Multi Monitor Programming

cheerio · 07-24-2004, 11:20 AM

Im not sure if anyone is intrested, but if so, let me know and i will post some code on making your application multi monitor compatable. and i mean with more than 1 video card, not a Y cable.

frodobaggins · 07-24-2004, 11:23 AM

Ok. Go ahead.

Scrat · 07-24-2004, 11:31 AM

I would love to find a fix for my situation! I am driving (or will be driving) one screen on the dash for GPS,Mp3 and such and 2 other screens that will run PS2 and video only. I current use this http://www.cardomain.com/item/CLAMSS430 that works great, but still have not solved the issue of how to feed it with video while runing/viewing GPS on the dash monitor.

I have not deep dived into this problem as of yet so any help/addvice you would have would be awsome.

cheerio · 07-25-2004, 12:02 AM

http://cheerio.no-ip.info/code/multimon.zip - Some basic source, can post more later, just ask.

Bitoholic · 07-25-2004, 11:12 AM

This is really easy to do using the Screen class in .NET. You can enumarate the number of monitors and get properties like the virtual bounds of the screen.

Example:

Code:

foreach (Screen currentScreen in Screen.AllScreens) {
    MessageBox.Show(currentScreen.Bounds.ToString());
} // foreach

cheerio · 07-25-2004, 11:29 AM

yes, but virutal bounds are for VIRTUAL desktops. Plus, i hate .net they took something that should have been so simple, and made it that much more complicated. A lot of .net code is just...blah. Dont forget, you can enumerate irtual dekstops and real desktops.

Bitoholic · 07-25-2004, 01:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cheerio

yes, but virutal bounds are for VIRTUAL desktops. Plus, i hate .net they took something that should have been so simple, and made it that much more complicated. A lot of .net code is just...blah. Dont forget, you can enumerate irtual dekstops and real desktops.

No they are not for "virtual" desktops. I am not talking about virtual desktops as in a virtual desktop manager. I am talking virtual bounds. It will tell you how many Monitors you have and where the coordinates (bounds) begin and end in relation to the origin (i.e. extend desktop thru all monitors) for the monitor you are inquiring about.

SjLucky · 07-27-2004, 07:00 PM

you know it would be nice to have a screen for just GPS and a Main screen for everything else.... ::Hint:: ::HINT::

cheerio · 07-27-2004, 11:18 PM

yes, the program i am currently writing will have a seperate menu screen for every monitor.

icet · 07-29-2004, 03:17 PM

if u guys 3 screens...in the car...
1 lcd in the dash, and 2 headrests,
won't it be best if there is a program that can do gps in the dash and watch movie or play games in the back...then when u done with gps, hit one button to clone all the screens the same so u can watch tv or watever u wants.....
i tried with nvdia video card that have s and crt video output can do this but not with dual monitors and s video ...yet...i tried it this weekend...

cheerio · 07-30-2004, 08:39 PM

In order to do that icet, you would have to have each monitor plugged into the computer seperately, and have a way to have each screen on each monitor....its all up to the progrmamer

98explorerxlt · 07-30-2004, 10:03 PM

I have been interested in this for a while now. I used htpc to play movies on the monitor of my choice. The only problems I had is that I couldnt use the menus on the other monitor anymore. I could alt tab out to windows, but it just ended up being easier to run another program on the other monitor. I havent had a chance to check out any new software yet. I dotn have a computer or a car at the moment. These two things are useless in Iraq anyway I guess. If only I could learn to program before I get back.

Pokey · 07-31-2004, 09:31 PM

I had the same problem a couple months ago using two Lilliputs, i wanted my movies to show on one and GPS, MediaCar on another. Someone here turned me on to UltraMon ( http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/ ) , and it solved all my probs. Check it out.. you can even have a taskbar on each monitor. I now use it on two of my desktops that have dual monitors.. cool program.

98explorerxlt · 08-01-2004, 07:54 AM

I used ultramaon until my trial ran out. It's not a bad program.
It would be awesome if multi-monitor support was integrated into some of the programs. As little as being able to specify what monitor played a movie or ran an application would be cool. Plus you would have extra space for all kinds of features. I dont think it would be possible to have to independant menu on both screens though. For example someone in the backseat picking out a movie and someone in the frontseat entering info into gps or listening to music.

Pokey · 08-01-2004, 08:13 AM

I guess alot would depend on if your computer could multitask, i dont see any problems if you had certain programs on your secondary monitor (back seat) and have your movie program (or whatever) on that screen.

Basicly thats what i am doing... my secondary monitor is mounted inbetween the sunvisors.... and if the kids want to watch a movie, then one of us in the front seats, play that certain movies..

Dont get me wrong, i'd like to see mc, or me have support for duals, but there is some other things that i would drather have/see done before that.