Splitters for using 2 displays - one DVI

sequitur

Here I was, bitching and moaning about the Mini having only one DVI port, when someone pointed out several solutions.



http://voice.firefallpro.com/2006/02...ors-using.html



http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gx...bility.php#mac



http://sewelldirect.com/usb2tosvga.a...FVB1OAod0lOzaA



http://www.trittontechnologies.com/p...s/TRIUV100.htm



Although some of the above mention Windows only, I understand there are Mac counterparts.



Has anyone used, seen, or know about these 'splitters'? There are downsides as the first URL mentions, but I wonder what effect daily use would have on the Mini - Displays - ?



Don't feel reticent to jump in here. My skin has toughened since I first joined AI.

Marvin

Quote:

Originally Posted by sequitur


Has anyone used, seen, or know about these 'splitters'? There are downsides as the first URL mentions, but I wonder what effect daily use would have on the Mini - Displays - ?

Yeah, I'd heard of them but the downsides would be too much for me: split dialogs, blurry output, split menu. Not to mention what would happen when you try and play a full screen movie.



I don't mind the Mini having one DVI port because its graphics capability can't handle very high resolution screens anyway and there's no room left - I would rather have a bigger machine with a capable GPU and that way get dual ports.



The USB adaptors I find very interesting simply because if they worked reliably, you could in theory have as many displays as you have USB ports and Apple could free up a fair bit of space getting rid of the main DVI port. But they don't work all that well either:



http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/06/...usb/page6.html



Maybe a firewire 800 version would work and firewire would be a better choice as it doesn't impact your CPU but the industry keeps pushing USB2.

jeffdm

Quote:

Originally Posted by sequitur


Here I was, bitching and moaning about the Mini having only one DVI port, when someone pointed out several solutions.



http://voice.firefallpro.com/2006/02...ors-using.html



http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gx...bility.php#mac



http://sewelldirect.com/usb2tosvga.a...FVB1OAod0lOzaA



http://www.trittontechnologies.com/p...s/TRIUV100.htm



Although some of the above mention Windows only, I understand there are Mac counterparts.



Has anyone used, seen, or know about these 'splitters'? There are downsides as the first URL mentions, but I wonder what effect daily use would have on the Mini - Displays - ?



Don't feel reticent to jump in here. My skin has toughened since I first joined AI.

They aren't a substitute for two DVI ports. If you look at the Matrox, it's limited not only by the single link DVI but the video chip. You can only hook up two XGA displays to it. If you have two LCDs that are larger than 15" then you'll exceed the capabilities of the setup. You're better off buying a single large monitor than pay for a splitter box to use two tiny displays.

sequitur

It would seem that every time I go off on a wild goose chase, you AI members pull me back to reality. In truth, I don't know how the hell I survived in an electronics world without AI. I do know. I've made a lot of dumb mistakes, but I was flying blind.

Thanks guys (and gals?). I suppose we have gal members. It's just hard to tell with the user names in AI.

duddits

Gefen offers excellent options.



www.gefen.com

sequitur

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duddits


Gefen offers excellent options.



www.gefen.com

Good news; bad news. Using Gefen technology does give dual DVI outputs; both seem to be mirrored. I need extended. More bad news, the cost is $299.00. Thanks for tracking that down. I think I'm beating a dead ca-a-a-, uh, horse, though. Sorry, Duddits.



My G4 tower only has 1 DVI out. I use a VGA for one of my displays.