Experience with USB Graphics Adapters?

[mrsilv04]

Does anyone have experience with USB Graphics Adapters that they could share?

Working with a unique situation where a computer is running two monitors and two projectors... and they're wanting to add a third (stage) monitor.

This is on a system where they are running presentations. The computer is running Vista, and has one video card. The main monitor is connected to the video card via a HDMI port. The video card also has a DVI port which is run through a DVI -> VGA adapter, and then to a 4 port hub, which has a second monitor and the two projectors attached to it. The second monitor displays exactly what the projectors display, for the system operator.

According to the manufacturer of the software, the stage monitor cannot be connected to the remaining port on the VGA hub, unless it is a 20" widescreen monitor set for 1600x900.... and that won't work. We're looking at a 32" TV for the stage display.

The manufacturer of the software suggests that I use a VGA Graphic Adapter to drive the stage monitor. I've never used a USB Graphics adapter before.

What do I need to look for when buying a USB Graphics Adapter?

 

[OVERKILL]

They are usually "laggy" in my experience.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
They are usually "laggy" in my experience.


The stage monitor will mainly be used to display Powerpoint presentations... so that the presenter won't have to turn around and look at the screens behind him to determine which screen he's on... or to read from the screen.

He doesn't like turning his back to the audience... and of course, he can't be heard as well when he's turned around and reading the screens.

So, to defeat "laggy", I assume my only other answer is to install a second video card...

 

[Quattro Pete]

Another option would be to connect this stage monitor to a separate PC and then run something like TeamViewer on both machines to broadcast the video. Again, there will be some lag depending on the speed of your network connection, but it sounds like some lag would be acceptable based on your described use.

 

[gomes512]

Another option would be to look into a Matrox brand video card. I've seen a setup with a Matrox card (don't know the product series) that was driving 8 monitors in a situation much like you described.

 

[brianl703]

If the PC doesn't have a free PCI-e x16 slot but does have an x1 slot, you can get an x1 video card and use that as the second video card.

You could probably also use a regular PCI video card if that's the only slot you have available, but I have never tried running a PCI video card and a PCI-e video card in the same machine. I expect it would work fine, though.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: brianl703
If the PC doesn't have a free PCI-e x16 slot but does have an x1 slot, you can get an x1 video card and use that as the second video card.

You could probably also use a regular PCI video card if that's the only slot you have available, but I have never tried running a PCI video card and a PCI-e video card in the same machine. I expect it would work fine, though.


It works fine.

 

[PandaBear]

I'd recommend not running some sort of remote desktop software from another machine (i.e. team viewer) to do this, the lag will be even worse than the USB video adapter. If it is a desktop with PCIe or even PCI, add a 2nd video card would be the best option.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Agree. If there is an ability to add a second video card, go with that first.