Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: RATTFINK on September 25, 2008, 11:26:41 AM

Title: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: RATTFINK on September 25, 2008, 11:26:41 AM
Well yesterday I went to Best Buy and picked up two Westinghouse 22” LCD monitors to go with my Gateway 22”. Today I ordered the TripleHead2Go – Digital Graphics expansion module so I can use the new feature that AHII has offered.

I also ordered a Triple-Monitor Desk Stand, so that I will keep my desk space.



TripleHead2Go: http://www.provantage.com/matrox-t2g-d3d~7MATR27X.htm

(http://www.provantage.com/fullsize/1010993049.jpg)



Desk stand:  http://www.provantage.com/ergotron-33-323-200~7ERGT09A.htm

(http://www.provantage.com/fullsize/ERGT09A.jpg)
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: Denholm on September 25, 2008, 11:54:06 AM
Congratulations. Don't set it near a thermostat. ;)
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: NHawk on September 25, 2008, 12:06:54 PM
An interesting spec on the stand you may have missed....

Monitor Support: Up to 21" Flat Panel Display

And it's a fixed 15 degree viewing angle that is not adjustable.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: RATTFINK on September 25, 2008, 01:33:33 PM
Yeah, I saw that after the fact & I cannot see where I can cancel.  There is a 30 day period where I can send it back.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: Fulmar on September 25, 2008, 01:57:01 PM
Can I borrow some money Ratt?
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: Motherland on September 25, 2008, 02:13:06 PM
Quote from: RATTFINK on September 25, 2008, 01:33:33 PM
Yeah, I saw that after the fact & I cannot see where I can cancel.  There is a 30 day period where I can send it back.
The Westinghouse 22" monitor sucks anyway.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: BlauK on September 25, 2008, 02:24:37 PM
I had high hopes for this triple screen setup, but honestly, when I saw in in action, I was not so impressed :(

The max viewing angle this game can produce over those 3 screens is 145 degrees. It means that the middle screen shows something like 90 degs (guestimate) and the side screens each show less than 30 degs, but their view is stretched over the whole screen. Thus it is extremely distorted.

I suppose this is all that can be gotten out of a DirectX game. In OpenGL (IL-2 series as an example) the side views show the same viewing angle as the front view. Thus turning one's head to another screen produces the same effect as turning the head in the game. I suppose I was dumb to expect something similar.

I was looking forward to building a 3-screen set, but it won't happen now. Hopefully others will enjoy what they get :aok
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: RATTFINK on September 25, 2008, 02:25:33 PM
Westinghouse isn’t that bad my friend but it isn’t the best.  The color is quite nice on the ones I got.  The options and on screen menu are very basic compared to my Gateway.

Man, I cannot find a display stand for three 22” monitors anywhere… you would think that there would be a lot of three 22” capable stands out there, but they all assume that you have three 19” screens.  If yall find something let me know please.

LOL bucket.  Aren’t you married and have no childrens?
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: Fulmar on September 25, 2008, 02:28:25 PM
Quote from: RATTFINK on September 25, 2008, 02:25:33 PM
LOL bucket.  Aren’t you married and have no childrens?
Don't remind me that I'm married!
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: RATTFINK on September 25, 2008, 02:30:18 PM
Quote from: BlauK on September 25, 2008, 02:24:37 PM
I had high hopes for this triple screen setup, but honestly, when I saw in in action, I was not so impressed :(

The max viewing angle this game can produce over those 3 screens is 145 degrees. It means that the middle screen shows something like 90 degs (guestimate) and the side screens each show less than 30 degs, but their view is stretched over the whole screen. Thus it is extremely distorted.

I suppose this is all that can be gotten out of a DirectX game. In OpenGL (IL-2 series as an example) the side views show the same viewing angle as the front view. Thus turning one's head to another screen produces the same effect as turning the head in the game. I suppose I was dumb to expect something similar.

I was looking forward to building a 3-screen set, but it won't happen now. Hopefully others will enjoy what they get :aok

Sorry to hear.

I'll give my input when I get setup.  *crosses fingers*

--

Hey BUCKET aren't you ...
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: NHawk on September 25, 2008, 02:42:31 PM
Rat you might want to consider 3 wall mounts. They'll free up even more desk space....

http://firefold.com/Products/Monitor-Mounting-Bracket---Up-to-30-Inches--33LB---3Way--Adjustable--Silver__WM-30-33ADJS.aspx (http://firefold.com/Products/Monitor-Mounting-Bracket---Up-to-30-Inches--33LB---3Way--Adjustable--Silver__WM-30-33ADJS.aspx)

There are other options there as well.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: Vulcan on September 25, 2008, 05:02:07 PM
*cough*

(http://www.inition.eu/inition/images/product_hmd_emagin_z800_5.jpg)
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: Fulmar on September 25, 2008, 05:29:41 PM
Quote from: Vulcan on September 25, 2008, 05:02:07 PM
*cough*

(http://www.inition.eu/inition/images/product_hmd_emagin_z800_5.jpg)
The dork factor of wearing those as opposed to 3 monitors is at least 5 times greater.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: RATTFINK on September 26, 2008, 06:17:26 PM
Ok, I got the stand and Triple Head2Go :D

The stand works.  I have 22" LCDs but that is the diagonal dimension, so they all fit :) I will need to get another LCD that matches the position of the mounting bracket in the back.  My center LCD is lower.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: The Fugitive on September 26, 2008, 10:00:58 PM
Quote from: RATTFINK on September 26, 2008, 06:17:26 PM
Ok, I got the stand and Triple Head2Go :D

The stand works.  I have 22" LCDs but that is the diagonal dimension, so they all fit :) I will need to get another LCD that matches the position of the mounting bracket in the back.  My center LCD is lower.


