Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma

slats1 · 04-11-2008, 01:21 AM

Hi guys.
First of all, I've received some exceptional help on here before, and having come across an idea, and with a limited knowledge about cabling etc, I thought you guys could help me out.

I've bought a plasma, and want to be able to watch what's on my computer, on the plasma - to split the signal.

The plasma is about 4 metres away from the computer, so I'm looking at an extension cord as well, but have been quoted around $100 AUD for the cable.

I want to know if doing this is possible, and if such a splitter exists.

My computer is a dell, and about 2 years old.

Photo of the back attached... what do I need to attach where?

Sorry to be a pain guys, your help would be fantastic.

johnwill · 04-11-2008, 05:58 AM

The simple way to do this is to connect the two monitors to the two video outputs. Configure the video driver to output the same image on the two monitors.

slats1 · 04-22-2008, 06:40 PM

Ok, so how do I configure the video driver to do that?
I did notice when i was having a look at the cords, that the signal was still displayed on my monitor when I turned the monitor back on, without the "blue" cord in.

Would this be the one I run to the plasma?

Also, so I learn a bit, what's the difference between the cord which goes in the white plug, and the smalller headed one which goes into the blue plug (see pic). And, what are they called?

Regards,
Ben

slats1 · 04-22-2008, 06:53 PM

From my reading and investigation and what you've said there John, do I only need to obtain an extension cable then, to run the VGA cable to my tv? It's about 4 metres away.

johnwill · 04-23-2008, 02:47 PM

That should do the trick. I don't know what quality you'll get with a 4 meter VGA cable, that would be my only concern. I know that ATI and nVidia drivers allow you to display the same content on multiple monitors.

slats1 · 04-23-2008, 06:29 PM

So here's my newest dilemma.
Something seems to have gone wrong with my VGA cable, or my computers/monitors ability to be able to display the analog signal.
I tried playing a game about 6 months ago and something happened - it didn't work, and the monitor went into standby mode.
When I booted up, it showed the windows loading screen (so technically there shouldn't be a fault with the monitor and cord) but then instead of showing the log on page, it went into standby.
After some fiddling, I managed to get it going, but I've since discovered that it was displaying through the DVI cable.
As, when I removed the VGA cable, the picture still showed.

Yesterday I bought a DVI to HDMI cable, and was able to view my desktop through the plasma, while I connected the VGA from computer to computer monitor, only to rediscover this apparent "stand-by" issue.

I have no idea how to overcome this one... it seems like a peach of an issue...

However, I've seen that there are DVI splitters available, which I could buy, and split the DVI signal to my monitor and plasma.

But if I can help it, I don't want to spend the money and would much rather get the VGA working.

Any idea John?
Thanks again for your help.

johnwill · 04-24-2008, 05:42 PM

Well, this sounds like your adapter or the drivers. Have you downloaded and installed the latest video drivers for that card?

slats1 · 04-24-2008, 09:46 PM

I haven't, no. I'll try doing that.

slats1 · 04-24-2008, 10:09 PM

All the drivers are up to date.

I found someone else with the same problem, albeit with a laptop, but with no solution:

"Hi, Im having problem with my laptop display not coming up after boot-up. I know its not a hardware problem because other windows partitions are display fine.

The problem occured after I had an external monitor plugged into the VGA Port and had display setup to extend onto it. I turned off laptop while display extended, then unplugged screen. Later I started laptop by itself, the initial loading screens come up but it goes black as soon as it gets past windows loading logo. Ive tried plugging screen back in, as well as using function key (which does work during startup) but no good.

If people have hit this problem before, or know of a way to restore display setup to default, it would be greatly appreciated."

johnwill · 04-25-2008, 07:40 AM

Try booting in safe mode and changing the adapter settings.

slats1 · 04-29-2008, 01:49 AM

I'm not quite sure how to do that.
Oh well, I've had enough of this problem! I think I'll just get a DVI splitter.
Thanks for your help though John.

