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Help with running HDTV as second Monitor w/audio over HDMI

I have a Dell XPS 420 with a dual DVI video card:
TP073 nVidia Geforce84, PCI-e X16, 512M, with Dual DVI and HDTV out via dongle, HMGA15

I've recently upgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate (32Bit)

I'd like to use my Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR3 as second monitor, as a clone of the primary monitor, a Dell 24" widescreen. http://www.docs.sony.com/release/KDL40-46XBR2.pdf

My current configuration uses a VGA adapter on one of the DVI plugs to the D-SUB input on the TV for Video and a splitter on the audio cable to send the audio over.

After the upgrade to Windows 7 (from Vista Home) I no longer have access to the resolution setting that allowed both monitors to operate where there were no bars on either screen. I believe the resolution that works best is 1440x900. But I can't get that as an option in my resolution settings. (Reading the list of supported resolutions in the TV manual 1440x900 is not listed, yet that did provide the best setting for both screens)

Is there a way to have independent resolution settings for a cloned screen config? Would something like UltraMon be the ticket? http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon

Now, no matter what resolution I chose, I cannot get an adequate display on both screens at once -- either one or the other (or both) will have significant banding (Black bars - either top/bottom or on the sides or both).

And I'm also dis-satisfied with the headphone splitter on the audio cable solution as well.

So I thought maybe a new video card with HDMI out to the TV would be better.

What do I need to do to include the audio onto the HDMI out of the video card? Will it affect the regular audio output from the sound card? I'd like to have both my PC speakers and the TV audio fuctional, but not at the same time.

What would be a good video card with DVI and HDMI to replace in my system? $200 price point.

Thanks

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

ccreamer_22

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ccreamer_22

Any card on this search should give you the results you want:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1320923120+1068310557&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=48&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

MoonsOfJupiter

ASKER

Cool. thanks. I will check these out.

:O:
wd

MoonsOfJupiter

ASKER

So if I get something like this I get the 7.1 channel audio on the HDMI?

http://www.hisdigital.com/us/product2-447.shtml

Thanks.

:O:
wd

MoonsOfJupiter

ASKER

ooh. I like this one;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129145

Is it possible to get a list of supported resolutions/ I've looked at ATI and VisionTek's website and all they want to tell me is what the max res is.

:O:
wd

SOLUTION

Callandor

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MoonsOfJupiter

ASKER

Yes, its a 2407WFP. Thanks for the link to avsforum -- lots of good stuff there.

:O:
wd

SOLUTION

QEMS2

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MoonsOfJupiter

ASKER

Am probably looking a changing PC monitor to 1920X 1080 HDTV style monitor like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176125&nm_mc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

And then a new video card, maybe with dual HDMI out.

:O:
wd

MoonsOfJupiter

ASKER

Bought the SAMSUNG P2770HD for a Monitor. But I think I need a HDMI connection to the Sony to get the resolution I need, rather than the VGA cable.

Callandor

A VGA connector can be used to set up any HD resolution.

MoonsOfJupiter

ASKER

Well the Samsung was not a hit. While a wonderfull TV, it was not acceptible as monitor and has been returned. Will try Dell 2709 as the bigger screen is preferred, but am giving up on using Sony as second monitor for now. Thanks for all your help.

Callandor

Probably a mismatch of the desktop resolution and the TV's native resolution - most TV's are 16:9, while monitors are 16:10, and if you don't map the pixels exactly, you get a bad picture.