TripleHead2Go : warning to those interested

Post by **MobsterOO7** » 21 Dec 2007, 00:06

About two minutes in Photoshop is about how I would do it.

Post by **skipclarke** » 21 Dec 2007, 05:39

I have removed the image. I understand why the GW shot is misleading/false. That image was pulled from the Matrox site. Looking at how GW supports WS/TH2Go, it isn't a good example. I will see if I can come up with something better.

With regards to Matrox lying or false advertising, their box does what it claims. But, the games need to be coded properly. A WS monitor or TV is made to provide a wider FOV. Would you lay the same claim against every WS monitor/set manufacturer because some games are Vert- or some HDTV is simply stretched?

GW is a bad example for Matrox to use, and I will bring it up with them. I also think they need to adjust their criteria for support, as a Vert- game doesn't do anyone any favors.

RKipker · Post by **RKipker** » 12 Jan 2008, 03:25

Have you tried runing it in 3840X1024..... vs 3072X768 ?

I run GTR2 in 3840X1024 so I can maintain more vertical image.... I've also run this in Crysis and other FPS like FEAR.

I do not play GW or WoW, so I can't help you there....!
Also, though I did exactly the same as you, researched for a long time, purchased three 22" LCD (paid less though.... HP W2207 320/ea) Spent more ona PC though, E6850 and dual GTX8800's O'C.

Anyway, I've been somewhat disappointed with the Matrox TH2G beacuse they do not offer any really good help/assistance with helping tweak the games that do not support native... such as Moto GP 08.

However, I must say there support has spent many many minutes/even an hour once with me on the phone and were very helpful. Beware, they are in CANADA and there is no 1-800 (terrible huh). I had to add Canada to my unlimited LD just to call them.

The SGU software really is a waste of HHD space so far IMHO. Does not help any game supported, and does not modify any game. Every game supported supports the resolution 3840X1024 right out of the box.

Post by **BHawthorne** » 12 Jan 2008, 04:46

Not all games have -vert issues. The ones you have shown apparently do though. You need to evaluate on a game by game basis. This is not the fault of TH2G, it's the fault of the camera code in the game 3D clients.

Tucson · Post by **Tucson** » 12 Jan 2008, 05:37

You know, thats an excellent point, and absolutely true. If a game isn't rendering properly, its the developers you should get mad at. Their the ones who implemented the shoddy fov.

Again, if a game doesn't work, its not Matrox's fault!

Brokunn · Post by **Brokunn** » 06 Feb 2008, 06:52

It's been awhile since I visited this topic, and I must say that I'm very happy with all the discussion that has ensued. Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and efforts on the subject!

I would also like to take a moment and address some of the discussion that has arisen since my last response. Rather than pick any particular posts, I'll focus on a few of the reoccurring fallacies that seem to keep coming up on this page, so folks can stop embarrassing themselves by repeatedly posting about them:

1. Fact: Some games work great with the TH2Go. For those that have tried to argue this point, I already brought it up in my original post... perhaps they just like to argue?

2. Fact: It is not Matrox's fault that Guild Wars/Wow/etc. don't work exactly the same as Half Life 2/Flight Simulator/etc. Again, I mentioned that in my original post. Please read.

3. Fact: It is wrong for Matrox to make no distinction between Vert- and Hor+ games anywhere on their website. One should assume that all the games in their â€œsupported gamesâ€

Tucson · Post by **Tucson** » 06 Feb 2008, 06:57

Right on.

One thing to remember when writing a persuasive essay is to not sound too biased, otherwise the reader will tend to disregard your arguments. There are other tips worth mentioning, but thats probably the biggest. If you sound too biased then you don't sound credible.

Tolyngee · Post by **Tolyngee** » 10 Feb 2008, 02:29

I have removed the image. I understand why the GW shot is misleading/false. That image was pulled from the Matrox site. Looking at how GW supports WS/TH2Go, it isn't a good example. I will see if I can come up with something better.

