CRT + Plasma TV setup... how?

[shermanramni]

Hello evryone!

Don't know if here's the place to ask this, but here it goes:

In my workplace there are 2 Samsung plasma TVs and a lot of powerful computers, and what we want to do is to plug the PC's monitor (VGA) and one of the plasma TVs (DVI) in a way that allows us to view the Windows desktop in the VGA output and ONLY the video from a video player (WMP, MPC, BSPlayer, you name it) in the DVI output. The video, needless to say, must NOT be visible in the VGA output, neither the desktop in the DVI output.


1. Obviously we need a graphics card with VGA and DVI outputs (or 2 DVI outputs and an DVI/VGA adapter); which one is good for that?
2. How should I configure the system to make the video go out to ONLY the DVI and the Windows desktop to ONLY the VGA?

If something is not clear, please ask me.

Thanks for all.

Sherman

[Sirber]

any ATI or NVidia in "clone" mode + Theater mode.

Video will play fullscreen on yout TV while it can be minimized on the VGA.

[DVD_GR]

ATI was and remains the no1 in quality even if the margin is now smaller than 2years before when nvidias quality was the worst possible.I would get an ATI 100%

[HardwareGeek]

... we need a graphics card with VGA and DVI outputs ... which one is good for that?Either an ATI or NVIDIA card should do the trick. Buy two cards. Try both. Return the one you like the least.

How should I configure the system to make the video go out to ONLY the DVI and the Windows desktop to ONLY the VGA?You can get separate output going to the two displays by first extending the Windows desktop across both displays. Open your media player. Drag it to the Samsung plasma display, then make it full screen. Video output should encompass the entire Samsung display and only the Samsung display: not the PC monitor.

You can keep working in your Windows desktop on your VGA display while the Samsung displays video and your PC outputs the audio.

You should be able to extend the desktop across both displays via either Windows display properties controls or the display applets that ATI and NVIDIA provide.

Are you sure that DVI is the best interface for the Samsung large screen TVs? You may be able to find an ATI or even an NVIDIA card with an interface better suited to CE, such as maybe HDMI (hi def multimedia interface).

[shermanramni]

Either an ATI or NVIDIA card should do the trick. Buy two cards. Try both. Return the one you like the least.

lol

You can get separate output going to the two displays by first extending the Windows desktop across both displays. Open your media player. Drag it to the Samsung plasma display, then make it full screen. Video output should encompass the entire Samsung display and only the Samsung display: not the PC monitor.

(Assuming that I'll use MPC) What if I want to work with playlists and such? They will appear in the plasma TV, right? Will just dragging do the trick?

You can keep working in your Windows desktop on your VGA display while the Samsung displays video and your PC outputs the audio.

Exactly what I wanted to do. Thanks.

You should be able to extend the desktop across both displays via either Windows display properties controls or the display applets that ATI and NVIDIA provide.

Yeah, Display Properties should have an option like that.

Are you sure that DVI is the best interface for the Samsung large screen TVs? You may be able to find an ATI or even an NVIDIA card with an interface better suited to CE, such as maybe HDMI (hi def multimedia interface).

AFAIK, HDMI is almost the same as DVI. And regardless of that, alas, the plasma TV only has DVI inputs (besides the usual composite, VGA and A/V).

[HardwareGeek]

(Assuming that I'll use MPC) What if I want to work with playlists and such? They will appear in the plasma TV, right?Sort of. Except you can't access the playlist in media player classic while it is in full-screen mode AFAIK. If you get out of full-screen mode and use a reduced or maximized window, AFAIK you cannot undock the playlist in MPC. However, maybe there is another media player that allows one to undock a playlist or other features. If so, you could drag the file list to your VGA display while video plays on the Samsung.

Will just dragging do the trick?Must drag, then full-screen it.

... alas, the plasma TV only has DVI inputs (besides the usual composite, VGA and A/V).DVI it is then.

[shermanramni]

Thanks a lot.

[HardwareGeek]

AFAIK you cannot undock the playlist in MPC.
Correction. I was wrong. You can undock the playlist in MPC. And keep it on a separate display from the video.