Hooking up Multiple Monitors

Discussion in 'Video Cards, Displays and TV Tuners' started by xxxballa210, Feb 7, 2009.

  1. xxxballa210

    xxxballa210 Geek Trainee

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    My laptop has one hdmi output and one vga output. I would like to hook up dual monitors as well as my tv to watch movies (so three screens in all). What would be the best way to do this? Do I have to buy some kind of usb video adapter (if so what kind). Since my laptop has no dvi output that leaves me with just one hmdi output and I need to connect three monitors (all have hdmi). If I were to get some kind of splitter like this one, would I be able to extend my desktop or would it just show the same screen on both monitors.

    [​IMG]

    Thanks!
     
  2. Sniper

    Sniper Administrator Staff Member

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    Hi xxxballa210

    You need to VGA to HDMI converter (will be costly I think, plus needs power).

    This will allow you to have two monitors connected (VGA and HDMI) and f your graphics card allows, you can stretch your desktop across two screens.

    If you want to connect three monitors, the one of the outputs needs a switch adaptor, like the product you have mentioned above. You will get the same output on both of the screens but only one at at time.

    E.g.

    HDMI out -> Connects to
    -> Switch connects to (you tell it which monitor you want the output to go)
    -> Monitor 1
    -> Monitor 2
     
  3. little dave

    little dave Geek Trainee

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    If you haven't tried using 2 or 3 if I could 4 monitors you don't know what your missing.
     
  4. strad

    strad Geek Trainee

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    I don't believe the above Y cable will work for HDMI because HDMI uses HDCP so needs HDCP keys. SPlitting the HDMI with a cable will not work. I tried.

    You need to use a HDMI distribution amp splitter. These have HDCP keys embedded.
     

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