Graphics card technology has finally caught up

**justchat_1** · 06-27-2010, 12:44 PM

When openMobile was first designed the idea of multi-monitor support seemed strange to many. After all, at that time computers were limited to 2 displays per graphics card. Not too long after that, USB monitors were created, allowing the possibility of up to 4 monitors per pc (although only standard resolution video playback was supported).

Now in the last few months, AMD has released a new line of Eyefinity graphics cards:
http://sites.amd.com/us/underground/...eyefinity.aspx

These cards support 3-6 monitors each, along with full 1080p HD playback (and some even support 3D gaming). This technology will no doubt be expanded and included in more of AMDs graphics cards (possibly even some of their onboard graphics offerings) and hopefully competing technology will begin appearing.

**colin** · 06-27-2010, 01:03 PM

That's incredible. It's been a long time coming, really. Multiple monitors are becoming more and more popular. I often use my laptop to watch movies on my LCD while doing work on the laptop screen. Several of my "gamer" friends have 2 - 3 monitors at any given time. It's about time that AMD & ATI took more interest to it!

**SenatorIvy** · 06-27-2010, 01:19 PM

Yeah it's really been too long coming, and every implementation of >2 monitors in the past has really felt like an afterthought on the OS' part that ends up half-mismanaged by some 3rd party utility.

Now all that's needed is multiple-input support with separate focii, and we could have 4 monitors, 4 mice, and 4 keyboards running off 1 computer. :v

**justchat_1** · 06-27-2010, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by SenatorIvy

Yeah it's really been too long coming, and every implementation of >2 monitors in the past has really felt like an afterthought on the OS' part that ends up half-mismanaged by some 3rd party utility.

Now all that's needed is multiple-input support with separate focii, and we could have 4 monitors, 4 mice, and 4 keyboards running off 1 computer. :v

Already been done

**trader007** · 06-27-2010, 07:14 PM

what does it? i have always wanted to have a seperate screen just for a music player... and still be able to play games on my main monitor. the problem right now is you cant control the 2nd monitor when the 1st one is focused fullscreen.

**colin** · 06-27-2010, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by trader007

what does it? i have always wanted to have a seperate screen just for a music player... and still be able to play games on my main monitor. the problem right now is you cant control the 2nd monitor when the 1st one is focused fullscreen.

That's a software limitation though...

**justchat_1** · 06-28-2010, 10:34 AM

openMobile does it for one.... thats what the whole input router framework is for.
Requires ubuntu 10.10 (or comparable other distro) and works out of the box with multiple input devices.
or can be used with various plugins (depending on the device) under windows xp or higher.

**tripzero** · 06-28-2010, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by justchat_1

openMobile does it for one.... thats what the whole input router framework is for.
Requires ubuntu 10.10 (or comparable other distro) and works out of the box with multiple input devices.
or can be used with various plugins (depending on the device) under windows xp or higher.

Do you mean XInput2 (aka multi-pointer-X)? If so, I believe it's in 10.04 (XServer 1.8). I haven't tried it though.

**justchat_1** · 06-28-2010, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by tripzero

Do you mean XInput2 (aka multi-pointer-X)? If so, I believe it's in 10.04 (XServer 1.8). I haven't tried it though.

Yes I do...although its XServer 1.7 with XInput2 in ubuntu 10.04 and xserver 1.8 with XInput3 in ubuntu 10.10. I couldn't get it working reliably in 10.04 which is why I said 10.10...but it could just have been my setup.