Computer with dual (LCD) monitor and projector

[CliffB]

I need some help. I want to build a pc that has dual monitors on a single pci express card. I noticed the card also has a s-video output as well.

Is it possible for me to use the s-video out (to a projector) AND use the dual monitors (LCD) simultaneously? Basically making the setup a triple monitor output?

What I'm trying to accomplish is a video output to a projector while still using my dual monitor setup from the computer.

Any suggestions would be great.

I'm new here and hope this is the correct forum to post this thread.

Thanks.

[benwilhelm]

Originally Posted by CliffB

I need some help. I want to build a pc that has dual monitors on a single pci express card. I noticed the card also has a s-video output as well.

Is it possible for me to use the s-video out (to a projector) AND use the dual monitors (LCD) simultaneously? Basically making the setup a triple monitor output?

What I'm trying to accomplish is a video output to a projector while still using my dual monitor setup from the computer.

Any suggestions would be great.

I'm new here and hope this is the correct forum to post this thread.

Thanks.

This seems like a fine place to post this question...

Typically, it's desirable to use VGA to a projector rather than svideo as the signal will be far superior.

As for using a card like this for three outputs the answer could be yes and no. On some cards you are able to use all the outputs simultaneously, it just depends on the make and the model. However all cards like this should only be dual head. So one output would be your primary and the other two would be your secondary. So technically you COULD have three destinations connected but only two outputs would be unique.

If your desire is to have three unique displays, you'll need another card. BUT if you want one primary display and a secondary presentation display on your LCD and projector, that can be done. Again depending on the card, you could do as you suggested, svideo to projector and vga (or DVI i suppose) to LCD. Again, however, this would limit your quality on your projector significantly.

An alternative, would be using a VGA distribution amplifier to split the signal, one output to your LCD and the other to the projector. That is a pretty simple solution. However if your card only has DVI outputs and your LCDs are only DVI, then you we'd have to re-think this. But I'll wait to hear back on that before trying to describe a solution now.

Ben

[CliffB]

Thanks for the reply.

I think I will three unique displays. Let me know if I'm wrong...

Here's the scenario:
-On one LCD, I want to display the MediaShout application.
-On another LCD, I want to display a video capture software to record the sermon.
-On the projector, I want to display the slides from MediaShout and eventually play a DVD video.

With the scenario above, am I thinking correctly for my setup?

[Tim Eason]

That's actually a lot to ask of a computer. In my crystal micro-ball I see crashes, hiccups and headaches. I would recommend one computer only for MediaShout and find an alternative means to record the sermon -- like a stand-alone DVD Recorder or Hard-Disc Recorder. You really need to send the projector a VGA signal - not an s-video signal. The difference is like night and day.

Would an alternate setup work for you?

[blwells45]

I agree with the big man. Too much to ask of one PC. Am I understanding you correctly that you're wanting to record the sermon video? If so, where is that coming from?

[CliffB]

Too much load on the computer? Well, I guess I'll look into alternate.

blwells45, the plan was to record the sermon through a capture card into the pc.

I trust your advice, now I'm stumped. I don't know what direction to go to accomplish all this.

[[Admin] skstarkiller]

MediaSHout will play DVD's directly in the application, so no need to worry there.

[CliffB]

I do have a notebook that I could use for mediashout.

How about using the pc for recording sermons only?

Do you have any suggestions on an inexpensive capture card and software?

I don't plan to edit the sermon -- just record it and be done.

[[Director] Joseph B]

I'd say use the notebook for recording as the PC will probably have more horsepower for projection.

SPL

[smtv]

Originally Posted by CliffB

Too much load on the computer? Well, I guess I'll look into alternate.

blwells45, the plan was to record the sermon through a capture card into the pc.

I trust your advice, now I'm stumped. I don't know what direction to go to accomplish all this.

When I was recording and projecting on the same laptop it was very very slow. So now we just do the projection stuff on that.

[CliffB]

I didn't realize recording required so much of the computer's resources.

If you had to choose an option for recording the sermon on video, would you prefer to record on a pc or stand-alone DVD recorder?

[rbcyouthdude]

You could use an old computer to do the sound capture. It could be a 200mgz. It will work great. Use the best computer for video and Shouting.

Duh, I just reread the post, I see you are doing VIDEO not just Audio.
IMHO
Michael