TroikaTronix Forum: Isadora: Hardware Platforms: multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro?


	MAIN INDEX	SEARCH POSTS	WHO'S ONLINE	LOG IN

Home: Isadora: Hardware Platforms:
multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro?

ursullivision
Novice

Feb 6, 2008, 3:21 AM

Post #1 of 15 (4951 views)
Shortcut

multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro?	Can't Post

I have question regarding multiple monitor (at least two stages) output from a Macbok Pro.

I've read on the forum that people use the Triple Head2Go from Matrox for projectors. Is there a solution for PAL Televisions? The Matrox card only puts out VGA or digital signals for computer monitors if I read the specs correctly.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions/ideas,

ur,ummmmmm...........................eric

skulpture
User

Feb 6, 2008, 12:08 PM

Post #2 of 15 (4930 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ursullivision] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

If it helps you can get one of these...

And use one of these

Then you should not need the Head2Go. Although I have not tested it... so I may be wrong.

An instant without duration....

www.grahamthorne.co.uk

ursullivision
Novice

Feb 6, 2008, 2:07 PM

Post #3 of 15 (4921 views)
Shortcut

Re: [skulpture] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks for the idea but i need 2 separate video images on two monitors, and the Y adapter would only split one image onto 2 monitors. Or at least that's how it looks.
Ur ummmmmmm..........................eric

Mark Coniglio
TroikaTronix / Moderator

Feb 8, 2008, 4:07 AM

Post #4 of 15 (4883 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ursullivision] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Matrix Dual Head 2 Go gives Two VGA Outputs
Take VGA Outputs -> VGA to Composite Converter
= two outputs on two televisions.

That's the only advice I can think of!

Best,
Mark

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mark Coniglio / TroikaTronix
Creator of Isadora

(This post was edited by Mark Coniglio on Feb 8, 2008, 4:07 AM)

ursullivision
Novice

Feb 8, 2008, 1:20 PM

Post #5 of 15 (4861 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Mark Coniglio] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks. I'll look into it. Anybody have any suggestions as to a good affordable "scan converter" or VGA to Composite (or SVideo) adapter?
Ur ummmmmmm..........................eric

skulpture
User

Feb 9, 2008, 6:43 AM

Post #6 of 15 (4823 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ursullivision] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'd say this is one of the hardest to convert. There are a few VGA to Composite converters but an 'affordable' one I have never really come across!

http://www.vtx.co.uk/video/digiboxpc2tv.htm <--- This is one but its $200!

But, Take a look here for a full list:-

http://www.vjcentral.com/?mod=hardware&category=328

An instant without duration....

www.grahamthorne.co.uk

Kingcaffeine
Novice

Feb 9, 2008, 5:32 PM

Post #7 of 15 (4805 views)
Shortcut

Re: [skulpture] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

http://www.focusinfo.com/solutions/catalog.asp?id=151
I use two of these at work and they are great.

william
User

Feb 10, 2008, 8:33 PM

Post #8 of 15 (4746 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ursullivision] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

for a second video output of your macbook pro you can check out the

Magma Pci Expansion Cards...

You need to pony up between $800 and $1200 to buy the expansion adapter, and a video card. And then you would need a scan converter to drop you down to PAL.

william
User

Feb 13, 2008, 9:48 PM

Post #9 of 15 (4673 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ursullivision] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

And there's also the SideCar -

http://digitaltigers.com/notebook-docking-stations.shtml

http://digitaltigers.com/sidecar-mac.shtml

ursullivision
Novice

Feb 14, 2008, 11:07 AM

Post #10 of 15 (4656 views)
Shortcut

Re: [william] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks everybody for the various solutions! I live in Berlin and found a VGA to S-video adapter for 50 Euro at Conrads I haven't laid out the dough for the hardware yet but when I do get something up and running I'll share my experiences. Thanks again.
Ur ummmmmmm..........................eric

hal
Novice

Apr 29, 2008, 9:10 AM

Post #11 of 15 (4046 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Kingcaffeine] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

You like the Focus box, that's interesting I don't like mine.
I get really bad contrast, it seems to overdrive the signal, and it also underscans, which is fine on a TV but no good for a projector.

Do you have either of these issues, maybe they have improved the device, I have 4 of these but they are 5 years old now.
--
Hal Eagar - Media Effects Artist http://haleagar.com
Director - Digital Performance Institute http://digitalperformance.org
DPI-office 646 442 4435 | Hal-cell 917 257 8440

hal
Novice

Apr 29, 2008, 9:18 AM

Post #12 of 15 (4046 views)
Shortcut

Re: [skulpture] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

The DigiBox PC2TV looks nice, particularly the rs232 interface.
Have you used this? What are the zoom options?

--
Hal Eagar - Media Effects Artist http://haleagar.com
Director - Digital Performance Institute http://digitalperformance.org
DPI-office 646 442 4435 | Hal-cell 917 257 8440

hal
Novice

Apr 29, 2008, 9:21 AM

Post #13 of 15 (4045 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ursullivision] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

So with the fact that you need to buy a couple of scan converters anyway, consider that if you get one with a good zoom function that you could hook them both up to the same VGA/RGB output and zoom in on different areas of the screen in order to get two unique outputs without the need for the Matrox.

I do love the Matrox, and I have not yet found a cheap scan converter that I like the zoom functionally on yet. The cheap ones seem to zoom to a 320x240 area of the screen, I would much rather have it zoom to a 640x480 or larger area of the screen instead. And to save the zoom pan and image settings even when I power it down.
But I still use this trick to get more outputs from my laptop even if it's at the lower 320x240 quality.

but my search for the perfect scan converter continues.
--
Hal Eagar - Media Effects Artist http://haleagar.com
Director - Digital Performance Institute http://digitalperformance.org
DPI-office 646 442 4435 | Hal-cell 917 257 8440

ursullivision
Novice

May 8, 2008, 2:52 AM

Post #14 of 15 (3926 views)
Shortcut

Re: [hal] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the info. I actually need 3 screeens, and all at a relatively high high resolution (at least PAL SD). As I would have to spend at least 400 euro probably more to get a 3 monitor setup with the Matrox and scan converters, and am not sure what the quality will be in the end (because of the conversion by the VGA to Pal converters), I am back to my old technique with multiple DVD players which is much more affordable as the Matrox. Perhaps if I have the budget for our next production I will try out the TripleHead solution. Certainly it would allow me much more freedom in the rehearsal and development stage of of the production.
Ur ummmmmmm..........................eric

jhoepffner
User

May 27, 2008, 9:18 PM

Post #15 of 15 (2761 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ursullivision] multiple (tv) monitor output from Macbook Pro? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have tried all the sort of vga to tv converter and no one have a sufficient quality. I think is really better to change your pal tv or vp for vga, the difference is huge.

Search for (options)