Anybody using them? I have read somewhere (Guess GuyT uses a similar setup) and it can be very effective for PS work. I'm getting one for free (a small NEC, 14") for free from the office so thought of making use of it.
Can you please post how to use the two at the same time? I'm using XP and do not know if my graphic card supports two monitors, have to look. Any easier 'visual' way to check it? What cables do I need?
If there are 2 video jacks on the card then it supports 2 monitors. Assuming it does and you have the right driver for you, after you connect the second monitor, bring up the display properties and you will see 2 screens. If one if grayed out you can right-click on it and select "Attached" which whould activate it.
I use two, have for many years, it helps in designing when you are using multiple programs, and intergrating back and forth. It can and does speed up workflow, all your palettes can be on one monitior and your document on another. I run anywhere from 5 - 7 open programs at once, plus my rampage ripping system for film and plates.Would not want it any other way. Like Guy stated, that should do it.
What Guy posted is not necessarily true or at least not practically true. I have a nVidia FX5200 PCI video card in my home desktop and it cannot drive two monitors at 1280-1024 (their native resolution). It has an intermittent signal to the digital monitor.
I use dual monitors at work. I have an ATI 9250 PCI card in that desktop and it does fine, though the ATI cards do seem like more trouble to setup than nVidia.
In windows you'll need to tell it to extend your desktop onto the second monitor if you don't want to just see two pictures of the same thing. This is done by rightclicking on the desktop and choosing properties. Then choose the settings tab. You should see two monitors.
GT,
there are two jacks for plugging in that 'blue' end of the monitor cable but not at the same place. (Which I understand means not on the same 'hardware' (here graphic card)). The other free jack has a symbol something like this I0I. When I plug-in my main monitor cable in this nothing happens.
The second jack is probably a 9-pin Serial RS-232 jack. It can't be used for a monitor, unfortunately. I'm surprised your monitor cable fit in it since it's generally a male connector.
Well,
here is what my system has got -
Display Adapters: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
System Devices: long list....Intel PCI Bridge 244E, IntelG/PE/P processor to AGP Controller 2571, IntelG/PE/P processor to I/O controller 2570... etc.
The FX 5200 should have one DVI output and one VGA output. Looks like Jim is doing OK with 3 monitors, but I haven't been able to. I get alot of flicker and screen blackouts. Seems like a bit of hit or miss.
Ok, I read a little bit more about graphic cards and all that. Yes, GeForce FX5200 has got one analogue and one digital (dvi) output. I also have got a digital-analogue adapter and can use that for my monitor.
Discussion
12 repliesCan you please post how to use the two at the same time? I'm using XP and do not know if my graphic card supports two monitors, have to look. Any easier 'visual' way to check it? What cables do I need?
Thanks for your time,
Guy
I use dual monitors at work. I have an ATI 9250 PCI card in that desktop and it does fine, though the ATI cards do seem like more trouble to setup than nVidia.
In windows you'll need to tell it to extend your desktop onto the second monitor if you don't want to just see two pictures of the same thing. This is done by rightclicking on the desktop and choosing properties. Then choose the settings tab. You should see two monitors.
there are two jacks for plugging in that 'blue' end of the monitor cable but not at the same place. (Which I understand means not on the same 'hardware' (here graphic card)). The other free jack has a symbol something like this I0I. When I plug-in my main monitor cable in this nothing happens.
Guy
here is what my system has got -
Display Adapters: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
System Devices: long list....Intel PCI Bridge 244E, IntelG/PE/P processor to AGP Controller 2571, IntelG/PE/P processor to I/O controller 2570... etc.