1x30" TFT widescreen or 3x19" TFT regular?

doo · 6 February 08, 10:47

I'm planning on upgrading my monitor but I'm torn apart by whether to go with one huge display or with three linked smaller monitors. The price range is pretty much the same, around 1000 euros.

Option one:

30" Daewoo Wide Sensy LCD30KAL

Option two:

3x 19" HannsG JC 199DP
XFX GeForce 8800GTS 512MB Alpha Dog Edition
Matrox TripleHead2Go Analog

I really can't decide... The 30" display is HUGE. But then again, three smaller displays would give a wider perspective in racing sims and I could (and would have to) include a state of the art GFX card in the package. But then again, I'd have the bars caused by the edges of the monitors if I went with the 3 small ones. On the other hand, if I did, I'd end up with two GFX cards and I could use my old one to connect a 4th monitor. So I'd actually have 4 monitors instead of three. But what the hell am I gonna do with 4 monitors?!?!

Then again, it would be insanely cool, wouldn't it... But so would the 30" behemoth... Damn.

So. What do I do? :confused:

~~lowndes888~~ · 6 February 08, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by doo

I'm planning on upgrading my monitor but I'm torn apart by whether to go with one huge display or with three linked smaller monitors. The price range is pretty much the same, around 1000 euros.

Option one:

30" Daewoo Wide Sensy LCD30KAL

Option two:

19" HannsG JC 199DP
XFX GeForce 8800GTS 512MB Alpha Dog Edition
Matrox TripleHead2Go Analog

I really can't decide... The 30" display is HUGE. But then again, three smaller displays would give a wider perspective in racing sims and I could (and would have to) include a state of the art GFX card in the package. But then again, I'd have the bars caused by the edges of the monitors if I went with the 3 small ones. On the other hand, if I did, I'd end up with two GFX cards and I could use my old one to connect a 4th monitor. So I'd actually have 4 monitors instead of three. But what the hell am I gonna do with 4 monitors?!?!

Then again, it would be insanely cool, wouldn't it... But so would the 30" behemoth... Damn.

So. What do I do? :confused:

Ask Chuck, he's always right:p

vrmx · 6 February 08, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by doo

So. What do I do? :confused:

Stay away from Pixmania and Elektroni...

And I would go for one bigger monitor.

~~Gaiajohan~~ · 6 February 08, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by vrmx

Stay away from Pixmania and Elektroni...

Pixmania sucks indeed.. have heard too much bad stories from them, and would never buy something there. Also the Dutch pixmania website is translated very crappy

But in your case I'd do 3 19" screens.

And btw, you only need a dualhead2go.

Your graphiocs card has 2 connectors.
So on ouput 1 the dual head to go, which connects screen1 and 2.
and output 2 has screen 3

.

doo · 6 February 08, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaiajohan

And btw, you only need a dualhead2go.

Your graphiocs card has 2 connectors.
So on ouput 1 the dual head to go, which connects screen1 and 2.
and output 2 has screen 3

.

I wouldn't be so sure if that's going to work with older games that don't understand multiple monitors, like Richard Burns Rally, for example...

~~Gaiajohan~~ · 6 February 08, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by doo

I wouldn't be so sure if that's going to work with older games that don't understand multiple monitors, like Richard Burns Rally, for example...

RBR doesn't like dual screen indeed. You can set the right resolution, but it's stretched all the way.
RBR should be done on one monitor then..

doo · 6 February 08, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaiajohan

RBR doesn't like dual screen indeed. You can set the right resolution, but it's stretched all the way.
RBR should be done on one monitor then..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbHjCJc5tmA

Works pretty much fine for all I can tell... The perspective is a little fish-eyed, but according to my knowledge, that's how it is in most games with TripleHead2Go anyway.

~~Gaiajohan~~ · 6 February 08, 15:32

Hmm strange, i've tried it on dual screen, and it didn't look good at 2560*960

ATM I'm formatting my gamecomputer, but when that's done and all drivers are installed I'll have a look at it again

PhilH959 · 6 February 08, 15:42

I have a HannsG 19 ws and it failed after just 6 months, but thanks to the lifetime warranty, I shipped it back, they fixed it and it still looks beautiful!
Great stuff for very little money! HANNSG rocks!! Go three wide my man!

