Does anyone use a usb monitor device, such as this from Pluggable ? http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Multiple-2048x1152-1920x1200-DisplayLink/dp/B0038P1TP4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1343318315&sr=1-1&keywords=pluggable+usb2.0+dvi
 
I have a two monitor setup (direct from graphice card) on my main studio desk and am looking to put a third monitor by my synth workstation so that my hands and my hedd are not 90 degrees out of phase when i am using that synth..
 
thanks in advance for all input from folks who have one of these or who have tried one with Sonar...

"Performance

USB graphics adapters work by rendering 2D/3D with your computer's CPU and GPU, and then compressing and transmitting the pixels that change over USB. Dual core or 2Ghz or better CPU recommended. Recommended for web and applications, not 3D gaming or motion video playback."

Based on that explanation, I'd run away.... Very quickly.. :D

Based on that explanation, I'd run away.... Very quickly.. :D

Yes...


If you want another display, add another video card.

js516


"Performance

USB graphics adapters work by rendering 2D/3D with your computer's CPU and GPU, and then compressing and transmitting the pixels that change over USB. Dual core or 2Ghz or better CPU recommended. Recommended for web and applications, not 3D gaming or motion video playback."

Based on that explanation, I'd run away.... Very quickly.. :D

I dont think that is a fair conclusion Joe..
Every PC uses the CPU and GPU to process graphics data...but if you were assuming a budget laptop with shared memory architecture graphics then yup its a reasonable conclusion..
However with a graphics card capable of graphics processing 2560*1600 in 3D with visual fx processing then running 2 off 1920*1200 monitors in 2D direct from the card plus compression processing an additional 1680*1050 in 2D in the GPU cores, i dont see that as a big performance concern.. sure the CPU has to manage the USB b/w also, but with a stagnant display like Sonar updating (say) <5% of pixels per frame and running i7 at 3Ghz vs recommended of dual core 2Ghz?.. probably not an issue.
 
picture quality and picture definition however is a concern, hence the request for input by users :)
 
 
@Jim
no space for a second card, thanks, hence this thread. :)

 Even with the CPU and GPU rendering, it would have to locate the differences between two frames, then compute the compressed data before sending it. The CPU would need to read from the graphics card memory during compression. All this extra work would take processing power away from Sonar.  Also, any USB devices on the same hub would be affect by the bandwidth sucked up by this device. Not to mention gambling with usb driver issues.
Instead, why not invest in a card that has a pair of DisplayPort conections, as well as a pair of DVIs such as:
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3663#ov

These cards allow for massive display areas. I'd save my pennies for a better card than waste it on gimmicky devices that are questionable.
Just a thought.. :)
 
About DisplayPort:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort

Jim,
I have quite a simple display problem and while it may necessitate a more expensive solution, I have few technical (performance) concerns of this product in my (relatively static and specific) application and in my (decent) system, as i have plenty cpu, gpu and usb performance to spare... so if its a $60 problem i prefer to keep it that way :)
 
So, while i dont see this as being "questionable" from a technical perspective in my application it certainly may well be so from other perspectices so I am therefore looking for practical user input to supplement the reviews i have read online...which mostly center around it doesnt work on mountain lion (does anything?), running video (which it says it doesnt and user complain that it doesnt) and performance on decrepit machines.. none of which applies in my case...
 
I have some research to do with issues related to nvidia conflicts i saw this morning noted with this device but in the light of no applicable members direct experience it will cost the sum of the return postage to try one out.. thanks again for your input