Know How...

Dec 3rd 2015

Know How... 171

Multiple Monitor Madness

Hosted by Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ, Bryan Burnett

Amazon Prime Air, Multiple Monitors, and WiDi.

Although the show is no longer in production, you can enjoy episodes from the TWiT Archives.

Category: Help & How To

Amazon Air could become a reality, how to make the most of your multiple monitors, and Holiday Pi.

Amazon Prime Air

First Version of the Amazon Prime Air

Octocopter Design
Small(ish) with an external payload clamp
No real information about the avionics

New Version of the Amazon Prime Air

Octocopter/VTOL design
But it's a FIXED VTOL design (The motors don't swivel, it has a dedicated drive motor)
Avionics have sense-and-avoid features
The delivery is done on a target pad
15 mile range

Multiple Monitors

Traditional Port-Based Connections

HDMI/DVI/VGA/DisplayPort/Thunderbolt
Check with your video card to see how many active ports you can have simultaneously
- i.e. The Geforce 770 in my PC has 2 x DVI, 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort --- However, I can use EITHER HDMI or DVI + the DisplayPort

But let's get creative with DisplayPort ($67)

SIIG CE-DP0211-S1 DisplayPort to 2-Port HDMI

Takes a Single DisplayPort in, and outputs to 2-HDMI monitors
Can mirror or expand
It's also good for distance runs: 5M on input, 15M on output
Up to 3840 x 1200 Max resolution (That's 1920 x 1200 per monitor)

Notes:

In Expand mode, it ONLY outputs side-by-side, not top/bottom
You REALLY want to of the same monitors.
To the computer, it looks like a single screen, so perhaps not great for gaming

Docks!

StarTech Universal USB 3.0 Laptop Docking Station (~$107)

Requires an i3 w/2GB of Memory for full performance
3 x USB 3.0
DVI, HDMI, VGA (Can use HDMI + either DVI or VGA simultaneously)
- Max resolution of 2048 x 1152 per screen
Gigabit Ethernet Port
Headphone/Mic Jack
Windows XP or Better // OSX 10.6 or better
2 yr Warranty

Decent USB Docks

Kensington sD3500v ($100)
Anker Dual Display Universal Dock ($95)

Avoid like the Plague!

Diamond
Asus

StarTech Thunderbolt Docking Station ($190)

Can be used on all Thunderbolt-equipped systems (Mac/PC/Etc)
Can be Daisy-Chained (2 Thunderbolt Ports)
10Gbps Bus
3 x USB 3.0 (UASP - USB Attached SCSI Protocol)
Mini-Display Port can do 2560 x 1440 // HDMI can do 1920 x 1080
Mini-Display Port (Uses one of the Thunderbolt ports) / HDMI
Gigabit Ethernet
Headphones/Mic Jack
Can do Thunderbolt + HDMI simultaneously, but NOT MDP + HDMI
2 yr Warranty

The Mobile Geek

ASUS MB168B+ 15.6" USB Monitor ($280)

15.6" 1920 x 1080 TN screen
11ms response time
600:1 Contrast Ratio
14.9 x 9.3 x 0.3"
1.7lbs
Connects Via USB 3.0 (5Gbps)
- Uses DisplayLink
Supports Auto Rotation Detection
Auto-Installs Drivers on Windows7 and better
Will Work with USB 2.0, but it's going to lead to a degraded image quality.
Works on Windows on OSX

Pros:

Convenient second screen
Light and Thin

Cons:

Case/Stand doesn't have much flexibility

Padre and WiDi

The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter

Between $30-$45
Works with Laptops/Tablets -- ANY device that supports WiDi/Miracast (Windows 7 and up, Android 4.2 and up)

WiDi

Created by Intel
1080p, 5.1 surround, low (but NOT lag-free) latency
Devices can connect to a WiDi monitor AND a Wireless network simultaneously.

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