DVI Splitter

Westyfield2 · 9 Dec 2008 at 16:05

I've got a problem with splitting a DVI output, so would appreciate some suggestions!

Coming out of the graphics card (4870x2) is a DVI port (DVI-I) which I want to send to two devices. One device (Dell 1708FP Monitor) takes a DVI input, and the other (Fancy Kramer matrix-switching box) takes a VGA (15pin D-Sub) input.

For testing, I'm using the VGA input on a Dell 1707FPV instead of the Kramer matrix box.

My plan was to simply 'split' the DVI-I signal into separate analogue (VGA) and digital (DVI-D).
To do this I bought this cable.

But....... It doesn't work proplery

The VGA output (Dell 1707FPV) works fine, but the DVI (Dell 1708FP) gets nothing. It knows the difference between its cable being plugged into the splitter and not being plugged in, but it gets no image and just goes to standby. :eek:

As an experiment, I kept the VGA output of the splitter (Dell 1707FPV) plugged into it, and used a DVI-I to VGA adapter (that have come free with graphics cards for as long as I can remember!) to plug a VGA cable into the splitters DVI port. Both devices (on VGA) got the image coming though, but they were both dull (I guess they were getting only a weak signal each).

Soo...... any ideas please?

TY
Ed.

DigitalReaper · 9 Dec 2008 at 16:46

Connect both devices over VGA and use a powered splitter/amplifier to boost the signal?

Westyfield2 · 9 Dec 2008 at 16:57

DigitalReaper said:
Connect both devices over VGA and use a powered splitter/amplifier to boost the signal?

As in use an adapter to convert the graphics cards DVI-I to VGA and feed that into one of those powered VGA splitters/distribution amplifier things?...

Yea that would work, I'd just prefer to use DVI on the Dell 1708FP if possible.

Actually, is there such a thing as a powered DVI splitter/distribution amplifier that would output as two DVI-I ports? As that then could be adapted to be VGA...
Obviously if it's a lot more expensive it'd be pointless to use a DVI one instead of VGA, it's just my irrational hatred of VGA

DigitalReaper · 9 Dec 2008 at 17:01

Yeah thats what I mean. I don't know if DVI splitters exist or not, and even if they do they may only work for the digital portion of the signal.

Why can't you just plug both your switchbox and monitor into the card directly and have the driver clone the image?

Westyfield2 · 9 Dec 2008 at 17:16

Thanks, also any ideas (anyone) why the simple cable in the OP doesn't work?

DigitalReaper said:
Yeah thats what I mean. I don't know if DVI splitters exist or not, and even if they do they may only work for the digital portion of the signal.

Why can't you just plug both your switchbox and monitor into the card directly and have the driver clone the image?

The computers actually got 2 4870x2's :cool:

and that would use the 4th (and last) DVI port...... and I was saving that for possibly adding a Matrox DualHead2Go later on.....

DigitalReaper · 9 Dec 2008 at 17:36

The cable probably doesn't work because the card refuses to output (or is incapable of) digital and analog on the same connector at the same time. Matrox do TrippleHead2Go's too.

Westyfield2 · 9 Dec 2008 at 17:53

DigitalReaper said:
The cable probably doesn't work because the card refuses to output (or is incapable of) digital and analog on the same connector at the same time. Matrox do TrippleHead2Go's too.

Ah right.

Yea I know about the TrippleHead2Go, but this is a weird setup.....

So we reckon the best bet is to get one of those VGA splitters/distribution amplifiers........ are there any makes to favor or avoid? (I had a quick search and a highstreet electronic components store does a Rextron one for £39.99 and a online OcUK competitor does a Startech one for £24.13)

DigitalReaper · 9 Dec 2008 at 18:13

I know nothing about them other than what they do, sorry

jaydam · 15 Dec 2009 at 19:46

Woop great ive found a post with someone doing what i am trying to do even though its a year old

i wont go into the long story of how far i have got but if you would like a read you can here

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=310830

in a brief summary to get my three monitors going
(which i havent actually achieved) i have......

bought the wrong plug from ebay to split the dvi signal.(not clever)

bought the correct lead from ebay (which didnt work)

bought a 2nd graphics card (which didnt work under win7)

bought another f-f dvi converter to see if i can use the crossfire out connection on my card to a monitor as win 7 says i have an available output on the card (which didnt work)

this has taken me 2 weeks so far, Anyway i have decided to read why the splitter didnt work,

i get the same result as you with the monitor seeing something but not the image,

so after reading a bit more it seems you 2 types of dvi port. single and duel

Apparently you cannot split a single dvi out to two monitors unless its an active(powered) dvi splitter.

The duel head y splitters are passive and do not have the power you need to boost the signal.

looking around it seems most of these are around the 70 - 80 pound mark.

im not sure whether to invest in a newer cards that has 2 dvi 1 vga and an hdmi out and also boost my pc performance or just upgrade to an active splitter.

i have scratched my head so hard i have splinters with this but im like a dog with a toy and will get it sorted somehow ( i hope )

so the question is did you get this sorted and if so how?

Jay