Multiple Monitors

If you like using multiple monitors with Logos4, but are out of monitor connections on your PC/laptop...instead of grappling with adding graphics cards, consider instead using the USB 2.0 External Video Adapter technology on the market.

I recently bought the ArkView USB-2011 from TigerDirect; each device lets me connect a monitor with up to 1920x1200 DPI--there are many other manufacturers/models/resellers. I had a couple high-res monitors sitting around, so I hooked them up, tilted them, and now have two deluxe reading panes next to my main monitors (see photo). With Logos4's layouts feature, it is really easy to snap windows on all the monitors back and forth.

The USB cable is rather short, so you'll probably need a monitor cable to reach between the PC-connected ArkView and the monitor itself. At these high resolutions, I use DVI connections (my old high-res monitors were made before HDMI). I wouldn't know I was using a USB-connected monitor except on boot-up (the monitors think they are mirrors of the main one until I log into Vista) & when I quickly scroll through a long document I see a little rippling on the screen as it updates...but it is really minor. I can even play video through Windows Media Player, which I didn't think these devices would do. I'm really impressed...especially at these higher resolutions. If you only want lower resolutions, there are slightly cheaper models...but I'd suggest the extra $15 is well worth being future-proofed.

WARNING: I use Vista64, and the install CD that came with this product wasn't 64-bit ready. If you are using Vista64 or Win7, install the DisplayLink driver from the DisplayLink web site, then install the newest ArkView software from the ArkView website, reboot, then plug in the ArkView box(es). It takes one ArkView per extra monitor & you can add up to 6 additional monitors that way. Since USB 2.0 is half-duplex, I suggest plugging these straight into a PC USB port (not via a USB hub) and definately not hubbed with a USB hard drive that your PC uses a lot. I used the install CD & it was stupid enough to try to install onto Vista64.

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Jim Dunne

ArkView USB-2011

What a neat gadget! I'm running two monitors, using the two outputs from my video card. I was curious about how I'd go about adding a 3rd - not for any particular reason, but just "'cause". [8-|]

What do you use to manage the monitors/desktops? I'm using a beta version of UltraMon 64-bit right now, and it seems pretty good.

Blessings,

Jim D.

Ward Walker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/74677#Comment_74677

What do you use to manage the monitors/desktops?

For daily ops, I'm just using Vista itself/dragging windows where I want them. I could use the ATI Catalyst software that came with my graphics card to do other stuff, but the ATI software is so buggy I've learned to just leave it be. If I want to change monitor resolution, tilt, what not the DisplayLink software has a little tool that tries to make that easy (see screen shot below), but I am used to Windows' Display Settings feature and prefer to make changes there...it is easy to change the wrong monitor.

Before I had multiple monitors, I used virtual desktops (starting with DoubleDos, if I recall correctly) but never really liked them...I'm visually oriented & once out of sight...out of mind...

Blair Laird

Great tip

J. Morris

You 'made' me sin (envy)! Great set up!

Question: I'm already getting some minor "ripple" issues with only using one extra monitor, would those issues be compounded if I decided to do what you are doing? (Note: my laptop isn't the fastest thing around either)

Mark Smith

I don't have this much space on my desk, much less a few spare hi-res monitors sitting around. Wow.

I'm interested in the impact on the speed of graphical rendering. What sort of video card/chip do you have on your computer? (I assume you are using a desktop model. I'm using a laptop and wonder if the build-in video isn't slowing me down already, much less with another monitor attached.)

Bradley Grainger (Logos)

If you like using multiple monitors with Logos4, but are out of monitor connections on your PC/laptop...instead of grappling with adding graphics cards, consider instead using the USB 2.0 External Video Adapter technology on the market.

WARNING: Some USB monitors don't support WPF (and thus Logos 4) correctly. Customers have reported that the Logos 4 window can be completely invisible (even on the primary monitor) until the USB monitor is unplugged.

