Dual monitors over HDMI/DVI - Have I thought this through correctly?

[cmyden]

I'm in the planning stages of rewiring my house, and before I place an order on MonoPrice for the various wires and switches, I want to make sure I've thought this part through correctly and would appreciate any wisdom from the CP braintrust.

Below is a sketch of how I *think* everything should be hooked up, but I've never attempted a purely digital multi-monitor set up like this before.

Below the sketch I've listed the 3 scenarios in which I would use the dual monitor setup.




Is this the best way to go about setting this up? Or is there a better way to do this without involving a powered HDMI splitter?

Any pitfalls to be aware of when it comes to digital multi-monitor setups?

The hardware involved would be:

Video cards: Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 GHZ 1 GB DDR5 HDMI/DVI-I/DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 11201-17-20G (1 HDMI output, 1 DVI output, 1 DisplayPort output)

HDMI switch: 4x2 True Matrix HDMI® Switch w/ Remote (Rev. 3.0)
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=5312

Monitors: Asus VS247H-P 23.6-Inch Full-HD LED-Lit LCD Monitor (standard LCD monitors each with 1 VGA input, 1 DVI input, and 1 HDMI input)

Thanks for any advice or guidance, definitely appreciated.

[MaDMaN_26]

I would give http://www.primecables.com/ - I found shipping to be so huge at monoprice lately that its no longer worth it. Most of the cables I've gotten from Prime are monoprice cables - name was still on bags, but shipping was free.

[Vulcan]

Should work. Another alternative is to maybe use DPort adapters so you don't need to use the splitter. I haven't tried those myself so I can't vouch for them. You'd still feed the AV receiver with the HDMI cables for audio.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by MaDMaN_26

I would give http://www.primecables.com/ - I found shipping to be so huge at monoprice lately that its no longer worth it. Most of the cables I've gotten from Prime are monoprice cables - name was still on bags, but shipping was free.

I ran into the same problem but the last time I ordered they sent via Canada Post and shipping was reasonable.

[Vulcan]

also most computers have a digital audio out such as a toslink or coaxial connection for audio, so you could use that and send the two HDMI connections straight to the monitors.

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

also most computers have a digital audio out such as a toslink or coaxial connection for audio, so you could use that and send the two HDMI connections straight to the monitors.

Thanks Vulcan! The wiring diagram above is a bit of a simplified version just for this particular question regarding dual monitors using all digital connections. In the actual wiring diagram, I have all HDMI connections routed through the receiver so I can mix and match different sources of audio & video in multiple rooms. But I might end up having to use toslink or coaxial for one of the audio sources, depending on the receiver I go with.

I like your idea of a DisplayPort -> HDMI adapter to avoid the HDMI splitter. I think I'll try this first, it's cheaper and simpler, thanks for the suggestion!

In theory, this should work...

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_i...seq=1&format=2

It's a passive adapter, and the MonoPrice notes say:

Note: This is a passive adapter. While DisplayPort connectors are capable of passing an HDMI® signal, DisplayPort and HDMI® signals are basically different and not compatible with each other. This adapter does not actively convert a DisplayPort signal into an HDMI® signal. In order for this adapter to function properly, you must have a DisplayPort source device capable of producing and passing out an HDMI® signal through the DisplayPort jack.

I'm assuming most video cards are capable of outputting an HDMI signal through the DisplayPort jack?

[Vulcan]

I'm assuming most video cards are capable of outputting an HDMI signal through the DisplayPort jack?

Not sure but for this adapter it says.

DP2HDMI2 is a passive adapter cable that requires a DP++ port (DisplayPort++), meaning that DVI and HDMI signals can also be passed through the port.

so you'd have to check your video card otherwise you may need an active adapter.

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=59888&...StarTech%2Ecom