Phil

ZeZeZoom · 6 February 08, 15:54

I have a Samsung 275T, a fantastic 27inch monitor, and would not change it for 3 19 inch monitors, nor even for 3 22inch monitors.
The idea of watching the side bars of the monitors in the middle of the track each time I would be approaching a turn or disputing a place under braking is too much for me.:roflmao:
So, I'd go for the 30 inch monitor (without too much of a thought, I must say).
I paid about €1270 for my 275T and would have paid no more than €900 for 3 22 inch monitors but I prefer having one (good +) huge monitor.

pjj1180 · 8 February 08, 21:00

Go with the triple setup it is a different aspect ratio that makes it superior. Go with 1 24" and 2 19" and http://www.kegetys.net/SoftTH/

Louike · 8 February 08, 21:08

Dont forget to grab a TrackIR!! http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/

alex291190 · 8 February 08, 21:12

I would go with the 3 monitors, you then have bragging rights over friends,

"I have 3 monitors, how may do you have?"

~~RKipker~~ · 9 February 08, 14:31

Doo.... I have the a 24" Dell from in which I ran for over a year with Track IR.... then upgraded to the TH2G and three 22" W2207 hp wide screen monitors and of course my track IR.

I can tell you for sure playing rFactor (BEST for menu) GTR2 (Very good), NR2003, DIRT, RACE07, (AWESOME) Crysis, F.E.A.R and any game that supports TH2G ..... or should I say that TH2G supports, is 10 times more immersive than my 24" Dell could ever be.

I didn't realize RBR was supported by TH2G, my next game purchase. I've not tried the SoftTH.... but it's an option many choose and like.

Let me put a few concerns mentioned here to bed (sort-of-speak)

1) You never ever are bothered by the bezels b/w monitors, you pretty much focus on the center monitor and the side monitors are more peripheral vision and simply assist with the immersion factor
2) The game does not look fish-eyed at all or even distorted to me.... the slight stretching you get on the side monitors is virtually non-existent.

I run 3840X1024 (not wide screen ratio) and would not trade those games for a single 30" monitors

Now the downfalls:
Games that don't accept/recognize TH2G are very disappointing.... such as F1C, MotoGP08, and many others and its so disappointing you almost, I have, stop playing them because it's so much less immersive once you run three monitors.

Also, my biggest misunderstanding is when the game does not accept the TH2G settings... the options are usually not even 1680X1050 such as for MotoGP08.... and I can only run it in 1280X900 res.

Next misconception on large screen LD TV's.... check closely! I also have a 26" LCD Oliveia and run on another computer.... it will not support a higher resolution than 1360X950 resolution! Not sure about the vertical at the moment... but I'm 100% sure about the horizontal resolution.

Do not buy a HDTV and think it will look great, it will not. Make sure if you go with the single monitor... it is a MONITOR that supports 1980X1200 minimum or this will be disappointing too... and any game that does not support that resolution like the TH2G setup will be disappointing... but not as much.

Now, finally... the 19" monitors vs. the 22" monitors on a TH2G setup! I struggled with this and opt'ed for the 22'.... this is still a doubt I have. The three monitors will support a higher resolution than a 3X1280X1024 but would it really be nicer than almost a full 180- degree setup.

More and more games are fitting in the TH2G setup out of the box.... I can tell you Matorx's SGU is totally crap and doesn't help a single game. The GXM software is cool because it will allow for each monitor to be individual vs. all one monitor. This only helps with any application outside of gaming.

Not sure where you live... but if North Alabama is within a 2-3 hour drive you're welcome to come test it....

Good Luck!

pjj1180 · 10 February 08, 06:36

List of games supported by SofTH
http://www.kegetys.net/forum/index.php?topic=130.0
Race 07 @ 5260x1600 2 20" and 1 30"
http://www.kegetys.net/forum/index.php?topic=125.0

Oh, it is free

~~RKipker~~ · 10 February 08, 13:47

Yeah, it looks good and I can't say it doesn't have a great price and that SoftTH may be a better way.... but that resolution looks almost like being in a tunnel. Maybe seeing to much is not good eitheer.

Last night in my real BMW325i (wife's car) we we're on our way to the movies and I noticed just how much I could really see vs. what was in my peripheral vision.... and my 3X - 1280X1024 or 3840X1024 looks really great in comparsion to real life. PLus my frame rates are fantastic..... completely max'ed out on all settings.

I don't think anyone playing any game that runs in 3840X1024 would be disappointed.... the disappointment comes when a game will not play in the triple 1280X1024, that's the issue I wish the folks at TH2G could work out.

