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Multiple Monitors
Ok I have searched high and low and am still a little confused about the best solution to my problem.
I need to run three monitors off my mac pro 2.8 octo with ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT. I have 2 22″ samsung displays (1680×1050 each) and want to add a 32″ 1080p sharp hdtv. What I originally thought to do what just add another ATI 2600 but I read that FCP and color don’t play well with multiple graphics cards. Then I looked into the Blackmagic Intensity Pro and really like it except for the fact that I do work outside of FC and need to be able to extend my desktop to the HDTV to show clients finished products (such as cd-roms, websites, ect). If I understand correctly the intensity cannot do this. Shane Ross mentioned that he used the matrox triplehead2go. My two questions about that are: How would I plug things in? (2 22″ displays into the matrox and the HDTV out of the other dvi port on the mac pro?), and would I be able to get full resolution in all three of my displays?
I may be over thinking this (probably am) but does the fact that computer pixels and tv pixels are different, come into play anywhere in this?
Thanks guys for the help. Also, CreativeCow, you have helped me learn many, many new things. Thanks for that.
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5 Replies
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[Nathan McClendon] “and want to add a 32” 1080p sharp hdtv. What I originally thought to do what just add another ATI 2600 “
You don’t drive an HDTV with a graphics card. You use a proper video card or other video centric device.
The AJA Kona boards are, in my opinion, the best option out there for HD display and I/O to your Mac. There is also the AJA Io HD. The Konas and Io HD allow you to display your desktop to the HDTV.
There are other options out there like the Maxtrox MXO series.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
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I looked at what you suggested and would agree that that is the best solution. And in the video world $1000 is not much but I haven’t been doing this too long and $1000 in a little out of my price range. Are there any temporary solutions (until I can muster up the cash) or am I better off just waiting and doing it right the first time?
Thanks
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In my opinion you wait and do it correct the first time. The MXO series is probably the cheapest option, I don’t use them, but several folks I know do and they seem to work well for what they do. We only use AJA products here in our shop.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
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Just curious; does the fact that most of my stuff goes to web so I don’t really need a NTSC monitor to preview on while editing, make a difference? The HDTV will be used mostly to show clients previews of finished products (or works in progress).
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Actually, it still does make a difference. There are a lot of things that you wouldn’t catch without a video monitor until you output.
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/
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