Displaying 2 Images from 2 Computers on 1 Display

[Xzin]

99.999999% of you will not care about this at all. But hey - maybe somebody finds this useful.

One can purchase a set of 15", 17" or 19" displays and multibox no problem. But some people require more resolution. The problem I faced was that my 30" displays were unable to accept more than one input at the same time. So playing all 10 Zins at the same time becomes impractical due to the images being too far spread apart - making it difficult to monitor them all effectively. So, I started researching methods of displaying two computer images on the same 30" screen. Aside from running two copies of WoW on the same computer (which is workable with a significant amount of software coding), I was able to track down two suppliers that offer screens with this functionality.

The good news.
It's possible.

The bad news.
It is insanely expensive.

I first thought that the Dell "picture by picture" feature would allow this in their 24" (and 27") displays. But I came to find out that it only allows DVI or VGA as one side and component/s-video on the other. Stupid.

So, after much further research, I came across two products that offer a true "picture by picture" solution in their 30" displays. That means that you can use it either as a single 2560 x 1600 display OR send it two 1280 x 1600 images and it will display them side by side without any seam at all.

The two companies that offer this are Barco and Eizo. The latter is scheduled for release in the USA around August, despite what their press release says. Barco is shipping theirs now.

Barco:
http://www.barco.com/corporate/en/products/product_features.asp?element=2881
PDF: http://www.barco.com/barcoview/downloads/NioFusion4MP.pdf

The Barcos MSRP starts around $6700. With an ultra high end ATI video card (think nVidias Quadro series). Somewhat less if you buy several or don't buy the card (not that you need the card). Contrast this to the Dell 3007WFP-HC, which lists at about $1500 right now but can be had for much less with discounts, bulk buys, etc. (I bought 6 for $1100 each).

Eizo Press Release: Radiforce 410
http://www.radiforce.com/en/press/pdf/pr_en_RadiForceRS410.pdf

If Dell is selling their 3007WFP-HC for $1500, and that is the cheapest 30" 2560x1600 out there (even though I picked mine up for $1100 each - hehe), I don't imagine these are going to be going for anything less than 4k each as they are specifically designed for medical use - but we will see.

[Los]

Insanely cool stuff, but that price is sick idd. Love to see all the hardware imo, let it come and keep on coming ;)

[Jezebel]

there is a service called PiP (Picture in Picture) which is often used for video surveilance.. a few LCD monitors (usually the more expensive ones) have PiP inbuilt. it lets you use the standard connections (VGA, DVI, etc) on your LCD to feed a second image, with its own resolution, in a pre-set PiP viewing area on the monitor. basically like a small monitor inside the main screen. the image isnt resizable or movable, though.

you can also get dual and quad screen "splitters" that divide an existing LCD in 1/2 or 1/4 with their own inputs and separate resolutions. again, though, the devices are ridiculously expensive.

EG - http://www.42u.com/nti-splitmux-dvi-4.htm - $4,000US.

im still not sure WHY exactly these devices cost as much as they do. i did a lot of research before buying my new multiboxing rigs, hoping i could manage a split screen setup for exactly the reason you mention, xzin.. viewing multiple LCD's at once is very inefficient. every solution i came across cost more than all 4 PC's (with monitors) combined =/ it doesnt make sense to me that a unit meant to cut down on monitors costs significantly more than the multiple monitors its meant to replace.

i suppose you could try an LCD with native PiP technology (there are ones that let you split the screen equally in half vertically or horizontally.. many only allow for a small 'box' in a corner for the secondary input.. not comfortable viewing imo), 2 of them would cost roughly the same as 4 cheaper models and youd cut down on desk space used and view radius. 2 split screens and a full screen for your main account. 3 monitors is much more comfortable viewing than 5.