question on video card setup

[csheffer]

I'd like to get some feedback on a video card we currently are using and how best to set it up with Easy Worship. We have an i7 HP desktop with 8GB RAM with an ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics card with 1GB DDR5 dedicated graphics memory. currently we run DVI to the front projector and just use the same feed to the monitor for the stage...not using the display feature. We have both DVI ports being used, primary and the secondary monitor (projector). This graphics card has HDMI and a display port also available... was wondering if its better to use the display port and run cable from it to be able to use the display foldback feature on Easy Worship OR to install a second graphics card (PCI express 1x with dual DVI ---EVGA 512-P1-N402-LR GeForce 6200 Video Card - 512MB DDR2, PCI, DVI, VGA, S-Video, DirectX 9) and use it for the display foldback feature??)

Any thoughts would be appreciated, we have a second graphics card that we could use from another computer and are just wanting to keep cost down as much as possible.

[csheffer]

so I tried plugging a display port to DVI adapter in and running to a 3 monitor... the graphics card ATI Radeon HD 5770 wouldn't give me a signal to the 3rd monitor. I tried to change settings but it wouldn't allow me to save any changes. Will need to check the ATI driver, might need to see if an update to the driver would solve this?? So far all I get when I identify the monitors is display 2 & 3.

[snedecor]

I think we have the same one, but I'm away from the Church now...

We use the VGA and the DVI as our desktop and Projector at Front of House, and we have a Displayport to VGA adapter to run the foldback projector.

Seems to work well for us.

Good Luck!

[Gracetech]

You have to use the Display port in order for it to work and it also has to be an Active Display port adapter. Passive adapters won't work and even some Active ones won't. You can find list out on the web of the ones that work.

It's odd that you have to pay an additional 100 bucks to get a feature out of a card that you already paid for. Especially when you could either get another card or USB adapter to drive an extra display. I wouldn't recommend using the USB adapters for anything important though, my preference.

crt

[csheffer]

is it better to use the display port as the primary monitor and then setup the DVI ports for the 2nd and 3rd monitors? I'm still working on updating the driver from the ATI website.

[csheffer]

Originally Posted by Gracetech

You have to use the Display port in order for it to work and it also has to be an Active Display port adapter. Passive adapters won't work and even some Active ones won't. You can find list out on the web of the ones that work.

It's odd that you have to pay an additional 100 bucks to get a feature out of a card that you already paid for. Especially when you could either get another card or USB adapter to drive an extra display. I wouldn't recommend using the USB adapters for anything important though, my preference.

crt

What do you mean by 'active'? and how would I go about finding out if the card I have is "active" or not? - sorry for the dumb question

[Gracetech]

It doesn't matter if you use DVI or Displayport. If you are using super high resolutions then i might suggest using the Display port for the higher resolution.

It's not the card that is active it's the converter. Displayport adapters come in two forms...passive and active. The passive is fine if you only want to get 2 displays out of your eyefinity card. If you want to get more then you have to go with active displayport adapters. Make sense?

crt

[csheffer]

ok, so is an active adapter one that has a usb cord attached? I bought an adapter but it just plugs into DP-DVI and has no usb cord. My computer recognizes a 3rd monitor but wont allow me to 'connect' it to the computer displays.
I think I will be buying the adapter from Amazon -accell model- it states it works with the eyefinity cards.

[Gracetech]

Yeah you have a passive one. Passive ones will let you see them just not engage them. You can switch to any set of two monitors just not all at the same time.

I did a quick look and found a compatibility list...if it helps any
http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/...y-dongles.aspx

crt

[csheffer]

ok, funny I just came across the same compatibility list just the other day too. I guess I will probably go with the Accell model DVI. But just to make sure, are most of the display port to VGA models active ones? And while I'm thinking of it...what is the difference between these active DUAL link and Active SINGLE link adapters?

[Gracetech]

I believe they would have to be active to do VGA.

Dual link just means higher resolution than single.

crt

[csheffer]

ok, so now I have a DP to VGA adapter and plugged it in and......I have 3 monitors!!! Just have to adjust the settings and line the monitors up and we're good to go.

So I have a passive DP to DVI adapter available