Karaoke Forums

Hi Guys -- I'm currently using Compuhost to run my karaoke shows, but on wednesdays I also run xbox games as deemed by the crowd. I use a RCA Video Switcher to switch between the input for the computer and the input for the xbox console. What I've noticed now, when we do the switch, the lyrics screen in Compuhost moves to the laptop display and covers the karaoke software, when we switch back, the extended desktop returns, but the lyrics screen stays on the primary display and we can not move it back. I think this problem stems from the laptop shutting off the extended desktop, and then turning it back on when it sees the connection return -- Is there anyway I can just use the floating display WITH the extended desktop, and just manually drag it to fill the screen?

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Chuck
Powerhouse Productions
Live Karaoke Broadcasts Daily

When booting up the video board looks for a 75 ohm termination (something hooked up) to enable dual display . Are you booting up with the switch in the laptop position?

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Yes - I booted up with the switch set to the laptop, but when we switch to the game console, the laptop turns off the extended desktop, and everything moves to the primary display, once you switch back, the extended desktop is back, but the lyrics screen is stuck on the primary display

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Chuck
Powerhouse Productions
Live Karaoke Broadcasts Daily

Are you shutting down CompuHost during this process?

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

No - because right after we're done doing a song or whatever on xbox, the video gets switched back and we move on to the next karaoke singer

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Chuck
Powerhouse Productions
Live Karaoke Broadcasts Daily

You may want to try another type of Video switch. I know some switches maintain a load even when switched away from the source in order to maintain the Extended Desktop, others apparently do not. Windows Vista (and some XP Video Drivers) introduced automated sensing of connected monitors and also disconnect/deactvate the Extended Desktop when the monitor is disconnected. By maintaining a load, the proper type of switch "fools" Vista into thinking a monitor is still connected, thus the Extended Desktop remains active.

Good luck,
tbreen

What tbreen said. You obviously have a mechanic switch. Amd that's exactly your problem.

Try the RCA RF Modulator. That's the one I'm using and never had a problem. I'm using Compuhost, too. It has 4 Inputs (RCA or S-Video), and 2 Outputs (RCA and Coax).

Here's a link:
http://www.antonline.com/p_RCA--CRF940- ... 272270.htm

Yes the switch is mechanical - although on a previous laptop I had, this switch worked OK, because once the desktop was extended, it didn't shut off with the loss of the signal -- I'll check out that other switch and let you know

Thanx
Chuck

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Chuck
Powerhouse Productions
Live Karaoke Broadcasts Daily

I never had a problem with extended desktop with a basic switch.

Rather than trying the RF Modulator, I'd recommend getting another basic mechanical switch! It could just be faulty.

Also, have you tried the Compuhost forums? It could be software specific with an option not presented.

Have you tried using another software player with the extended desktop? See if the problem repeats with it? It COULD be your video card!

Hi Knightshow, thanx for the reply -- The switch is fine, because it still works with that older Dell I mentioned mentioned in an earlier post -- I'm leaning towards how this laptop handles the lack of signal and then just turns off the desktop -- While testing the regulat CDG plugin for winamp, it'll do the same thing, the lyrics will suddenly show up on the primary display, but at least with winamp if you switch that window from full screen to tiny (Shift-1) and then go back to full (Shift-F) It will return to the secondary display

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Chuck
Powerhouse Productions
Live Karaoke Broadcasts Daily

Then you probably have an older laptop. The newer once have that autosense feature and need the load on the cable to keep the extended desktop "alive", but also brings it back as soon as the load is back. Compuhost just doesn't play along, when it comes to that.

The switch I linked to in my previous post is only $20, not a big deal and it will work for sure.

And yes, it is the video card. But it's a feature, not a bug.