Otions to connect a 3rd screen to PC

[Corne323]

Hi everyone,

Im am looking for an option to connect a third TFT to one pc.
In that PC is one AGP Nvidia card with 2 screens connected. I saw there are also PCI videocards, but is it possible to have 2 working videocards in one PC?

See attached image for an overview of PC setup in my cockpit.



Hope you guys can help me out.

Regards Corné

[jonesthesoftware]

Hi quick answer is YES but but but there's always a but....

WIndow XP can support 6 monitors.( don't know about Win7). Your motherboard determines how many graphics cards you can plug in. Search the internet for pictures of various graphics slots which can be found on motherboards or download the manual for your motherboard and identify your slots. Modern mobos have PCI express X16, PCI express X2, or even PCI. you have to get the right type of card for the right slot. PCI express 16 is the fastest video bus. It is generally better to only use cards from the same manufacturer e.g don't mix ATI with Nvidia. Simplifies driver problems
Another but is the type of video connectors on the various cards there's quite a range such as the VGA connector, DVI, RGA, HD etc., so check your monitor video connector as you may need adaptor cables.
hope this helps
regards
geoff

[Corne323]

Thanks Geoff!
On my mobo is one AGP slot and 4 PCI slots. There is allready one AGP Nvidia card installed. So you would suggest i look for a Nvidia PCI card?

Regards Corné

[jonesthesoftware]

Hi Corne
Yes you can add another Nvidia card or if you search the internet you might find a cheaper alternative is to buy one of the latest Nvidia cards which have 4 monitor outputs, but please do check what type of outputs they have relative to what PC monitors you have. You will need to download the latest drivers/screen setup software from the Nvisia websiet as well
regards
geoff

[Bernie]

Hi Corne,

The other important consideration is the computers power supply and the requirements of the Card you intend to add. Just make sure your PSU can handle adding the extra card.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Corne323]

I see it is not easy to find a cheap PCI videocard. I see they are about €50,- on Ebay.

Maybe there is another option.
Is it possible to add an TV card to the PC and connect the Opencockpits FMC to it??
Then my TVout port of the Videocard is free and i can put the Co-pilot screen to it(see attached image in first post) I first need to know if this is possible!

I hope you guys can help me out!

Regards

[Bernie]

Hi Corne,

The other option is to use a Y cable to split the signal for the second display. This will only give you a replica of the Captains side, but would give you something.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[Corne323]

Thanks, but thats not what i want.

I hope someone has some experience with an PCI VGA card or with a TV card for the OC FMC.

[Bernie]

Hi Corne,

This is what I bought for my displays just this month. Not too expensive and does the job well. I am using prosim. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270772342727&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:AU:1123

I have used TV out in the past but it does not give a very clear picture. The card above only requires a 300W power supply in the computer.

Kind Regards

Bernie.

[asboyd]

Corne,
You could also look at using a Matrox Dual or Triple Head2go.
These give you multiple monitors from a single output. that way you can have your main Out of window display across the dual or triple screens or you can simply move a window containing instruments on to the second screen.

I have a Dual Head2Go and a third monitor off the second connection on my video card.

I can have my scenery on the dual and instruments on the third monitor.

I can also reduce the scenery to one of the dual monitors and run other panels off the second, and still have my main panel on the third.

The main problem with multiple monitors off one card is the hit rate on your frames.

A second card will give you another monitor but your resolutions may be an issue.

Regards,
AlexB