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Splitting Video From Laptop To Multiple Monitors

SlapnutsSlapnuts Registered User regular
edited July 2011 in Help / Advice Forum
I have been tasked with figuring out how to split a laptop video signal (PC video or S-Video) among many different monitors in a bowling alley. There will be 4 monitors in total and they will be anywhere from 10 to 30 feet away from the computer. How should I do it?

My ideal situation would be finding some sort of video box that allows me to run the signal out from the laptop, into the box and the box splits the signal to the various monitors via standard coax cable or (ideally) more PC video or HDMI. Bonus points if the box also takes in audio that can be put into the PA system. Does such a box exist? Can I get a cable that runs HDMI that far?

Help me HA! Trivia night depends on you!

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Posts

  • Great ScottGreat Scott King of Wishful Thinking Paragon City, RIRegistered User regular
    edited July 2011
    I would highly recommend a generic VGA splitter with audio (I prefer Monoprice, but there are plenty of alternate sources, example: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10104&cs_id=1010402&p_id=4078&seq=1&format=1#largeimage )

    One thing that you are going to run into is video degradation over the extended range. ~50 feet should be OK with higher-quality VGA cables with ferrite cores, but if you go too much farther than that your images will look "fuzzy". This won't hurt images as much as text, though.

    I would shy away from S-Video unless you need to use it on the TV side. It's really not as good as a VGA signal at all.

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  • Skoal CatSkoal Cat Registered User regular
    Is this for digital signage?

  • SlapnutsSlapnuts Registered User regular
    It's for a bar's TV system which would be used for general TV viewing/Trivia night/other bar-related things.

    There are some acts so ruthless, some deeds so unpalatable, that only the Vlka Fenryka are capable of undertaking them. It's what we were bred for. It's the way we were designed. Without qualm or sentiment, without hesitation or whimsy. We take pride in being the only Astartes who will never, under any circumstances, refuse to strike on the Allfather's behalf, no matter what the target, no matter what the cause.
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Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum