Dual Monitor setup w/ laptop

[RESmonkey]

I think this is where this thread belongs (since it deals w/ monitors, laptops, and cables), please move if I'm wrong.

I've got a Sony Vaio FW with a single HDMI output. When I take it to the college dorm, I am thinking of connecting it to two monitors (which I have yet to buy). Is this possible through a single HDMI output? I know HDMI is DVI w/o the audio, but would HDMI/HDCP standards allow a DVI split to two different displays?

Thanks

UPDATE: I have two outputs, one HDMI and one VGA.

 

[mpilchfamily]

If your talking about 2 monitors not including the creen on the laptop then no. Well actually you can but both monitors will be showing the same thing and you won't be able to treat them like independant monitors. But you can get and HDMI adapter so that you can plug in an external monitor. Then you'll have 2 screens to work with.

 

[RESmonkey]

So I can never have two external monitors with different desktops on each?

 

[California Roll]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
So I can never have two external monitors with different desktops on each?

Not with only one display output. You're limited to using your LCD screen and an external monitor with different desktops on each.

 

[VinylxScratches]

you can get a USB to DVI videocard but the resolution is limited to I belive 1680 x 1050.

 

[RESmonkey]

*UPDATE*

Ok, so what I thought was a serial port turned out to be a VGA a port. So I guess I do have another video output. Problem is, it's right next to the HDMI output, and I cannot plug both because the cables hit each other.

The VGA port doesn't have those side screw-ons, which was the reason I mistook it for a serial port. I am contemplating taking a VGA cable and trimming it somehow to have one end lose the screw-on sides.

Think it'll work?

 

[corkyg]

Should work. You can just unscrew the screws. You can even grind off the screw holes. Laptops don't like screw holes becaus e they are made for portability - quick connect and disconnect. If the connector were screwed on and someone tripped over the cable, the result could be really bad.

However, California Roll's caveat still will apply. With only one video card, you can only get equal outputs. Since there's not much point in that - why bother?