2x Triplehead2Go, 6 monitor Solution

Special_K · Post by **Special_K** » 06 Apr 2008, 15:44

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2RGObJLrBw

What everyone has thought about but always wondered if it were possible. Apparently running two triplehead2go's is possible for a 6 monitor solution. I'm sure there is some custom installation to make it work properly but I doubt they will release it publicly anytime soon.

If this has been posted already remove the topic.

Tyinsar · Post by **Tyinsar** » 06 Apr 2008, 16:36

Actually I've been running six screens on two TH2G units for a while - It's Very Nice. I'm using vertical span mode so my resolution is 3840*2048. It doesn't require any special setup but there are a few issues.

1) Vista drivers don't support any span modes so I have to use XP.

2) Both units have to be on the same card so no SLI etc. This means graphics power is seriously limited for newer games. (I mostly use it for Guild Wars and surfing the net.)

3) At the time I started this the best cards were ATI's 1000 series which did not support ful res on a TH2G. The 2000 series does but I'm now using an 8800GT anyway. I don't know how their 3000 series would do (I really want to try a 3870 x2 but it's not in the budget at the moment).

4) Before I start my system I have to unplug and replug(?) the lower unit otherwise the system won't detect it.

I'm not using any of Matrox's software - at least not since I found GridMove (link) and even made grids for it here: (link)
and Here: (link)

Special_K · Post by **Special_K** » 09 Apr 2008, 00:17

With that gridmove software, will it allow you to do the bezel management as well? I might use both together just so i can maximize to whats left of the screen after bezel management.

Tyinsar · Post by **Tyinsar** » 09 Apr 2008, 06:52

I'm not sure if I'm reading your question correctly or not. If you are wanting to use the thin space on the outside that the bezel management leaves blank ("B" on the diagram below) - you can't. That space is gone.

Code: Select all

._______ _______ _______

   |B      |       |      B|

   |B      |       |      B|

   |B      |       |      B|

   '-------'-------'-------'

GridMove doesn't include any bezel management but if wanted to use both together you could adapt a grid file to leave those areas out. GridMove is great for arranging windows (and setting them to specific sizes and locations). To me bezel management is more of a full screen gaming thing and, like many others, I hardly ever notice the bars when gaming. I haven't missed the bezel management anyway - All it does is shrink the space. (and only on the sides which would make the center horizontal bezel stand out even more on 6 screens)

For the record: my single TH2G grid has these grids (window locations):

Code: Select all

._______ _______ _______

   |       |       |       |

   |   1   |   2   |   3   |  one for each full screen (1,2,3)

   |       |       |       |

   '-------'-------'-------'

    _______ _______ _______

   |               |       |

   |       4       |   3   |  left + center (4)

   |               |       |

   '-------'-------'-------'

    _______ _______ _______

   |       |               |

   |   1   |       5       |  center + right (5)

   |       |               |

   '-------'-------'-------'

    _______ _______ _______

   |   |               |   |  2 screens wide but centered (6) (windowed game)

   | 7 |       6       | 8 |

   |   |               |   |  Half screens on either side of centered grid (7,8) 

   '-------'-------'-------' (Skype/TeamSpeak/...)

I found Vert- games to be most bearable when run in a window in grid 6.

The 6 screen grid adds to those grids - most notably 3 grids that are 1 screen wide x 2 high (similar to using rotated 24" monitors) which is a great way to browse forums and surf the net.

JKeefe · Post by **JKeefe** » 09 Apr 2008, 21:02

Wow, great setup ideas. 7.8 million pixels is quite a bit, though... :) I want to do this but probably for gaming it would be a good idea to wait for faster single GPU solutions.

Tyinsar · Post by **Tyinsar** » 09 Apr 2008, 23:17

Thanks. I was very happy when I found GridMove.

I'd love a more powerful GPU but the "latest greatest" games always seem to require even more power than the last ones so I'm afraid it's a never-ending cycle. Fortunately slightly less intensive games work well for me - at least Guild Wars is smooth with all settings on high.

