Concerning multi monitor setup

[Spatate]

Most of the threads i read are settled with more than one PC...

Does that mean, more than 1 licence of FSX? or is there a trick?

[David Rogers]

Hi,

Almost all PCs / Graphics Cards these days have 2 video ports (VGA or DVI) on the back, so programs like FSX and FS9 can be used with multiple monitors. You only need 1 copy of FSX in this case.

However, most users in here are using PCs that are networked together. In some scenarios, 1 PC is running FSX and other PCs are running specialist software like Proejct Magenta. In other cases, multiple networked versions of FSX may be running on multiple PCs. In this latter case, multiple licenses/versions of FSX are used.

Hope this explains.

[jmig]

Excellent post, David.

[Michael Carter]

So, when multiple copies of FS are running on two or more networked computers, what keeps everthing synched up?

I'm going to have to do this soon for my engine stack and WX radar, but I don't have a clue how all of this works together.

[Trevor Hale]

The only reason you would ever run multiple copies of MSFS is if you want multiple views spanned across the network. IF you are running other applications across the network wideclient and wide server take over and transport the data between networked machines. You cannot run radio's on another computer (unless they are hardware) with software that supports wide client communication.

Hope that clears that up.

[JBaymore]

BSW,

Are you planning on using the "in-sim" panel displays from FS2004 (or X) on those other computers for your EICAS and WX Radar? it sounds like that from what you said.

Personally I'd be thinking of (and AM) using stand alone gauge packages for both of those. I use SA-WXR for weather and FSXpand for EICAS. All they need are FSUIPC and WideFS on the network.

best,

................john

[Spatate]

I have seen duplicated panels... pilot , co-pilot does that takes 2 connectors or is there a cable that splits the signal ?

according the fact that we all want to keep the cost low, i am trying to exploring every possibilities... if i can avoid some hardware that would be good!

[wollo]

If you want to sync 2 or more copies of FS use wideview - www.wideview.it if I remember correctly.

[Michael Carter]

I'll end up doing what Trevor said.

I'll run the outside views from one computer and the main panel and engine instrument panel from from the other.

Shouldn't I be able to open the engine panel, undock it, and drag it to the monitor I want to display the engine gauges on? Similar to what I've done with my one outside view and main panel view?

This is all very confusing.

[Kennair]

BSW,

As wollo mentioned, if you want to open FS panels on network PC's you need a copy of FS on each PC and run Wideview (link above). This little application loads as a guage in the main FS and keeps all other networked versions of FS sync'd. I haven't used it, but certainly read of others using it quite successfully. It's mainly designed for multiple outside views but I believe it can also be used to show panels.

I prefer the option of third party network panels, however you are then in the realm of Project Magenta. FS Expand is a good and cheaper option which I am certainly investigating. I must say though that with a belly-buster PC and using a TH2GO it can give you SIX monitor outputs. Use widescreens if you want to span lots of panels. Lots of options.

Ken.

[David Rogers]

Mike,

It's worth adding in summary to all of the above that, for what you are talking of doing, you could in theory do it all perfectly from one PC, using multiple monitors.

You could for example use one of the video outs on your graphics cards purely for your external view on a large monitor / projector.

You could then hook a TH2GO on to your second video output and then position the 3 monitors (that TH2GO gives), and drag all of the 727's panels (your panelshop MIP panel, engine panel, etc) to these monitors.

However, goes without saying that this would require a heck of a powerful PC!

To sum up other options;-

WideFS - Syncs other applications with FS parameters via a network (ie...Project Magenta). This would be if you were using 3rd party (non FS) gauges.

Wideview - Syncs up multiple copies of FS on networked PCs.

In short, as we say here, the world's your lobster!

[Michael Carter]

Thanks for those explanations. I'll keep the FS DF727 gauges on one system and run the outside views on another networked computer.

This system is not strong enough to run everything.

Theoretically, I could use a TH2GO on each computer and have three outside views on one computer and three monitors for my instruments on the second.

Is that right?

[David Rogers]

That's absolutely spot on.

Today I was doing some testing on my system, and had a DualHead2Go on one of my networked PCs and a TripleHead2Go on the other one. Had my PM gauges spread around the first PC and my views on the others (albeit on odd sized monitors as I'm awaiting 3 x 19"ers arriving!).

In your case, you'd run FS with Wideview on both PCs. On one PC, you'd kill the exterior views and just drag the different DF727 panels across the TH2GO monitors ............. and on the 2nd PC, you'd have your view only, with no panels spread across the TH2GO monitors on that PC. Wideview keeps the gauges on PC1 synced up with the view on PC2. :)

[Tomlin]

Having a Dual Head and Triple Head 2 Go on one system would actually work, and not bring the PC to it's knees?

