Hi all,

 

Seeing as I play a fair amount ofa railway signalling simulation I could, in order to allow better performance on my part (not my computer's) do with another screen of the same type.

 

My current monitor is a Belinea 1730 S1 (according to the label on the back) and I would hope to get hold of another one so that I can then wire the two and use both at once. Does anyone on this forum have one that they don't need and wouldn't mind me having, or otherwise does anyone know where I might get one?

 

Thanks.

Dave

It wouldn't need to be the same make. 

 

I'm presuming from the model number that it's a 17" TFT monitor? I might have a spare 17" available - probably Iiyama, which in by opinion are far better than Belinea.

 

You would also need to check your graphics card on the PC, that you're able to plug two monitors in. If not I've probably got a spare graphics card as well

 

Steve

Hi Steve,

 

Thanks for the reply. Indeed it is a TFT. Presumably my graphics card would have 2 connections for the monitors (correct me if that is wrong) but when I was last at my employer's depot in Horsham it looked, IRIC, as if the second monitor was connected to a wire leading from the other one.

 

As for monitors, can you adjust the heights? I would ideally like to have the lower and upper edges of the screens in line. I guess also that the display area is still 1280x1024 pixels on all 17" TFT? If that is the case I may get one from another source as I am down in Bristol but I don't know these things.

 

Cheers,

Dave

Edited 4 September, 201312 yr by DaveHarries

Dave - quite unusual for the monitors to be physically wired together these days. The standard now is that they would independently connect to their own output on the graphics card.

 

Monitor height adjustment is a possible feature, but more often than not normal TFT monitors only adjust for tilt.

 

1280x1024 is usually the maximum resolution at that screen size yes, but some users would find that made text and screen objects too small, so some would run at 1024x768. Personally I would run 1280x1024 on a 19" model.

 

Hope this helps.

Hi Steve,

 

Thanks for the reply. Indeed it is a TFT. Presumably my graphics card would have 2 connections for the monitors (correct me if that is wrong) but when I was last at my employer's depot in Horsham it looked, IRIC, as if the second monitor was connected to a wire leading from the other one.

 

As for monitors, can you adjust the heights? I would ideally like to have the lower and upper edges of the screens in line. I guess also that the display area is still 1280x1024 pixels on all 17" TFT? If that is the case I may get one from another source as I am down in Bristol but I don't know these things.

 

Cheers,

Dave

 

You can use a splitter type cable if your GFX card doesn't have the required extra outputs. However, you need to ensure you get the right one as most cables will just duplicate the image rather than extend the desktop, which I presume is what you require. But most gfx cards now have the ability to cope with two monitors providing you're not using the built in one on the motherboard.

 

I have a spare 17" monitor too and several spare gfx cards, my spare 17" monitor only tilts though... Nothing a pad of paper or little box can't sort out. Also no idea what make it is... I'll have to check.

 

Personally I run 1280x1024 on 17", doesn't prove a problem for me, but like Wardy says, some people may find it a bit small and run 1024x768.

You can use a splitter type cable if your GFX card doesn't have the required extra outputs. However, you need to ensure you get the right one as most cables will just duplicate the image rather than extend the desktop, which I presume is what you require. But most gfx cards now have the ability to cope with two monitors providing you're not using the built in one on the motherboard.

 

I have a spare 17" monitor too and several spare gfx cards, my spare 17" monitor only tilts though... Nothing a pad of paper or little box can't sort out. Also no idea what make it is... I'll have to check.

 

Personally I run 1280x1024 on 17", doesn't prove a problem for me, but like Wardy says, some people may find it a bit small and run 1024x768.

Indeed I do intend to use a splitter cable and am aiming to expand the desktop. Not sure if I have the extra outputs but I have had this system since 2007. As for the screen, I am on 1280x1024 and find it perfectly OK.

 

The monitor I am currently using also tilts only but that is OK. In addition the monitor is a flatscreen LCD type. Lastly, even if I did have the extra outputs would I still be OK using a splitter cable? I am guessing so.

 

Dave

Edited 5 September, 201312 yr by DaveHarries

You do need to be careful with the splitters and I'd avoid them personally, unless you'd simply want to duplicate one display onto another. I've used these commercially in the past for trade exhibits etc where you need a string of identical displays.

 

If you are extending, just be aware of your existing graphics card capability, if it is of the single outpur variety. As you're then in effect asking it to then deliver 2x (1280x1024).

 

Just my thoughts.

You do need to be careful with the splitters and I'd avoid them personally, unless you'd simply want to duplicate one display onto another. I've used these commercially in the past for trade exhibits etc where you need a string of identical displays.

 

If you are extending, just be aware of your existing graphics card capability, if it is of the single outpur variety. As you're then in effect asking it to then deliver 2x (1280x1024).

 

Just my thoughts.

 

What Wardy says

 

At work we have splitters for our dual screens. The cables are ordered specifically for extension rather than duplication. I'll have a look later and find out what they are. I know we source them for about £20. They deliver 1280x1024 on two desktops perfectly. And actually here at work I'm using a 19" and 17" screen.

 

Otherwise tell us what GFX card you require and I'm sure I can find a spare I've got tones of the things. Is it PCI-E 1/2 I wouldn't imagine it being 3. Also what size is your PSU?