DVI-to-VGA Adaptors: DVI-I, DVI-A, DVI-D, DVI-WTF!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Martin Crozier
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M

Martin Crozier

Ok one more post... I bought this Belkin DVI-to-VGA adaptor, right; plugged
it into my Radeon 9100 DVI port, plugged in standard PnP monitor alongside
the one in the VGA port, right; so I had two monitors, right; woohoo now I
can use them @ the same time right? With the multi-monitor support in the
drivers, right? Naah. Won't detect second monitor! It lists two displays but
won't let me activate them. So I took the adapter back to the shop...

Turns out there are several standards; DVI-I (pure digital), DVI-A
(digital/analog bastardisation), DVD-D (god knows), and whatever else they
think up. Anyone care to recommend what 3rd-party adapter I can buy that
will actually works? I noticed the Belkin did not have all the pins... I
can't afford to spend £15 each time trying out adapters and I ain't forking
out for a new radeon card with a bundled adapter just to go
"aaaaaaaahhhhhh..."...

MC.

MC.
 
Martin said:
Ok one more post... I bought this Belkin DVI-to-VGA adaptor, right;
plugged it into my Radeon 9100 DVI port, plugged in standard PnP monitor
alongside the one in the VGA port, right; so I had two monitors, right;
woohoo now I can use them @ the same time right? With the multi-monitor
support in the drivers, right? Naah. Won't detect second monitor! It lists
two displays but won't let me activate them. So I took the adapter back to
the shop...
Click to expand...

What do you mean " it lists two displays but won't let me activate them"?
Turns out there are several standards; DVI-I (pure digital), DVI-A
(digital/analog bastardisation), DVD-D (god knows), and whatever else they
think up.
Click to expand...

DVI is one standard. You can download it from <http://www.ddwg.org>--it's
free but you have to register--it's heavy going though and I'm not sure it
will help you all that much.

It allows for three possibilities--an analog-only device, a digital-only
device, and a device that can work with either. DVI-A is analog only,
DVI-D is digital only, DVI-I integrates the two types. Most video boards
have DVI-I connectors and any adapter that carries DVI to VGA will have at
least the DVI-A pinning--there is no reason for it to have anything else
since an analog monitor can't use anything else.

Your best bet, to be _sure_ you have the right part, is to just order off
the ATI site--they'll sell you one for $5US and shipping. If you're not in
the US or Canada ATI recommends <http://www.videocapturecard.com/ati.html>,
which wants $11.95 including shipping. I note that their adapter, while
not identical in appearance to the one that ATI provides, does, if the
photo on their site is correct, have all the pins present as does the ATI
connector--I have no idea what it does with the ones that aren't required
to implement DVI-A--presumably there is some subtlety of the ATI boards
that requires that some trick be played with the pinning.
 
It's a little tough to figure out how to enable dual monitors in "Extended
Desktop" mode.

First turn on VGA output #2.
Right click on Desktop and select Properties>Settings>Advanced. Select
Displays and you will see four possible displays. The upper left should be
on as it is your primary display. Enable the upper right monitor by clicking
red(off)/green(on) O/I button to enable output #2. If you see indenicall
images on each monitor, this part is done. Click OK.

Now enable "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor".

Right click on Desktop and select Properties>Settings (you should be here
already). Click on the right blue box that say's 2. This allows you to
adjust second monitor. Check "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor".
Click OK.

Now you are in fat city!

I use Multires from:
http://www.entechtaiwan.com have link in startup directory. Multires will
detect both monitors at re-boot and give SysTray icons to set independant
resolution/refresh rates.

-Kent
 
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