Computers & Laptops

[gethk]

I have a laptop with a VGA and HDMI output.  If I connect one monitor with VGA, another with HDMI, can I extend all three monitors (two external + laptop itself)?

To be clear, I don`t want to mirror or duplicate any of the monitors, I want three dedicated and separate desktops.

My laptop specs: Win7Pro 64bit, GeForce GT 330M 1GB video...

Thanks!

[XL]

Go Google for "Matrox TripleHead2Go" to see if it fits your requirement.

[gethk]

I already have a dual monitor setup (second monitor plugged via VGA),  I want to know if whether plugging a third monitor via HDMI will properly extend all three monitors.

The problem with Matrox is spending $300 on top of the additional monitors.  That`s an expense I`d like to avoid if plugging in three monitors would work just as well.

But would it work?  Anybody tried this?

[Tanarus · Accepted solution]

I don't have much experience with this, so I can't say for sure, but I believe there are copy-protection restrictions on HDMI that prohibit a computer from outputting a display to more than two screens, even if it isn't a cloned display.

Looking around online, it looks like some people have had some luck with using an HDMI to DVI cable, for one monitor, and using their VGA port for the other.

A solution that will definitely work for you is a VGA output that connects through USB. Using that, along with your laptop's monitor and native VGA output will get you the three monitor setup you're looking for.

Like I said, though, I'm not 100% on the HDMI setup; hopefully someone else will be able to verify or correct me.

EDIT: After some looking around, it looks like it varies from laptop to laptop, and has nothing to do with display duplication and HDMI. So, try it with the VGA to one monitor and HDMI to the other, and failing that, try the VGA to one monitor, and HDMI->DVI adapter to the other monitor. Failing that, you're going to need to pick up a USB->VGA adapter for your third display.

[gethk]

Thanks Tanarus.  I'll try that out when I get my third monitor, and post the result for future reference...

[gethk]

Thanks Tanarus.  I've now got a total 3 monitors (laptop 1920x1080, and two 1280x1024 LCD monitors) with the desktop extended to all.  The two external monitors didn't have HDMI input, so I picked up a StarTech USB2VGAE2 adapter to plug in the third monitor with the second monitor plugged in the VGA output.

Everything works for what I need it for, however for kicks I tried playing three different videos on each three monitor.  I've noticed they all played smoothly except for the monitor plugged via USB-VGA adapter.  A lot of lag in that one, but that's no big deal it's just something I've noticed.

The nice thing with the StarTech USB2VGAE2 adapter and I am sure with other USB-to-VGA adapters as well is that I can plug in an additional three monitors for a total of six (laptop+ five external).  I definitely won't do that, but I might add a forth.  Best part is it's cheap.  Both my monitors cost me $20 each on (competitor), and the StarTech adapter $50 after price match. Love it!