[David Rogers]

Hey Eric,

I was suggesting a 3H2GO on one PC and a 2H2GO (or another 3H2GO) on a second PC ..... I believe there are problems when trying to use 2 x 3H2GO on the same PC as you can only install 1 set of drivers. :)

[manhattan]

I have seen duplicated panels... pilot , co-pilot does that takes 2 connectors or is there a cable that splits the signal ?

according the fact that we all want to keep the cost low, i am trying to exploring every possibilities... if i can avoid some hardware that would be good!

Hi

To show Captain pfd on one monitor, and First Off on another, use a video splitter. The signal comes from a PC graphics card and goes to the splitter. From there it is split, and sent to both pilots monitors. Both pilots receive the same image, but only one graphics card is used. Your outside view would be from another card (3 to go - or Matrix Parhelia). Additional to this, you could install yet another (PCI) card for instruments.
I have been using this layout for four years without any problem. Networking scares me!!!

TONY, U.K.

[dcutugno]

Hi

To show Captain pfd on one monitor, and First Off on another, use a video splitter. The signal comes from a PC graphics card and goes to the splitter. From there it is split, and sent to both pilots monitors. Both pilots receive the same image, but only one graphics card is used. Your outside view would be from another card (3 to go - or Matrix Parhelia). Additional to this, you could install yet another (PCI) card for instruments.
I have been using this layout for four years without any problem. Networking scares me!!!

TONY, U.K.

With this type of setup you'll lose independent display and setting for the F/O like Qnh and APP, VOR etc...

So it is up to you the way you want simulate...

[manhattan]

With this type of setup you'll lose independent display and setting for the F/O like Qnh and APP, VOR etc...

So it is up to you the way you want simulate...

Your point is fair, but I use FS Panel Studio to make my gauges and although the F/O does not have a totally authentic display, the overall effect in my cockpit is very good and certainly very satisfactory for many simmers.
My cockpit is a Twin Otter, so the gauges are few.
I dare say if I flew the big jets, I would need to modify my approach - but I can't see the point in flying on auto pilot at 30,000 feet in cloud - what a bore!

TONY.

A keen simmer - but not a purist.

[David Rogers]

I like your approach Tony - I am currently reassessing my cockpit to make it more simplistic and pragmatic to configure, set up and use.

[manhattan]

BSW,

As wollo mentioned, if you want to open FS panels on network PC's you need a copy of FS on each PC and run Wideview (link above). This little application loads as a guage in the main FS and keeps all other networked versions of FS sync'd. I haven't used it, but certainly read of others using it quite successfully. It's mainly designed for multiple outside views but I believe it can also be used to show panels.

I prefer the option of third party network panels, however you are then in the realm of Project Magenta. FS Expand is a good and cheaper option which I am certainly investigating. I must say though that with a belly-buster PC and using a TH2GO it can give you SIX monitor outputs. Use widescreens if you want to span lots of panels. Lots of options.

Ken.

Hi

How does using 3togo give six monitor outputs? sorry to seem a bit dim!
What is "FS Expand"?

TONY.

[Michael Carter]

Two video outputs on one card will net six monitor outputs using two TH2G's on one system...if the system can handle it.

Using two computers and a TH2G on each sounds better to me. And with a dual card output you could get a total of four monitors out of each computer.

[manhattan]

Two video outputs on one card will net six monitor outputs using two TH2G's on one system...if the system can handle it.

Using two computers and a TH2G on each sounds better to me. And with a dual card output you could get a total of four monitors out of each computer.

Thanks for the info. Has anyone out there tried two 3togo's on one machine?
I figured one for outside views, and one for instruments?
Too much to hope??


TONY.

[Kennair]

Tony,

I have heard of someone using two TH2GO but nothing confirmed and I don't know whether there might be limitations. I had heard something about not being able to configure a second unit on the one PC or perhaps on the same video card. I would like to try adding a Dual Head 2 Go to my current TH2GO for a 5 monitor wrap around outside view. I might try and pick one up on ebay and dismiss the mystery once and for all!

As for your question about FS Expand (http://cockpitsolutions.com/flyware/) click to find out. A viable alternative to Project Magenta.

Ken.

[andarlite]

Should be possible. Here's a guy running 2 TH2G on a single video card:

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=141151&page=10

Scroll down a bit to see his post and picture.


Regards,
Henry

[David Rogers]

[Edit: Other guys pipped me to it!]

2 x 3 ...... or three monitors from each of the 2 graphics outputs on a typical PC, using 2 Triplehead2go devices. (one on each graphics output).

Not supported by Matrox (they only support 1 x TH2GO per PC) but certainly people have got it to work hardware wise. As far as I can gather, the only constraint is that you have to have identical settings / resolution across both TH2GO units - as you can only run one instance of the config software.

[Kennair]

Thanks Henry,

That looks awesome doesn't it, imagine all 6 spanned around you in FS. What a view! That's it, I'm gettin another one!! :lol:

Ken.