Post by **skipclarke** » 05 May 2008, 07:10

Can you post a screenshot of your WinXP Display Properties? Just curious to see what it looks like. And, you say that you've got one DTH2Go hooked up to each output of your GFX card?

Tyinsar · Post by **Tyinsar** » 05 May 2008, 15:05

Cropped:

Don't ask me why ImageShack thinks that image is 1920*1024 :?:

Full size:

Both are slightly compressed by the Print Screen / Paint method.

It's one TH2G unit on each output of one card.
(edit: I misread your question - yes, both are digital :D )
(I had tried two 8800GT cards (one TH2G per card) but span mode only works if both are on the same card. :( )

FalconAF · Post by **FalconAF** » 06 Jun 2008, 01:09

Tyinsar,

What are you using to mount your 6-monitor setup? I know there are mounts available, but I'm curious which one you use. I've been thinking of going the 6-monitor route also.

FalconAF (also in Las Vegas). :lol:

[email protected] · Post by **[email protected]** » 06 Jun 2008, 03:02

Methinks I need to get another TH2G for my upper screens.

Post by **skipclarke** » 06 Jun 2008, 05:47

This is certainly a cool idea, and it maximizes the number of pixels available. But, it does reduce your aspect ratio. It takes the 15:4 or 16:4 of Surround, and makes it 15:8 or 16:8. That's almost back to regular widescreen of 15:9 or 16:9. Since it puts a bezel right in the middle of your FOV, I don't see the increased pixel size as a win-win. Now, doing it with projectors - that would be cool.

Nisch · Post by **Nisch** » 06 Jun 2008, 15:48

Tyinsar,

What are you using to mount your 6-monitor setup? I know there are mounts available, but I'm curious which one you use. I've been thinking of going the 6-monitor route also.

FalconAF (also in Las Vegas). :lol:

I run 6 monitors. I was looking for a solution as well for 6 monitors. Ergotron has a triple horizontal stand, but no double stacked option.

I previously had owned a double vertical stand, which has a taller mounting pole.

So......I bought two of the triple horizontal mounts......combined it with my taller mounting pole, and ended up with a double-stacked hex LCD mount.

I'm in the process of making the move to 6 22", buying my 3rd 22 this week and running 3 22" along the bottom, 3 17" along the top.

Here are some pics:

This is the original setup (you can see my vertical mount on the left)

And then the new setup after I assembled the stand

And all together with the computers in place with the top shelf.

redgun · Post by **redgun** » 07 Jun 2008, 00:14

Code: Select all

._______ _______ _______

   |       |       |       |

   |   1   |   2   |   3   |  one for each full screen (1,2,3)

   |       |       |       |

   '-------'-------'-------'

    _______ _______ _______

   |               |       |

   |       4       |   3   |  left + center (4)

   |               |       |

   '-------'-------'-------'

    _______ _______ _______

   |       |               |

   |   1   |       5       |  center + right (5)

   |       |               |

   '-------'-------'-------'

    _______ _______ _______

   |   |               |   |  2 screens wide but centered (6) (windowed game)

   | 7 |       6       | 8 |

   |   |               |   |  Half screens on either side of centered grid (7,8) 

   '-------'-------'-------' (Skype/<strong>TeamSpeak</strong>/...)

I found Vert- games to be most bearable when run in a window in grid 6.

maybe you might like TeamSpeak Overlay.
it's a free OpenGl and DX hack, that displays channel, current speakers, framerate and time on a side of your screen. easy to install and operate.

Tyinsar · Post by **Tyinsar** » 10 Jun 2008, 20:23

Tyinsar,

What are you using to mount your 6-monitor setup? I know there are mounts available, but I'm curious which one you use. I've been thinking of going the 6-monitor route also.

FalconAF (also in Las Vegas). :lol:

Sorry for the long delay in a response, I've been away.

I removed the plastic housings and attached the metal shields on the backs to horizontal 1x6 boards and attached those to vertical 2x4 boards. It's all very temporary since I'm still considering solutions to the bezel issue - I think I have a great idea but time will tell. That, however, will have to wait (probably until at least October) since I have a house to finish and wedding to plan :D

Edit:

...
maybe you might like TeamSpeak Overlay.
it's a free OpenGl and DX hack, that displays channel, current speakers, framerate and time on a side of your screen. easy to install and operate.

