Dual Monitors / PC / Wii / Speakers Setup

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by blastimpulseee, Jul 30, 2010.

  1. blastimpulseee

    blastimpulseee Member

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    Hey guys,

    I currently have a dual monitor setup for my computer, but one of them is dying out.

    I'm going to be getting a Wii, so I'm also planning on getting a composite / component compatible monitor.

    Here's my planning:


    And here's the rear of the P2370HD:


    Hoping for the P2370HD to be an extension to my desktop when the source is set to PC, and to display the Wii when it's set to the Wii (RCA).

    Now for my question(s):
    1- If I'm running full computer (desktop on primary and extended onto secondary), and I switch the secondary to run the Wii, will the desktop still function on the primary?

    If so, will the sound output whatever's on the desktop monitor AND the Wii monitor?
    If not, then why not?

    I'll add some more questions if I come up with any.

    Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance!
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2010
  2. KillerBug

    KillerBug Active member

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    1.) If this is the second screen, and you switch it over to the wii, the primary PC screen will still work fine, but the system will keep acting like the other screen is connected, so some things will pop up on the screen...unless you go to settings first and disconnect the second screen. Some screens will auto-switch to the first input they can find when an input is removed. If this is the case, you can use the display settings screen to do the switch, and then you don't have to do two steps on two devices.
    2.) It will only output one sound at a time...because that is how it is designed. You might be able to do both audios at once using a mixer box (or maybe even using PNP), but it would probably be easier to just get some PC speakers...anyway, the speakers built into TVs are always crummy.
     
  3. blastimpulseee

    blastimpulseee Member

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    Thanks for your quick reply.

    This being on the primary (desktop) or secondary (Wii)?

    About 2):
    According to my planning image, my computer outputs the sound to my secondary monitor which outputs THAT to my speakers (which are indeed PC speakers).

    Since my primary monitor which is connected to my computer with the sound, as said, being connected to my secondary monitor, wouldn't the resulting sound output both the primary and secondary?

    Sorry if my wording is confusing.
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2010
  4. KillerBug

    KillerBug Active member

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    1.) This being on the secondary...that is, when you switch the screen from PC to Wii, the PC will keep trying to use the screen if you don't tell it otherwise. Because of this, you might open up a web browser or something...and the new window will be on a screen that you are using for the Wii rather than the PC...so you won't be able to see it, or even move it to the main screen.

    2.) If the second monitor (the one with speakers attached) is being fed by the first monitor's headphone jack, then I think that the first monitor will turn off the internal speakers...if it is being fed by some other output from the first screen, then they should both have audio.
     
  5. blastimpulseee

    blastimpulseee Member

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    1) Ugh, so this will happen for sure? I'm sure it's not too troublesome to disconnect the second monitor each time as it only takes a few seconds, but are there any alternatives?

    2) No, the headphone jack on the first monitor isn't used. It also doesn't have any internal speakers- only the second one does since the audio is "created" in the computer by command of the first monitor (iTunes, WMP, etc). It's the computer's headphone jack (audio out) that's connected to the second monitor's audio in. And that monitor's audio out is connected to external speakers. The first monitor's headphone jack isn't even touched naturally.
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2010
  6. KillerBug

    KillerBug Active member

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    1.) Yes, this will happen for sure. I use two screens for my PC, and switch one to my PS3. There are shortcut apps that will let you disconnect the second screen with a double-click, if it really bothers you.

    2.) Monitors don't command anything unless they are touchscreen.

    Let me get this perfectly clear...

    The audio is created by your PC, and fed into your second screen, you then have it going from there to external speakers. You have a second audio feed going into this same screen, and coming from the wii.

    If this is accurate, then it is either listen to the wii, or listen to the PC...but not both at once. It will only do one audio feed at a time, and if you are lucky, then it will at least let you use the audio feed that matches the video on screen.

    If you want that setup, but with the ability to listen to the pc while working at the pc, and while the wii is on, then you can get a second set of speakers and a 3.5mm jack splitter.
     
  7. blastimpulseee

    blastimpulseee Member

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    Yeah, I know. Bad wording I guess..
    A couple friends of mine have suggested connecting the second monitor's Audio Out to the PC's Audio In (via 3.5mm M/M audio cable), then connecting the PC's Audio Out to the speakers.

    They've told me that this setup should mix & output both of the sound signals.
    Do you agree?
     
  8. KillerBug

    KillerBug Active member

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    Yes, it should mix the outputs...but there might be a more direct method to give you slightly better audio quality...

    You can get an adapter that will convert the wII output directly to 3.5mm jack; that way you can skip going through the monitor.
     
  9. blastimpulseee

    blastimpulseee Member

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    Ahh, the RCA Female Audio to 3.5mm Male. I'll certainly give that a try if I'm not satisfied with the sound prior to that.

    Thank you so much for your help!
     
  10. KillerBug

    KillerBug Active member

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    Happy to help when I can.
     

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