DVI splitter doesn't work how I expected....

[peanutismint]

Hi there; I use my Macbook Pro with both an external monitor on my desk and also with a projector in my room. When I want to watch something on my projector, I have to unplug the DVI cable going to the monitor and plug the display output into my projector, which is causing wear on the pins etc.

I bought a DVI y-split cable (you know, one DVI port on one end going to two DVI ports on the other), but it doesn't really work; sometimes the monitor will detect the display, sometimes it won't - I assume they're not really meant to be used this way. Nevertheless, I'd still like to achieve this somehow, so I decided to look for a DVI 'switcher', or something into which I could plug my one input and two outputs. The only switches I found, however, seem to contain two inputs and one output, your standard KVM switcher for switching between two systems with the one display....

Any idea if what I want is achievable? Is it a power issue, i.e. the MBP's display output isn't powerful enough to drive both screens at once? To re-iterate, it does work some of the time, but I find I have to unplug the projector before the Mac notices the external display, and then when I plug the projector back in again they both work..... weird!!

 

[Nikumba]

The mini-display port to DVI lead is only a single link connector, so I would guess you are pushing past the resolution limit of the DVI spec.

It might work with the Dual-Link DVI adaptor from Apple [http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MB571Z/A] the other option would be a Matrox Dual Head box, but more expensive

Hope that helps

Kimbie

 

[peanutismint]

Ah right, that's a shame. So as I only really need one of the two 'displays' to function at once, rather than extending my display over three desktops, would I be better off getting a DVI switch? Do such things exist??