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My question seems to be pretty simply presented but I'm in need of some help. I've got a Win 2008 R2 server and 5 monitors stationed throughout an office. These are just NEC Monitors with VGA/DVI (they may have hdmi but I'm not sure) inputs; definitely nothing fancy so DLNA is not an option (although I wish it was!)

I do NOT have a ton of AV knowledge and am trying to learn quickly.

I have attempted to use Ethernet to DVI Baluns to achieve the desired result. I can get 2 remote monitors to use a 'combined desktop' and display video in fullscreen with a surprisingly good result. I don't think windows will 'combine desktop' on more than 2 monitors however, and I need to have all 5 monitors displaying the same video.

The video playing will range from simple powerpoint presentations to active video of triathlons.

I have tried UltraMon with little success - the mirroring of displays just doesn't work fluidly enough to provide a good picture on high action videos. Client/Server solutions such as MaxiVista are out as well because the monitors I want to stream the video to are just dumb monitors - no PC attached.

Any ideas, suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Hanny
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4 Answers4

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We don't do product recommendations. But what you are looking for is called a Video splitter which would replicate a single input signal to a number of output signals. An example would be the Aten VS-1208T for VGA input/output or the VS-0108H for HDMI signals. A whole number of manufacturers produce this kind of devices, but you probably are facing some trial-and-error to get satisfactory results as the signal quality and the feature sets will vary massively.

the-wabbit
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You have two options. Either get a cheap itx or embedded pc for each monitor so that you can stream content across a network or get a multiway DVI/HDMI AV splitter. HDMI and DVI are pin compatible so to use an HDMI one with your monitors you just need need a small socket adapter.

JamesRyan
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I would suggest one the following :

  1. AMD graphich card(5450 which is pretty cheap http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/TECHNOLOGIES/AMD-EYEFINITY-TECHNOLOGY/HOW-TO/Pages/faqs.aspx ) so you will have a fluid experience even at videos (depending on player and codecs , for power point it will make no difference )
  2. Combine one AMD card with 1 kvm switches (4 kvm switch for 4 monitors ) - 2 real connections (one on hdmi to DVI , and one DVI-DVI).Examples of KVM switches: http://aten-usa.com/?product&cat=787&Item=CS1644 .
Alex H
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I guess you have 2 ways:

  • Output stream through server video card. Then you should go with ATI eyefinity card that can handle up to 6 monitors. I don't understand why you combine monitors, you just need to launch 5 powerpoint (one per screen). Will much depend on distance between server & screen
  • Use devices that have one ethernet and one monitor output. Then use software or video streaming through etherent to feed them.
Mathieu Chateau
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