how to set up 3 displays?

jerojero

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Location
Japan
Hi, people!


The task I want to accomplish is rather simple, but I am having a hard time trying to find a way to do it:


How can I show the same image (the right half of an "extended desktop") through both the 15-pin VGA and the HDMI connectors of a Windows 8 Notebook PC, while simultaneously showing the left half of this "extended desktop" on the built-in display of the Notebook?
As a teacher, I need this configuration for my lectures.


The details:


On the lecturer's desk, I have my notebook PC (a Panasonic SX2 with Windows 8 / Intel Core i7-3540M / Intel HD Graphics 4000). The built-in display of the Notebook shows me the left half of an "extended desktop". On this display i can switch between my notes and different application windows (PDF Reader, Internet Browser, Media player, Spreadsheets, Picture Viewer, etc.)


During my lecture, at certain moments I will share text, pictures, web pages, or videos with the audience by swapping diferent application windows between my notebook's display and a data projector (connected to the Notebook's 15-pin VGA output). The projector shows the other half of my "extended desktop" on a big screen to the audience.


Now, while I speak to the audience about the data I am projecting, I need to look at both my Notebook's built-in display and the data being projected.
But the problem here is that, from my location at the lecturer's desk, I can hardly see the screen, which is hanging over my head.
I regularly get a painful stiff neck from trying to watch to the screen during my lectures!!


That is why I want to have a third display standing beside my Notebook, showing me the half of the "extended desktop" which is being projected to the audience on the screen.


Not wanting to put an additional load on the CPU of a Notebook which regularly has a lot of applications open, I am ruling out the use of an USB monitor.
Instead, i would like to make use of the capabilities of a third generation i7 processor with "HD Graphics 4000" (3 displays supported according to Intel's website), so I got an HDMI digital display (an "On-Lap 1302") and now I would like to show the *same* video output through both the 15-pin VGA (projector) and the HDMI connector (digital display).

But to my surprise, the "Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel" of my Notebook doesn't seem to support any kind of simultaneous use of three displays!


Does someone on this board have an idea on how to get modern hardware to perform this simple task - which would help us teachers and lecturers to improve our work (while avoiding further neck injuries!)?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Panasonic CF-SX2
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3540M processor
    Motherboard
    Mobile Intel QM77 Express chipset
    Memory
    4GB PC3-10600/DDR3L SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Processor Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000 (# of Displays Supported: 3)
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 built-in display, 1 digital display "On-Lap 1302", 1 projector
    Screen Resolution
    bult-in display: 1600 x 900
    Hard Drives
    1 hard disk drive (HDD) 640GB (Serial ATA, 5400rpm)
    Mouse
    Logicool M555b bluetooth mouse
    Browser
    Chrome, Firefox
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    interfaces:
    - LAN connector (RJ-45)
    - external display connector (analog RGB mini D-sub 15-pin)
    - HDMI output connector
    - microphone input terminal (plug-in power supported) stereo mini jack)
    - audio output terminal (stereo mini Jack)
    - USB3.0 port × 2
    - USB2.0 port × 1
Hi there jerojero, and welcome!

Interesting setup you've got there, I do volunteer tech work at a school and I have to say I've never seen something like what you're trying to set up :geek:

My guess here is that the graphics card doesn't allow using two types of signals (digital (HDMI) and analog (VGA)) at the same time, or simply the PC manufacturer has added some kind of restriction.

In your case, what I would do first is run a driver update on the integrated graphics. If still it doesn't work, I'd opt for a solution like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0073V9R3U

It'll simply duplicate the image that comes out of your VGA port without further taxing your CPU. Killing two birds with one Stone :thumb:

Happy lectures!
-Julian
Microsoft Student Partner
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600k
    Motherboard
    ASUS Sabertooth P67 B3
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 2x4GB 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GTX580DCUII
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    PSU
    Corsair TX850v2
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF X
    Cooling
    Too much!
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 10
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