" it doesn't enable all options (like for me to increase the resolution size". (see attachment 2)

Please help, gotta start work Monday and I need this :)

**zuluclayman** · 01-24-2009, 03:33 PM

Most laptops have a key (mine is F2) with a little image representing screens on it that if you press once will bring your output up on an external screen. This is mostly used for getting your disply up on data projectors, TV's etc but will work for connected monitors. Press twice and you have the display on external monitors and laptop monitor - first press only has display on external monitors.

Prince0427 · 01-25-2009, 04:48 AM

I've tried that and it doesn't work unfortunately.
When I pull the HDMI cable out, the VGA connected monitor turns on and as soon as I connect the HDMI back, it goes blank.
I think either you can't connect both HDMI and VGA at the same time (which would be pretty ridiculous..) or I have something wrong with my configurations.

If anyone knows it's the above, please let me know so I can just order a USB to DVI adapter I found online which is also compatible with high resolution wide screen monitors.
Thing is, it's gonna take 2 weeks to ship and I don't have 2 weeks.. so I really hope I have something wrongly configured.

**wrench97** · 01-25-2009, 04:54 AM

You can only connect 1 external monitor to a laptop either VGA/DVI or Hdmi but not 2 at once the graphics controller will not support 3 screens and the built in screen is dedicated to one side of the dual controller.

Prince0427 · 01-25-2009, 06:17 AM

Thanks for the support guys, I was fearing that would be the case here..
I just placed the order for the DVI adapter (http://www.startech.com/item-specs/U...o-Adapter.aspx) which was the only one I found that supports 1680*1050 widescreen monitors odd enough..

That solution should work right?

**wrench97** · 01-25-2009, 07:07 AM

Found 2 reviews if you haven't seen them looks like as long as you're not using Java apps it will work.
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16812200203

Prince0427 · 01-25-2009, 07:50 AM

Whoa thanks for that Wrench.. since I'm a day trader I only use Java based apps.. He did say that if you open the apps on your pc and drag them onto the screen it won't crash.., so that's atleast a good sign..
If this doesn't work, then I'll just go buy myself a desktop and another monitor..
Any tips for a Video Card which does support dual or multi monitors?

**wrench97** · 01-25-2009, 07:55 AM

For a desktop?
Several most will run 2 monitors you can add a second in a pci slot or move up to a business class quadro card which will support up to 8 but expensive.

Prince0427 · 01-25-2009, 08:14 AM

Whoa you weren't kidding about the price... just googled the Nvidia Quadro 5600...
In that case If this solution doesn't work I'll just get a desktop with 2 Video Cards..
Thanks for the support!

Prince0427 · 01-25-2009, 08:20 AM

I came across a website which has alot of Video cards that does support 3 monitors (For desktops).. I've heard of ATI and Nvidia.. but is Matrox a reliable brand?

**wrench97** · 01-25-2009, 09:20 AM

Matrox is a decent 2d business class card

Or a PCIe card and a PCI slot card would give you 4 monitors just stay with the same brands Nvidia, ATI or Matrox to keep the drives form clashing with each other.
PCI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130451
PCIe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130315

01-24-2009, 03:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
zuluclayman Design Team Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 3,049 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium My System	Re: HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor Most laptops have a key (mine is F2) with a little image representing screens on it that if you press once will bring your output up on an external screen. This is mostly used for getting your disply up on data projectors, TV's etc but will work for connected monitors. Press twice and you have the display on external monitors and laptop monitor - first press only has display on external monitors. __________________ AutoGordianKnot Audacity K-Lite codec pack Irfan View GSpot TSF Photographer's Corner

01-25-2009, 04:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Prince0427 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 6 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor I've tried that and it doesn't work unfortunately. When I pull the HDMI cable out, the VGA connected monitor turns on and as soon as I connect the HDMI back, it goes blank. I think either you can't connect both HDMI and VGA at the same time (which would be pretty ridiculous..) or I have something wrong with my configurations. If anyone knows it's the above, please let me know so I can just order a USB to DVI adapter I found online which is also compatible with high resolution wide screen monitors. Thing is, it's gonna take 2 weeks to ship and I don't have 2 weeks.. so I really hope I have something wrongly configured.

01-25-2009, 04:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,587 OS: Win7	Re: HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor You can only connect 1 external monitor to a laptop either VGA/DVI or Hdmi but not 2 at once the graphics controller will not support 3 screens and the built in screen is dedicated to one side of the dual controller. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

01-25-2009, 06:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
Prince0427 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 6 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor Thanks for the support guys, I was fearing that would be the case here.. I just placed the order for the DVI adapter (http://www.startech.com/item-specs/U...o-Adapter.aspx) which was the only one I found that supports 1680*1050 widescreen monitors odd enough.. That solution should work right?

01-25-2009, 07:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,587 OS: Win7	Re: HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor Found 2 reviews if you haven't seen them looks like as long as you're not using Java apps it will work. http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16812200203 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

01-25-2009, 07:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
Prince0427 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 6 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor Whoa thanks for that Wrench.. since I'm a day trader I only use Java based apps.. He did say that if you open the apps on your pc and drag them onto the screen it won't crash.., so that's atleast a good sign.. If this doesn't work, then I'll just go buy myself a desktop and another monitor.. Any tips for a Video Card which does support dual or multi monitors?

01-25-2009, 07:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,587 OS: Win7	Re: HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor For a desktop? Several most will run 2 monitors you can add a second in a pci slot or move up to a business class quadro card which will support up to 8 but expensive. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

01-25-2009, 08:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
Prince0427 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 6 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor Whoa you weren't kidding about the price... just googled the Nvidia Quadro 5600... In that case If this solution doesn't work I'll just get a desktop with 2 Video Cards.. Thanks for the support!

01-25-2009, 08:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
Prince0427 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 6 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor I came across a website which has alot of Video cards that does support 3 monitors (For desktops).. I've heard of ATI and Nvidia.. but is Matrox a reliable brand?

01-25-2009, 09:20 AM	#11 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,587 OS: Win7	Re: HDMI/ VGA Multi view monitor Matrox is a decent 2d business class card Or a PCIe card and a PCI slot card would give you 4 monitors just stay with the same brands Nvidia, ATI or Matrox to keep the drives form clashing with each other. PCI http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130451 PCIe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130315 __________________ Power Supply and Selection