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Multiple Monitors...and Nvidia set-up issues

post #1 of 7
11/8/11 at 8:16pm
Thread Starter 
I have been helping a friend who is not very technologically savy
set-up his home theatre.
Unfortunately he lives in another city..so I have to do this remotely
..either via Skype or Email.

He has a HTPC which has an Nvidia GT320 video card.
This is connected to two screens as follows.

1. via DVI.. directly to a Samsung 22inch monitor(1920 x 1080 res)

2. via HDMI ...to Onkyo Tx-nr609...then to a
Sony 46inch LCD TV(24p capable and 1920 x 1080 res)

If both displays are connected ...then it is necessary
to turn both screens on...then the Onkyo AVR
then boot up the HTPC.

My question is how can he use one monitor at a time?

Is this done thru Nvidia's control Panel?
ie go in and turn off one of the screens?..or change one to the Main screen?

Is it best to have the two monitors as Clones?
or use extended desktop?

I assume if you use extended desktop ..
and the Sony screen/Onkyo AVR is turned off
then the Samsung wont display?

Is there a way of changing the settings to allow
the Samsung to display normally..ie for email/normal every day activity
...and then when he wants to play Movies activate the Sony screen??

I dont use a 2nd monitor/screen in my set-up...
so this why I am asking here...Hopefully someone
with more experience/knowledge can help?

TIA
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post #2 of 7
11/9/11 at 7:58am
With Nvidia extending the desktop is done in Control Panel-Hardware and Sound-Display-Connent to an external display. Once here you can select either monitor or TV. I usually extend to the TV when watching TV or a movie and leave the monitor running or switch the monitor off.
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post #3 of 7
11/9/11 at 8:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Postmoderndesign View Post

With Nvidia extending the desktop is done in Control Panel-Hardware and Sound-Display-Connent to an external display. Once here you can select either monitor or TV. I usually extend to the TV when watching TV or a movie and leave the monitor running or switch the monitor off.

Yes I see ..so you would put the player/movie in the TV area??
Cause I looked in that area...
and the other.. two options are duplicating screens
with either screen being the source.

So switching off the Monitor wont cause any
issues for the TV?(using extended desktop)

But that allows as he wants to use the Samsung more often
...and as you said... just extend when needed for Movies etc.
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post #4 of 7
11/9/11 at 9:05am
I think your friend will need to experiment with the Connect to an External Display within Control Panel and find the best solution.

I do not know what you mean by the TV area.

One caution is that Windows 7 handling of HDCP and PAP is poor particularly when using an external display. Windows 7 can be erratic and give sporadic live TV missing driver messages and from time to time audio is missing and the AVR need to be turned off and back on or the computer needs to be restarted. Until Microsoft gets its act together I think there is no solution to this occasional but recurring problem.
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post #5 of 7
11/9/11 at 9:12am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Postmoderndesign View Post

I think your friend will need to experiment with the Connect to an External Display within Control Panel and find the best solution.

I do not know what you mean by the TV area.

One caution is that Windows 7 handling of HDCP and PAP is poor particularly when using an external display. Windows 7 can be erratic and give sporadic live TV missing driver messages and from time to time audio is missing and the AVR need to be turned off and back on or the computer needs to be restarted. Until Microsoft gets its act together I think there is no solution to this occasional but recurring problem.

Sorry... you referred to extending to the TV...thats what I meant by TV area
...as against something in the Monitor area.
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post #6 of 7
11/9/11 at 9:52am
I have a Nvidia 9300 based video connected via DVI to a monitor and HDMI to a Samsung TV. I have it set to extend the desktop to the TV. I can turn either or both on and off whenever and they always work properly. WMC also always opens full-screen on the TV with a press of the green button. I would suspect the Onkyo receiver is possibly messing with the HDMI handshaking. Try it without first and see what happens.

Peter
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post #7 of 7
11/9/11 at 11:48am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshDorhyke View Post

I have a Nvidia 9300 based video connected via DVI to a monitor and HDMI to a Samsung TV. I have it set to extend the desktop to the TV. I can turn either or both on and off whenever and they always work properly. WMC also always opens full-screen on the TV with a press of the green button. I would suspect the Onkyo receiver is possibly messing with the HDMI handshaking. Try it without first and see what happens.

Peter

Thanks...for passing on your experience with this type of set-up.
As I said I am doing this long distance...so it makes the fine tuning a little more difficult. Particularly explaining the more complex technical issues in simple terms. Its a real learning experience.

So it seems the extended desktop may make things easier..its presently set up with duplicated desktops. Will give this a go.

I was thinking there could be issues with the Onkyo and Handshaking....so this is something I will definitely look at more closely.

I have actually installed an EDID previously for my own set-up..and this did help. (I dont need it anymore with my newer HTPC)
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