Can You use Vga And Hd at the same time?

[HecFam]

Hey guys, i just have a quick question.

if, for example, a graphics card like the Ati 5450 that has both HDMI port and VGA port, could you use both at the same time?

like the HDMI cable sending an image at the same time as the VGA cable?

just wondering... Thanks.

 

[ALXAndy]

I would imagine so.

 

[Cleeecooo]

I would imagine so.

 

[MeMeMeMe]

Yes, you can. I've done it.
However, when doing this, you can sometimes get flickering on the monitor connected by VGA (on ATI cards at least). Very slow flickeringing, like one flash every few minutes.
It doesn't do any harm but can be irritating, so I prefer to stick to all-digital connections.

 

[pc_monkey]

Yes I do that when the mrs wants to watcg iplayer on the telly while Im on the intenet.

 

[strumpusplunket]

Yeah, it's no problem to do this, but some things to bear in mind:

Running both monitors will very likely raise your idle clocks. It keeps my GTX480 idling in 3D mode even when both displays are just displaying the desktop. A quick shortcut to change displays is Windows Key + P. This will let you quickly cycle through display options. I make sure to set it back to computer only when not using the second display, as otherwise my card won't clock down to 2D idle speeds even if the second display is physically turned off.

Also, you may have some intermittent issues with sound output. Every time I've set mine up this way, it seems to want to default to using the HD output for sound. This means my desktop speakers and headphone (connected to my soundcard) no longer output any sound. Changing it back is simple enough, but my PCs have always been a bit eccentric about this.

For example - you can actually set a programme to use the HD sound output too. I did for a short while manage to have my HD output to our bedroom TV outputting sound via Media Portal through the HD lead to the TV speakers, whilst my default sound device remained my Creative SB. However, one day it decided to switch default sound device back to the HD output again, and when I switched it back myself, I couldn't get HD sound output working at all without it being the default device.

Short answer, though: yes, it will work

 

[Tealc]

Yes it will work. You can either duplicate your desktop (it works better if your monitors/tv have the same resolution) or extend so your desktop spreads over both. As noted above watch for extra power draw, although it may not be as critical with a low end card like you are using. For me it costs an extra 40w running two monitors so I also disable the output on one when I am solely using the other.

 

[MOOGLEYS]

I do this with a 6450 but I have to use a VGA adapter on the dvi port. If I try and use HDMI and VGA port it does not work.

 

[Jakus]

Yes, but depending what you want to watch and the operating system etc a video may only display on one of the screens.