multiple monitor question, need info please

happyhero

Hi on my current PC arrangement I have two monitors (DELL 2005FPW). They are connected to the two svga outputs on my pc so that I can use each monitor with separate windows open, ie I am not duplicating on the monitors but opening say for example Word or emails on one and IE on the other. I would like to continue to do this but I am thinking of upgrading my PC to something newer, trouble is most PC's seem to come with only one output, I was lucky the first time.

These monitor which I want to keep using have a connection which is labeled DVI-D . I think this connection can give me a better quality picture, but I never DVI on my PC. I have heard of DVI but what is DVI-D?

Some of the new PC's I see offer a single HDMI connection. One seems to have 1x HDMI and it also says it has 1x DVI-I(includ. adaptor D-sub VGA), what on earth does that mean?

Anyway basically can anyone tell me if I can have my current two monitors and use them the way I do now with a new PC that has these sort of connection eg. 1x HDMI cable?

ie is there a splitter cable that will go from one port to two monitors and is there software that will then let them work like this?

I am thinking that things are clever enough now to have the two monitors driven from one port.

Any help appreciated

espresso

You need a dual output video card e.g. here You may be able to use the one that you already have i.e. swap it. Learn about DVI here.

iviv

Most graphics cards nowadays have two DVI outputs. As for DVI types, there's essentially 3 different types. DVI-D is for digital signals only, DVI-A for analogue only, and DVI-I has both of them intergrated.
You're correct that DVI should give you better quality, if the monitor has a DVI port which yours do.

Some of the new PC's I see offer a single HDMI connection. One seems to have 1x HDMI and it also says it has 1x DVI-I(includ. adaptor D-sub VGA), what on earth does that mean?

HDMI is another alternative to DVI and VGA which also carries audio, meaning its usefull for plugging into TVs. Its possible to convert HDMI into DVI with the right adaptor. D-SUB is just the name for the 15-pin VGA connection that you're currenetly using. The advert is saying it has 1x DVI port, and comes with an adaptor to convert DVI into VGA if you have an old monitor.

From what I know, your options are to either look for a PC with dual-DVI ports (Shouldn't be hard, I would have thought). Or buy a PC and upgrade the graphics to a card with dual DVI (More expensive option) or try a HDMI-DVI convertor (I believe this would be what you're looking for).

happyhero

So you cant have two monitors on one DVI output (maybe using some sort of splitter cable) and send different signals to each like you can with say for example USB connections where you could have for example 10 printers on 4 ports using hubs and they would all effectively be given different addresses or something so that they could be individualy controlled.... .....hope I am making some sense?

I have been thinking about upgrading for ages and this PC http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2867_6766.htm has me interested and I am wondering if I could build (I have built one or two before) this one as cheap, surely not? Then I could fit a dual card instead as well. This PC seems to cheap to build from components this cheaply.

I have seen the other post by the way where they are dicussing whether this is a good buy or not in Grab it Now.

devils_advocate

You can simplify things by getting a Matrox 'dualhead2go' which will run off your existing card.

Or be bigger and get a 'triplehead2go' for 3 screens.

I've been using matrox cards since about 1999 to run 3 screens. Current resolution is 3840 x 1024.

esbo

I think you will have to look for a PC which has two monitor ports on it, I am sure there are plenty available. My PC only had one port on it so I had to buy a seperate graphics card. I don't know why they make PC's with one port, the cost saving must be minimal. I expect they have a secret deal with graphics card manufacturers.
So make sure it has two ports before you buy, it might cost a little more, but it will probably preferable to buying and installing a seperate card.