Question...

Josh R · Posted: Aug 20, 2004 8:13 pm Post subject: Question...

Does anyone know it it's possible to have a triple display for a PC, that can play video on all three screens simultaneously? It's a big ask, but I'm really curious, and really need to know.

If it is possible, what sort of hardware would I need? I assume 2 or 3 graphics cards that support dual/triple screens.

Anyway, I'm in the dark here, and I'd really appreciate any help. It's pretty important.

Zach M · Posted: Aug 20, 2004 9:30 pm Post subject:

I pulled this from another site that I was looking at for the same thing. Hope it helps.

There are basically three choices:

1) One graphics card with three outputs
- Matrox Millennium P750
- Matrox Parhelia
- Colorgraphic Xentera GT4
- Appian Phoenix
etc..

2) Graphics card with two outputs + graphics card with one output

Either AGP + PCI or PCI + PCI (unless the mainboard is the latest with PCI Express)

- too many to name

3) Three graphics cards with one output each

AGP + PCI + PCI

Most new operating systems should be able to handle multiple graphics cards easily. Some drivers might get confused though if the computer has two or more identical cards.

My choice for basic function, three displays, would be Matrox G550 AGP (dual DVI) and just about any PCI card, like GeForce2MX.

Zach M · Posted: Aug 20, 2004 9:34 pm Post subject:

here is another link

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000012.html

Josh R · Posted: Aug 20, 2004 9:56 pm Post subject:

Thanks man, much appreciated.

The only major concern I have is whether the setup can handle having high quality video playing on each monitor at the same time. Does anyone else know?

Cheers...

Zach M · Posted: Aug 21, 2004 10:24 pm Post subject:

Will this be for editing purposes? Why will you be playing video on all three screens?

Josh R · Posted: Aug 22, 2004 12:51 am Post subject:

It's for a video display for a piece of art. I'll be playing a 3 screen film I'm making inside one of my paintings. Hooking it up through a PC seems like the easiest way to have frame accurate video. If anyone has any better suggestions for it, I'm all ears BTW.

Josh R · Posted: Sep 02, 2004 12:31 am Post subject:

Bump, just in case...

Mike Isler · Moderator Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 718 City: New York

Josh, Zach M's way will work just fine. Use a PC, install the needed graphics cards, and set everything up using Win2000 if possible. WinXP and possibly WinME also support multiple monitors, but it's most stable on Win2000. It's quite easy to setup.

Also, I'd recommend using a different video player than Windows Media Player. I have a dual-screen setup at my place, and I've run two videos at the same time, full-screen, one on each monitor, and it worked perfectly.

I'd love to see pictures of the finished piece of art when it's all set!

Josh R · Posted: Sep 03, 2004 3:25 am Post subject:

Thanks Mike, I just needed to know if it would work before I blew my cash on it... That would suck a fair bit.

I'll def. take some pics when it's done.