Hardhack dual monitors into 1

_TrXtR_ said:
No :) Seems I explained myself wrong.

2 LCD screens, 2 DVI ports.

The problem behind 2 LCD's is the center is obscured by a huge gap.
I want to take the gap away by cutting the frame away on the side's and glue them together (not the exact solution but I'm sure it gives the right idea).

So I'm trying to find the right/best way of doing this. Also trying to figure out if it could work.

If I break a monitor, that's fine, it happens. People die in brain surgeries.
But if I do break it, I want to feel somewhat professional in the way I break it :)
Click to expand...

Like they do in the movies. :D Maybe get cheap 17" lcds and play with them first.

foozball3000 said:
This is a fun thread... :)

Is the ports in the back of your GFX Card DVI or VGA? Apparently, you can get an adapter to run 2 monitors off one DVI port. (DVI ports apparently can support 2 monitors each)
I don't know how practical this would be, but it seemed to work fine for the guy, and he had 4 monitors.
(Someone, please confirm this... as it's only word of mouth)

EDIT: Just saw your post that you have DVI's. :)
Click to expand...

But if he used 1 DVI for 2 screen, then it will clone and not stretch/dual view... :confused:
 
SharkBait said:
Like they do in the movies. :D Maybe get cheap 17" lcds and play with them first.

But if he used 1 DVI for 2 screen, then it will clone and not stretch/dual view... :confused:
Click to expand...

I saw one in the trash the other day... it would be a project just to get it working. Maybe I'm just bored.

Matrox, who seems to specialize in dual display cards released an adapter
Dual Head to Go, and Tripple Head to go.
This allows you to treat multiple monitors as one.
These cost around 700/800.

I have run a 4 monitor setup before (crt's standing all over the place). 1 dual head pci + 1 dual head AGP.

The thing is... I just dont want to buy a third monitor right now. I wouldn't be able to justify it. But to tell you the truth, the moment this idea came into my head, it didnt want to leave (will try beer this afternoon).

I think this would be a cool project if the display's can handle it.
And so I tend to shy away even more from the third screen (unless I go play a poker tournament and win or something... which is how I got the other 2).

I want to see my onboard graphics card handle another monitor. If it treat's it as one resolution then I'll try hooking up my plasma screen as a centre screen, and flip the other 2 on their sides.

The misses wont approve taking idols away though.
 
SharkBait said:
But if he used 1 DVI for 2 screen, then it will clone and not stretch/dual view... :confused:
Click to expand...

Well, I wouldn't suggest attempting it in Windows. There's not a lot of support for radical ideas like this. Linux, on the other hand... I'm sure there's a student somewhere that had the same idea and made it work.

Still, someone should be able to tell you if an DVI port can handle it, and how it will handle it. Call Alienware's Technical Support... they should know.
 
Rouxenator said:
But seriously : ALT-TAB try it, you will never need more than one monitor then.
Click to expand...

Apparently you've never experienced the joy of having dual widescreens for work. (I = programmer)
It takes some getting used to... but it's makes life so much easier. And it's great for your eyes.

Just to keep this post on topic...
I support the 3 monitor idea! :D Though, 4 would make sense...
I've used power tools to mod my pc case... but never the screen. Please post pics in your progress.
You should be able to mod your screen's frame easily... BUT use appropriate protocol. It's sensitive stuff in there, use anti-static gloves, and a clean work station. Ask a friend to hide your hammer.... it's made in china, not russia.
 
A splitter can run 2 monitors from one DVI port, but they will be cloned. : FAIL!
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=108798

You do get cards that can run two monitors off one port, that's not a DVI port... it kinda looks the same. Different name. And you'll need the special splitter.

Conclusion of Research done is: You'll need 3 DVI Ports, how ever you want to achieve that.

1000 point to /me for my great research.
Results 1 - 10 of about 291,000 for Running two monitors on one DVI port. (0.27 seconds)
Click to expand...
 
