Is it possible to split my computer's video connection into 3 outputs?

[abeal2]

Is it possible to split my video card's output into 3 monitors? I want it to go into my main monitor, my secondary monitor which is an extension of my primary (as oppose to cloning), and my HDTV which i want to also serve as an extension of my primary. The reason I want it this way because I usually use my second monitor, but want to have the option to turn on my tv and view movies through it without having to switch cables behind the computer.

What kind of splitters would i need to get this to work? My computer has 2 DVI outputs. My TV is HDMI, my primary monitor is DVI, my secondary monitor is VGA.

Thanks in advance.

 

[newnameman]

If I'm reading this right I don't think it's possible to do what you want. You would want to connect the primary monitor to the first DVI port on your card while connecting the other monitor and the TV to the second DVI port. The problem is that you won't be able to output a digital and an analog signal at the same time from a single DVI port. What would work is using the VGA montior as the primary while splitting the extension to both the TV and the DVI monitor.

 

[Chapbass]

do what i did and grab yourself a cheap pci video card.


run the two dvi's out of your main video card, then use a 2nd vid card for your 2ndary monitor. make sure they use the same drivers. (I did it with an 8800gt powering a 24" and a 19" monitor, then a fx5200 powering a 19" monitor. i couldve added another monitor too, if i wanted).

 

[thomas2363]

yes you can do three. in your post i did not see what type kind of pc you were using but you did have two outputs.. either add another card or use oyur on board graphics.... i have three monitors of my laptop..the laptop it self a vga out and a hdmi out its a dc9700,,they tend to cras on the card but mines still tickining...second computer a powerspec uses a saphire gforce 210 512 pcie ,which has all three outputs, but the package as detailed instructions. follow them exactly. i did not the first time and lost one output but it works now... third computer sony viio i used a pcie ati radeon with two outputs and used and enabled the on board video from the motherboard... all three work also you can use a usb to dvi outputs ment for single output pc ..you can buy from frys ...Matrox TripleHead 2 Go , or buy several usb to single outputs

 

[Modelworks]

Leave the primary monitor as is. On the second DVI connector you need a DVI switch box. The box needs to support analog as well as digital . Connect the second monitor to one output of the switch box and the tv to the second output on the switch box.

The problem is finding a box that supports both analog and digital. There is no technical reason why it can't be done it is just the market for a switch like that is so low they are hard to find. The ones that do exist are very expensive. You could make your own with a few connectors , a rotary switch, and soldering a few wires. Probably cost about $20 in parts.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

FYI thread is from 2008