Thanks for your response. Here is a little more about my current/future set up as well as new questions I have.
I have been doing a little research on the 5850 vs the 5870 and from what I have found, it looks like both can handle the same amount of displays and the 5850 is a little cheaper. The 5870 is more powerful for graphics, but for $100 cheaper I can sacrifice that, coming from an Nvidia 8800GTS 640 I should still see a big improvement.
As fas as running displays go I want to have two configurations:
1) 2 x 22 through two DVI ports
2.) 1 46in HDTV
I got the impression you thought I wanted them all to clone the same display.
The keyboard you suggested looks interesting but I would prefer to have a more traditional Keyboard/Mouse set up and the DinovoMini has them built together.
I found this which has a good price (kinda leary going with a brand I've never heard of before) and the reviews make it sound like it should work through walls, which I need it to:
http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Keyboard-Mouse-Combo-Uni...
Here is another one I found on new egg, and I trust logitech so I may just fork over the extra cash and get this, I just want to be sure it will work through walls and I can't find anything online where someone has used it in that setup so I am a bit nervous about it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
It's based on the same technology so shouldn't it work the same?
Here is my current sound card - I didn't really want to upgrade this if I didn't have to:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
So with my two configurations I would have the PC speakers I use in my room or to my receiver downstairs (which can do two zones). Would I be able to do that? It sounds liek you were saying I could by tweaking a setting in the control panel, but I jsut want to be sure I could still do that with my existing soundcard. I want to be able to switch between the two configurations via a tweak, not having to plug unplug any wires.
As far as 24 ft for the HDMI cable, that in actuality is probably long enough, i currently run a cat 5 cable the same distance, i just can't remember how long it is. I will have to measure that out.
leon2006 said:
I don't have all the answers to your questions but below are some options or applicable information you can consider...
-For multi room HDTV you should consider 5870 or 5770 that is capable of infinity by design or run the 3 monitors/HDTV as one (same display). The board is designed to take care of multi-monitor application.
- The longest cable of HDMI 1.3 that i currently use is 25 feet. The best option to carry HD video and Audio is HDMI & Display port. Below is reference information...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdmi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_port
There is a certain lenght that you may need an active repeater on the cable that it gets more expensive... Do some reading and research. Frys.com and newegg have several on their sites.
- I have 2 setups of multi-monitor configuration (24 inch LCD and 70 inch HDTV) configured @ 1080P.
---> Links on both is through HDMI
---> Audio comes out on the DVI port assigned/configured as primary display. There is only one AUDIO chip on the video card so it only goes to the primary display. It can be assigned on windows display settings
---> I have the option that both displays operate as one(not an extended desktop). You see the same information on both display.
Remote Control
For wireless control/remote i use Logitech DinovoMini...Its range is 20 feet its a keyboard and a mice in your palm.
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard/device...
Add in Sound Card:
=============
The best sound card to date with through 24bit TRUE HD is Asus Xonar
http://usa.asus.com/ProductGroup2.aspx?PG_ID=deBXUzMkKn...
ON THE SOUND CARD:
Please take note the the sound on the PC goes to only one sound card. It is selected on the SOUND option of the control panel. You have select between HDMI (from your video card) or your Sound Card(if you decide to have one).
On the HDMI audio option , the sound is feed through the port (DVI/HDMI/DISPLAY PORT) assigned/configured as primary display. You can change that throuh windows display settings.
ON DVI TO HDMI Converter:
Make sure you use one that is provided by the maker of your video card. In my case my 4890 i use ATI DVI/HDMI converter. I called DiamondMM to send me an additional one and it did.
My second setup is BFG XOC 280OC. I use BFG provided DVI/ Converter. Same thing its included on the package. I called BFG for another one and it did.
Basic things that video card manufacturer provides and saves you a lot of trouble
- HDMI cable
- SPDIF cable ( for Nvidia card that has no audio chip inside like the BFG 280 OC)
- CF/SLI link or cable
- DVI/HDMI converter
Its a phone call away and 3 days it will be on your mail box. Whatever video card you purchase take the time to register. It pays off in the long run.
MULTI ZONE RECEIVER:
Again just another option... If you want to bring the sound to different rooms you can consider MULTI-ZONE receiver. Its an excellent solution for 1 source multiple distribution application.
I'm sure you will get more inputs from this site