Thanks for the heads up on that. I might try it some day but currently my guild and I are using Skype just for simplicity's sake. Also, using Skype / TS / Vent. / ... on the edge was because Guild Wars is Vert- (which sucks) but cutting the Horizontal also cut that back to a playable level.

voltayr · Post by **voltayr** » 24 Dec 2009, 14:16

Actually I've been running six screens on two TH2G units for a while - It's Very Nice. I'm using vertical span mode so my resolution is 3840*2048. It doesn't require any special setup but there are a few issues.

1) Vista drivers don't support any span modes so I have to use XP.

2) Both units have to be on the same card so no SLI etc. This means graphics power is seriously limited for newer games. (I mostly use it for Guild Wars and surfing the net.)

3) At the time I started this the best cards were ATI's 1000 series which did not support ful res on a TH2G. The 2000 series does but I'm now using an 8800GT anyway. I don't know how their 3000 series would do (I really want to try a 3870 x2 but it's not in the budget at the moment).

4) Before I start my system I have to unplug and replug(?) the lower unit otherwise the system won't detect it.

I'm not using any of Matrox's software - at least not since I found GridMove (link) and even made grids for it here: (link)
and Here: (link)

Heyas, I'm following your lead my friend and need some advise... i have ordered my second TH2TG and have all my six monitors debezeled and mounted with minimal spacing pretty nice for a mod job... when i attach the second TH2TG i should have NO matrox drivers installed right?

When i do that what will the computer see my monitors as since from my experience its always needed the drivers to install the monitors as a matrox display under the device manager.

will gridmove support the 5040 wide resolution?

Thanks man and im so glad i found your post PROS to doing this over waiting for the buggy *** drivers and hardware from ATI

is that once this is working i can use ANY video card for the setup even 3 years from now unlike ATI eyefinity 6 where youll have to rebuy

a video card everytime and lets say ATI stops supporting eyefinity 6 your then crap out of luck... and from previous forums ive seen that ATI will only be putting eyefinity 6 on the new 5870 2gb card NOT the 5970s... kind of pathetic...

Unknownsock · Post by **Unknownsock** » 25 Dec 2009, 03:42

Lol a little hate directed at ATi there :roll:

voltayr · Post by **voltayr** » 25 Dec 2009, 04:18

Nah sorry, not bashing ATI just seeing that an external unit handling the six or more screens is smarter for future upgrade planning...

Ok issue now i got six screens running and it looks like matrox now supports it!
issue is i have the top 3 screens running at 5040 resolution but the bottom three wont go past 3870 the TH2GO models are the same, firmware, and drivers... if i unplug one the remaining one will then go to 5040... gonna drop to xp and see what happens. ive set my comp up as a triple boot just for this reason lol.

Will report back..

Oh and Matrox now has an 8 to 16 monitor card, starts with 8 monitors on one card but itll cost ya 1700+ dollars.

Voltayr

voltayr · Post by **voltayr** » 25 Dec 2009, 21:14

Hey guys here is my setup and ya i got it almost working in win 7 one set of screens is 5040 wide but i cant seem to get the other set to go 5040 its stuck at 3870 and errors when matrox tries to apply the widescreen mode..

but here is the getup working full wide 5040 in xp

Also modded the screens removed all bezels and rigged a mounting system out of PVC. now the separation is only 1/4 except for the horizontal one im working on that still...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VIzHtsAlfQ
Voltaire

voltayr · Post by **voltayr** » 27 Dec 2009, 15:52

http://www.youtube.com/user/valorboundstudios#p/a/u/0/qUXF-4Qf8mc

Latest reduced horizontal bezel

Kinesis · Post by **Kinesis** » 06 Jan 2010, 00:30

http://www.youtube.com/user/valorboundstudios#p/a/u/0/qUXF-4Qf8mc

Latest reduced horizontal bezel

to me it seems like the fish eye effect is reduced or disappears with 6 monitors(compared to 3 )in landscape,is that a fact though?

Widescreen Gaming Forum