_TrXtR_ said:
Unless there is a software solution to align the screen resolution a little more left, it will always be anoying (And this would most probably have to be a driver hack). This is why most people prefer 3 monitor setup's over dual.
Click to expand...

This is why I prefer 1 single big screen.

IIRC Toms hardware has a video where the show you how to covert an LCD to a projector, using one of those old, school/mirror projectors. now this is not what you want but you can see what it looks like inside an lcd screen, layer by layer.

Also, IIRC, there was a guy who has like 9, 15 or 25 Screens or something, all connected, without frames, in a half-sphere-like dome setup, playing quake III Arena. i'll see if I can find the pic.

you're crazy...... :D

Here we go:
3.jpg
 
foozball3000 said:
Apparently you've never experienced the joy of having dual widescreens for work. (I = programmer)
It takes some getting used to... but it's makes life so much easier. And it's great for your eyes.
Click to expand...

I am also a developer and I am quite against the use of more than one monitor. Firstly, have you ever noticed that the area you are focusing is about the same size as a 50c coin? The rest is all peripheral vision and you only use it to know where things are at in case you have to shift focus to it.

Instead of shifting your focus between two or more screen just switch between windows or tabs (that’s why they were invented) and keep your focus on one screen. Why not put the two windows you are now running full screen on two monitors next to each other on one screen? It is the same thing only better. Switching between windows with ALT-TAB may not be as fast as glancing over to the other screen but with practice it will get better plus you are saving all the way, space, money, energy, carbon footprint of production... I can go on.

Using more than one screen does not make you cool. It is retarded actually.
 
Nope, can't agree with you there - i'm an Artist and switching between Heavy 3D Software and a basic Picture Viewer takes too long. way too long.

dual monitor is awesome when I use it, else the small lcd screen sits in the cupboard.
 
Rouxenator said:
I am also a developer and I am quite against the use of more than one monitor. Firstly, have you ever noticed that the area you are focusing is about the same size as a 50c coin? The rest is all peripheral vision and you only use it to know where things are at in case you have to shift focus to it.

Instead of shifting your focus between two or more screen just switch between windows or tabs (that’s why they were invented) and keep your focus on one screen. Why not put the two windows you are now running full screen on two monitors next to each other on one screen? It is the same thing only better. Switching between windows with ALT-TAB may not be as fast as glancing over to the other screen but with practice it will get better plus you are saving all the way, space, money, energy, carbon footprint of production... I can go on.

Using more than one screen does not make you cool. It is retarded actually.
Click to expand...

Personal Choice. ;)
I really do use mine to the max... it adds a lot of productivity. And I bought it as an investment, not a toy. (Plugging the laptop and kvm switch into one of the two monitors makes working on 2 pc's a lot easier.)
But each to his own.
 
Rouxenator said:
WHAT?! Now there is two computers also !!?!

/me faints......... THUD........DOEF.......
Click to expand...

Home PC + Work Laptop = 2 PCs.
Both have different setups and software (due to policies).

But by the sound of it, we're in way different fields of programming. So, don't judge. :cool:
 
_TrXtR_ said:
Edit:

Just to explain the goal a bit better.

I want to stick the side's of the two monitor's together with super glue after cutting away the frame. Super glue would be a bit daft, so
I'm collecting information on how all this is going to be done the right way.

Here's an example of the result I would want ion the perfect world
Witid-seamless-monitors.jpg


Here's an example of what I have http://blogs.vertigo.com/personal/willa/Blog/Lists/Photos/062707_2040_DualMonitor1.jpg

I have not opened my monitor's up yet. And will most probably tomorrow.
Then I will be able to see if there is any hardware preventing me from doing it like PsyWulf has mentioned.
---

Hi,

I have 2 samsung synchmaster LCD's (T220).
Buying the 3rd one is going to require another graphics card too, which get's a little pricey, so I'm looking at whether I could hook the two monitors together.

The thing is, I just don't find much result's googling for examples of a project like this. Same with disassembling, or spec's of the inside of these monitors.

