Well not really DVI but just a dual monitor display question.

I have a docking station that has 2 DVI-D ports, 2 DisplayPorts, and 1 VGA. I have two monitors with a VGA and HDMI port. What's the best way to run a dual display off this setup?

[Edited on September 17, 2012 at 11:17 AM. Reason : .]

9/17/2012 11:13:50 AM

Plug your monitors into two DVIs
Hook up your HDTV into the HDMI to watch your torrents on the big screen
Install UltraMon
Set up shortcuts to several monitor profiles (dual monitor, monitor+tv, monitor horizontal+monitor vertical etc)
Enjoy your system, two monitors at a time

9/17/2012 11:41:32 AM

^Not exactly, the monitors aren't native DVI and there is no HDMI port on the docking station.
However, if the DVI ports on the docking station are DVI-I (likely) then you can get two VGA to DVI-A converters ($cheap) and do that for the monitor, then get a HDMI to DisplayPort converter (probably also cheap, though I've never priced them) to solve the TV issue. Then proceed as above.

Alternately, you could get two HDMI to DVI-D converters for the monitors, and then plug your TV into the VGA port. Better quality image on the monitors, not as good on the TV.

What are the size & max res of the monitors? Do they have integrated speakers (rare but possible) or do you handle your sound separately? Are you planning to hook up a TV as well, or not? This will help determine which way to proceed.

[Edited on September 17, 2012 at 12:27 PM. Reason : d]

9/17/2012 12:21:34 PM

Oops completely missed the fact that monitors font have DVI

First thing to try is a DVI to VGA adapter an see I the laptop will detect the monitor and switch to analog-over-DVI. If that works, then you have VGA to VGA and DVI to VGA, still leaving HDMI port free to use with a TV. Otherwise you will need a converter

9/17/2012 12:33:02 PM

Unfortunately, the docking station ports are DVI-D.

What about a DP to HDMI converter?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042801&p_id=4826&seq=1&format=2

this is a workstation and will not be used for TV so don't worry about that

[Edited on September 17, 2012 at 12:43 PM. Reason : .]

9/17/2012 12:42:51 PM

If the docking station ports are DVI-D then that adapter there ^ is your only option. You can't convert VGA to DVI-D (at least not with a simple converter, as you're going digital to analog and would need a separate piece of hardware). So use the HDMI ports on the monitors, get two of those converters, done. Or you could use one HDMI -> DP converter and go native VGA on monitor #2, but as I said, depending on the resolution and refresh rate you want to run, digital may be the better option.

[Edited on September 17, 2012 at 3:44 PM. Reason : dd]

9/17/2012 3:42:56 PM

ordered two of em

done


thanks for the help

9/17/2012 4:25:31 PM