With regards to Matrox lying or false advertising, their box does what it claims. But, the games need to be coded properly. A WS monitor or TV is made to provide a wider FOV. Would you lay the same claim against every WS monitor/set manufacturer because some games are Vert- or some HDTV is simply stretched?

GW is a bad example for Matrox to use, and I will bring it up with them. I also think they need to adjust their criteria for support, as a Vert- game doesn't do anyone any favors.

They don't need to adjust their criteria for support.

Again, on Matrox's website:

"Use Matrox TripleHead2Go to add three monitors to your gaming system and experience totally immersive gaming like never before. TripleHead2Go currently supports over 200 'pre-configured' game titles in Surround Gamingâ„¢ mode. Matrox is committed to add more titles to this list over time and is working with game developers to have their game supported."

"List of known supported games*" (with an asterisk, mind you...)

(upon finding the asterisk):

"*For detailed specifications/criteria on how a game can be added to our supported game list or for more information on our Matrox's Surround Gaming Utility, please click here."

(following further):

"Notes:

1. For a game to be included in the list of supported games above, it has to meet the following criteria:
2. The in-game FOV (Field of View) must be adjustable to an appropriate wide-angle FOV."

FWIW: Battlefield 2 isn't on their list. BF2, from what I understand, is well known to be V- only. As such, it's not on their list.

But, I don't know enough about GW to comment without ignorance, but if GW truly is V- only, which is what I gather from reading here, why on Earth is it on their list?

I don't think everyone that's a big GW fan and wanted their "surround" gaming would even bother to click on everything I did just above. But I did, and Matrox seems to state that "surround" is, by their definition, H+, and that games that end up on their supported list are going to be H+, or can be adjusted to be H+.

BF2 not being on this list supports this. V- just need not apply.

So, unless GW supports H+ through adjustment or natively, then Matrox should have it removed from their list.

Unless I am reading it wrong, WSGF's report on GW seems to suggest the FOV is not adjustable:

http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/wiki/index.php/Guild_Wars

But maybe I read it wrong. (I didn't find what parameters to adjust to get a wider FOV, not do I think I saw any screenshots, so I am assuming this moment it is NOT adjustable...)

Again: If the FOV sets itself for H+ automatically, then I don't understand this thread. If the FOV is adjustable, then Matrox is in the clear, and the user just needs to learn how to adjust it. (Although it would be nice if Matrox themselves offered this advice... It's only "200" supported games, and damn, that is $1.50 per supported game, given that it is a $300+ device... Can't they list how to adjust this in the few games that don't auto-H+?)

BUT: If they have games listed on there that are V- only, and they state that to list a game it must be able to do H+, and they are aware they are listing games that aren't adjustable to H+, but stubbornly refuse to correct this mistake in their advertising, I'd like to know that's exactly the case.

I have been planning for quite some time to buy a TH2G. But not enough games support H+ for me to bother. I showed my support of this by not buying Bioshock. If Matrox is misleading customers as to games that support "surround" gaming (no more education should be necessary beyond what Matrox is stating on their website, IMO...), I will show my support by not buying a TH2G.

(Potential) Shame on Matrox.

(my assessment of this is pending as I am a bit confused, that although I can't seem to find, to my knowledge, any known (to me) V- games that are on their supported list, I have played some games that I know ARE H+ that are NOT on their supported list, so you'd think they'd want to get everything straight on their supported list... Perhaps there's more than one error on their list?)

Brokunn · Post by **Brokunn** » 10 Feb 2008, 05:49

One thing to remember when writing a persuasive essay is to not sound too biased, otherwise the reader will tend to disregard your arguments. There are other tips worth mentioning, but thats probably the biggest. If you sound too biased then you don't sound credible.

That's a good point - I may have been a little anti-Matrox in my posts, but I feel that it was with good reason. Hopefully, I still provided enough information to let folks decide on their own ;)

Again: If the FOV sets itself for H+ automatically, then I don't understand this thread. If the FOV is adjustable, then Matrox is in the clear, and the user just needs to learn how to adjust it.

The FOV is absolutely not adjustable in GuildWars or World of Warcraft (see my screen shots in my original post on the prior page of this topic). I honestly tried my best to find a setting or solution to the problem before I posted.

