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3 HDTV Portrait Display Screens Sharing Media?

Started by laohumedia • Apr 23, 2008 • 6 posts
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#1
I am hoping anyone here might have some ideas. I have browsed occasionally and also search here in my free time but never had I any problems. I'm currently under a project that has me a bit confused as to what might be the BEST option. I am going to be setting up (3) 40" (or higher) HDTV Flat Panel LCD screens. They will be wall mounted in a portrait style and I want to be able to run 3 videos on them somewhat in sync. This could range from presentations or slide-shows, to movie files, static images, and so on. Flash would be great to be able to run on them as well. I am really wondering how to pull this off with say having one particular smooth and flowing animation spread across the three screens in perfect sync. This really wouldn't be a problem with just TWO screens but /three/ is something I have never worked with before. I am not allowed to use a wireless media hub of sorts and I am running into complications then with other ideas that came to mind before spending the money out. Having audio would definitely be a huge plus but isn't necessary. I've been wondering about any newer model TVs being able to run video/audio with the USB ports and say a flash file but so far across the usual names I've not seen any TV being able to run that specific media. Money isn't a huge issue but nothing more than 5-7 grand ideally after all is said and done. I am a designer but not a great person for following the trend of newer technology like I used to be with a lot more free time. :(

I've searched high and low for software, hardware, TV capability but maybe I am missing something that can accomplish this. I've thought of running a machine with two video cards to do up to 4X video output and so on but that might be too crazy. I am looking mainly to accomplish this without any ugly wires or bulky systems showing to people. If anyone has any ideas or some kind of hub I could connect these screens that could run this type of look I am hoping to accomplish to I would greatly appreciate it!!

Autumn
#3
Pretty close, I appreciate the help and idea still.

What I am looking at is this. I need either some kind of platform that can handle output of 3 seperate video/presentation/slideshows or whatnot have you. Whether it's a hub, a type of switch, or if I will need to connect a computer to it. I am starting to believe the only option I might have is running these screens with a computer that has 2 video cards with 2 dvi output per. This will accomplish 3 screens. I can then ALSO run something like... a format that could somehow run a movie or a transition across all 3 screens at the same time perhaps. Or I will have to build media that is synchronized. It is quite the dilemma with this 3 screen necessity being asked of me. I would really like to avoid having to use a PC connected to it - avoiding the uglyness of wires (We are not allowed to use wireless due to content being confidential) as well. I could deal with converting everything into movie files, 3 in all, and having them run together as well but the concern comes back to synchronization. Difficulties, difficulties...
#4
More information is needed to determine the best solution. It depends on how the displays will be layed out. What total resolution is expected? Where is the source of the display material (applications, DVD movies, etc.)

The two easiest solutions are:

1) Get a PC with two video cards. Nvidia cards can be connected together so they work in sync. It may require gsync daughter cards. Nvidia makes an external box (QuadroPlex) which allows multiple graphic cards to be installed.

2) Get a video wall controller that distributes video across multiple displays. You see them in bars, nightclubs, etc. In fact, you can see it in many BestBuy stores. It is how the big multiscreen display is run. The one I have heard good things about is Spyder. Make sure you get a device that takes two inputs and spreads them across 3 displays.

Good Luck,
David
#5
The displays themselves will be portrait style and side by side. I'd like to utilize the complete resolution of the screens, supporting 1920Hx1200W times three for the total width is 1920x3600. Another option would be to downscale using 1200Hx768W per screen instead. The source will most likely vary. I would like to stick to one medium, such as working in Premiere and running everything into a HD 1080p solid video. Any of the media I combine will of course be made to suit the HD form. There may be times though that I might be forced to run even something as simple as a Flash movie.

I am looking here at the moment http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/p ... l/home.php
I would need perhaps one very efficient video card only. I've found out that I can in fact acquire a PC and run cabling underneath the flooring and up through the walls to hide any ugly wiring as well. I would still very much appreciate any takes on that Matrox solution however.

It would be very clean to run it in that style. I am really wondering now at this point if the dual graphics setup as you mentioned would be best or to run a high quality machine with just one card outputting to this type of device. This is all while considering the TVs will be displaying HD animation and perhaps video at such a huge resolution. I would hate for it to choke.

I truly appreciate every bit of advice and help!
#6
A few minor comments.

1) The total resolution is 3600x1920 (not 1920x3600).

2) The Matrox will only handle 3840x1024. Thus it will not handle the resolution you want. There are other devices such as a Spyder (www.vistasystems.com) and HD64 (www.media9x.com) which look they will, but they are probably more expensive. The better systems will scale up smaller resolutions better.

3) The aspect ratio of 3600x1920 is not an HD aspect ratio. Also, if you create HD video it will then have to be scaled up and thus cause some blurring. You may want to be able to create some high resolution video (or flash movies).

4) There are software products which will syncronize multiple videos displaying simultaneously. However, this requires a lot of prep work for the source material.

Think about what your requirements are. Why do they need three displays? Is it for the resolution? Or is it for style? Do you have to use maximum resolution (1920x1200). What is the source of your data?

Good Luck!

David