[mythtv-users] Running TV out OR DVI out, not both

[Bill Williamson]

On Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 6:36 PM, Bill Williamson <bill at bbqninja.com> wrote:
> On Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 4:56 PM, Allen Edwards <allen.p.edwards at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 8:26 PM, Bill Williamson <bill at bbqninja.com> wrote:
>> > This is a bit more of a basic Linux question, so please forgive, but has
>> > specifics that are valid here.  For reference, I am running ubuntu 8.10 and
>> > myth .21 from mythbuntu packages.
>> >
>> > Basically what I want is a dual headed machine where only 1 head is active
>> > at a time.  I got a nice new geforce 8400 for future use with VDAPU, and it
>> > has tv out (going to a smaller PAL tv via component) and dvi out (going to a
>> > 720p projector via hdmi converter).  I want to be able to run via TV, OR run
>> > via projector.  I do not care (nor want) dual outputs.
>> >
>> > In the olden days (slackware 1998-ish), before gdm and the like, I'd just
>> > run "startx" from my first two terminals, and use ctrl-alt-f7 and
>> > ctrl-alt-f8 for the two x sessions.  I don't want to do something that
>> > manual, but is there perhaps an easy way to tell GDM to spawn twice, with a
>> > different xorg config?  Or is there a way to force the nvidia
>> >
>> > I don't mind having to do a key combination (and run blind for 10 seconds if
>> > it starts in the wrong one), but don't want to be dropping to console/etc
>> > every login.  I don't mind if technically it's running two x-servers as long
>> > as mythtv works, and with the correct settings for each (I guess I'd set up
>> > two different settings names in two different shortcuts?)
>> >
>> > My "ideal" setup would be similar how laptops work in windows.  You hit some
>> > key combinations to activate TV-Out, then another combo to disable it.
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> > mythtv-users at mythtv.org
>> > http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
>> >
>> >
>>
>> You have the same setup I have.  Normally I watch myth with S-video
>> out playing to a CRT TV.  When we want to use the projector, we use
>> DVI output to a HDMI projector.  I have tried several arrangements but
>> what I do it to have the projector switched away from the myth box (by
>> selecting DVD on my DVI switching preamp) and start X so that it
>> starts up on the TV.  I then do a CTRL-ALT-BS and myth shows up on the
>> TV.  Turn the projector on and switch to it, CTRL-ALT-BS and in a few
>> seconds myth is on the projector.  The Xorg.conf setup is key to
>> making the setup work.  The outputs are assigned single resolutions,
>> not auto.  I have two displays defined in xorg.  Basically if myth
>> sees the projector, it starts up there, if not it starts up on the TV.
>>
>> There are other ways of doing this.  You can start myth on either
>> display if both display/desktops are there but be sure to close myth
>> down if you leave a display.  You can switch desktops with the mouse
>> but the problem is that the remote will operate both instances of myth
>> if you happen to have one on each desktop/display.  With two instances
>> running, they will get out of sync and you have no idea what the one
>> you are not watching is doing.  Since you cannot see a screen that is
>> turned off, this can be a problem which led to my solution being
>> easier even though it seems crude.
>>
>> If I didn't have a preamp that switched the DVI for me, I would
>> probably just unplug the hdmi cable into the projector so that myth
>> would not see it when X starts up.
>>
>> Hope this helps,
>>
>> Allen
>
> Can you post your xorg (or mail it to me privately?) That REALLY may
> work for me, as I can boot with the projector off most of the time,
> and with it on (and restart X) when I want.
>


Actually, current research may help both of us.  If you don't mind the
ctrl-alt-f7 business, in /etc/gdm/gdm.conf there is a [servers]
section... you can make it run more than one, and (hopefully?) specify
the config file X will use!