Also, for those interested... is say a 22" monitor... the reason I bought the W2207 from hp were thay incredible adjustment factor. The monitor allos you to adjust vertically allowing me to manage the screen alignment much easier.

The TH2G bezel management program sucks in my opinion... by deleting as many as 100 pixels /side or 200 pixels.

Hope this info helps, again..... it's an expensive decision either way... one large monitor 30" that truely supports 1920X1200 would be great.... or three monitors.... very expensive decision.... I know personnely

Reading further down in that post on RACE 07:
Some games will not work at this resolution, either too slow or just wont allow it. If it is too slow, I set the game at 3720x1200.

There you go.... 3840X1024 is a great resolution which allows enough pixels vertically and horizontally. The major probelm is when you can not force the triple screens resolution.... Good luck to anyone doing this and please share your experiences with us all... me mostly...

pjj1180 · 10 February 08, 21:17

Yeah that guy's fov is way back?
Ideally you have both. You don't run sli, switch cables and run SoftTH when you can and when you can't use Th2g

Can Th2g run different size monitors?

FastTex · 11 February 08, 22:55

Hanns 27.5" PC Monitor. $499.00 at NEWEGG. It is absolutely gorgeous for gaming. I have had one for about two weeks. It even helps with lap times!!!

PhilH959 · 11 February 08, 23:15

Hanns-G rocks...lifetime warranty! and rock solid performance for less money than most others! (disclaimer: no I do not work for them lol)

Phil

Tommy Trauma · 13 February 08, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKipker

Doo.... I have the a 24" Dell from in which I ran for over a year with Track IR.... then upgraded to the TH2G and three 22" W2207 hp wide screen monitors and of course my track IR.

You still have that Dell 24"? and maybe want to sell it. I'm currently running a Viewsonic 2030B (20") and would love to get a 24" Dell. Heard great things about them.

Sidewinder16 · 13 February 08, 09:50

I would suggest that you get the single 30 inch monitor rather than the 3 19 inch ones. My reason being is the further you widen your FOV (if the game has such an adjustable parameter) the more and more it will look like a fish eye lens. The distortion will become more and more noticeable towards the extremities of the display.

The only reason i could justify for getting the 3 19 inch displays is if the game is capable of rendering a seperate view for each monitor to avoid this distortion (which in all likelyhood it does not). The only downside to that approach is you will loose 66% of your frame rate.

Hansaplast · 14 February 08, 01:29

http://video-de.tomshardware.com/vid...ROoaftDNz.html

MrYubby · 14 February 08, 03:06

I got a Hanns-G HG281D (28", HD 1080P) monitor about 3 months ago, still going strong. I'm running GTR2 @ 1680x1050, letterbox mode with GeForce 8800 GTX OC with no issues, looks fantastic. If you have a console in addition to PC, I highly recommend it. I also have an XBox 360 hooked up with a HDMI switch and Forza 2 and COD4 in 1080P HD look magnificent (though the AI in Forza is completely brain-dead). The monitor has been rock solid thus far (knock on wood)...

MWMC Andy · 23 February 08, 15:57

I have the same Hanns-G 28". It got mine for $499 at Newegg also. I do have a pixel that stays green all of the time but it does not stick out when racing. For the $ it has been a good option. Everything else close to that size was double the $$.

Rhapsody · 25 February 08, 06:07

Is it possible to drive 3 19"s with a 8800 GTX using triplehead2go?

6 February 08, 10:47	#1
doo Retired Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampere, Finland Age: 29	1x30" TFT widescreen or 3x19" TFT regular? I'm planning on upgrading my monitor but I'm torn apart by whether to go with one huge display or with three linked smaller monitors. The price range is pretty much the same, around 1000 euros. Option one: 30" Daewoo Wide Sensy LCD30KAL Option two: 3x 19" HannsG JC 199DP XFX GeForce 8800GTS 512MB Alpha Dog Edition Matrox TripleHead2Go Analog I really can't decide... The 30" display is HUGE. But then again, three smaller displays would give a wider perspective in racing sims and I could (and would have to) include a state of the art GFX card in the package. But then again, I'd have the bars caused by the edges of the monitors if I went with the 3 small ones. On the other hand, if I did, I'd end up with two GFX cards and I could use my old one to connect a 4th monitor. So I'd actually have 4 monitors instead of three. But what the hell am I gonna do with 4 monitors?!?! Then again, it would be insanely cool, wouldn't it... But so would the 30" behemoth... Damn. So. What do I do? :confused: Last edited by doo; 6 February 08 at 10:58.

