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Is this possible? Multiple input graphics expansion module?

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 14:54
by arindamliveguitar
It is known that a Matrox Triplehead2Go can take an input signal from a computer and extend it across 3 monitors. Now this input signal always has to be from one computer.

This is what i would like to achieve:

I have a switcher that has multiple inputs (hdmi,vga,dvi,bnc,rca etc) and one output. So is there any device that can take the input from the output of the switcher and extend it across 3 screens?

The triplehead2go cannot do this. I want to know if there is any such device that can do this.

Thanks.

Re: Is this possible? Multiple input graphics expansion modu

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 16:31
by drazkers
Nothing cheaper then a computer with a black magic card really.

Your question really is, is there something under the cost of a laptop or desktop that's scales to an acceptable resolution for 3 monitors.

A triplehead doesn't extend a signal. It just takes a native resolution and chops it up to different outputs.

You could use a 1x3 splitter and 3 scalers. But that would run into the thousands for a reliable brand.

What brand of mixer are you using and what's your source resolution and what's the desired resolution for each output?

Re: Is this possible? Multiple input graphics expansion modu

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 16:56
by arindamliveguitar
My main usage is with LED screens. Sometimes when the LED wall size requirement is huge, due to hardware constraints it is not possible to configure the entire wall as one screen. So using the triplehead2go helps. However when using the triplehead2go, there can be only one computer hooked up to the LED wall.

Normally in case of LED walls, there is a switcher that has multiple sources and at any one point we can show any one source's content on the LED wall. So i was wondering if there is any such device similar to a triplehead2go that can accept an output from the switcher as an input to itself and do the same function it does instead of accepting its input from a computer..

As you mentioned, a triplehead2go accepts a native resolution and chops it into 3 equal portions, but it cannot accept any signal as input. The signal has to be sent from a computer to achieve the 3 portion output. Hence my question.

Re: Is this possible? Multiple input graphics expansion modu

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 18:16
by drazkers
What resolution does your processor max out at? What resolution are you outputting to fill them from your source?

It sounds like you need a Spyder, maybe a X20, if your walls are that big.

Re: Is this possible? Multiple input graphics expansion modu

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 19:52
by arindamliveguitar
Each processor of mine can send out 1280x1024. I am using a LED wall of 2240 x 384.

So i'm using a triplehead2go currently in a dualhead2go configuration. But with that i am stuck with only one computer being able to show the content on the LED wall. It would be nice to get something where i can have multiple input sources but still use something like the triplehead2go.

Re: Is this possible? Multiple input graphics expansion modu

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 20:32
by Joris
Can you not tell your processor to map the wall as 1120x768? Ie two strips of 1120x384 on top of each other, instead of next to each other?

Re: Is this possible? Multiple input graphics expansion modu

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 23:54
by Thelooca
Perhaps you should get a computer that has a hdmi-output (min hmdi 1.3) so you can send out the native resolution of the led. Use blackmagic capturecards for every input you want and just mix and map on that computer.

Re: Is this possible? Multiple input graphics expansion modu

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 01:38
by drazkers
Joris has the best idea. If you can't do that on the processor rent two image pros, plug from your mixer into one image pro, then from the loop back send to the second image pro(Or use a 1x2 splitter). Use Arena to map your full composition of 2240x384 into two stacked strips of 1280x384. Then just pan each image pro's image so they fit the wall.

Each processor should come with an image pro so it shouldn't be hard for your video engineers to sort this.

Re: Is this possible? Multiple input graphics expansion modu

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 10:08
by Joris
The more I think about it, changing the processor map doesn't really solve OPs issue. That would still mean he can't stick the switcher in there and have it display side by side correctly without going through a computer that stacks the image first.

But then again, there aren't many input signals aside from a computer that wouldn't look horribly stretched going to those kinds of resolutions. I mean, putting a BNC or RCA signal on 2240x384 can't really look good, right?

So I think Drazkers' first idea of the switcher going into a capture card going into Resolume going into the processor is probably still the most versatile option. Then you can tile or mirror your lowres inputs before sending them out as well.

Changing the processor map to two stacks of 1120x368 would help you get rid of the Trips2Go in the chain though.

Re: Is this possible? Multiple input graphics expansion modu

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 04:24
by arindamliveguitar
Thanks a lot guys. As of now, the best solution seems to be getting a blackmagic. Thanks everyone for helping out :)