Dual Display Solved - 2 programs, 2 screens

Nstyle · 04-19-2007, 11:52 PM

In a previous post, I was debating on what display to use for my rear seat passengers (VGA monitor vs Standard Flip Down - RCA inputs). Well, I've made my decision...I'm going with the VGA LCD display for two main reasons.

1. The resolution, brightness and contrast of a VGA connection cannot be matched by the rca/standard inputs found on most flip down screens.

2. The nvidia dual display works FANTASTIC with two VGA monitors.

Detailed explanation for reason #2:

Using a 30 dollar video card (BIOSTAR GeForce 6200) that has DVI and VGA out, and a 3 dollar DVI to VGA adapter, I am able to display two different programs on two different screens quite easily. For instance, I can have Word, Photoshop, GPS, etc running on my primary monitor (Lilliput Touchscreen) and a movie playing on my secondary monitor (14.1" VGA widescreen monitor). Only thing I've found that sucks is trying to get to different audio feeds to run on separate devices...any tips here?

I achieve this setup by using Nvidia's build in dual display. Basically, you set up the monitors to run in "Clone" mode found under the nView Display Settings section. The nView Display Mode is Clone in the first drop down box, and the second drop down box shows the names of your primary and secondary displays.....this will make both screens display the exact same image. Note: Get everything working on display one i.e resolution, etc, then plug in monitor number two while the computer is off and start up the PC. Windows will now see both monitors under nView settings. After I rebooted, I ran the Image Optimization tool and set up the monitors as clone...or you can do it manually as stated above.

Then, in the tools section, you will find overlay settings. You want to select secondary from the drop down box found in the lower left section. Now, when you play a movie in WinDVD for example, the primary display (lilliput touchscreen) will show a window of the movie playing, while the secondary display will show the movie in full screen. Want both screens to display the movie? ...just maximize the window in the primary screen and you will see the same image on both screens. Couldn't be simpler...

One caveat though...if you are running a frontend, such as RoadRunner, I have no idea if this will work. I am using Windows standard desktop to access my programs and such. This may indeed work just fine with a frontend, but I have no idea since I don't have one installed to test.

I hope this doesn't seem really lame...

I'm hearing some of the forum regulars diss me all ready

I mean this could be just common knowledge. But in searching the forums over and over, I hadn't really ever come across a good explanation of setting up dual displays in this particular fashion. This works for me, but it might not fit your needs. For instance, you need a video card with DVI and VGA hook-ups and of course, it has to be Nvidia architecture.

I'm going to post an entire work up with pics and such when I get everything installed to help people looking to do a similar set-up. I think some of you will laugh, as my case is pretty ghetto - hacked up plastic storage container/bin that I bought at Menards for 5 bucks

...you can't see it anyway so why does it have to look pretty?!

I have received so much information and assistance on this forum that I don't think I could have gotten this far without it - so, I'm tryin' to give back a little...

john05srt4 · 05-22-2007, 10:02 PM

Did you get it to work?

Nstyle · 07-16-2007, 12:03 PM

Been awhile since I've been on here, but to answer your question, Yes - it is up and running very nicely. I've got the TruckPC installed and working just great, and for the time being I'm just sitting the 14.1" monitor on its stand on my armrest/console area. I've got to figure out a way to mount it on the overhead rails found in my F-150 that still allows me to flip the screen up and out of the way when it's not being used. 14.1" is great for movies, bad for seeing through when backing up. My expensive and fun solution has been leaning me towards the purchase of a rearview mirror LCD and camera set up. Wife thinks that's a bit excessive, but I say the whole idea of a computer in our truck was a bit excessive to start with, so why stop now?!

I've gotta get those pics up soon...

checksum · 07-18-2007, 12:25 AM

Quote:

I am able to display two different programs on two different screens quite easily.

Clone mode just put the exact same image that's on the primary display on the secondary display, I tried it. But what i am trying to acheive is to have for example GPS on the primary and DVD on the secondary.

_dopehead_ · 07-18-2007, 12:41 AM

You will need to use dualview from the nvidia drivers or windows extend desktop function, this will make your effective resolution = monitora + monitorb, so if you choose "side by side" it will be Res x times 2 and Res y times 1, and you can place programes anywhere within those coordinates.

desidjay · 09-07-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Nstyle

In a previous post, I was debating on what display to use for my rear seat passengers (VGA monitor vs Standard Flip Down - RCA inputs). Well, I've made my decision...I'm going with the VGA LCD display for two main reasons.

1. The resolution, brightness and contrast of a VGA connection cannot be matched by the rca/standard inputs found on most flip down screens.

2. The nvidia dual display works FANTASTIC with two VGA monitors.

Detailed explanation for reason #2:

Using a 30 dollar video card (BIOSTAR GeForce 6200) that has DVI and VGA out, and a 3 dollar DVI to VGA adapter, I am able to display two different programs on two different screens quite easily. For instance, I can have Word, Photoshop, GPS, etc running on my primary monitor (Lilliput Touchscreen) and a movie playing on my secondary monitor (14.1" VGA widescreen monitor). Only thing I've found that sucks is trying to get to different audio feeds to run on separate devices...any tips here?

I achieve this setup by using Nvidia's build in dual display. Basically, you set up the monitors to run in "Clone" mode found under the nView Display Settings section. The nView Display Mode is Clone in the first drop down box, and the second drop down box shows the names of your primary and secondary displays.....this will make both screens display the exact same image. Note: Get everything working on display one i.e resolution, etc, then plug in monitor number two while the computer is off and start up the PC. Windows will now see both monitors under nView settings. After I rebooted, I ran the Image Optimization tool and set up the monitors as clone...or you can do it manually as stated above.

Then, in the tools section, you will find overlay settings. You want to select secondary from the drop down box found in the lower left section. Now, when you play a movie in WinDVD for example, the primary display (lilliput touchscreen) will show a window of the movie playing, while the secondary display will show the movie in full screen. Want both screens to display the movie? ...just maximize the window in the primary screen and you will see the same image on both screens. Couldn't be simpler...

One caveat though...if you are running a frontend, such as RoadRunner, I have no idea if this will work. I am using Windows standard desktop to access my programs and such. This may indeed work just fine with a frontend, but I have no idea since I don't have one installed to test.

I hope this doesn't seem really lame...

I'm hearing some of the forum regulars diss me all ready

I mean this could be just common knowledge. But in searching the forums over and over, I hadn't really ever come across a good explanation of setting up dual displays in this particular fashion. This works for me, but it might not fit your needs. For instance, you need a video card with DVI and VGA hook-ups and of course, it has to be Nvidia architecture.

I'm going to post an entire work up with pics and such when I get everything installed to help people looking to do a similar set-up. I think some of you will laugh, as my case is pretty ghetto - hacked up plastic storage container/bin that I bought at Menards for 5 bucks

...you can't see it anyway so why does it have to look pretty?!

I have received so much information and assistance on this forum that I don't think I could have gotten this far without it - so, I'm tryin' to give back a little...

Could u tell me were did u get the Video Card form and send me the link if possible plz ..
n do u think it fill fit in this http://store.mp3car.com/Mp3Car_Custo..._p/ccc-121.htm