[mythtv-users] Dual monitors solved

[allene222]

> Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 13:37:58 -0300
> From: Greg Estabrooks <greg at phaze.org>
> Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Dual monitors solved
> To: Discussion about mythtv <mythtv-users at mythtv.org>
> Message-ID: <20080501163758.GH17135 at phaze.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> > If you run with physically separate video cards -- a PCI and an
> > AGP/PCIe -- you should be able to start one X server on each and
> > have both Xv capable.
>
>
>  With Seperate cards it definitely work :)
>
>
>   

I am using dual monitors off one video card and am running XvMC and it 
works great on either monitor (but not at the same time).  Both monitors 
are definitely using XvMC.  It also doesn't strain the CPU regardless of 
which monitor I am using.  I am using a single eVGA-6200 The CPU is a 
P4-2.4GHz.  The tuner is a HDPC USB stick from Pinnacle.  This is an OTA 
HDTV only system.

As I started this thread and have made improvements on my setup, I want 
to share my latest findings.  This setup works without restarting X so 
it has advance from my original posting.  This is what I do:

I have my nvidea 5200+ driver set to separate X windows (not twinview).  
One is a 1280x1024 monitor, the other is set to 640x480 and drives the 
SVideo output.  I am using Mythbuntu 7.10.

I start Mythfrontend normally and it comes up on the 1280x1024 monitor.  
The other monitor has a blank blue field with some logo in the center.  
I move the mouse to the second monitor (I can't see the mouse but I know 
where the screen is), right click, and start another instance of 
mythfrontend.  I can watch TV or recorded programs from either monitor.  
I switch by moving the mouse between screens and clicking to activate 
the program.  I would love to <alt><tab> to switch, but that only works 
to switch programs within one X window -- at least on my system.

Twinview uses too much CPU so it just doesn't work.  It has other issues 
as well.  For example, other posters have presented solutions with 
twinview with comments such as good enough for my use as a secondary 
monitor.  What I am seeing is completely independent instances of 
mythfrontend with full functionality.  That said, I have not tried 
profiles and such and they may be monitor specific and shared between 
the two instances.  I would expect that to be the case so those settings 
may need to be manually changed for one of the instances.  I am using 
default settings but am able to independently set up the monitors for 
16:9 and 4:3.

I cannot watch shows on both monitors at the same time.  It just doesn't 
work. I cannot tell you it is because of CPU limitations because it is 
really screwed up.  But that is not what I am trying to do.  I have a TV 
and a projector and we only watch one at a time.  This setup looks like 
it will work very well for that.  As long as the inactive mythfrontend 
is not showing a video, the active screen acts like it is the only one 
there.

For the record, I know that I am using XvMC on both the high rews and 
SVideo screens because the OSD is black ans white.  Also, the CPU usage 
is in the mid 50% and without XvMC the video didn't work and the CPU 
usage was very high.

The only problem is how to switch between X screens using a remote.  
Right now, I only know to use a mouse.  That is my next project. I will 
keep the group informed if I solve it.

For the record, I spent many hours researching this and tried a 
multitude of solutions and suggestions that didn't work.  I experimented 
with many setups on my own system before coming up with what I am 
presenting here.  I have tested it somewhat but this is an experimental 
system and not online so there could still be problems.  I am new to 
MythTV and although I have been running a linux server for over a 
decade, I am learning all the time. I am posting this to try and give 
back for the generosity of those in the group who have helped me both 
with posts here and offline.

So, if anyone knows how to switch between separate X windows I would 
love to hear from them.

Allen