PC Gaming question for Kam, Raliven, others

Ntruder · 11-16-2008, 09:49 AM

Alright, so as per our discussion about PC gaming on an HDTV/couch:

-I purchased the Xbox wireless receiver, so I can use my Xbox 360 wireless controller. Controller portion taken care of.

-Purchased a sound card with S/PDIF optical out that I can hook up to my surround sound stereo and my wireless, surround sound headphones. Sound portion taken care of.

-I need the TV hookup portion taken care of now. My TV has HDMI in, PC (VGA) in, and component in. My PC has 2x DVI-out, but I have dual monitors. So at present, the only way that I can play games on my TV is if I change my display resolution to 1920x1080, crawl under my desk, unplug my primary monitor, and plug in my DVI-HDMI cable. This is a huge pain in the ass.

Do you guys have any suggestions on a more convenient way to switch between TV and primary monitor? I've seen DVI splitters like this, but the reviews are 8/8 saying it didn't work.

Anyway, I really hate having to unplug the cord in back of my PC each time. Considering what equipment I have, is there any way I can make this easier? Again, I have an nVidia 9800GT with dual DVI out, an HDTV with HDMI, PC/VGA, and component, but remember, I have dual monitors that need to be plugged in whenever I'm not playing a game. And I'll buy whatever cables I require.

Thanks in advance

Pinoy · 11-16-2008, 10:59 AM

Sorry if I'm a bit off (damn kids won't let me sleep...)

Anyways that's a somewhat odd request, most people are trying to get rid of monitors. Maybe a video splitter or video matrix switch?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817107223

Pricey though, and I'm not too sure about HDCP stuff either. Sorry I couldn't search a little more but like I said I'm a bit out of it irght now.

**kamspy** · 11-16-2008, 11:58 AM

Hmmm.

So essentially you need the picture on 3 screens right?

Ntruder · 11-16-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamspy

Hmmm.

So essentially you need the picture on 3 screens right?

Well no, I only need 2 at a time. For computing, I'll use the dual monitors. For games, switch to the HDTV. I'm just wondering if there's any convenient way to switch between the two without unhooking cables. Doesn't look like it...

Ntruder · 11-16-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinoy

Sorry if I'm a bit off (damn kids won't let me sleep...)

Anyways that's a somewhat odd request, most people are trying to get rid of monitors. Maybe a video splitter or video matrix switch?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817107223

Pricey though, and I'm not too sure about HDCP stuff either. Sorry I couldn't search a little more but like I said I'm a bit out of it irght now.

I thought about a splitter, but the reviews on newegg said they don't work. I don't really see why... I just want my picture from my primary video out to go to 2 screens.

With analog, a simple cable splitter would work, but with digital, it gets all screwy.

I wonder if I got a DVI splitter and then ran a DVI-VGA adapter and used the PC input? Then the video card wouldn't detect the analog signal being sent out...

**rbinck** · 11-16-2008, 01:31 PM

I think you want a splitter not a KVM switch, or at least that seems like what you need. That would allow you to drive the same video to two devices, ie a monitor and the HDTV.

StarTech 2 Port DVI Video Splitter / Distribution Amplifier ST122DVI DVI Interface - Retail

Ntruder · 11-16-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbinck

I think you want a splitter not a KVM switch, or at least that seems like what you need. That would allow you to drive the same video to two devices, ie a monitor and the HDTV.

StarTech 2 Port DVI Video Splitter / Distribution Amplifier ST122DVI DVI Interface - Retail

Yeah I think thats more like what I'd need. But why could I not just use a DVI splitter cord?

analog is so much simpler...

**rbinck** · 11-16-2008, 02:47 PM

The DVI splitter cords are usually for dual channel or analog DVI. Depends on what your video card will handle.

Ntruder · 11-16-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbinck

The DVI splitter cords are usually for dual channel or analog DVI. Depends on what your video card will handle.

Well regardless, one DVI output will only acknowledge one display

Ntruder · 11-16-2008, 08:15 PM

I give up. Too much hassle. After more money dumped, my new sound card wasn't playing any sound effects in FarCry 2, and it didn't even run all that well. Plus, with the overscan, I couldn't see the entire HUD very well.

This is too much effort for a couple extra pixels; I'll just stick with the consoles

11-16-2008, 09:49 AM	#1
Ntruder Defender of Sanity Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3,127	PC Gaming question for Kam, Raliven, others Alright, so as per our discussion about PC gaming on an HDTV/couch: -I purchased the Xbox wireless receiver, so I can use my Xbox 360 wireless controller. Controller portion taken care of. -Purchased a sound card with S/PDIF optical out that I can hook up to my surround sound stereo and my wireless, surround sound headphones. Sound portion taken care of. -I need the TV hookup portion taken care of now. My TV has HDMI in, PC (VGA) in, and component in. My PC has 2x DVI-out, but I have dual monitors. So at present, the only way that I can play games on my TV is if I change my display resolution to 1920x1080, crawl under my desk, unplug my primary monitor, and plug in my DVI-HDMI cable. This is a huge pain in the ass. Do you guys have any suggestions on a more convenient way to switch between TV and primary monitor? I've seen DVI splitters like this, but the reviews are 8/8 saying it didn't work. Anyway, I really hate having to unplug the cord in back of my PC each time. Considering what equipment I have, is there any way I can make this easier? Again, I have an nVidia 9800GT with dual DVI out, an HDTV with HDMI, PC/VGA, and component, but remember, I have dual monitors that need to be plugged in whenever I'm not playing a game. And I'll buy whatever cables I require. Thanks in advance

11-16-2008, 11:58 AM	#3
kamspy Moderator Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11,389	Hmmm. So essentially you need the picture on 3 screens right? __________________ Now Playing InFamous ~ Penumbra: Black Plague ~ L4D ~ Red Faction: Guerilla ~ Fallout 3 ~ S.T.A.L.K.E.R. ~ Gears of War 2 ~ Crysis Warhead

11-16-2008, 01:31 PM	#6
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 11,919	I think you want a splitter not a KVM switch, or at least that seems like what you need. That would allow you to drive the same video to two devices, ie a monitor and the HDTV. StarTech 2 Port DVI Video Splitter / Distribution Amplifier ST122DVI DVI Interface - Retail __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

11-16-2008, 02:47 PM	#8
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 11,919	The DVI splitter cords are usually for dual channel or analog DVI. Depends on what your video card will handle. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

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11-16-2008, 10:59 AM	#2
Pinoy I'm here for the lulz Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,764	Sorry if I'm a bit off (damn kids won't let me sleep...) Anyways that's a somewhat odd request, most people are trying to get rid of monitors. Maybe a video splitter or video matrix switch? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817107223 Pricey though, and I'm not too sure about HDCP stuff either. Sorry I couldn't search a little more but like I said I'm a bit out of it irght now.

11-16-2008, 08:15 PM	#10
Ntruder Defender of Sanity Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 3,127	I give up. Too much hassle. After more money dumped, my new sound card wasn't playing any sound effects in FarCry 2, and it didn't even run all that well. Plus, with the overscan, I couldn't see the entire HUD very well. This is too much effort for a couple extra pixels; I'll just stick with the consoles