PICTURES PEOPLE, PICTURES !!!!
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: SIK1 on September 26, 2008, 11:37:36 PM
Quote from: The Fugitive on September 26, 2008, 10:00:58 PM

PICTURES PEOPLE, PICTURES !!!!

YEAH what he said.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: Balsy on September 27, 2008, 07:58:40 AM
I'll post pictures.. who can host them for me..?
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: Speed55 on September 27, 2008, 08:09:36 AM
Photobucket.   
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: RATTFINK on September 27, 2008, 09:46:40 PM
I have one problem, Anna Kournikova in the left screen isn't filling the whole window... any suggestions?  I'm guessing that I would have to unplug that monitor and adjust it manually?


(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/rattfink31/0927082139.jpg)
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: RATTFINK on September 27, 2008, 10:20:12 PM
Well I unplugged the TripleHead2Go and plugged the far left screen into the computer and I had a full working screen...  I'm at a loss.

Better clarification of my problem:

In the far left screen I have two black boarders on each side and no matter what I do with the monitor itself, I still have borders.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: SIK1 on September 28, 2008, 01:01:03 AM
the eye candy is nice, but how does AH look on it?

Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: MrRiplEy[H] on September 28, 2008, 06:45:19 AM
Quote from: RATTFINK on September 27, 2008, 10:20:12 PM
Well I unplugged the TripleHead2Go and plugged the far left screen into the computer and I had a full working screen...  I'm at a loss.

Better clarification of my problem:

In the far left screen I have two black boarders on each side and no matter what I do with the monitor itself, I still have borders.

What resolution are your monitors? Triplehead2go has a maximum resolution which basically means you can't go over 3x1680x1050 and even that requires a bios flash, earlier the max was 3x1280x1024. You also need a dvi-d connection.
Title: Pictures
Post by: Balsy on September 28, 2008, 09:54:09 AM
Quote from: The Fugitive on September 26, 2008, 10:00:58 PM

PICTURES PEOPLE, PICTURES !!!!

(http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee353/trhitch/Triplehead2go%203%2024inch/IMG_1352.jpg)
Front P38


(http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee353/trhitch/Triplehead2go%203%2024inch/IMG_1353.jpg)
Left wing takeoff

(http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee353/trhitch/Triplehead2go%203%2024inch/IMG_1350.jpg)

Front view showing the bezel management in action.. see the sides and the way the screens tie in together with the cockpit frame

(http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee353/trhitch/Triplehead2go%203%2024inch/IMG_1355-1.jpg)

Cant beat this 6 view.. blurring due to TrackIR movement from dummy shooting the pictures.


Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: SIK1 on September 28, 2008, 10:26:23 AM
Wow that looks sweet!

So far what are the pro's, and con's?

Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: BlauK on September 28, 2008, 11:13:27 AM
One con can be clearly seen. Horribly narrow vertical viewing angle :) ... or if one keeps vertical at "normal", one gets distorted side views.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: Balsy on September 28, 2008, 02:07:31 PM
Quote from: BlauK on September 28, 2008, 11:13:27 AM
One con can be clearly seen. Horribly narrow vertical viewing angle :) ... or if one keeps vertical at "normal", one gets distorted side views.

Track IR cures that... and supposedly one day I will be able to turn all 3 monitors 90 degrees to get the best of all worlds.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: Vulcan on September 28, 2008, 02:45:25 PM
Quote from: Fulmar on September 25, 2008, 05:29:41 PM
The dork factor of wearing those as opposed to 3 monitors is at least 5 times greater.

What you play with a live audience watching?
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: RATTFINK on September 28, 2008, 09:48:09 PM
My first screen shots w/ the new setup:

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/rattfink31/ahss1.jpg)

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/rattfink31/ahss2.jpg)

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/rattfink31/ahss3.jpg)

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/rattfink31/ahss7.jpg)
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: SIK1 on October 13, 2008, 10:03:16 AM
How far are you sitting from the center monitor?
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: RATTFINK on October 13, 2008, 11:09:05 AM
I'm about an arms length.  The norm.
Title: Re: Matrox TripleHead2Go & Triple-Monitor Desk Stand
Post by: drdeathx on October 13, 2008, 11:49:37 AM
Rattfink... send it my way... I will test it out for you!!!!!(monitors) ha