Can I use a VGA splitter to attach two monitors?

[huss987]

Can i use a vga splitter to attach two montors? or does it have to be part of the graphics card, heres an example of what im talking about

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-VGA-SVGA-Y-Splitter-monitor-video-Cable-1-to-2x-for-PC-9658-/201017810316?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ecd985d8c

 

[nukemaster]

At best, you would only be able to have the same image on both(it would take special hardware and a matching cable to run 2 screens with different signals. It would not follow the normal plug pinouts in that case). At worst it would cause all kinds of detection issues.

They make active(amplifier) boxes to avoid issues when you need to run multiple screens from the same signal(commonly used in stores in the past to showcase TV's). This is kind of like running a splitter to run 2 TV's. many times it works, sometimes you may have weaker signal.

What are your exact intents here?

 

[FALC0N]

Its certainly ideal to have all monitors coming off the GPU. That gives you a lot of flexibility with the output. Just using a splitter really limits you.

Like Nukemaster said, best case scenario is a clone of the first image. Worst is the second monitor doesn't work at all. The most likely is that the clone monitor has aspect ratio and over/underscan that is all over the map and cant really be fixed easily because changes would affect the first monitor.

Remember, the outputs don't have to be identical. You can use VGA for one monitor and HDMI or DVI for another. So you might have options with your system and monitors that wouldn't require a splitter. I would certainly explore those first, if possible.

 

[huss987]

At best, you would only be able to have the same image on both(it would take special hardware and a matching cable to run 2 screens with different signals. It would not follow the normal plug pinouts in that case). At worst it would cause all kinds of detection issues.

They make active(amplifier) boxes to avoid issues when you need to run multiple screens from the same signal(commonly used in stores in the past to showcase TV's). This is kind of like running a splitter to run 2 TV's. many times it works, sometimes you may have weaker signal.

What are your exact intents here?

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to have the monitor extend, but it wont work.

 

[FALC0N]

No. But if you video had other outputs, it still might be possible.

 

[nukemaster]

As FALC0N says, many cards will run multiple monitors now.

VGA is getting hard to find in pairs on cards now however. Adapters from DVI -> VGA can be passive as long as it is DVI-I(but again, most cards now only have one port like that) for any digital to analog adapters to work on a 100% digital port, you will need an active adapter and these are not cheep. Also note that VGA lacks the copy protection required some HD content(mostly Bluray playback.)