Muse
Lifer
I have an HDTV card in my desktop, a PCI MyHD MDP-120 (Manufacturer: Macro Image Technology), with PCI daughterboard. The daughterboard supports DVI output. I have alternate displays, my everyday computer solution, a 19" LCD with works nicely with 1280 x 1024 resolution, and I have a projector, a Sanyo PLV-Z2, which supports 720p (1280 x 720 resolution).
In order to change displays I could have bought a switch when I implemented this stuff a few years ago, but the switches were pretty expensive ($100 or so), so I looked for and arrived at a cheaper solution, a bit more work to make the switch than flipping a switch, but it worked fine: using a cable from the DVI-outputting daughterboard whose other end would accommodate either of two DVI cables, one going to my 19" LCD and the other going to the projector. I have to manually switch the connection, but it only takes about 10-15 seconds to do that (I just shove on the cable, don't secure it with twist screws). In any case, the cable from the projector sometimes has to go to a stand alone DVD player, so I have to make that switch frequently (DVD player or HDTV hookup to the projector).
This all worked just fine for several years but recently a weird problem has developed. I have no problem whatsoever with the signal from the DVD player to the projector or the signal from the computer to the 19" LCD. However, for the last month or two, increasingly I have a problem with my projector seeing the signal from the computer. I have to jiggle the connection or else it doesn't see a signal. I used to have to only jiggle it a little. Lately, a LOT! Sometimes it's almost impossible to get the projector to see a signal. The funny part is that once it sees the signal OK it doesn't lose it (well, almost never!). It seems crazy and of course, it's driving me nuts. I figure I could get a switch (expensive) but there's no guarantee that this would solve the problem. Actually, I think I would need 2 switches, one to decide if the projector goes to the DVD player or the computer and another to decide if the computer's signal goes to the LCD or the projector.
Any help very much appreciated!
In order to change displays I could have bought a switch when I implemented this stuff a few years ago, but the switches were pretty expensive ($100 or so), so I looked for and arrived at a cheaper solution, a bit more work to make the switch than flipping a switch, but it worked fine: using a cable from the DVI-outputting daughterboard whose other end would accommodate either of two DVI cables, one going to my 19" LCD and the other going to the projector. I have to manually switch the connection, but it only takes about 10-15 seconds to do that (I just shove on the cable, don't secure it with twist screws). In any case, the cable from the projector sometimes has to go to a stand alone DVD player, so I have to make that switch frequently (DVD player or HDTV hookup to the projector).
This all worked just fine for several years but recently a weird problem has developed. I have no problem whatsoever with the signal from the DVD player to the projector or the signal from the computer to the 19" LCD. However, for the last month or two, increasingly I have a problem with my projector seeing the signal from the computer. I have to jiggle the connection or else it doesn't see a signal. I used to have to only jiggle it a little. Lately, a LOT! Sometimes it's almost impossible to get the projector to see a signal. The funny part is that once it sees the signal OK it doesn't lose it (well, almost never!). It seems crazy and of course, it's driving me nuts. I figure I could get a switch (expensive) but there's no guarantee that this would solve the problem. Actually, I think I would need 2 switches, one to decide if the projector goes to the DVD player or the computer and another to decide if the computer's signal goes to the LCD or the projector.
Any help very much appreciated!
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