Perhaps some brands work and others don't, but I don't have a list of known good/bad devices. At the very least, DisplayLink lists incompatibilities with WPF applications in their latest driver release notes: http://www.displaylink.com/filestore/release_note/DisplayLink-5.2.22663-release_notes.txt

Gary O'Neal

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/74698#Comment_74698

I'm interested in the impact on the speed of graphical rendering. What sort of video card/chip do you have on your computer? (I assume you are using a desktop model. I'm using a laptop and wonder if the build-in video isn't slowing me down already, much less with another monitor attached.)

Mark

I'm using a low-end laptop and L4 has been working fine. I can use dual monitors through the built in video and don't notice any difference in speed.

Mark Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/75088#Comment_75088

Thanks. I don't have a spare monitor but it is nice to know I could do at least the one extra.

Daniel Arnott

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/74698#Comment_74698

It's like a Bible Simulator!!

Ward Walker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/74698#Comment_74698

... What sort of video card/chip do you have on your computer? ...

I have a Dell Studio XPS 435MT Desktop (i7) with an ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series graphics card (dual DVI). After I got rid of my initial driver problem, I haven't noticed any extra load on my processor...although I'd guess the USB 2.0 bus is pretty max'd...that is why I'm plugging each USB box directly into a USB port on my computer & not into a port replicator. I've not tried this on a laptop yet, but I plan to within the next two months or so.

Regarding the warning from Logos, I did a lot of research before buying a device--I came to the conclusion that not all USB video extenders were equal. In my case, I've been pleasantly surprised--it has been all I'd dreamed and very little of what I'd feared. Don't get me started on Vista64 though... ;-)

Jeremy White

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/75344#Comment_75344

I also have 4 monitors using a Matrox TripleHead2Go running off my Compaq 8710w laptop. Logos runs fine using it. What I like about the Triplehead is it also allows me to run a 3 video projector setup as well.

I was thinking out loud about getting another one so I could have a 6 screen setup but that got "vetoed" [:'(]

Doug

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/75364#Comment_75364

Wow! After setting up my i7 system last night, it's probably going to be a while before I have any more $ to expand. But I'm thinking that I know where my next hardware expenditure will be allocated! Thanks for the tip Ward.

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/74743#Comment_74743

WARNING: Some USB monitors don't support WPF (and thus Logos 4) correctly. Customers have reported that the Logos 4 window can be completely invisible (even on the primary monitor) until the USB monitor is unplugged.

Perhaps some brands work and others don't, but I don't have a list of known good/bad devices. At the very least, DisplayLink lists incompatibilities with WPF applications in their latest driver release notes: http://www.displaylink.com/filestore/release_note/DisplayLink-5.2.22663-release_notes.txt

I had exactly this problem - invisible Logos (though all the links worked!) with a DisplayPort monitor.

Trey Selman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/74743#Comment_74743

I don't have a list of known good/bad devices.

Use 2 different displaylink adapters on Win7 tablet. Adapters have not been used at the same time, but each one has been used with extended display along with built in VGA out - (3 monitors) laptop display,external monitor with VGA out, external monitor with usb device. Both usb adapters have worked with 4.0b betas and RC1

EVGA UV Plus+ 16: uses DL-1x0 chip, driver - 5.2.22617.0
Lenovo USB-to-DVI Adapter: uses newer DL-1x5 chip, driver - 5.2.22617.0 [better performance in all applications]

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/102061#Comment_102061

I'm using Win7-64 - I don't know if that makes a difference. I also tried installing the 5.3beta drivers, but that wouldn't even allow me to boot! In my case I don't really mind - I'm only using DisplayLink whilst I wait for a new DVI cable to be delivered. I'll just be patient.

Trey Selman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/102087#Comment_102087

I also am on 64 bit win7.

Bruce Downes

I am using a MacBook Pro (Apple). I would like to set up two more monitors. Does anyone know how to do this. Thanks Bruce

Paul N

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/164756#Comment_164756

Hey Bruce, I decided to hook up an old Dell flat panel monitor with DVI (S-Video) outputs to my new Mac desktop (with Mini Display Port) over the summer and I found with a little research on the subject all you should need is a $30 connector from Best Buy. Here's my BB review that might help you get started with the right hookups. I used wikipedia to understand the various types of DVI ports. Make sure you buy the right kind!!!

Timothy Ha

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/102061#Comment_102061

I don't have a list of known good/bad devices.

