Question Dual DVI-i

[DrSpok]

I am looking for someone that can explain how this setup i came across works. I am working on a medical device with a PNY graphics board that has dual DVI-i outputs. The manufacturer has a DVI-1 24+5 Y Splitter going from both DVI outputs to the single DVI-1 24+5 going to the machines I/O board to operate a small LCD touchscreen. I never seen a Y splitter used in the opposite configuration and dont get what would be the reason to do it this way? Thanks in advance for any input

 

[SamMaster]

Only things I can think of, is either in a theoretical fail-safe configuration, or incompetence.

Or an excuse to charge more, since it's a medical device.

 

[DrSpok]

It is Philips Medical and a custom cable since i cannot seem to find one anywhere in all ends DV-i 24+5 pin so it must be for something, im going to connect two small monitors to see if anything on the 2nd connector. I sent a video generator signal into both and i only get results from one showing on the touchscreen

 

[SamMaster]

I can't find anything about that honestly. Looks like a super unique system. What would happen if you unplug one of the cables, for science?

 

[Joe NYC]

It is Philips Medical and a custom cable since i cannot seem to find one anywhere in all ends DV-i 24+5 pin so it must be for something, im going to connect two small monitors to see if anything on the 2nd connector. I sent a video generator signal into both and i only get results from one showing on the touchscreen

I am curious about this. I have no idea why there would be 2 outputs from graphics card merged into a single input, driving a single monitor.

 

[gorobei]

small lcd touchscreen is odd. maybe some sort of niche setup for return data from the touchscreen to the pc.

ordinarily dual dvi driving one monitor is for higher resolution at a specific framerate/color depth. for xray/cat/mri the reference monitors are super high contrast ratio bit depth.

 

[zir_blazer]

I'm positively sure than in the past high end or specialized Monitors with Dual DVI inputs existed since you needed to combine two ports bandwidth to display higher resolutions and refresh rates than mainstream. Not sure if there were two inputs for two single cables or some kind of reverse DMS-59 Y splitter.

Also, I'm positively sure than DVI is video output only unless it is some niche variant like DVI-M1-DA that includes extra pins for USB. So, how does the touchscreen function is even supposed to work if there is no way for the LCD thing to send inputs back to Video Card? Or does it has a separate connector besides the DVIs?