memento10 Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 (edited) I was really frustrated because I wanted to build a home cockpit but if I couldn't get the Abris and Shkval exported to a 4th screen without having to go into Windowed mode (which destroys your frame rate), it wasn't worth it for me. So here's how I got it working for me and I'm very happy with it. Disclaimer - I wouldn't try this if you're using old school crt monitors... I take no responsibility whatsoever if any of this damages your gear. You have to be using the following: -Windows XP (the other OS's don't allow "span" mode when setting up your monitors. - Matrox Th2go Here's what I did: 1) Plug both the Th2go and your 4th monitor into same video card, span mode won't be available if you try and use 2 video cards 2) Open Nvidia Control Panel > Set up multiple displays > Vertical Span Mode 3) I then had to restart windows to get the proper resolutions to become available. 4) Open Nvidia Control Panel > choose resolution - I choose 5040*2100. (So the top display is the Th2go and the 4th screen is "virtually" below. Part of being in span mode in Windows is that the 4th monitor is in the same resolution as the th2go... which is a problem as the 4th monitor is forced to 5040x1050. This makes a very squished image but I couldn't find a way around that. The native resolution of my 4th monitor is only 1600x1200 but it does force it to 5040x1050... don't ask me how that's possible.) 5) Edit Options.lua (using notepad ++) changing as follows: fullscreen = true aspect = 2.4 - which is 5040/2100 height = 2100 resolution = 5040x1050 width = 5040 6) Edit Monitorsetup.lua as follows: Viewports = { Center = { x = 0; y = 0; width = 5040; height = 1050; viewDx = 0; viewDy = 0; aspect = 4.8; } } Shkval = { x = 0; y = 1050; width = 1500; - notice the superwide Shkval and Abris to compensate for the squished 4th monitor height = 400; } ABRIS = { x = 2100; y = 1050; width = 2000; height = 800; } This works great for me. When I start Instant Action I have a pretty steady 47 fps, when I activate the Shkval I get around 32 fps but still very playable and smooth. The Shkval and Abris look crystal clear... just play with the height/width to get it how you like it. This is much better than Windowed mode where I think I was getting around 10 fps using a 4th monitor. So if you did want to build a home cockpit using a 4th monitor behind the "dashboard" to display the Shkval and Abris... there is hope! Please note that this makes it awful trying to navigate around your desktop in Windows and I'm sure there will be issues, if it works at all, in Multiplayer. My computer: E8600 oc'd to 3.8 Ghz (on water) 280 gtx 4 Gb ram Windows XP TrackIR Edited November 2, 2009 by memento10
C6_Hellfrog Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 I think you didn't try it under Win 7, with 7 you can span your monitors with different resolutions and place one under the others. like in Oakes pit. / FPS are low although you have a very good rig with latests graphics cards and good OVC... EDIT : OK , I passed the NON Windowed mode, sorry... in that case you are right
memento10 Posted November 2, 2009 Author Posted November 2, 2009 I think you didn't try it under Win 7, with 7 you can span your monitors with different resolutions and place one under the others. like in Oakes pit. / FPS are low although you have a very good rig with latests graphics cards and good OVC... EDIT : OK , I passed the NON Windowed mode, sorry... in that case you are right Ya, it's the Windowed mode that killed my FPS. I've talked to others who use Win 7 in Windowed mode but at lower resolutions to get their frames acceptable. I would be interested in a comparison of frame rates if anybody is using: Win 7 5040*1050 max detail - except water > normal Instant Action 4th monitor displaying Shkval and Abris (with Shkval active) Just curious if Win 7 is a better option using 4 monitors at a high resolution?
Swetrekki Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 still dreaming of the day that the ED gods smile upon us and bless us with an option to use a second video card just for the abris and shval.... (i have already sacrificed a joystick on the altar)
Vekkinho Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 Do you have any photos of 4 monitors running LOFC/DCS?!! I'd appreciate that! [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
memento10 Posted November 2, 2009 Author Posted November 2, 2009 still dreaming of the day that the ED gods smile upon us and bless us with an option to use a second video card just for the abris and shval.... (i have already sacrificed a joystick on the altar) Amen... but I don't think it's in the cards. I read something about the engine only allowing the primary display (which would be on 1 card) to be able to be used in Full Screen mode. Windowed Mode kills my computer at high resolutions with the Shkval and Abris exported. Would be great if ED took up the challenge we all want so bad!?!?!?!
memento10 Posted November 2, 2009 Author Posted November 2, 2009 (edited) Do you have any photos of 4 monitors running LOFC/DCS?!! I'd appreciate that! 3 monitors on Th2go with 4th as Shkval and Abris in Full Screen Mode http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx60/cmemento10/IMG_0794.jpg Edited November 10, 2009 by memento10
Vekkinho Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 Whoa...COOL! Those button boards are handmade, yes?! [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
memento10 Posted November 3, 2009 Author Posted November 3, 2009 Whoa...COOL! Those button boards are handmade, yes?! No, they're made by CH Products called Multi Function Panels. Pretty easy to setup. These Sims have way too many keystrokes to memorize and it's easy to make macros, so you can easily set it up to tell Wingman 2 to attack bandits and Wingman 3 to attack Air Defenses with the push of one button if you wanted. Here's their link: http://www.chproducts.com/retail/mfp.html
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