2nd display not working
 

let me start by saying im an old dog trying to learn new tricks so please keep that in mind. After having my karaoke discs for the time i have and lugging a huge case to my gigs i felt it was time to consolidate.go to a laptop based system and started the process of importing each of my discs to an external hard drive via hoster. Now that i have them imported i have connected an s-video adapter to my dell inspiron e1505, went into control panel, display, settings, highlighted the second monitor (#2) checked on extend my display apply and ok. nothing showed on the tv i use for singers. ive tried going from the s-video to the tv video jack (yellow) and also thru an rf modulator to the tv using cable connector. as i said this is all new to me and i tried reading posts but didnt see (not that one isnt there somewhere) a post. if anyone could please give me a step by step setup i would really appreciate it. thanx carljohn

Make sure you have the correct input selected on your TV. Also make sure you have the right type of s-video cable.

I hope this helps.

Jim :g

Besides choosing to Extend the desktop you have to activate the second monitor. Also make sure your resolutions are at least 800x600 or higher.
These are in addition to the items Jim told you to check. As far as the S-video cable there are two types, a 4 pin one and a 7 pin one.

CarlJohn,

You mention an s-video adaptor... if you are using a vga to s-video adaptor/converter, you may want to make sure the unit is working correctly... I had a Radio Shack unit that was bad when I purchased it, and spent an unfruitful couple of hours trying to make it work... returning it to the store, (they only had 1, and it was a resealed box), and getting a refund... then purchasing a cheaper unit online that works perfectly, and easier to setup... Radio Shack for emergencies only, since then!:w

Rick
Rikki Tikki Karaoke

thanx
 

i will try all the suggestions today (monday). by the way, i feel like an idiot. when posting my question last night i never looked to see which section of the community i was in and it came out in the buy and sell. to make matters worse i searched for an option to move my question realizing it was in the wrong place and made it worse by duplicating it elsewhere. sorry --- carljohn

ADMIN NOTE: Dale is excellent in moving Threads where they are most visible to get the help needed. :w

Carljohn, Did you make sure that in the Show button under intermission, the 'always on' is checked. Also, you have to physically drag the singers display to the singers monitor. Or is it that you are not getting anything at all on second display? On my Dell XPS I have to have second monitor hooked up BEFORE I start windows or nothing appears on second display. I hope this helps.

After you checked on extend my display does the highlighted 2nd monitor stay highlighted or does it go back to unhighlighted ?

Your Second display if it is a TV has to be set to Svideo if using svideo lead or Av if using a composit lead. The screen should show your wallpaper or background colour of your computer until you set up Hoster.

make sure the 2nd ( singers's screen )is on, e1505 takes a 7 pin s-video cable ( i have one too), you might need to get the cable..go to www.s-video.com and you can order one , they have diff. lenghts and also an instructional video on how to set up (extend )your dual display...

Carl, don't think any question is foolish. These guys and gals don't mind helping out at all. Thats what this forum is all about, helping, and exchanging ideas. You did the right thing by purchasing Hoster. It won't take long and you will be an old pro at this. Now, as far as old dogs new tricks..ummm do you have a bone you can spare???? Welcome here George:)

For what it is worth I just double click on the singer display to move it to the monitor. I have never tried to drag it over. Also when stating that the second monitor has to be hooked up before starting windows, the monitor must be turned on as well before turning on your computer. At least that is how it works with my setup. Good luck. :g

I always like a "divide and conquer" approach.

First, I'd get Hoster running with a SINGLE DISPLAY. Just don't worry about the second display until you can run Hoster and see the Show Display views.

Second, fire up DISPLAY #2 following the manual steps, and all the good advice given here. To my understanding, you MUST have Display #2 turned on and plugged into the computer video connector (with an S-Video converter if needed), then turn on the computer. If you turn the computer on first, it will revert back to single display mode and your second display won't be sent any signal (reset it up again if this happens).

Nice find billyo, thats a good site especially with all the video instructions. I did'nt realize there were so many different ways to hook up to an external TV.

Roy.

thanxs to all
 

first let me say im sorry for not responding as i went away for the past 5 days to get away from the hectic life we lead. Thanks to all for your help -- i was finally able to get my 2nd monitor working. it was a combination of not having the external monitor plugged in before i booted and not dragging the singers screen onto the monitor. i was also lucky enough to make it work with a dlp projector as that is the direction im heading. discs to hard drive (no discs case to lug around) a yamaha powered mixer (1000 watts) with my yamaha s115 speakers. Lastly a dlp projector (no tv's to lug around) thats the plan -- because of your help it is comming closer to reality:). I also forgot the most important part -- Hoster -- which i love -- thanx everyone once again for your support --- carljohn

Don't forget; you will need something to project on. So you may have to lug around a projector screen (bigger than a small TV). Or, if you're lucky a white wall (or a white sheet hanging on a black wall :) )on the back wall, but that'll make the singer's back face the audience. Good Projectors are expensive (I use 'em for other places to show visuals/slideshows, etc.); however, a good 13 -15 inch TV is small and inexpensive.

I have a setup now for portable that uses one of those paperback book size business projectors for the singer's display. I have it attached to the floor monitor. It uses a folding cardboard screen that i velcroed to a mic stand. The whole setup weighs in at less than a pound. I quit lugging a TV around for the audience. If the venue doesn't have one, I just go without.

Of course I don't play videos either.:)

I use a little 15" LCD flat screen, my daughter found a case used for hobbies at Hobby Lobby, a local craft store. I just strap it over my shoulder and carry it in during an unload. I make it clear to the venue, if you don't have an audience screen, you better get one. I won't do karaoke without one. I do play video's & other visuals. Mostly during the time i play "Guitaroke".If i can bring my guitar, amp, effects, guitar stand, mic stand and other goodies, least they can do is have an audience TV.:)

Carljohn, you done good! You're not such an "old dog" as you might think! All it takes is a willingness to try and solve your problem. :w

The amount and excellent quality help our members gave you is really impressive. If you think about it, the cumulative knowledge and wisdom posted here comes only from experience and testing. That's what MTU.Community is here for! :c

A big THANK YOU to those who helped here! :c :)