Dual DVI Displays

[Chris J Shaw]

Hello. I have an HP Elite Laptop 6930p that I use for work. I use a docking station and run dual 19" monitors. The problem is, the docking station has 1x VGA and 1X DVI port. The monitor that has the VGA cable - resolution sucks complared to the DVI. Is there a solution where I can run DVI to both monitors and have it be a true DVI signal?? Seems this should be common place these days. But I am finding out it is not. So I come to a video editing/ help forum because my assumption is this is a community where 'fuzzy' graphics/ display is not acceptable. Any help is appreciated.

[aedipuss]

something like this
http://www.digitaltigers.com/sidecar.asp

[Chris J Shaw]

Wow. Yep, this would do the trick. These units are pricey. Never expected them to be that much.

[JimmyS]

Matrox has some similar items that are a bit more affordable.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815106011&cm_re=matrox-_-15-106-011-_-Product

[edDV]

There are also USB2 to DVI-I display adapters that can be stacked for multiple displays.

Good for non-gaming desktop display.

Sample
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815306014&cm_re=USB_DVI_display_...-014-_-Product

[valvehead]

Matrox has some similar items that are a bit more affordable.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815106011&cm_re=matrox-_-15-106-011-_-Product

I have one of those, and it works great with my MBP (early '08) with both Win7 and OS X.

One has to keep in mind that it requires the computer to have dual-link DVI (otherwise it'll be limited to low resolutions).

[aedipuss]

you used to be able to add a second vid card to a laptop via pcmia/expresscard slot to get a second dvi, but they seem to have gotten scarce.

[edDV]

you used to be able to add a second vid card to a laptop via pcmia/expresscard slot to get a second dvi, but they seem to have gotten scarce.

But there is a new class of products that work off USB2. Less bandwidth but they work even for HD 1920x1080i/p but they are weak for video decode or 3D. The CPU takes the video decode load.

[aedipuss]

ibm & dell also used to have "advanced" docking stations available with pci/e slots for additional cards. haven't seen one of those in a while either.

[edDV]

High end laptops still have pcmcia card slots but most people buy the low end models. Those rely on USB2 accessories.