So...
My thoughts (and these are purely thoughts) have been that I want to cut the side's away (carefully of course) on both monitor's where they come together. But I don't know what's on the inside, how far the panel leads, and if it is at all worth it.

Can anyone give me some pointer's on the right direction for this? I'm trying to avoid as much work as possible, don't want to build new frames, I would rather hack them together. I just want them to come together as close as possible... but need to figure out how close this is going to be. Currently I think the side's are about 1 centimeter (frame).

Any tips, suggestions, recommended google keywords?

Also, anyone know where to get hold of broken one's of these, pictures of the insides or anything else?

Thanx
Click to expand...

Just buy a huge LCD/TV
 
I'm also curious on what happens next...
PLEASE post pics and info on your progress!!!
 
guys, you're missing the point. He has 2 monitors, and he has a graphics card which is capable or running in Dual monitor mode. So, if he hooks up 1 cable from the VGA card to 1 monitor, and another cable from the same card, to another monitor, he can span his desktop across the 2 monitors. The only problem is that the 2 plastic sides on the 2 monitors causes a big gap between the viewable section of the monitors.

To get back the question, yes you can do it. BUT, you won't be able to completely take out the gap between the LCD screens. There's a thin glass layer on it, which normally is a bit bigger than the actual screen. And, chances are if the electronics do touch, they could short circuit. So, put something in between them to protect their electrical circuits from each other. You won't be able to completely take the gap out, but at least it won't be a 5CM gap, like on my monitors :)
 
Rouxenator : Dual Monitors adds boatloads to productivity....

I have 2 at home and going to add a 3rd soon... and motivating for a 3rd WS monitor at work....

I can leave windows open all the time on one monitor such as my email in one, sql in the other and then do all the dirty switching on the 3rd... helps a hell of a lot if you ask me.

You're also the first developer I've ever come across who prefers one monitor over multiple monitors, all the developers at the company I work for have at least 2, some have 4.
 
You can try one of these Radius 320 monitors... :D

Radius_320.jpg


I will open up my BenQ FP71 17" over the weekend and let you know what the edge-gap could be, as well as what is on/near the sides of the panel. As SoftDux mentioned, you will probably not eliminate the gap completely, however, if you can live with 5-8mm, then you may be able to do something.
When I stripped my Acer Ferrari laptop to replace the DC-in plug, the LCD panel was pretty solid when it was out of the plastics, and the edging was pretty close to the backlight area - about 1.5-2mm - an LCD monitor should be about the same, but possibly slightly more.

What about thinking along the lines of a braced dual-frame - similar to the Radius screen, but with 2 panels instead of 3 - use lightweight aluminium edging (or bent slightly in the middle if desired) for the top and bottom frame holder - this would hold the main weight. You could then cosmetically cut/mould/shape/fit the existing outer plastics onto the frame, as well as the rear covers... just a thought. :)

In fact, I think I'll try and find another old LCD, or buy 2 second-hand el-cheapos to try this - if successful, I'll do it with my 2333SW's... :p
 
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It seems that the differences between joining two or more standard LCD's and the seamless LCD's is illustrated in the following pictures:

seamless1.gif
seamless2.gif


...similar technology but one uses a compressed outer image and a lens cover... :D



EDIT:
What about removing the plastics front edges and mounting the two LCD's on a Dual Flip Mount stand ? I have this Aavara model and it's solid...

aavara_dual.jpg
 
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Right, I just stripped my BenQ LCD and have the following to report:

- the panel would be able to be joined to another as there is a metal bracket that surrounds the LCD panel.
- there is also a thin built-in metal border around the LCD panel edges:
--the top & bottom edge on the face of the LCD measures 12mm in thickness
--the sides measure 8mm.
- this means that if you were to join 2 of these LCD's on the sides, there would be a gap of about 16-18mm in the middle.
- if you just placed 2 LCD's, still in their plastics, side by side, the gap would be 36mm - 18mm thickness of the plastic border.

I will upload the pics tomorrow.

I'm not sure if the newer panels have a thinner border - maybe someone else can check their T220? :p
 
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