ATI Card & HDMI TV as Third Monitor

[VisOne]

Help.....

Can't seem to get my DTV to come up as a third monitor for my PC. I don't want it running constantly as a desktop or anything like that my two ASUS DVI monitors are more than enough.

I just want to be able to use the HDMI cable to swing a movie on in the lounge room for the family using the TV. Media files playing from the PC of course.

Any help would be appreciated.

As it stands the HDMI seems to be overriding my DVI monitors and it won't let me continue to use them and the tv at the same time. TV keeps wanting to take primary and I lose my desktop.

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 64 Bit
Motherboard: Gigabyte P67A-UD3R
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz, 3601 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
VGA: ATI RADEON 6900

[Fallen.]

You can only run 2 dvi or hdmi monitors at any one time. Thats a limitation of dvi or hdmi (really the same with different plugs)
The third would have to be display port .
Do either of your monitors have a display port input ?
Or get a cheap low end pcie gfx card to run the third monitor/tv off.

hope that helps

[VisOne]

Bugger I thought that was the case.

Well lucky I brought a dirt cheap 5 metre HDMI cable out of China and not an expensive one from say JB-HIFI.

Both of my monitors are DVI and VGA only. TV is HDMI, VGA or S-video/standard input only so no way to use display port.

Still not the end of the world I will disconnect one monitor DVI cable and connect the HDMI cable from the TV each time I want to use it. I just need Catalyst Control to stop treating the HMDI input as primary. Its bloody annoying since the TV is in another room a little hard to navigate your primary screen when there is a wall in the way.

Thanks for the help as always Fallen.

[Xavo]

Aren't HDMI cables all exactly the same anyway? Like there is no difference between the $10,000 monster cables and the $5 China specials?

[VisOne]

I guess it depends on which type of HDMI connector it has and to some extent materials used. But for the most part your spot on cabling is cabling and most of the time you're not paying for better quality but simply costs of shipping and stocking the item + mark up or purchase direct from supplier/country of origin and get it cheaper.

Anway just grabbed a Ebay Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter Converter Special from down in Sydney for like $6 so even with the HDMI cable I brought originally its only cost like like $15 to try and get this TV going.

[Elmo147]

if you wish, you can buy a passive DP to VGA converter to run to your TV.. i run my 3rd monitor that way and no problems with eyefinity

[VisOne]

Originally Posted by Elmo147

if you wish, you can buy a passive DP to VGA converter to run to your TV.. i run my 3rd monitor that way and no problems with eyefinity

Elmo how did you manage this.

My DP to VGA converter hasn't changed the behavior I have mentioned earlier.

As soon as I put the TV in one of my monitors is turned off.

[Fallen.]

What Display port to VGA adapter did you get and what GFX card do you have?

Its a ati 6900 series but what model from which manufacturer ?

Eyefinity should just work over 2 DVI and 1 Display port output.

[Elmo147]

i am running a powercolour 6950.. and i got my bro to get me a DP to VGA converter from work.. had it for nearly as long as i had the card tho..

and i should mention, its mini DP on my card.. not sure how it is on Vis'

this is something like wat i have, but dont know brand name:
http://store.apple.com/au/product/MB572Z/A

[VisOne]

All of my ATI cards have being Sapphire thus far so is this one.

SAPPHIRE HD 6950 2GB GDDR5 PCIE

It's out put is 2 x DVI and 2 x Mini DP and 1 HDMI.

My two ASUS monitors are running on DVI to DVI cables from DVI port 1 and 2. They are setup in catalyst control to being primary desktop 2 and extended desktop 1 as shown in picture. So I've got two desktops as per normal with no eyefinity setup at this time.



When I plug-in the HDMI cable or the HDMI with this Mini Displayport to HDMI Adapter into the card. Catalyst control automatically kills the ASUS primary desktop 2 and makes the TV primary 2.

I just want the TV to either be a duplicate of whats on the primary desktop or the extended desktop 1. Alternatively it can be extended desktop 3 either way is fine. However it simply won't run all there and as I mentioned its a real issue when my primary desktop pisses itself off to another room.

[Elmo147]

you may have to go with a passive Mini DP to VGA connector.. can pick them up from ebay for about 10$

[VisOne]

Really don't want to go down that route. Also don't want to invest any more money in converters or rummage around for a VGA cable.