Output to LCD on Linux - dual screen

[Nick F]

I'm now running Ubuntu (Gutsy) and I wanted to know how do enable dual monitor support.

I currently have a 8800GTS with my PC screen plugged into the DVI port. In the other DVI port I have a cable that extends over to my 40" LCD TV in the front room.

I did follow this walkthrough - Dual Monitors With Ubuntu ~ Linux Fanatics but the resolution on my main TV is limited to 640 * 640 and my desktop extends across both the screens. Is there anyway I can configure it so that my 40" screen acts as a separate monitor?

[ikonia]

Hello Nick, and welcome to one of the draw back features of multiple Linux distros and versions and products and everything that goes with it.

The problem is that unlike windows linux is made up of different products and different versions of these products.

For your example you have

1.) Linux
2.) Xorg
3.) The Nvidia drivers

Dual head displays for your sitution can be managed with one of two solutions

1.) Xinerama - this is basically setting up the xorg xserver to launch one for each monitor and then you can configure those to interact as either one big desktop or two individual ones.

This situation has the advantage of not being driver specific just xorg specific, however it is for new users a living hell to setup


2.) Nvidia driver twin view.
This is allowing the nvidia driver to basiclly launch one massive xserver spanning both screens, this again can be a manual process of configuring xorg but is easier than setting up xinearma. There is also a debatable tool of "nvidia-xsettings" or "nvidia-settings" depending on your distro. This tool is totally debatable as a good tool.

Because your using a TV which 9 times out of ten won't advertise its settings / capabilities correctly you'll probably have to first decide which approach (xinerma or twinview) you want to take then hack the config file manually to tell of xorg about your settings.


Sorry that this isn't a "just click here and it works" situation, but its still a limiting factor of a linux desktop.

[directhex]

Sorry that this isn't a "just click here and it works" situation, but its still a limiting factor of a linux desktop.

even with the good work being done on monitor hotplug, there's no quick fix to duff EDID info though

[ikonia]

exactly, hence the limitation.

[Nick F]

Thanks the above help, been looking into it and boy does it look confusing!

Maybe I can get round this another way. If I use Ubuntu as my main OS will a PS3 be able to find my media hard drive so I can stream video?

[ikonia]

I don't know enough about how the PSU looks for remote media, in principal I don't see why not, let me have a look into it.

I'm assuming you mean use ubuntu and share out your media drive and let the PS3 find the media over the network

[Nick F]

I don't know enough about how the PSU looks for remote media, in principal I don't see why not, let me have a look into it.

I'm assuming you mean use ubuntu and share out your media drive and let the PS3 find the media over the network

That's correct. I did find this - TwonkyVision but I'm not sure. I don't see why it couldn't find it considering the PS3 can run Linux.

[ikonia]

depends how the PS looks/connects to the network for media.

eg: does it want a "windows style" network drive ? does it want a public http share ? does it use a propriaty application ? etc.

Just having a read on this for you. I know directhex has been playing with his PS3 a bit, so he may know off the top of his head, but as I don't have one I've only glanced at this.

[directhex]

depends how the PS looks/connects to the network for media.

eg: does it want a "windows style" network drive ? does it want a public http share ? does it use a propriaty application ? etc.

Just having a read on this for you. I know directhex has been playing with his PS3 a bit, so he may know off the top of his head, but as I don't have one I've only glanced at this.

UPnP. any UPnP server on the network will be found, any media in a format the ps3 recognises will be playable

[ikonia]

so nick, the answer to your question is "yes" the ps3 will find your media.

[Nick F]

Thanks for your help ikonia and directhex.

directhex - do you have any experience of using TwonkyVision? I'm looking to find what media it supports and if it can transcode on the fly?

[directhex]

Thanks for your help ikonia and directhex.

directhex - do you have any experience of using TwonkyVision? I'm looking to find what media it supports and if it can transcode on the fly?

no, i use mythtv as my upnp server

[Nick F]

Cheers chaps, just found this site - psubuntu.com | Ubuntu on a Playstation 3

Think I might just put Linux on a PS3 and then there should be no issues in streaming media

[directhex]

Cheers chaps, just found this site - psubuntu.com | Ubuntu on a Playstation 3

Think I might just put Linux on a PS3 and then there should be no issues in streaming media

you'd be surprised

[ikonia]

its a terrible idea. Don't do it.

[Nick F]

its a terrible idea. Don't do it.

Really, wouldn't it make it easier? I've heard nothing but good things about Linux on the PS3.