Use 2 different displaylink adapters on Win7 tablet. Adapters have not been used at the same time, but each one has been used with extended display along with built in VGA out - (3 monitors) laptop display,external monitor with VGA out, external monitor with usb device. Both usb adapters have worked with 4.0b betas and RC1

EVGA UV Plus+ 16: uses DL-1x0 chip, driver - 5.2.22617.0

Lenovo USB-to-DVI Adapter: uses newer DL-1x5 chip, driver - 5.2.22617.0 [better performance in all applications]

Could you please name your Win7 tablet model? You mentioned a Lenovo adapter. Would it work with my Asus EeePC tablet with Win7 ? Could not find this information on Lenovo support site (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-72682.html)

Trey Selman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/164793#Comment_164793

Timothy, it should.

The name of the device is Lenovo USB-to-DVI Adapter -- information page.

I have an Lenovo x200t, but this usb device is not dependent on the computer. I have used it on two desktops that I own as well as my x200t Tablet.

As with any display device you do need to make sure you have the most recent drivers which sometimes can be a little tricky to find on the lenovo site.

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TCBlack

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/74743#Comment_74743

I'm happy to report after a few weeks of solid testing that my plugable (not a typo) device (uga-2k-a) using the DisplayLink 195 chip and the brand new driver is doing a bang up job driving a 22" widepanel gateway monitor.

At the very least, DisplayLink lists incompatibilities with WPF applications in their latest driver release notes: http://www.displaylink.com/filestore/release_note/DisplayLink-5.2.22663-release_notes.txt

WPF issues appear to be a thing of the past altogether with displaylink. I just updated their new driver yesterday for Win7 and intriguingly enough the displaylink monitor appears to have better response times with L4 than my notebooks VGA output (HD Radeon 4670 chip - 1GB RAM). Go figure.

My current screen setup: 1680X1050 (Radeon VGA output) | 1600X900 (Laptop) | 1680X1050 (displaylink adapter).

David Thomas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/75344#Comment_75344

... What sort of video card/chip do you have on your computer? ...

I have a Dell Studio XPS 435MT Desktop (i7) with an ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series graphics card (dual DVI). After I got rid of my initial driver problem, I haven't noticed any extra load on my processor...although I'd guess the USB 2.0 bus is pretty max'd...that is why I'm plugging each USB box directly into a USB port on my computer & not into a port replicator. I've not tried this on a laptop yet, but I plan to within the next two months or so.

Regarding the warning from Logos, I did a lot of research before buying a device--I came to the conclusion that not all USB video extenders were equal. In my case, I've been pleasantly surprised--it has been all I'd dreamed and very little of what I'd feared. Don't get me started on Vista64 though... ;-)

What results did you get with the laptop? I just ordered a Dell 15z i7 2640m processor as well as the Kensington SD420v port replicator with DVI.(I understand that this "docking station" uses DisplayLink technology to communicate with the external monitor). I bought the GeForce 525 with 2 GB video ram to increase my Logos performance. I will be using Win7 64-bit. I can connect the external monitor to the laptop via Mini Display Port or via the docking station. Will I sacrifice the benefit of the video card by using DisplayLink?

Jonathan Pitts

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/75195#Comment_75195

It's like a Bible Simulator!!

I want a joystick, a steering wheel, and a vibrating seat for the most exciting bits. ;-/

Ward Walker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/370461#Comment_370461

David, things worked great w/the monitors hanging off USB from my tablet laptop; at work I have 5 monitors off an HP tablet. I'm hoping the LEAP (recently announced) enables me to have touchless touchscreen control across all those monitors--would be nice to be able to move focus a lot faster and to grab windows and move them faster.

I've not used true DisplayLink in a similar way; I've had a couple PCs that used DisplayLink to support monitors, but I always had to adapt that connector (I think to DVI) because our monitor contract doesn't include DisplayLink connections. I seem to recall that DL can be daisychained, but have not been able to test that out without a DL monitor.

David Thomas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/370974#Comment_370974

Thanks Ward. You provide a great addition to the forum discussions!

