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#1039530 - 10/23/05 02:34 PM

3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

IGW
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Registered: 11/23/02
Posts: 234
Loc: Los Angeles

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I need to route my PC to 3 Monitors:

- Control Room
- Vocal Booth
- Mixing Room

I'm looking at 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitters and wondering if any of you have had experience with these things and could make some recommendations as Brands go.

Thanks,

Ian

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#1039531 - 10/23/05 04:10 PM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

AudioMaverick
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Registered: 05/19/01
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Ian, I tossed "VGA video splitter" into Google and found that CompUSA has a $90 unit that claims to drive 8 monitors... StarTech.com "VideoVIEW" at CompUSA ($90)

I was looking for the more professional one made by "BlackBox". It is more expensive, and an industry standard. SO I dug that one up, too... BlackBox 4-port VGA splitter at PCMall.com ($400)

The cheaper unit runs VGA cables, directly. They claim 200 feet. But, I'd bet 50 feet is more like it, with decent cables. I have been able to get good deals on cables from http://www.A2ZCables.com, in the past. I just checked their site to find it not in good shape. Hopefully, I just cuaght them uploading site changes.

The BlackBox unit uses a "balun" technology to convert teh VGA output to digital stream and send it down CAT-5 network cabling. It requires a converter at the other end. You get clean images, usually as far as 450 feet. Here is their web link... Black Box - VGA Over CAT-5

Hope this helps...

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#1039532 - 10/23/05 06:16 PM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

Bill@Welcome Home Studios
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Registered: 08/23/03
Posts: 7343

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Another option would be the Matrox 750.

For what it is worth, I don't want my singers doing anything but singing. I used to do a lot of audio for video, and particularly then I don't want my talent looking at a screen... I want them reading and concentrating on the script.

Bill

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"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."

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#1039533 - 10/24/05 10:29 AM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

miroslav
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Registered: 05/23/00
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Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA

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What...no on-screen promts, Bill? $;\)$

The thing you need to be concerned about with splitters...is the ditance that they can drive the video signal...since you want to send it to three different/distant locations.

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#1039534 - 10/24/05 03:53 PM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

IGW
Senior Member

Registered: 11/23/02
Posts: 234
Loc: Los Angeles

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Quote:

Originally posted by AudioMaverick:
Ian, I tossed "VGA video splitter" into Google and found that CompUSA has a $90 unit that claims to drive 8 monitors... StarTech.com "VideoVIEW" at CompUSA ($90)

I was looking for the more professional one made by "BlackBox". It is more expensive, and an industry standard. SO I dug that one up, too... BlackBox 4-port VGA splitter at PCMall.com ($400)

The cheaper unit runs VGA cables, directly. They claim 200 feet. But, I'd bet 50 feet is more like it, with decent cables. I have been able to get good deals on cables from http://www.A2ZCables.com, in the past. I just checked their site to find it not in good shape. Hopefully, I just cuaght them uploading site changes.

The BlackBox unit uses a "balun" technology to convert teh VGA output to digital stream and send it down CAT-5 network cabling. It requires a converter at the other end. You get clean images, usually as far as 450 feet. Here is their web link... Black Box - VGA Over CAT-5

Hope this helps...

Totally helps. I appreciate your thoroughness. I've go research to do, but I'm on my way.

Ian

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#1039535 - 10/24/05 04:00 PM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

IGW
Senior Member

Registered: 11/23/02
Posts: 234
Loc: Los Angeles

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Quote:

Originally posted by bpark@prorec.com:
Another option would be the Matrox 750.

For what it is worth, I don't want my singers doing anything but singing. I used to do a lot of audio for video, and particularly then I don't want my talent looking at a screen... I want them reading and concentrating on the script.

Bill

Furthermore singers are rarely able to read, let alone sign their own name. So you don't want them starting to learn on your dime.

That said, I'm a singer. The reason I need the Computer Monitor, Keyboard and Trackerball in the Vocal Booth is cause I'm also the Engineer (Home Project Studio).

My approach is to get all the hard engineering done before I Track Vocals, and then use the terminal in the Vocal Booth to start and stop. I've been using this rig for 2 years and I love it. Still learning how to read though.

Ian

PS I'll probably move to a Dual Monitor setup with my next computer upgrade. Currently I just maximize all my pages and switch between them with Hot Keys

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#1039536 - 10/24/05 04:04 PM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

IGW
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Registered: 11/23/02
Posts: 234
Loc: Los Angeles

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Quote:

Originally posted by miroslav:
What...no on-screen promts, Bill? $;\)$

The thing you need to be concerned about with splitters...is the ditance that they can drive the video signal...since you want to send it to three different/distant locations.

I'm not going long distances. Just through my apartment. But I will check before I buy everything to make sure I'm not exceeding recommendations.

I know this was a hot topic with Word Clock cables. I finally defaulted on 15', which, if memory serves is the maximum recommendation.

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#1039537 - 10/24/05 05:01 PM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

Bill@Welcome Home Studios
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Registered: 08/23/03
Posts: 7343

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Quote:

Originally posted by IGWright:
[QUOTE] I'm not going long distances. Just through my apartment. But I will check before I buy everything to make sure I'm not exceeding recommendations.

I know this was a hot topic with Word Clock cables. I finally defaulted on 15', which, if memory serves is the maximum recommendation.

