Use second display of Dual DVI for HTPC?

[quadomatic]

Is it possible to use the second display from my Dual DVI 9800GT to set up an HTPC?

I was planning on using the first display for my regular PC, as I do now. The second display would have MediaPortal or something running on it, and would be plugged into an HDTV in another room.

Would that work?

 

[flyers1]

I'm curious about this too. Mostly trying to figure out how to send audio over to the TV. Would I need a separate cable for audio? I have a Sapphire 4830 with dual HDMI outs.

 

[sdifox]

I have been driving my projector using my computer for a long time. Audio hookup can either be through a hdmi video card capable of audio pass-through or just separate digital audio link.

 

[kalrith]

I have been driving my projector using my computer for a long time. Audio hookup can either be through a hdmi video card capable of audio pass-through or just separate digital audio link.

When you do that, do you use the PC for any other function?

OP, I think the big question is whether you want your PC to run MediaPortal on the TV while at the same time using it for other uses on your current monitor. If so, then I'm not certain that'll work. I looked into doing the same thing, and it wound up being less of a headache to build a stand-alone HTPC.

 

[jtvang125]

With dual displays on one card you'll have the option to extend or clone your desktop. What you want to do will work if you clone the desktop but you won't be able to use the PC at the same time. If you extend it, I don't think it'll work because windows will see the desktop as being stretch across both displays.

Edit: Also if the PC isn't by the TV you'll have to get up and walk over to where ever the PC is to do anything.

 

[kalrith]

If he can set MediaPortal to open on the second display, then extending should work just fine.

 

[mshan]

It works fine.

I use Theatertek to watch DVDs on my projector and there is an option to send program to second screen (I choose extend desktop in Windows).

You can drag and drop Windows Media Center to second display, but when you go full screen you can't use desktop on your other computer screen (Theatertek does not have this limitation).

With Windows 7, I sometimes get blank screen on second monitor, but haven't had that problem with XP. Probably depends upon specific program.

 

[Auric]

XBMC can be used on the second display (extended) in full-screen windowed mode while leaving the desktop free for other tasks and can optionally use a diff'rent audio device too. The only limitation is that it will lose focus for standard MC remote use. That can be worked around with intermediate proggies using global key mapping. Alternatively, focus can be regained for remote commands with the "green button".

 

[CubanlB]

For a while I was using xbmc on my second display using the Ultramon work around that can setup profiles for specific programs to switch which display is the primary and setup resolution, etc... but it didn't really jive with vista too well (working on getting main comp transitioned over to Win7) I had a lot of problems with windows leaving the secondary display as the primary, not launching programs to proper display and other issues. I think this was mainly having to do with my setup and also my having no desire to work out the kinks as I was mainly doing this so I could be ripping dvds with makemkv while having xbmc up all on the same comp. Eventually got real frustrated with it and once my dvd library was ripped just basically made my main pc a mediapc and just left it in my computer room with its only display as my tv. I use a different comp for all my ripping now aswell.

It can be done and gets a lot of use out of once computer, but just go into it knowing it might take a little tweaking to get perfect.

Theatertek sounds pretty interesting as it seems in internally takes into account these needs for a multipurpose setup. How is the UI?

 

[Auric]

Did that version of XBMC lack the ability to specify the display? I only began using it early this year but certainly by then it was an option in the GUI -so no messin' with primary/secondary.

One caveat is that full-screen windowed, being required to prevent minimizing when losing focus, suffers degradation of interface speed in XP for some reason. It is fine in W7 though. Regardless of the mode, the interface has high CPU demands due to constant refresh rather than remaining static until interaction. Usage is actually reduced during playback with DXVA. This is proposed to be corrected eventually to allow for use with lower power devices.

Another oddity is that DXVA was only recently added and not yet to an official release. I'm using the DSplayer branch but only to launch an external player: MPC-HC, for uber flexibility. Given proper configuration it is seemless. Happily, both XBMC and MPC-HC work with an MC receiver which in turn is a standard code available in many remotes.

 

[sdifox]

When you do that, do you use the PC for any other function?

OP, I think the big question is whether you want your PC to run MediaPortal on the TV while at the same time using it for other uses on your current monitor. If so, then I'm not certain that'll work. I looked into doing the same thing, and it wound up being less of a headache to build a stand-alone HTPC.

dual display, I am usually neffing here on the lcd monitor while watching some movie or other on the projector.