Anyone daisy chaining or using multiple monitors?

[stilly]

So apparently there are several monitors (Dell Ultra Sharp) that supposedly be daisy chained.

My question is, is it possible to daisy chain dual monitors and have them function as dual monitors and independently acting like an extension of the desktop and not just putting out the same image?


I have several monitors and I wanted to migrate to a dual monitor setup, but I run my systems off of a KVM and that means that my KVM that I bought a year ago with DDM will not work now. But finding a KVM with DDM made for dual monitors is expensive, and I have not seen one yet.

I am sure I am just not hitting the correct words in my search on how to do it, but I was wanting a dual monitor setup, maybe even a quad monitor setup eventually, or triple monitors, and it seemed that if I could daisy chain with Display Port that it might fix the issue at hand, AND free up some cable space too.

Is anyone else running a KVM with dual monitors- or rather for those of you who are running multiple monitors, what is your configuration like and how many computers?

Ideally I want the ability to run 4 computers with a kvm and support for multiple monitors.

computer:
Master always on system
Gaming system
Graphics/digital audio workstation
Laptop/open for computer work

I think about this issue from time to time but have not come up with a reasonable solution yet.

So far it looks like if I want to Daisy Chain that might be out of the question. My only real KVM choice is something along a Star Tech SV231DVIDDU which does DUAL DVI out and TWO computers. OR This is my best choice too: 4-Port DVI USB Dual Monitor KVM Switch w/DDM Technology ConnectPRO UDD-14A+Kit

I really want a 4 port. Oh, half price: B004-2DUA4-K - Tripp Lite 4-Port Dual Monitor DVI KVM Switch, Audio, USB 2

[TacFan]

I run 6 monitors on one PC using displaylink adapters

[sholling]

I run 3 monitors and Windows just extends the desktop across all three. You can set it up to duplicate the image but I prefer Windows 10 to just extend the image.

[naeco81]

If you have multiple computers connected individually to the displays and just want to be able to control each one from one mouse/keyboard (from any machine you are sitting at) then you should take a look at Multiplicity.

Great software solution to this use case. Not the same as one giant desktop, but you can seamlessly move your cursor from one monitor to the next just by moving it to the edge of one.

[stilly]

But is anyone running a physical KVM switch with three or four monitors?

Multiplicity is nice looking, but then I saw it is Stardock software and they are known for having software with a thread or two hanging out and after a while it just unravels. I would still consider it though since it looks like a VNC/RADMIN type of software. Not bad, but not for gaming.

I need physical connections for gaming.

Oh yeah, and check this out: http://windowbox.me/multiwall/

It puts different wallpaper on each individual monitor in a multi-monitor setup.

[naeco81]

I've found Multiplicity to be excellent. Far better than Stardock's customization software, similar in concept to VNC but with better UX. There's a free trial, give it a shot.

Not sure what kind of gaming you were planning to do over KVM. Maybe I misunderstood your use case. Are you running multiple copies of games on individual computers like multiboxing, or are you trying to extend your ingame resolution across multiple monitors?

[the86d]

Instead of a KVM use one as a "MASTER" system, and RDP to the other boxes. RDP can use multiple monitors acting like they are on the RDP'd-to systems. Heck I used to watch non-full-screen youtube vids on a gig local pipe via RDP session. If connecting to non-windows systems, you can VNC to them, if setup...

When I had a Windows server functioning here at home, I used to RDP to it, instead of switching the KVM, as RDP supports multiple displays, if you tick the box.

[stilly]

I have my do almost everything box as my master system right now. I fire up the gaming system to play things like Elite Dangerous or Forged Alliance or whatever Crysis or other FPS I have loaded (Skyrim...). But my CPU is a power hog and I do NOT want to leave that comp running 24/7 just to play a game once or twice a day for an hour or two. I have other tasks that need to be done and when I can I like to keep the electricity usage down.

I like the idea of being able to VPN in from say, maybe work and look for something and shoot it over to my system at work if I can do that. Now THAT would be pretty cool.

I still have to build up my network at the house too. I am in the process of rearranging my room and when I am finished I will have some more room to lay things out nicer and upgrade a switch and router to give me gigabit speeds, That is when I plan to add in another monitor or two.


And yes, I DO want dual monitors at least. I want to see the tactical map in full screen while I am playing FA.

I also came across another piece of software that might be better at fencing then Fences is, but I gotta fire it up. I am tired of the error Fence keeps giving me that does nothing more than make an error on the screen.

Also, since my you-tube channel just gained several more subscribers (I dunno HOW that happened...) I was thinking that it was about time to start getting a little bit more serious with that and producing some better videos for my peeps that have subscribed. This of course means that my third comp that I am working on will be added into the mix, but I do not know if it will be on the same KVM or even use the same monitors yet. It would be VERY convenient though.

[Barbarossa]

I run duel monitors at work from a standard HP office Workstation (stock video cards)

My main monitor is HDMI, the other is VGA.

I frequently have to trouble shoot another workstation, and just hook it up to the #2 priority screen.

I do the video switching with the control on the monitor, and have a separate Keyboard and mouse for the other machine.


I guess the question is, How many boxes do you need to connect?
And Do these other boxes need to be on 2 screens?

[Mag+1]

I have four displays that I use with my one laptop.





It's all done with this little device:

Plugable USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station for Windows (Dual Video HDMI & DVI / VGA, Gigabit Ethernet, Audio, 6 USB Ports) . . .

[Skip_Dog]

Just install a paid for copy of team viewer on each box. You can get into any box from any where...

[NYT]

any software kvm will work for you. there is no point of a hardware kvm with your intended setup. i use synergy, its free and does the job.

https://symless.com/synergy

you obviously should make your primary system your gaming system. running a high performing video card through a hardware kvm would be retarded.

[the86d]

...

I like the idea of being able to VPN in from say, maybe work and look for something and shoot it over to my system at work if I can do that. Now THAT would be pretty cool.

...

ssh tunnel that FW's RDP is a cakewalk... via putty, just don't use the default port # externally.

[stilly]

My game system is only on while I play games. I do not leave it on 24/7. It eats up too much power.

Hmmmmmmm. ssh tunnel for rdp through fw. I will look into that.


The only issue with a SW kvm though is that the graphics over the network would kill it. And yeah, maybe when I get a boost up in pay I can keep it on 24/7 but it is just a waste of electricity until then. I am too thrifty for that.

[NYT]

gaming perf through any kvm hw or sw would kill performance.

whats the diff in power between your always on system and your gaming machine?