You bring up a very good point as well. Though I was focused on a few games that I specifically bought my TH2Go for, all Vert- games should be removed from their "supported" list because they do not provide "surround gaming" as described on their website:

Matrox TripleHead2Go is the only solution on the market to enable Surround Gaming by expanding supported 3D games across three displays and providing a much wider in-game field of view (FOV)

That's a blatantly false statement for any Vert- game.

Soduka · Post by **Soduka** » 10 Feb 2008, 17:54

Matrox TripleHead2Go is the only solution on the market to enable Surround Gaming by expanding supported 3D games across three displays and providing a much wider in-game field of view (FOV)

That's a blatantly false statement for any Vert- game.

It's not false advertising at all, you're not reading it closely enough:

by expanding supported 3D games

Unless I'm dense I don't see how they are stating anything that isn't true.

funkster319 · Post by **funkster319** » 23 Feb 2008, 13:37

I fully support this post and I think he is reading right - I myself have purchased TH2GO and additional monitors and have had nothing but trouble.

In brief:

Firstly the unit wouldn't power up properly - After several and I mean several weeks of dialog with Matrox claiming this /that - every thing but the TH2GO - I found the solution and guess what it was??? A FIRMWARE REVISION OF THE MATROX UNIT!

Secondly I then had a problem with the TH2GO Software not loading - i eventually troubleshooted it down to a compatibility problem with my Logitech G11 keyboard. Matrox of course denied this again! However again after several more weeks of dialog with Matrox, they submitted the issue to there QA departement who guess what ??? FOUND IT WAS A COMPATIBILTY ISSUE WITH THE TH2GO!!!!!

Bearing in mind that they didn't notify of this until I continually chased them!

Bottom line here- MATROX CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS PANTS!

Then we have the game compatibility and misleading advertisements. And for the previous posters benefit â€œTHESE ARE SUPPORTED GAMES" I am referring too!

LOMAC, IL2 , WOW etc etc

For instance. LOMAC - all the TH2GO does is enlarge the screen over 3 screens, cutting the top and bottom off! It looks awful and not to mention the FPS drop. WTF!!!! Took me about a week of searching posts, editing config files to get anywhere near what I expected to see and to be fair what MATrox should have done! Why didn't Matrox spend the time to set up the game profile correctly? According to there advertising, you just use there super dooper software and blam all is set up! !!!! YEAH IF YOU LIKE YOUR FEELING YOUR FACE IS AN INCH AWAY FROM COCKPIT~!!!!!!

IL2 the same as above but guess what the resolution is limited to 3072*768 - Not Matrox fault I know but still not mentioned.

I won't go on about the other games but basically the same issue- the Matrox surround profiles are absolutely crap! The only game that runs well, looks good is FSX - one chuffing game!

Then to top it off, there is the hit to FPS , obviously you expect some hit (more pixels, more power needed) but again this is glossed over on the site and even upon request (I contacted them about it prior to buying). Anyway this results in having to bring your resolution down / detail config down etc etc making the game BIG & CRAPPY!

And yes before it is asked -I have a awesome system, thanks which runs Crysis on full whack not a problem - AMD2 5000+, 8800GT, 2GB Corsair etc etc

Anyway mine is winging it's way back and I'll sell on the monitors at a loss :O( and buy myself a nice 24" Widescreen - which I wish I had done in the first place.

Bottom line- Do you want to shell out considerable money (i buying additional monitors) for a couple of games , crappy support, configuration hell and FPS chewing nonsense ?

No !!!! then buy yourself a widescreen - TH2GO is crap!

tricky · Post by **tricky** » 30 Mar 2008, 06:06

I would have to agree with the original post of Brokunn's. Matrox should not list titles that "zoom in" to achieve a triplehead widescreen. That is fake to me.

Every game they list as fully compatible should have the correct aspect ratio and field of view wider than the 4:3 original.

Trying to play a "zoomed in" game is difficult and frustrating as you spend too much backing up looking around for your target (what I am experiencing in Blacksite Area 51 tonite, though not as bad as WoW and GW).

