How many dual DVI cards can I put in one box?

[skiflyer]

I'm trying to run as many monitors as possible from one box, they need a DVI connection, and I was hoping to hit 8 monitors at a minimum.

But all the dual DVI video cards I can find are PCI Express x16, and motherboards seem to generally only support two of these, and on rare occasion 3.

Do I have any alternatives? (The length of the monitor cable run is what's dictating my DVI output, perhaps I'd be better off which VGA and some kind of repeater... we're talking approx. 50-150feet.)

Any advice?

 

[attrofy]

Newegg is offering this [url

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102633

]ATI solution[/url].

It is listed as a PCI (regular -not X) interface with dual DVI output. The card only shows one output, with a dual DVI dongle that goes with it. The specs say it has two display support. I am assuming you are not doing anything too intense at these distances, and a PCI interface will work for you.

You should be able to take advantage of as many PCI-X or AGP outputs as you can, then populate the remainder of your PCI slots with these. Depending on your board, it will get you to 8 outputs. You might consider a dedicated box for doing this sort of thing, and possibly look for a board with integrated LAN or other components to free up any additional PCI slots.

Consequently, I have used a similar scenario with AGP and PCI to acheive a total of 6 outputs, and the longest run was about 50 feet. I had to use a special cable - check cables to go.com - it was inexpensive (comparitively speaking) 3 years ago.

 

[skiflyer]

Interesting option, I wonder if that dongle does the work or if software is required... I'm using linux on these boxes (and no, the images are nothing fancy, 2d static, etc.) and Linux + ATI is dangerous enough territory with their regular cards.

I've actually found some intriguing VGA options recently, so I'm really busy scratching my head. (basically simple PCI cards with dual vga for runs under 50 feet, then a nice but expensive option using a CAT5 converter for longer runs)

Thanks!

 

[attrofy]

Some of the cablestogo.com cables were actually coax cables with VGA adapters on the end. Might check to see if a similar solution still exists. 150' is a long run though, and I recall that seems to be about the max they offered (I haven't checked in a while) before boosting options.

As for the ATI vs Linux option, that could be an issue. I hate to venture a guess whether this is purely hardware or part OS related.

I found this info on a similar card, note the info about their
"industry standard DMS-59 display connector"
This states it splits DVI to DVI or DVI to VGA.

Also, in looking at this link, I "learnt" something about DVI-I connectors - which implies it may be a true hardware connection - but again, I would hate to venture that guess without knowing if it is an OS specific hardware option.

Lastly, it appears that the included dongle with that particular ATI card will split to dual VGA, instead of Dual DVI, but I don't see why a DVI to VGA adapter wouldn't allow the physical connection to the monitor. Of course, it will revert back to Analog mode, but for what you are displaying, may not be much to worry about.

Maybe someone more current on the DVI-I specs can comment.

Good luck with your project.

 

[Frank4d]

At my job I have experience building test equipment computers that have up to 23 PCI cards in one PC (one processor), or 26 cards split between two PCs (two processors). I found there are special considerations you need to be aware of if running on a Windows system:

(1) All PCI (and PCI-e) cards require address space in the 64KB I/O address space allowed by Windows. If you install too many cards, they will eat up the 64MB and Windows will refuse to boot up after you add one card too many.

(2) Many PCI (and PCIe) cards require address space in the 4GB PCI address space allowed by 32-bit Windows. If you install too many cards (example: eight cards that require 128MB PCI space each, that is 1GB. Depending on how the BIOS maps memory it may be a problem, and you'll have 16 color low resolution video problems or worse. A special BIOS may fix it.

(3) Some vendor provided drivers have limits on the maximum number of identical cards that can be installed. But there is usually a workaround.... The driver has to be installed over and over for each card, or you have to edit a maxcards parameter in an .inf file.

These are my experiences with problems using large numbers of PCI cards with Windows. Your experience with Linux may be different.

 

[BadBigBen]

How about this:

Several Screens on a single graphic source

Splitter for VGA-/DVI-Signals: Devices available, to attach 4 or 8 screens at one device. Digital Signals: No loss of signal quality, even at 1600x1200@60Hz! The devices are designed to work on VGA- as well as on DVI-graphics cards. Each output can drive - independent from each other port - either a VGA- or DVI-Monitor. Working in a mixed environment is possible, as well as using it as a VGA to DVI Converter or a DVI to VGA Converter.

Picture...

http://www.ihse.de/jpg/445-4a.jpg

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[skiflyer]

BadBigBen

Yeah, I've actually seen other solutions like that which work over CAT5 for the run allowing 600ft+ (some even wireless, though at lower resolution & distances)

However, I'm not working off a single graphic source, I need 8 separate sources and 8 separate destinations.

Thanks for the idea though.

 

[BadBigBen]

OK...

Hmmm, if the Resolution is no problem or speed...

You could opt for a Two PCI-X GFX Cards with two CORES each, this would give you FOUR, and
the rest as PCI GFX Cards or as USB GFX-Cards... just a thought...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[skiflyer]

I think what you meant to say with your solution is if money is no object

I'm trying to output 8 1024x768 independent feeds of still images, however the quality of the image is very important, however the images are very simple.

 

[BadBigBen]

Probably... LOL... But that is the only way I see it as a solution to the problem at hand...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."