9 February 08, 14:31	#14
~~RKipker~~ Banned Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alabama, from N. Orleans originally Age: 53	Doo.... I have the a 24" Dell from in which I ran for over a year with Track IR.... then upgraded to the TH2G and three 22" W2207 hp wide screen monitors and of course my track IR. I can tell you for sure playing rFactor (BEST for menu) GTR2 (Very good), NR2003, DIRT, RACE07, (AWESOME) Crysis, F.E.A.R and any game that supports TH2G ..... or should I say that TH2G supports, is 10 times more immersive than my 24" Dell could ever be. I didn't realize RBR was supported by TH2G, my next game purchase. I've not tried the SoftTH.... but it's an option many choose and like. Let me put a few concerns mentioned here to bed (sort-of-speak) 1) You never ever are bothered by the bezels b/w monitors, you pretty much focus on the center monitor and the side monitors are more peripheral vision and simply assist with the immersion factor 2) The game does not look fish-eyed at all or even distorted to me.... the slight stretching you get on the side monitors is virtually non-existent. I run 3840X1024 (not wide screen ratio) and would not trade those games for a single 30" monitors Now the downfalls: Games that don't accept/recognize TH2G are very disappointing.... such as F1C, MotoGP08, and many others and its so disappointing you almost, I have, stop playing them because it's so much less immersive once you run three monitors. Also, my biggest misunderstanding is when the game does not accept the TH2G settings... the options are usually not even 1680X1050 such as for MotoGP08.... and I can only run it in 1280X900 res. Next misconception on large screen LD TV's.... check closely! I also have a 26" LCD Oliveia and run on another computer.... it will not support a higher resolution than 1360X950 resolution! Not sure about the vertical at the moment... but I'm 100% sure about the horizontal resolution. Do not buy a HDTV and think it will look great, it will not. Make sure if you go with the single monitor... it is a MONITOR that supports 1980X1200 minimum or this will be disappointing too... and any game that does not support that resolution like the TH2G setup will be disappointing... but not as much. Now, finally... the 19" monitors vs. the 22" monitors on a TH2G setup! I struggled with this and opt'ed for the 22'.... this is still a doubt I have. The three monitors will support a higher resolution than a 3X1280X1024 but would it really be nicer than almost a full 180- degree setup. More and more games are fitting in the TH2G setup out of the box.... I can tell you Matorx's SGU is totally crap and doesn't help a single game. The GXM software is cool because it will allow for each monitor to be individual vs. all one monitor. This only helps with any application outside of gaming. Not sure where you live... but if North Alabama is within a 2-3 hour drive you're welcome to come test it.... Good Luck! Last edited by RKipker; 9 February 08 at 14:55.

6 February 08, 15:32	#8
~~Gaiajohan~~ Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Groningen, Netherlands Age: 25	Hmm strange, i've tried it on dual screen, and it didn't look good at 2560*960 ATM I'm formatting my gamecomputer, but when that's done and all drivers are installed I'll have a look at it again

6 February 08, 15:42	#9
PhilH959 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 54	I have a HannsG 19 ws and it failed after just 6 months, but thanks to the lifetime warranty, I shipped it back, they fixed it and it still looks beautiful! Great stuff for very little money! HANNSG rocks!! Go three wide my man! Phil

6 February 08, 15:54	#10
ZeZeZoom Uploader Join Date: Jul 2006	I have a Samsung 275T, a fantastic 27inch monitor, and would not change it for 3 19 inch monitors, nor even for 3 22inch monitors. The idea of watching the side bars of the monitors in the middle of the track each time I would be approaching a turn or disputing a place under braking is too much for me.:roflmao: So, I'd go for the 30 inch monitor (without too much of a thought, I must say). I paid about €1270 for my 275T and would have paid no more than €900 for 3 22 inch monitors but I prefer having one (good +) huge monitor.

8 February 08, 21:00	#11
pjj1180 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Orlando, Florida	Go with the triple setup it is a different aspect ratio that makes it superior. Go with 1 24" and 2 19" and http://www.kegetys.net/SoftTH/

8 February 08, 21:08	#12
Louike Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Holland Age: 32	Dont forget to grab a TrackIR!! http://www.naturalpoint.com/trackir/

8 February 08, 21:12	#13
alex291190 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Scotland, Irvine (Near-ish glasgow) Age: 22	I would go with the 3 monitors, you then have bragging rights over friends, "I have 3 monitors, how may do you have?"

