multiple displays using ssdc, windows 7 Options

[Ade]

Hi
I picked up a second monitor to use with ssdc,I currently display leaderboard and timer on the current one and race manager and throttle window on the lappy.

Extending the display onto the first monitor is easy just press the windows key and hold p and select from the options,it's then just a case of dragging and dropping the desired screens,but how do I get the second monitor to display something different from the first one.

I have a vga splitter.

[RikoRocket]

VGA splitter? You can't.

[snurfen]

Ade, a VGA splitter takes an output from a VGA port on the pc and duplicates/triplicates etc that signal. You will have repeats of the same screen.

To achieve what you want, you need a dual or multi output graphics card in your pc. I don't know if the software can then handle multi screens.

If you are using a laptop, there are docking stations or port extenders Available for some models that allow two video outputs. I use IBM/Lenovo docking stations and they have one VGA and one HDMI output.

[Ade]

Hi
Thanks for the replys guys, not to interested in getting pc taken apart so might go down the projector route and can then display everything in one place at a good size.

[Wraith]

Ade,

Look on the back of your pc. Mst modern ones have two outputs or more.

They could be VGA, DVI, HDMI or Digital Port.

Once you connect he monitor to these select Extend display under display options.

I then drag the screen the racers need onto the other screen (for me is the projector) the other screen displays the race setup, racers,cars etc.

Colin

[Ade]

Hi
Thanks Colin but I just purchased the cheapest i3 lappy with built in blutooth I could find and one vga output and three usb plus sd card slot is all you get. but it does run fast though.

[Wraith]

Ade.

Very simple. Plug one monitor in and you extend te display so that one is on n external monitor and the other is on the laptop screen.

[Ade]

Hi
Yes I have had the one monitor running for a few months now but I thought I could add another just as easily. to show more data to racers.

These monitors are just so cheap now that it seemed to be a very easy upgrade,one monitor complete with leads and vga splitter under £7 delivered from ebay.

[Wraith]

Ade,

The only way to get an additional monitor (I.e. 2 external) or more on your laptop would be to buy a USB Video card, last time I looked these were about £60-£70. They would handle SSDC but don't expect to use its for playing games when the track goes away.

VGA splitters should really be names VGA Duplicators as that is all they do. They take the on signal and amplify it, then split it into two outputs of the same data. These are great if for instance you want to have two or more monitors around the track displaying the same screen.

Here is a link to one I found but its by no means the only one available. Its also only supports up to 1650x1050.

[GregK]

Ade ..... do you still have your old PC??

It might be worth asking Andrew if it would be possible to network another computer to the lappy so that it can read the database whilst running it's own version of SSDC and display what you want on that screen(s).

This will only be possible if the database can sustain multiple connections. It should be able to do it but I would not have thought that Andrew would have enabled it to do so, so worth asking.

[Ade]

Hi
Gave it away to a mate to run rms on his track.Looking at the options it seams that usb-vga is the way to go.

Had a look on the bay and prices start from £25 mark.

[Ade]

Hi
Scouring the net shows these adapters are expensive even from China but I have found one at reasonable price...I think.

usb-vga

Total cost £14.05 post free.

[Wraith]

Ade,

That looks more like a HDMI to VGA not a USB to VGA

[Ade]

Hi
Yes Colin well spotted but have just checked there email and it is advertised as usb-vga and says it's for extending desktop to monitor for windows 7. So I hope either I clicked the incorrect image or they posted the wrong one....have to wait and see.

[Wraith]

Fingers crossed.