**Cellus** · 04-29-2008, 12:01 PM

Reboot your computer and before the Windows XP loading screen appears mash the F8 key until a black menu appears. Choose "Safe Mode".

slats1 · 04-29-2008, 05:42 PM

Yeah mate, I know how to boot into safe mode, just I don't know how to change my adapter settings.

johnwill · 04-30-2008, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slats1

Yeah mate, I know how to boot into safe mode, just I don't know how to change my adapter settings.

Right click on the desktop when it's fully booted and select Properties.

04-11-2008, 05:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 29,772 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma The simple way to do this is to connect the two monitors to the two video outputs. Configure the video driver to output the same image on the two monitors. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

04-22-2008, 06:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
slats1 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 23 OS: WinXP	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma Ok, so how do I configure the video driver to do that? I did notice when i was having a look at the cords, that the signal was still displayed on my monitor when I turned the monitor back on, without the "blue" cord in. Would this be the one I run to the plasma? Also, so I learn a bit, what's the difference between the cord which goes in the white plug, and the smalller headed one which goes into the blue plug (see pic). And, what are they called? Regards, Ben

04-22-2008, 06:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
slats1 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 23 OS: WinXP	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma From my reading and investigation and what you've said there John, do I only need to obtain an extension cable then, to run the VGA cable to my tv? It's about 4 metres away.

04-23-2008, 02:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 29,772 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma That should do the trick. I don't know what quality you'll get with a 4 meter VGA cable, that would be my only concern. I know that ATI and nVidia drivers allow you to display the same content on multiple monitors. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

04-23-2008, 06:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
slats1 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 23 OS: WinXP	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma So here's my newest dilemma. Something seems to have gone wrong with my VGA cable, or my computers/monitors ability to be able to display the analog signal. I tried playing a game about 6 months ago and something happened - it didn't work, and the monitor went into standby mode. When I booted up, it showed the windows loading screen (so technically there shouldn't be a fault with the monitor and cord) but then instead of showing the log on page, it went into standby. After some fiddling, I managed to get it going, but I've since discovered that it was displaying through the DVI cable. As, when I removed the VGA cable, the picture still showed. Yesterday I bought a DVI to HDMI cable, and was able to view my desktop through the plasma, while I connected the VGA from computer to computer monitor, only to rediscover this apparent "stand-by" issue. I have no idea how to overcome this one... it seems like a peach of an issue... However, I've seen that there are DVI splitters available, which I could buy, and split the DVI signal to my monitor and plasma. But if I can help it, I don't want to spend the money and would much rather get the VGA working. Any idea John? Thanks again for your help.

04-24-2008, 05:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 29,772 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma Well, this sounds like your adapter or the drivers. Have you downloaded and installed the latest video drivers for that card? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

04-24-2008, 09:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
slats1 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 23 OS: WinXP	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma I haven't, no. I'll try doing that.

04-24-2008, 10:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
slats1 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 23 OS: WinXP	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma All the drivers are up to date. I found someone else with the same problem, albeit with a laptop, but with no solution: "Hi, Im having problem with my laptop display not coming up after boot-up. I know its not a hardware problem because other windows partitions are display fine. The problem occured after I had an external monitor plugged into the VGA Port and had display setup to extend onto it. I turned off laptop while display extended, then unplugged screen. Later I started laptop by itself, the initial loading screens come up but it goes black as soon as it gets past windows loading logo. Ive tried plugging screen back in, as well as using function key (which does work during startup) but no good. If people have hit this problem before, or know of a way to restore display setup to default, it would be greatly appreciated."

04-25-2008, 07:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 29,772 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma Try booting in safe mode and changing the adapter settings. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

04-29-2008, 01:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
slats1 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 23 OS: WinXP	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma I'm not quite sure how to do that. Oh well, I've had enough of this problem! I think I'll just get a DVI splitter. Thanks for your help though John.

04-29-2008, 12:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,596 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma Reboot your computer and before the Windows XP loading screen appears mash the F8 key until a black menu appears. Choose "Safe Mode". __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!

04-29-2008, 05:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
slats1 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 23 OS: WinXP	Re: Splitting Signal between Monitor and Plasma Yeah mate, I know how to boot into safe mode, just I don't know how to change my adapter settings.