How do i run 2 Monitors on 1 PC ?

TG.

TG.

Messages
6,936
Name
Tel
Edit My Images
No
Just wondering how i run my 2 monitors on my PC i have a white outlet for digital which is the one I'm using now, but i also have a blue outlet which i guess is analogue, the sort of thing i want to do is use photoshop on my main monitor whilst watching videos/you-tube tutorials on the other one, could someone please explain in very simple terms what i need to do to set this up, i say simple terms as most of the time I'm a technophobe :D any help really appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Right, im no computer wizard, but on mine it was a simple as plugging in the second monitor and the going into the graphics card settings to assign monitors numbers (1 and 2)

Im pretty sure it will only work if u have a dedicated graphics card

What card do u have?
 
Hi TG - you're correct in that the blue socket is for analogue. You can simply plug another monitor in and see what happens. Depending on the PC it may simply understand what you're doing and work. (Borrow a monitor rather than rush out and buy one.)

If it doesn't immediately work then right-click the mouse on a blank piece of Desktop and choose Graphic Properties (possibly just Properties). Or get into Control Panel and open the Display icon.

Depending on the graphics card and/or version of operating system depends on how you set up multiple monitors, but that gets you in the right area. You want to set up as 2 separate monitors, not as Clones which shows the same image on both screens.

Once you have 2 monitors one of them is the primary and one is secondary. To get stuff to show in the secondary monitor drag and drop it from primary - but you can't do that if it is full screen, so reduce it in size first.
 
Assuming Windows XP/Vista/7, just buy a monitor with VGA input, connect it to the blue output and then right click on the desktop and go into the graphics properties (it will depend on the OS how you get into this) and extend your windows desktop onto the second monitor.

This assumes a graphics card with enough memory and ability to do dual monitors (anything in the last few years will be OK but...)
 
Ha.. an echo in here ;) :D
 
If your graphics card supports more than 1 display then it should just be a case of plugging in the second monitor.

You might notice that the VGA display (blue one) is a little softer than the image on the dvi (White one).
 
neil_g said:
...

You might notice that the VGA display (blue one) is a little softer than the image on the dvi (White one).
Click to expand...


Good point. Use the DVI (white) monitor for photography work.
 
ive run identical screens at the same time off of VGA and DVI and there is a noticable difference side by side, like i say the VGA can be a little softer.

cable quality and graphics card will vary this i imagine.
 
The analog connection will suffer from detail smearing and moire fringing. Have a look at this page: http://pinch.com/tweak/focus-grid.html on a monitor connected digitally and one connected via analog. It will be obvious which is which ;)
 
alchemistkevin said:
that's assuming you can notice the difference, my current desktop monitor displays exactly the same thing connected via DVI or VGA.
Click to expand...

With respect that may be because the monitor isn't good enough to spot the difference. You should be able to see a clear difference between DVI and VGA.
 
PhotoMonty said:
Hi TG - you're correct in that the blue socket is for analogue. You can simply plug another monitor in and see what happens. Depending on the PC it may simply understand what you're doing and work. (Borrow a monitor rather than rush out and buy one.)

If it doesn't immediately work then right-click the mouse on a blank piece of Desktop and choose Graphic Properties (possibly just Properties). Or get into Control Panel and open the Display icon.

Depending on the graphics card and/or version of operating system depends on how you set up multiple monitors, but that gets you in the right area. You want to set up as 2 separate monitors, not as Clones which shows the same image on both screens.

Once you have 2 monitors one of them is the primary and one is secondary. To get stuff to show in the secondary monitor drag and drop it from primary - but you can't do that if it is full screen, so reduce it in size first.
Click to expand...


Thanks to everyone for all the feedback i sorted it yesterday, pretty much what was said above :thumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top