• SONAR
  • [SOLVED... sort of] complex triple-monitor, multi-dock, floating window question
2014/02/04 12:17:12
Matt
This is how I have my desktop set up since as long as I can remember:
 
http://www.koskenmaki.com/desktop.png
 
(I shrank it so the file wasn't so big... if the quality sucks I can repost a bigger version.)
 
This is two 30" monitors side-by-side at 2560x1600 resolution.  It's got everything I need/use all the time, I like to have it all out in front of me at once (no hidden windows) and because my template has 250 tracks I like to have the track view as large as possible.
 
The only thing I ever change is occasionally I'll cut the media browser in half and add a video window when I work with video.
 
All the windows on the right are floating outside of the Sonar window... it's the only way I could figure out to not have overlap with the track window.  The track window is the biggest issue for me.... no way to float it?
 
This multidock is new to me, I can't see to figure out how to use it efficiently.
 
Here's the question... in addition to these monitors I have a 3rd monitor off to the left... too far to do me any practical good like displaying softsynths but I want to be able to shoot the track view on to it.  I use this monitor for mixing and for recording (you can see it from the recording booth... I have a faderport in the booth to record Sonar so all I really need is to be able to see the track view... it is also nice to see the tracks while mixing.)
 
Right now it is set up as monitor #3 and extends my desktop onto it.  So the monitors are out of order, from left-to-right they go 3, 1, 2.
 
Ideally I would just duplicate #1 onto #3.  I don't need it to display anything different than #1.  The problem is it's a 24" monitor and won't run at the same resolution as the 30" monitors.  I've tried active DVI-D splitters, but they will only split at the lowest resolution.  I've tried display port splitters, vga splitters, and duplicating the displays via the win7 screen resolution dialog box.  Everytime I run into the same problem, either I have to change the 30" resolutions down to match the 24" (I don't want to) or I have to buy a new 30" monitor to replace the 24" (expensive).  I'm not sure there's any hardware-based solution for me.
 
So enter screensets... right now I have the 24" monitor just displaying the video window, I think in the multi-dock.  Is there any possible way to create a screenset with the track view on the 24" monitor?
2014/02/04 12:21:09
Matt
Here is a picture of the setup if it's not clear.  The monitor on the left is on a swivel arm and can be positioned anywhere including rotating it over so that you can see it from the recording booth (window on right).
 

2014/02/04 12:39:28
markyzno
Have you tried a USB monitor, I'm sure they clone your main desktop, assuming that your main monitor is the Track View Monitor?

I was looking at this myself recently to clone my main video monitor to my Studio client screen monitor so I can work to picture with the monitor in front of me and my client sees the video cloned on a very awkward for me to work on Monitor (a bit like yourself) but good for the client as its by a sofa... (if that makes sense at all)
2014/02/04 12:52:07
Matt
Wow I'd never even heard of usb monitors.  I will look into this thanks.  On initial glance, it looks like I could run into the same issue with 2560x1600 availalble only on expensive 30" usb monitors but I will keep researching if it will allow different resolution duplicate displays.
2014/02/04 12:57:37
markyzno
I *think* but dont quote me on this, that you can mirror at different resolutions.....
2014/02/04 13:04:35
markyzno
I believe its called "display link" technology....

http://www.displaylink.com/shop/monitors
2014/02/04 15:24:46
LunaTech
Hi,
 
Or you could add another video card.  This should accomodate what you are doing. The only queston would be would the cards co exist independently. Meaning that would windows try to make them all span or all clone as opposed to spanning on one and the other is independent or spanning on one card and cloning one monitor on the other.
2014/02/04 16:09:22
tomixornot
LunaTech
Hi,
 
Or you could add another video card.  This should accomodate what you are doing. The only queston would be would the cards co exist independently. Meaning that would windows try to make them all span or all clone as opposed to spanning on one and the other is independent or spanning on one card and cloning one monitor on the other.




I'm using 2 fan less low performance cards. Windows (7) will managed them as follows (under the Multiple display selection).
 
- Display 1 and 2 connected to card A, the options are to Extend (span) or Duplicate.
- Display 3 connected to card B, the options are Extend or Disconnect.
 

2014/02/04 16:20:22
Matt
I'm not sure I follow.  I don't think I need to add another video card, my current card has 4 (!) outputs....  2 DVI-D, 1 Display Port, 1 HDMI.  I have 3 hooked up and have tried different combinations of all of them.  So with my 3rd monitor (24") I have the option of duplicating 1 & 2, duplicating 1 & 3, duplicating 2 & 3, or extending the desktop on to it.  But the only option that allows different resolutions is extending the desktop on to it, otherwise I am running one of my 30" monitors at the highest resolution of the 24" monitor, which I don't want to do.
 
Would having another card allow a duplicate display with a different resolution?  That's my problem.
 
The alternative is to just switch to that monitor when I need to using sonar screensets but being unable to float the track view is causing me issues.
2014/02/04 16:28:46
tomixornot
> Would having another card allow a duplicate display with a different resolution?  That's my problem.
 
In my case, a separate card's monitor can't be duplicated to the other card's monitors. But I'm using 2 different cards / drivers (NVIDIA and Radeon). Not sure if same brand of cards / drivers can be made to do so ?
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