Bob Schlessman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/371002#Comment_371002

Galaxy has a discrete graphics card (Galaxy 52GGF4AM5UXX GeForce GT 520 ) that allows up to four monitors to be connected. Haven't tried it myself but reviews that I have read are fairly positive. The downside is you need to have DVI monitors for it to work properly. VGA monitors with adaptors won't cut it. But the price is about $115. Also, don't expect wonderful 3d gaming performance. :-)

Though it is a little pricier than the USB option it might prove to be more reliable.

David A Egolf

When setting up monitors the rule should be "lower is better"! Having the bottom edge of the monitor directly on the desktop works out just fine.

Those with bifocals or progressive lenses really need to pay attention to this since either of these will cause the head to tilt back quit a bit when reading from a high screen. Plain reading glasses can help.

For long reading sessions, I use my iPad or Android so that I can position the material so that I am looking down.

Brian R. Oberg

Dear Ward,

I purchased an external VGA video graphics card that installed well and gave me the third screen I wanted, but it caused Logos 4 to go invisible. As soon as I unplugged Logos reappeared. The company is Mad Catz so I must find another manufacturer. I have located an ArkView USB - 1612 on newegg.com for @ $50.00. The resolution is just right for my extra monitors. I couldn't locate the 2011 that you have on TigerDirect. Do you recommend that I purchase the 1612 and give it a try? Thanks. Brian Oberg (:-}).

Ward Walker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/375622#Comment_375622

Dear Ward,

I purchased an external VGA video graphics card that installed well and gave me the third screen I wanted, but it caused Logos 4 to go invisible. As soon as I unplugged Logos reappeared. The company is Mad Catz so I must find another manufacturer. I have located an ArkView USB - 1612 on newegg.com for @ $50.00. The resolution is just right for my extra monitors. I couldn't locate the 2011 that you have on TigerDirect. Do you recommend that I purchase the 1612 and give it a try? Thanks. Brian Oberg (:-}).

Brian,

It looks very similar physically to what I use; perhaps they also used the same chip/driver software that the 2011 did--which works with Logos. You can buy it, and if it doesn't work, perhaps return it.

Cautions:

It is hard to get the DisplayLink drivers uninstalled from a computer--I highly suggest uninstalling the drivers for the MadCatz BEFORE installing the ArkView drivers--otherwise, you may get the same issue again.
Many DisplayLink drivers are known to cause issues with WPF, which is what L4Win uses to render the screens. I haven't had the kind of problem that you describe (and which Logos has seen others have), but it is possible that even the ArkView DisplayLink drivers cause L4Win to work ever so slightly differently for me. I've had some issues that Logos couldn't duplicate, and they thought my video drivers might be causing that. I'm not so sure, since some of the problems only manifested themselves once LogosSync 2.0 was released.
Nevertheless, I'm very happy with using the USB monitor extenders that I use. Since I use a couple of them, sometimes the USB chain gets confused when my machine wakes up, and I have to disconnect the USB monitor extenders, plug them one at a time back into the USB cable, and then re-attach the monitor to each (they draw power from the USB cable AND the monitor cable, so you have to disconnect both to force the USB Monitor Adapter to reset the USB chain.)

Brian R. Oberg

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/375835#Comment_375835

Thank you Ward. I also learned this from the Logos Tech: "I have also found out that it is a bug in .net framework 3.5 SP1 which is what our software is built on, if/when we switch to .net 4.0 it will should work fine." Have you heard this? Any ideas when this switch may occur? Brian Oberg (:-}).

Ward Walker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/375920#Comment_375920

This kind of a change would be a huge investment by their software developers; I'd assume it wouldn't happen until they decide to pursue L5--but by that time the industry may have changed so much that the mobile platform (Apple?) becomes the dominant place to use Logos and the desktop/local version becomes the minor app, used by folks w/no unlimited broadband internet access. Just guessing...but things are really changing fast right now in the software world...

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/375941#Comment_375941

until they decide to pursue L5

They've decided that long ago. There are threads about it on the forums.

Federico Medina Jr.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/375622#Comment_375622

Brian, did you ever try the 1612? I too am interested in multiple monitors with my laptop and Logos 4