So far I am finding FPS work well with triplehead (COD2,4 - Half Life 2 - Fear) and would recommend it to FPS gamers.

Matrox should also caution that multi-player may be banned in triplehead as it's an advantage.

RKipker · Post by **RKipker** » 30 Mar 2008, 13:11

I for one agree the SGU software is a joke, it does not work and has never worked for me when trying to optimize a file for any game supported.

The games such as F1 2002, F1 99-02, and GPL that do work (claimed) with TH2G all require a patch external to Matorx which was released long ago for wide screen resolutions.

Also, the support staff is very quick to always point out some other culprit when you contact them. Only time I've ever receive quality assistance was when Tim upgraded my firm software.... which has failed now and will not run and they told me Quote "I've never heard of that error" meaning like it doesn't happen.

I'm getting a lower level .dll failure when the GXM software starts. I can not find anything wrong with my system OS which is a legit install of XP.

I would not recommend this device to anyone at this time.... unless you have a specific game in mind and you know it's proven.

Also, I do not feel it is anymore an advantage than a fancy mouse and keyboard.

windturbin · Post by **windturbin** » 02 Apr 2008, 23:27

I stumbled across these post here at WSGF, figure I'll put in my 2 cents.

I have the TH2G thing going on and did a little review over at CH Hanger forum under flight sim cockpit topics............

http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5388

My TH2G works fantastic, I purchased it so as to be ready for UbisoftOleg Maddox's up and and coming Storm of War flight sim after I read this...

http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showthread.php?t=2429

Questions and answers from Oleg Maddox (post #7 question #5)

Question:

Oleg, Oleg, OLEG!!!!keep Use3Renders=1 !!!!!!!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I am begging you to develop multiple monitors to the maximum possible. I have just begun flying six months ago and I have just got the Matrox Triplehead2Go. It is the most incredible experience I have ever had in sims. Have you flown with this yet? I will buy one for you to try it. I run two nVidia 8800GTX in SLI mode TrackIR and OH MY GOD...Except for a small bug (flashing square that wont go away) it looks incredible!!!! Can you make it happen????

Olegs answer:

We plan to support this system

TH2G has not been out very long, based on Ubisoft Oleg Maddox's response, I am counting on future sims/games to supply the proper config options for setting the correct FOV for TH2G users in the future! All the gamessims mentioned in this post were really written before the TH2G was established I think?

So I look at my TH2G investment as an investment for what is to come.

Also, I didn't have this in mind when I purchased my TH2G but have found that desktop multi-tasking with the TH2G is fantastic.

smee · Post by **smee** » 17 Apr 2008, 09:18

Triple head still has a long way to go, Matrox once again have been a dissapointment to me. Every time i've had anything to do with them I always feel let down.

Instead of having the max settings it's limited. Yes it's does triple screen but could have done that with another gpu.

The default res works great in some games and fiddling in others but they lack decent game support. I would have like to have seen them trying to expand the gaming base that you could use triple and find solutions. Not always the

WE DONT SUPPORT> YUDDER YUDDER WHINGE...

They must have the facitlites to program and examing gaming programs in much more detai way than we could but once again its just left to developers to do it.

They could have a great product but don't seem to be moving with with technology. Even though triplehead supposed to be cutting edge.

Anther point why no forum, they must be insane. luck WSGF lets us use theirs but it leads to the feeling of no help from MATROX but whats new there.

Mesh · Post by **Mesh** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:49

Considering the lack of basic widescreen support I've seen in more games then those that support it properly I'd say that while Matrox does share the blame of most companies that anything you might want support for is 'we dont support x for yaddiyadda reason' they can't take blame for developpers that go out of their way to prevent anything but a single res. or just plain 4:3 res. choices.

It's fairly straightforward to detect available res. from windows instead of a preset but most developpers don't. Same for adjusting FOV based on res. The only logic I might give them is that they want to reduce support calls. To that I reply: why not remove support altogether? you're not helping to begin with!

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