Hello,
I hate to bother you but I have been reading on the internet about the multi-screen topics you write about. If you have time to answer my question – I would greatly appreciate it.
I have been assigned what seems to be an impossible project – and given almost nothing as a budget.
My company want me to create a 3 TV set visual in our business.
I see where you write about similar set-ups – I had hoped you can give me some direction.
This is ULTIMATELY what I would like to make happen.
We have a computer that sits there and has little other purpose.
I would like to use this computer to drive 3 modern TV sets (which have perhaps VGA inputs). I see some links you provide to companies that make video splitting devices – but we would need the model that costs almost 2 thousand – which is my entire budget – so this won’t work. Anyway – I am looking for a cheap way to connect 3 TV sets to a computer AND have the computer to run 3 separate programs which will feed these 3 separate TV sets. I may be able to get this down to 2 TV’s – but 3 is the ultimate goal.
What have you seen or read about that is cheap that may be able to do what I need? I really would appreciate any advice you have on the subject.

And my answer:

Hiya, Scott.
For hardware, just get a video adapter that supports three screens. Here are several:

http://www.multi-monitors.com/SUPER_PC_Dual_Monitor_Video_Cards_Multi_Screen_Graphics_s/1914.htm

You have lots of options, but this seems to be the cheapest at $250: ATI FirePro 2450 Multi-View 512 MB PCI-Express Video Card

So, swap out your existing video card with that one (assuming you have PCI-Express), and use whatever adapter cables you might need to connect to your TVs. Then, just configure Windows for use with multiple monitors.

Are you playing independent video on all three monitors? If so, did you find software to do that, or do you need a hand?

First, the Visual Basic .NET version:

Now, the C# version:

First, the Visual Basic version:

Next, the C# version:

Next, the C# Version:

Greetings, Tony

It is nice to be communicating with you. The question for which I’m in need of you help is probably a tough one: I’ve asked it in different places and never got an answer for it. So brace yourself:

I use Windows Media Player to watch movies, especially DVDs, and occasionally, Video CDs. I have no problem playing DVDs, be it a Hollywood one or personal one. Sound and picture is always great. However, Windows Media Player loves to call my beloved movies “Unknown DVD”. (I have included two screenshots.) But why? What’s wrong? How can I make Windows Media Player recognize my movies with their proper names? Is it something related to disc format or Windows Media Player itself?

Curiosity is killing me. Any help would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Regards,

John

Hi, John. For songs, Windows Media Player can lookup songs in Internet directories using the actual content of the song. So, even if the song isn’t labeled, Windwos Media Player can figure out what it is.

Unfortunately, it’s not as smart with DVDs. To find the name of the DVD, Windows Media Player simply looks at the DVD volume label. If whoever burned the DVD doesn’t specify a volume label, Windows Media Player will display “Unknown DVD”.

If you’re burning a DVD, follow these steps to view or specify a label:

1. Insert the DVD.

2. Click Start, and then click Computer.

3. Right-click the DVD and then click Properties.

The Properties dialog box displays the name of the DVD at the top of the General tab.

4. Type a new name (if it’s a writeable DVD) and then click OK.

So, most DVDs you’re playing are read-only, including all commercial DVDs, which means you can’t change the label. Your only option would be to copy the DVD and specify the label when burning the new media.

Firefox 3.6 has a couple of minor improvements. The one user’s will most appreciate is instant previews of personas, which are skins for Firefox. Basically, it shows a picture over the unused portions of your browser window. Go to GetPersonas.com to check them out.

As I detail in that video, there are also many behind-the-scenes improvements. Performance is up about 15% compared to Firefox 3.5, and the new version has support for several new types of Web content, including full-screen video (without using Flash), gradient backgrounds in CSS, Web Open Fonts Format, drag-and-drop support, and the ability for Web pages to interact with your computers accelerometer (if you have one, like the new Macs do).

I also cover how to fix incompatible add-ons. Basically, grab the Add-on Compatibility Reporter add-on and restart Firefox. Easy.

Our school is looking for a flip type video camera to be used in the classroom then downloaded onto a computer into Windows Movie Maker.  The cameras we have found so far have files that have to be converted to a .wmv file.  Do you know if there are any that produce a .wmv file so a conversion does not have to be done?  We are just trying to eliminate a step and make it easy to use in the classroom by students.

I did some research for you, and it confirmed my initial impression–right now there is not a video camera that records in WMV format. To record in WMV format, you’d have to connect a camera (such as a webcam) directly to a computer, and then record with the computer.

I know transcoding/converting to another video format is time-consuming–wish there was another way! You could consider using different video editing software, such as Adobe Premiere Elements, that can handle your recorded files in their native format.

I cannot open any WMV sent to me. I see a one shot preview but that is all. Then I get is a pop up that states I have no rights or proxy setting s are wrong or file location not correct. Everything looks ok to me.

Regards, Steve

Answer:

Hi, Steve. Is Windows Media Player opening the WMV file? If not, follow these steps:

1. Save the WMV file to your disk.

2. Then, right-click it, click Open With, and then click Choose Default Program.

3. On the Open With dialog, click Windows Media Player, and then click OK.

If Windows Media Player is opening the file, it’s probably a problem with the file or shortcut that the person is sending you. Some WMV files, especially those that might be included with spam, require you to pay for licensing and you won’t be able to open them without paying (and if you do pay, you probably won’t get anything worthwhile).

You could also try using a different different Media Player. I like Media Player Classic.

If you’re still having problems, send me the exact error message and a copy of the video file, and I’ll take another look.

I installed vista ,now I can’t get the DVDs to play. the auto play is on .cant add any of the printers I lost to this new bull shit vista why?

Answer:

I don’t have enough info to speak to your printers problem–feel free to tell me more about what specifically is going wrong.

Regarding the DVD, are you using Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Business, or Windows Vista Enterprise? If so, DVD playback isn’t included with the operating system. Only Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate include DVD playback.

If you’re using Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate, or Windows 7 versions of these applications, it’s possible your DVD driver is the problem. Try these steps to fix a broken CD or DVD.

If you’re not running Home Premium or Ultimate, you can follow these steps to upgrade:

1. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click System and Maintenance.
3. Click Windows Anytime Upgrade.

The Windows Anytime Upgrade window appears. You can view your current edition of Windows in the upper-right corner. Click the Upgrade link, click Begin upgrade process, and then follow the prompts that appear. If you have your Vista setup DVD, you can upgrade immediately (every Vista setup DVD contains every edition of Vista). Otherwise, you’ll need to order a DVD and wait for that to appear.

If you are running Home Premium or Ultimate and you still can’t play a DVD, you probably have some DVD playback software installed that’s not compatible with Windows Vista (like, say, an older version of PowerDVD, WinDVD, VLC Media Player, etc). Try upgrading whichever you’re using to a Vista-compatible version. As an alternative to upgrading to Vista, you could also install one of these tools to watch DVDs–just google the names.