VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

mcm

It's become clear after years of thinking, "I oughta do this" that I gotta do this, since I have a monstrous script in Excel with 2000 rows and a whole bunch of columns. Printing it is out of the question. So I need a second monitor, to put in my booth. And it looks like it's really time to get Word2Wav as well.

I found a used Dell monitor on Craigslist for $25. What I have:

Dell Precision 360
Windows XP
NVidia p118 video card

I already had a splitter cable on my card, but it's the white, 24 pin kind. The used monitor (I'll call it the little monitor 'cause it's a 15" cutie) has a blue, 15-pin cable. My original monitor will take either. I have a blue splitter as well so I swapped that with the white one and hooked both monitors up with blue connectors. On startup, both monitors come on, then the little one goes into sleep mode and it says to “hit any key or move the mouse” but that doesn’t do anything. The computer apparently isn’t automatically recognizing that there are two monitors. I don't know for sure that this card supports two monitors, or maybe I need a different driver that supports twin view or something.

Any thoughts on this? And do I need anything special to use a wireless mouse and keyboard in the booth?

Thanks so much for any help you can offer.

bobsouer · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 2:24 pm Post subject:

Mary,

I don't know if this will help, but try shutting off your "main" monitor (the one you use to edit on) and re-start the computer with just your second monitor on. Then when you're finished recording, shut off the second monitor and re-start the computer again with the main monitor turned on.

As far as a wireless keyboard and mouse, as long as your wireless signal is strong enough to reach the receiver on the computer, it should work. I think the only way to know for sure it to try it.

I hope this is at least a little helpful.
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mcm · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:23 pm Post subject:

Bob, thanks for those thoughts.

I actually got it to recognize both monitors. So far I can make them act together like one big monitor, but what I really want is for them to show the same things. So that what I see in the booth will be the same as what I see in outside it. Is that possible?

georgethetech · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:32 pm Post subject:

It's called cloning or mirroring.
Here's one thing to try

Thanks for saving paper!
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bobsouer · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 4:32 pm Post subject:

Mary,

According to this eHow article there is a setting in your video properties that you need to "un-check" to get the two monitors to mirror each other. (And I see George, as usual, has the answer for you first.)
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

mcm · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 7:48 pm Post subject:

I had already tried that - checking the "Extend my Windows desktop" box is the only way I can get both monitors to work. If I uncheck that box one of the monitors goes dark.

mcm · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:28 pm Post subject:

I think I might have it now - I went to the nvidia control panel and there was a setting for cloning the display. The resolution is a little wonky on my bigger monitor but I can probably deal with that.

Thanks for helping me think!

jordanreynolds · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 9:56 pm Post subject:

After reading through the end of this thread I was about to suggest checking out the nvidia control panel but you already found it! Laugh

Each monitor size/model is going to have it's maximum supported resolution. Unfortunately it sounds like yours don't match but, you'll get used to it Smile

. Enjoy the new setup!

Chuck Davis · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 4:07 am Post subject:

Mary, You're doing almost exactly what I just did in my booth. I have three monitors at the edit position. 2 for PoTooz and one for script or video. That third monitor is also cloned in the booth. Up till last week it was fine just throwing the script up, hitting record and jumping into the booth. That is until I had a 15 page narration project (directed). Now I'm looking for a mic stand mounted shelf for the wireless mouse.
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todd ellis · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 6:37 am Post subject:

glad you got it figured out mary! my 2cents? word2wav will save you HOURS of time ... get it.
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samowry · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 12:55 pm Post subject:

Chuck.

I use a music stand for my mouse and keyboard. Works fine.

georgethetech · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 10:21 pm Post subject:

Could also get something like this and screw a wood platform to it.

But a heavy music stand with lockable adjustments would probably be the easiest solution, like this one.

Eliminate the mouse altogether with a trackpad keyboard, ideal for tight spaces and easier while standing (I think anyway).
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

Chuck Davis · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:06 am Post subject:

I actually found This

Mouse on one side/bottle of water on the other. We'll see how it works
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Wicked huge.....in India.
www.chuckdaviscreative.com

Mike Sommer · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 2:33 pm Post subject:

I was hoping for something a little more like this:

With better booze of course.
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Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

mcm · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 2:38 pm Post subject:

I would not have expected to see The Lighter Side of Mike Sommer in the Gear Forum, of all places Smile

Will post pictures of my rig once it's finalized. Really enjoyed seeing all the suggestions regarding arrangements.