DVI Input? Does it enable dual monitors? at DVinfo.net

John Garcia · June 23rd, 2003, 10:01 PM

the video card on my computer has one standard vga monitor input, and a DVI output. Does this mean I have the capibility of hooking up a monitor with a DVI connection and have dual displays? Is there a VGA to DVI adapter? Please help!

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 23rd, 2003, 10:16 PM

Likely not. Unless your video card explicitly advertises dual head operation, your analog output will probably be disabled if you connect a DVI output. DVI jacks are included as a convenience to accomodate the growing number of LCD monitors on the market.

As for your question about DVI to VGA adapters, they are extant and they run about $10. See here.

John Garcia · June 23rd, 2003, 10:22 PM

awww....crappy! lol....thanks Robert. I appreciate it.

john

John Garcia · June 23rd, 2003, 10:30 PM

you know what. I just checked the NVidia website, and it states that the GeForce4 MX 440 DOES have nView Multi-display Technology. Has anyone ever heard of a multi-display video card with one vga port and one DVI port? Or, since It came with this card, maybe sony modified it and took away one vga connector? damn...i want dual displays....

Brian M. Dickman · June 24th, 2003, 01:41 PM

Yeah, actually that's pretty common among the new video cards. Some are even shipping with 2 DVI out ports, and they just toss one DVI->VGA converter in the box.

You should consult your specific product documentation though, to see about your card. Or you can always go drop the $10 on a DVI->VGA adapter, toss on a monitor, and see if you can get it to work.

It could go either way though. I have 2 cards that look almost exactly the same on the back (one vga, one dvi) and one of them can do dual head and one can't. It's really a per-model decision.

Garret Ambrosio · June 24th, 2003, 02:13 PM

On the NVIDIA Chipsets they have a siftware based dual monitor support by using a software program called Twinview. This will allow you to view two simulatanoues screens with two video outputs, i.e. TV-OUT, DVI, etc. Twinview will allow you to "merge" the inputs.

John Garcia · June 24th, 2003, 02:55 PM

cool...where do i get this Twinview software? First, ill get a VGA to DVI adapter, connect another monitor and test to see if it supports dual monitors. If that doesnt work, ill check out this twin view program...

Thanks for all of your input!!! I appreciate it alot!

Rob Lohman · July 11th, 2003, 05:55 AM

A lot of newer cards actually support dual monitor (through an
extra composite/svhs port or DVI). It might and it might not.
Easiest way is to try it out (both monitor must be powered on
and connected BEFORE booting windows).

June 23rd, 2003, 10:01 PM	#1
John Garcia Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 199	DVI output? Does it enable dual monitors? the video card on my computer has one standard vga monitor input, and a DVI output. Does this mean I have the capibility of hooking up a monitor with a DVI connection and have dual displays? Is there a VGA to DVI adapter? Please help!

June 23rd, 2003, 10:16 PM	#2
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	(You probably mean outputs, not inputs.) Likely not. Unless your video card explicitly advertises dual head operation, your analog output will probably be disabled if you connect a DVI output. DVI jacks are included as a convenience to accomodate the growing number of LCD monitors on the market. As for your question about DVI to VGA adapters, they are extant and they run about $10. See here. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 24th, 2003, 02:13 PM	#6
Garret Ambrosio Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 263	On the NVIDIA Chipsets they have a siftware based dual monitor support by using a software program called Twinview. This will allow you to view two simulatanoues screens with two video outputs, i.e. TV-OUT, DVI, etc. Twinview will allow you to "merge" the inputs. __________________ "USA Today has come out with a new survey - apparently, three out of every four people make up 75% of the population." -David Letterman

July 11th, 2003, 05:55 AM	#8
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	A lot of newer cards actually support dual monitor (through an extra composite/svhs port or DVI). It might and it might not. Easiest way is to try it out (both monitor must be powered on and connected BEFORE booting windows). __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

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June 23rd, 2003, 10:22 PM	#3
John Garcia Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 199	awww....crappy! lol....thanks Robert. I appreciate it. john

June 23rd, 2003, 10:30 PM	#4
John Garcia Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 199	you know what. I just checked the NVidia website, and it states that the GeForce4 MX 440 DOES have nView Multi-display Technology. Has anyone ever heard of a multi-display video card with one vga port and one DVI port? Or, since It came with this card, maybe sony modified it and took away one vga connector? damn...i want dual displays....

June 24th, 2003, 01:41 PM	#5
Brian M. Dickman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 148	Yeah, actually that's pretty common among the new video cards. Some are even shipping with 2 DVI out ports, and they just toss one DVI->VGA converter in the box. You should consult your specific product documentation though, to see about your card. Or you can always go drop the $10 on a DVI->VGA adapter, toss on a monitor, and see if you can get it to work. It could go either way though. I have 2 cards that look almost exactly the same on the back (one vga, one dvi) and one of them can do dual head and one can't. It's really a per-model decision.

June 24th, 2003, 02:55 PM	#7
John Garcia Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 199	cool...where do i get this Twinview software? First, ill get a VGA to DVI adapter, connect another monitor and test to see if it supports dual monitors. If that doesnt work, ill check out this twin view program... Thanks for all of your input!!! I appreciate it alot!