Handling Different Resolutions w/ 17" TFT's, Data Projectors

[kennysarmy]

Scenario:

Teacher pc connected to data projector and CRT 15" monitor.
Data projector native res. could be SVGA or XGA.

Teacher wants new TFT monitor.

Seems like most new 17" and 19" output at SXGA.

Question.

If we replace the CRT's with 17" or 19" SXGA panels how bad will the picture look if we reduce the res down to match the data projector...

If we leave the TFT outputting natively at SXGA how bad would the picture look on the data projector?

How do others cope with the mis-match in resolution?

Cheers.

[OutToLunch]

If you're using dual outputs on the PC to run the projector, is option C) run the PC monitor at native resolution and set the resolution on the second output (it should see a projector as a 2nd monitor) to the native projector resolution? Best of both worlds...

[kennysarmy]

If you're using dual outputs on the PC to run the projector, is option C) run the PC monitor at native resolution and set the resolution on the second output (it should see a projector as a 2nd monitor) to the native projector resolution? Best of both worlds...

I think we might find it hard to source AGP dual headed graphics cards? No?

[Michael]

The new TFT 17" or 19" screen may be able to display higher resolutions than the projector is capable of, so the end result will be a black screen or "out of range" message.

Most computer/projector installs involve a VGA splitter (a VGA box, or a specially moulded cable) so the image is automatically cloned. In some situations, older projectors may only be capable of an 800 x 600 resolution, so a dual graphics card would be better.

Most (if not all dual graphics cards), allow you to set different resolutions for different screens, but this is all controlled through software and never is as good or reliable as a hardware solution.

My advice would be to try and establish the maximum supported resolution of the projector. If it's 1024 x 768, then I would purchase a 17" TFT which should look and work fine using your existing hardware VGA splitter.

[plexer]

How do you currently connect both sources then a vga splitter? you didn't say.

Ben

[kennysarmy]

How do you currently connect both sources then a vga splitter? you didn't say.

Ben

sorry yes with VGA splitter boxes...

[plexer]

Dual head agp card are available if the machine doesn't have pcie.

Ben

[OutToLunch]

I think we might find it hard to source AGP dual headed graphics cards? No?

Most AGP graphics cards you'd be able to find now would have a DVI and a VGA out - you'd use the DVI for the new TFTs and the VGA out for the projector - or if you get cheap TFTs with no DVI, just use a DVI->VGA convertor on the DVI socket. Personally, I prefer how NVidia based cards handle dual monitors to ATI but either should do.

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[penfold]

When I had a similar problem with an older projector and a new machine, I stuck 2 batch files in the teachers home area that changed the resolution from 800x 600 for when the they are using the projector(as anything over that was too small for the class to see). When they are using the desktop PC to do work, they change it back using the other bat file to change the resolution back to 1024 x 768.

This seemed to work ok as the teacher was generally up in front of the IWB when using the projector.