I bought good quality vga cables for my monitors, which cost about $20 for 25 feet, when I bought them back in the early 90s. I just bought a three wire component video cable for about $35 for 50 feet to feed my plasma screen. So to get something not bargain basement in performance is not expensive or hard. I got mine from C&CT (which is either Cable and Connector Technologies, or Connector and Cable Technologies... I always forget which...)

If you need more length than that, then you probably need a hardware solution, meaning a VGA amplifier/splitter.

Bill

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"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."

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#1039538 - 10/26/05 12:05 PM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

miroslav
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Registered: 05/23/00
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Loc: NY Hudson Valley, USA

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I'm not even sure...what's the longest distance for mouse/keyboard cables...?

I have a similar issue that comes up from time to time.

To date, I've done most of my tracking to tape. And I have a nice 30'extension cable for the open reel deck’s autolocator/meter bridge, which is mounted on a stand.
I can pick up the stand and move it to most areas of my studio. And since I don't use separate rooms...it works out OK. I am usually within arm's length of the stand.

But...when I do track to the DAW...it's not that simple. And, while I could get extensions for the mouse/keyboard...my dual 21" monitors would still be too far away at times for me to really see things clearly.
And...I would not want to drag around any additional monitors.

Thing is...the only time I need the remote setup (like you Ian)...is during Tracking. There’s not going to be a need to edit/mix at any remote location. It's going to happen at the main mix position where everything normally sits...right?

So...there is no real need for a extra monitors...only the ability to Start/Stop/Rewind.
And I'm thinking that might be easily accomplished with a small MIDI trigger/controller rig...rather than the need for a mouse/keyboard/monitor...

....???

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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com

"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."

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#1039539 - 10/26/05 02:02 PM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

Bill@Welcome Home Studios
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Registered: 08/23/03
Posts: 7343

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"...only the ability to Start/Stop/Rewind.
And I'm thinking that might be easily accomplished with a small MIDI trigger/controller rig...rather than the need for a mouse/keyboard/monitor..."

Ot maybe the Frontier Design Group "Tranzport"?

Bill

_________________________
"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."

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#1039540 - 10/26/05 03:38 PM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

IGW
Senior Member

Registered: 11/23/02
Posts: 234
Loc: Los Angeles

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Quote:

Originally posted by miroslav:
I'm not even sure...what's the longest distance for mouse/keyboard cables...?

For the Keyboard and Trackerball I've found Logitech sells the receivers. So I ordered an extra one and one of
these .

Quote:

I have a similar issue that comes up from time to time.

To date, I've done most of my tracking to tape. And I have a nice 30'extension cable for the open reel deck’s autolocator/meter bridge, which is mounted on a stand.
I can pick up the stand and move it to most areas of my studio. And since I don't use separate rooms...it works out OK. I am usually within arm's length of the stand.

But...when I do track to the DAW...it's not that simple. And, while I could get extensions for the mouse/keyboard...my dual 21" monitors would still be too far away at times for me to really see things clearly.
And...I would not want to drag around any additional monitors.

For the monitor I've ordered a new monitor. I'm gonna switch between my 3 monitors with one of these

Quote:

Thing is...the only time I need the remote setup (like you Ian)...is during Tracking. There’s not going to be a need to edit/mix at any remote location. It's going to happen at the main mix position where everything normally sits...right?

So...there is no real need for a extra monitors...only the ability to Start/Stop/Rewind.
And I'm thinking that might be easily accomplished with a small MIDI trigger/controller rig...rather than the need for a mouse/keyboard/monitor...

....???

Thanks for jumping in. It's always interesting to see how other people get the job done. 90% of my gig is vocals. So the emphasis was on vocals when I set up my rig.

Currently I have a Whisper Room (7x7) with a monitor built into it. I set the recieiver for the cordless keyboard and mouse right between my control area and the vocal booth and that allows me to use them in both places.

I'm setting up a monitor in my bedroom (the studio is set up in the dinning room and living room area) in order to be able to watch a DISH Network station for Stock Market Trading. The station broadcasts during market hours and deals with real time stock trading. So I need to have access to my computer and be able to watch the television (which is in my bedroom) at the same time.

Long term, I'm looking at setting up a mixing/mastering/listening area in the bedroom (my bed folds up into a couch) based on the idea of having an entirely separate space for each job.

Ian

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#1039541 - 10/26/05 03:49 PM

Re: 3 Way VGA Data Transfer Splitter

IGW
Senior Member

Registered: 11/23/02
Posts: 234
Loc: Los Angeles

Offline

Quote:

Originally posted by bpark@prorec.com:
"...only the ability to Start/Stop/Rewind.
And I'm thinking that might be easily accomplished with a small MIDI trigger/controller rig...rather than the need for a mouse/keyboard/monitor..."

Ot maybe the Frontier Design Group "Tranzport"?

Bill

Thanks Bill. I need a full keyboard for all of my different situations. I frequently find that the engineer has neglected to take care of something critical when I go to track vocals (The guys a total bum. Useless. I'd fire him immediately except that he works for free. And besides, how do you fire yourself?), and I have to fix it on the fly from whithin the vocal booth. Also, I have some Genelecs setup in the booth, so I may use them to get a different perspective on a mix once in a while.

All the best,

Ian

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