10 February 08, 06:36	#15
pjj1180 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Orlando, Florida	List of games supported by SofTH http://www.kegetys.net/forum/index.php?topic=130.0 Race 07 @ 5260x1600 2 20" and 1 30" http://www.kegetys.net/forum/index.php?topic=125.0 Oh, it is free

10 February 08, 13:47	#16
~~RKipker~~ Banned Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alabama, from N. Orleans originally Age: 53	Yeah, it looks good and I can't say it doesn't have a great price and that SoftTH may be a better way.... but that resolution looks almost like being in a tunnel. Maybe seeing to much is not good eitheer. Last night in my real BMW325i (wife's car) we we're on our way to the movies and I noticed just how much I could really see vs. what was in my peripheral vision.... and my 3X - 1280X1024 or 3840X1024 looks really great in comparsion to real life. PLus my frame rates are fantastic..... completely max'ed out on all settings. I don't think anyone playing any game that runs in 3840X1024 would be disappointed.... the disappointment comes when a game will not play in the triple 1280X1024, that's the issue I wish the folks at TH2G could work out. Also, for those interested... is say a 22" monitor... the reason I bought the W2207 from hp were thay incredible adjustment factor. The monitor allos you to adjust vertically allowing me to manage the screen alignment much easier. The TH2G bezel management program sucks in my opinion... by deleting as many as 100 pixels /side or 200 pixels. Hope this info helps, again..... it's an expensive decision either way... one large monitor 30" that truely supports 1920X1200 would be great.... or three monitors.... very expensive decision.... I know personnely Reading further down in that post on RACE 07: Some games will not work at this resolution, either too slow or just wont allow it. If it is too slow, I set the game at 3720x1200. There you go.... 3840X1024 is a great resolution which allows enough pixels vertically and horizontally. The major probelm is when you can not force the triple screens resolution.... Good luck to anyone doing this and please share your experiences with us all... me mostly...

10 February 08, 21:17	#17
pjj1180 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Orlando, Florida	Yeah that guy's fov is way back? Ideally you have both. You don't run sli, switch cables and run SoftTH when you can and when you can't use Th2g Can Th2g run different size monitors?

11 February 08, 22:55	#18
FastTex Uploader Join Date: Aug 2006	Hanns 27.5" PC Monitor. $499.00 at NEWEGG. It is absolutely gorgeous for gaming. I have had one for about two weeks. It even helps with lap times!!!

11 February 08, 23:15	#19
PhilH959 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 54	Hanns-G rocks...lifetime warranty! and rock solid performance for less money than most others! (disclaimer: no I do not work for them lol) Phil

13 February 08, 09:50	#21
Sidewinder16 Donated Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland Age: 28	I would suggest that you get the single 30 inch monitor rather than the 3 19 inch ones. My reason being is the further you widen your FOV (if the game has such an adjustable parameter) the more and more it will look like a fish eye lens. The distortion will become more and more noticeable towards the extremities of the display. The only reason i could justify for getting the 3 19 inch displays is if the game is capable of rendering a seperate view for each monitor to avoid this distortion (which in all likelyhood it does not). The only downside to that approach is you will loose 66% of your frame rate.

14 February 08, 03:06	#23
MrYubby Uploader Join Date: Sep 2006 Age: 52	I got a Hanns-G HG281D (28", HD 1080P) monitor about 3 months ago, still going strong. I'm running GTR2 @ 1680x1050, letterbox mode with GeForce 8800 GTX OC with no issues, looks fantastic. If you have a console in addition to PC, I highly recommend it. I also have an XBox 360 hooked up with a HDMI switch and Forza 2 and COD4 in 1080P HD look magnificent (though the AI in Forza is completely brain-dead). The monitor has been rock solid thus far (knock on wood)...

23 February 08, 15:57	#24
MWMC Andy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Excelsior, MN	I have the same Hanns-G 28". It got mine for $499 at Newegg also. I do have a pixel that stays green all of the time but it does not stick out when racing. For the $ it has been a good option. Everything else close to that size was double the $$.

25 February 08, 06:07	#25
Rhapsody Join Date: Feb 2008	Is it possible to drive 3 19"s with a 8800 GTX using triplehead2go?