Need Tech. advice

[Wallymeister]

Hello all,
I haven't posted anything here in a while but try to read everyone’s post to take in as much info as I can. I've had Hoster for several months now, have gotten all my discs imported except 2 that are VCD+g & DVD+g. I have been wanting to build a computer to do my shows in a rackmount case, however this is a big expense and am now looking at taking a second computer that I have and using it as my hosting computer. It is a tower P3 933Mhz running XP home with 512MB RAM. I have all my kma files on USB 250GB external drive. My questions are the obvious,
Is P3 I have fast enough to run hoster and Windows Media Player. I'm sure the half Gig Ram is enough from the readings in forum. I also have USB 1.1 card in this computer and thought that I might need to upgrade that to 2.0.

Any thoughts and/or suggestions are much appreciated.


In addition I have some questions about dual moniter capability. I'm real foggy on this. If I have a video card with SVGA out and DVI out, "Does that mean it's a dual monitor capable card or does that just mean that it's capable of using either type of monitor input? And if I can hook up two monitors at the same time how does one get them to act independently of each other.
(e.g. Hoster on one screen and the karaoke graphics on the other.)


Thanks,
Wallymeister

[nreel]

MTU Specs for Hoster: http://www.mtu.com/basics/karaoke-hoster.htm
In Part:

Graphics video card with 8MB or more of RAM must support Direct-X 9.0 or higher. Dual-display use requires an ATI (MTU recommends ATI Radeon series), NVidia or equivalent dual-display card. S3 video cards will NOT work.
Processor (Celeron, Pentium, 3 or 4, or AMD Duron, Athelon (possible audio drops)) should be at least 800 MHz or faster.

I use an AMD 1.4Mhz to run shows, but I have 1024M Ram. I have not had any problems with Audio Drops. I do not use Windows Media Player as I do not use VCD or DVD Karaoke, so, I cannot advise you. I know that a KJ friend of mine plays VCDs and DVDs via WMP and has not complained of any problems. I do not remember what his computer specs are, but he is using a "Lunchbox" with on-board sound and is faster than my computer.

I have heard that a Pentium based machine is better than an AMD because AMD cannot use architecture that is patented by Intel and, currently not available to other CPU vendors. AMD, therefore, has to use motherboard resources to get done what the Intel Processor can already do.

If you accept this information, then a P3 with 512MRam should be as good as, if not better than, my AMD 1.4 with 1024MRam.

As far as your Video Card is concerned, it MUST support Direct X 9.0 or better. Usually, two video heads means that the Video Card will support two DISPLAYS, at the same time.

Now, what are you going to use as a SECOND Display? A Computer Monitor or a TV?

Normally, the DVI would be used for the second Display. If you use a Computer Monitor, hook a DVI to VGA cable between the two.

If you are going to use a TV, then, you will need a DVI to RCA cable or adapter. If you have an RCA INPUT on the TV, you are good to go. Just set the TV to GAME/Video 1 or whatever settings use the RCA INPUT. If no RCA INPUT, you will need an RF Modulator (Radio Shack sells them - $30.00). Hookup is like this:

(Need DVI to RCA Cable)...RCA end plugs into the "VIDEO IN" of the "RF Modulator."

(Need COAX Cable F-Type Connectors - Both Ends) "COAX OUT" on "RF Modulator" (Set RF Modulator to the 75 OHM setting) to "COAX IN" of TV.

Set TV to Channel 3 or Channel 4 depending on what Channel Setting you have the RF Modulator set to.

Have your SECOND Monitor turned ON and Hooked to either the Video Card or the RF Modulator (make sure RF Modulator is POWERED ON) before you turn on your Computer.

Turn on Computer and your Video Card should SEE the Second Monitor and EXTEND THE DESKTOP TO THE SECOND MONITOR, automatically. Note: You only want to see the DESKTOP and NOT the ICONS on your Second Monitor.

If you do not see the Desktop on the second Monitor, go to your Display Properties Settings and click on the BLUE MONITOR Number 2. Then look near the bottom of the window and see, “Extend My Windows Desktop Onto This Monitor." There should be a "Check Box" to the LEFT. Check the Box if it is not already checked. Once Box is Checked, or, if already checked, and you DO NOT see your Desktop on your Second Monitor, you probably have an improper DVI to RCA adapter.

If you are successful in getting your Desktop to show on your Second Monitor, HOSTER will, automatically, EXTEND the Karaoke Graphics to that Second Monitor.

These are just basic "Video Card OUT to Monitor IN" suggestions. There are MANY other variations that may be considered.

Hope this helps,

Norm

[Wallymeister]

Thanks Norm,
This info helps alot. I'm looking at getting Radeon 9200 Video Card. About $100. I want to use my TV monitor that has a RCA composite input. So, sounds like I'm OK.

Thanks again
Wally

[nreel]

Check this site on the 9200:
http://mirror.ati.com/products/radeo...200/specs.html

I don't see where this CARD supports DirectX 9.0.

Also, if you get an ATI Video Card, make sure that it is NOT labeled "Powered BY." I have heard there are some anomalies with the "Powered By" verses "Made By."

Norm

[MTUSUPPORT]

The ATI 9200 cards do support DirectX 9.0. They state this on the Retail box that the cards come in.