Looking for a multi-input monitor that can do split displays... possible?

VanFanel89

2[H]4U
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Apr 21, 2004
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Hi all,

I currently have a 17" 1080p laptop and a 17" super old school KDS LCD display at a blistering 1280x1024 rez - yeah, it's amazeballs.

I am planning for a new build, as opposed to a laptop, but would like to retain my dual monitor setup - I do like the ease of having one app per monitor without overlap, etc.

Here are my requirements:
  • Able to do split screen (looks like LG nailed it with their software)
  • Able to go into full screen mode on one of the splits but not affect the other (seems to only work if I do multiple inputs)
  • Able to handle at least separate inputs (two boxes connected to it).
  • Hopefully not overly big - I am a bit limited by space.

I understand what I am asking for may be a tall order... but does something like this exist?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
2003ish actually - but yah, it's old... and I have a twin for it which I use for my server rack XD
 
Honestly, if you want a single monitor and lots of screen real-estate without having to kick up the screen magnification to keep things viewable, you probably want one of the ultra-wide screen (21:9) monitors in as high a resolution as you can afford.

Link to list on Newegg

2560x1080 : $300-500
2560x1440 : $400-600
3440x1440 : $600+
3840x1600 : $900-1100

As for driving multiple machines. Yeah. PIP really isn't all that useful. IMNSHO, you're better off running the second machine headless and just RDP'ing or SSH'ing in as required.
 
Honestly, if you want a single monitor and lots of screen real-estate without having to kick up the screen magnification to keep things viewable, you probably want one of the ultra-wide screen (21:9) monitors in as high a resolution as you can afford.

Link to list on Newegg

2560x1080 : $300-500
2560x1440 : $400-600
3440x1440 : $600+
3840x1600 : $900-1100

As for driving multiple machines. Yeah. PIP really isn't all that useful. IMNSHO, you're better off running the second machine headless and just RDP'ing or SSH'ing in as required.


Thanks for the link.

While RDP/SSH is the easy way out - one of the boxes is a dedicated gaming box while the other is everyday box. They don’t need to be accessible at the same time - I’m perfectly content with swapping inputs using monitor controls... I just need it to be a capability.
 
PiP and PbB is what you are looking for, but I find them only marginally useful. If you also want your mouse and keyboard to automatically switch there are only a handful of monitors that can do that (http://shack.typepad.com/shack_in_japan/2014/05/lg-34um95-thunderbolt-2-4k.html for example). You also have the option to have the keyboard and mouse shared via software (https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/why-you-no-longer-need-a-kvm-switch-for-your-multi-pc-setup/).

Granted I never wanted 2 physical PCs to share the monitor but I was thinking of using PiP and PbP to have 2 desktops on the same one. This didn't work out as planned for me, to much hassle, I find using a program like GridMove to be a much better option for this use case, since you rearrange stuff by just 2 keys anytime you want, no need to change desktops in OS or touch monitor buttons.
 
Well, other than that, I'd maybe look at a dual-monitor KVM.

Dual-monitor DIsplay Port KVM

Why swap inputs manually?

Ugh - pricey... :(

I didnt mean manually as in physically swap the inputs but rather use monitor control to swap from one to the other.

Also wish I could use two unify adapters and like swap between which one i want to use - but thats a pipe dream :p
 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CU4QCR...KV&pd_rd_r=F7HR1J3T5XH1WNYWKWAZ&pd_rd_w=1rIfO will do, you will have to push the switch and change the input source from the monitor OSD (in case you don't go for the LG I linked or similar, which already has this usb switch built in, there you just change the input source from the monitor OSD and you are set).

A full KVM switch doesn't make much sense nowadays, even less so at those prices :)
 
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How about a 43" 4K monitor like the Dell ones - they have 4 inputs so the single monitor can act as 4x bezelless 1080p monitors.
 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CU4QCR...KV&pd_rd_r=F7HR1J3T5XH1WNYWKWAZ&pd_rd_w=1rIfO will do, you will have to push the switch and change the input source from the monitor OSD (in case you don't go for the LG I linked or similar, which already has this usb switch built in, there you just change the input source from the monitor OSD and you are set).

A full KVM switch doesn't make much sense nowadays, even less so at those prices :)

That is an option indeed; I am looking at the LGs but gawd-damn they are $$$$... but I can see why.
 
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How about a 43" 4K monitor like the Dell ones - they have 4 inputs so the single monitor can act as 4x bezelless 1080p monitors.

While indeed a good solution - 43" is too big; it wont fit on my desk and I'd be sitting way too close. Hell I think 34" may be just at the borderline.
 
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