Karaoke Forums

So, out of curiosity, how do you hook up two LCD monitors to a desktop computer?

On a laptop it's easy. Hook up a LCD monitor to the VGA port on the side of the laptop, go into windows and tell it which is which, you're done.

Now to complicate it, I'm talking about a name brand, off the shelf desktop, not one that you build. The HP or Acer or Gateway, whatever, comes with one PCIe slot and video built into the motherboard.

Can you be specific? Which video card can support 2 monitors, what ports it has, what cables, etc.

Thanks

Make sure you have a video card with two video outputs. They're fairly common, not expensive at all and getting one that has DVI, VGA and s-video out gives you the most flexibility (Although two DVI and an s video is fine too)

Here's an inexpensive example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814121235

After installing the card and drivers you simply setup the video just like you do on a laptop.

I'm confused.

If I have 2 LCD monitors with VGA ports and a video card that has one DVI port, one S-Video port and one VGA port, how do I hook up two monitors that both have VGA ports?

One monitor is for me to operate the software and one is for the singer to view the lyrics.

Can you explain it again?

Get a DVI to VGA adapter for the 2nd VGA monitor.
http://www.svideo.com/dvi.html

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Wow, that simple? Thanks

Same thing with S-Video or HDMI? Just get an adapter to VGA?

HDMI and DVI are the same video signal but HDMI has audio also. You can get a DVI/HDMI adapter nand run it just fine.

I don't know that s video can be converted to VGA. You can move VGA down to s video with an adapter, but I don't know it works in the reverse.

<edited for grammar >

If you do use a desktop, I'd suggest using a power strip that can continue supplying power to the computer and monitor, in the event of a power failure.......just a few minutes to keep computer from crashing......

You can convert S-Video to VGA as well, but it's not as simple as an adapter. It requires a converter box I believe.

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I have a laptop with only a VGA output. It will allow me to view my software on the computer and the singer lyrics on the Karaoke LCD screen.

When I wanted to add [b]another[/b] external monitor, I had to use a PC to TV converter.

I have a couple of these, but the cheapest one I have is the KWorld Plus PC to TV converter for under $40 at Newegg.com.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6815260011


What you do is plug this into the USB port, and then plug a VGA cable from your laptop into the device. It provides a VGA passthrough for one monitor, and S-video or video output for your second monitor. My second monitor is a 10 year old 27" monster with video in.

I also have an RF modulator that I use in places with a closed circuit tv system. From the converter, I run the signal into the RF modulator, and then I run a RG-6 tv cable to the main input on the closed circuit system. Turn all TVs to channel 3, and I am in business. Radio Shack and Best Buy have inexpensive RF modulators.

Assuming that you have an empty PCI slot, just put in another video card. Anything over 1mb will do.

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Okay, who took my pants?

I'm not sure here but it seems as though everyone suggests running two separate lines out to the individual TVs. I'd be willing to wager that you could just buy some type of Y splitter to run from one output signal (VGA or whatever) and go to 2 separate TVs.

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Sure you could, provided you want the hosting software shown on the singer display as well. Using the 2 separate outputs allows the hosting display on one & the singer display (words) on the 2nd.

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What? You mean to tell me that if you have 1 line out (sending the singer display) and put some type of 1 into 2 Y splitter in the line that you'd get your desktop display from too? I don't know that thats possible.

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The OP was talking desktop which requires two video outs. A laptop would work the way that Bamarobh would want.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

A Y splitter simply puts the same signal out to two lines and the result is the same image at both destinations. Using two outputs on the video card allows the card to send a discreet signal out each video port enabling two different signals to be sent.

The extended desktop is typically used for the singers screen while the primary display is for your use. This means the singers don't see all the magic going on behind the scenes and only have they lyrics, graphics and such that the hosting software sends to the extended desktop display.

I *do* use a Y splitter for my singer's displays. I have one run to a big screen in the back of the room for the entire place to see while have a smaller singers display that faces the singer. That is the same signal, split and run to multiple displays.

Lonman: Yes, you can get a composite and s video to VGA converter. I should have said you can't do it simply or cheaply

It really isn't that expensive.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

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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.

Well the way you made it sound was using only one output.

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Lon,
I was reading the question as though the OP was suggesting that he wanted to send a line out to the Singer's monitor and maybe one for a Audience monitor.

In retrospect, as Danny said, that applies more to a laptop. I was not thinking of the KJ screen / singer screen. I was thinking singer / audience.

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But in the OP he also stated he knew how to do it with a laptop but wanted to know how with a desktop.

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I know. My error. Once again, in retrospect.................

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