External dual monitor VIDEO card for Mac

AMIEL · 6th January 2007

Anybody knows a good external dual monitor video card for Mac that can be connected via USB o Firewire???

Tibbon · 6th January 2007

Dual outputs you say? That might require two units. I know there's a few video output units via firewire that OS X will recognize, but they are mainly used in video editing, and don't have VGA outputs normally, but instead have composite and similar outputs.

Most mac video cards already support two monitors by default (i'm using one right now). I'm guessing that you need even MORE monitor space? Whatever the reason, depending on what computer you have, i'd look into getting a PCI (for older computers to put beside the AGP) or PCI-E (for new computers) video card and just adding that on.

I'm going to pretend that you aren't trying to get 4 monitors going from OS X....

AMIEL · 7th January 2007

my crazy idea is to remove the video card and use it for my UAD1 and see if there is a reliable external dual monitor card to connect my monitors via firewire!!
I dont have more slots on my Mac Pro.

chrisp2u · 7th January 2007

Why not get some type of PCI-e expansion instead? Then you can add even more cards

AMIEL · 7th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisp2u

Why not get some type of PCI-e expansion instead? Then you can add even more cards

In this moment Magma o Digidesign don't manufacture a PCIe to multiple PCIe expansion chassis!!

The only company do that is Cyclone and I really don't know them well to trust $3000 bucks....on a new technology unit from a company that I don't have a solid reference ..and I just need one extra PCIe slot! to pay that money to use the UAD-1 is crazy!
I think Mac sucks giving just 3 free slots on a computer like a Mac Pro that suppose to be great for audio and video....3 slots is not enough for serious professional purposes!

uncle duncan · 7th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMIEL

3 slots is not enough for serious professional purposes!

Works for me. One slot for PCI audio, (96 channel i/o with a motu 424 card) one slot for DSP card, (which I don't use - just being hypothetical. I use a mixer digital mixer instead, which, to my way of thinking, is way more professional), one slot left over. What more do you need? (Although I do agree that 3 slots is kind of wimpy.)

AMIEL · 7th January 2007

UNCLE DUNCAN i KNOW!!!
But I have a Protools HD 3 and need an extra slot!!!!! and I guess many guys are in the same situation!

uncle duncan · 7th January 2007

I'm not familiar with PT 3HD. (See my signature) Does it use more than one slot? That must really suck. I guess my point is that there is 'professional work' being done on 3 slot macs, and to generalize that the machine is inadequate for professional work ignores a lot of professionals who are making there living on such a machine. But I feel your pain.
I think the processing power of the new generation of Macs is going to usher in the obsolesence of PT, but convention is like a rock - it doesn't move without a lot of force, even if it's blocking the road.

zak7 · 7th January 2007

I totally agree with you.....but seems that the processing power of the new computers can break the essence of Digidesign-Protools.....but I think PT is already a standard and the software is getting much better!!!

I think Macs are more of a monopoly....

uncle duncan · 8th January 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by zak7

I think PT is already a standard and the software is getting much better!!!

Remember when typwriters were the standard? They're not the standard anymore.

As far as Mac being a monopoly? They're a monopoly of 6% of computer users. The other ninety or so percent work under the Microsoft monopoly.

zak7 · 8th January 2007

What I mean is that their 6% is super controlled .
is not such an open plattaform as microsoft.
and compare typewriters is a very bad example!! everybody were manufacturing typewrites at that time.....is like to say all DAWs would be obsolete!!! not only PT.
Protools and Cubase are both DAWs!!!!!! ......but are different companies !!
I am a PT user but I love Sonar and Cubase!!
and if one day PT would not be the standard that is fine for me!!

6th January 2007	#1
AMIEL Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 3,615 Thread Starter	External dual monitor VIDEO card for Mac Anybody knows a good external dual monitor video card for Mac that can be connected via USB o Firewire??? __________________ ------------------ Peace. Reuven Amiel "There are no rules, just knowledge, good taste and experimentation" "Music was designed to escape from reality for a moment, not to magnify our fears and problems"

6th January 2007	#2
Tibbon Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Boston/MA Posts: 4,780 2 Reviews written	Dual outputs you say? That might require two units. I know there's a few video output units via firewire that OS X will recognize, but they are mainly used in video editing, and don't have VGA outputs normally, but instead have composite and similar outputs. Most mac video cards already support two monitors by default (i'm using one right now). I'm guessing that you need even MORE monitor space? Whatever the reason, depending on what computer you have, i'd look into getting a PCI (for older computers to put beside the AGP) or PCI-E (for new computers) video card and just adding that on. I'm going to pretend that you aren't trying to get 4 monitors going from OS X.... __________________ David Fisher (aka tibbon) What is Noise, Blog (DIY, gear, tech, etc) Follow me on Twitter imVOX- Voice for Gamers WTB: Moog Theremin Signature Edition

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7th January 2007	#3
AMIEL Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 3,615 Thread Starter	my crazy idea is to remove the video card and use it for my UAD1 and see if there is a reliable external dual monitor card to connect my monitors via firewire!! I dont have more slots on my Mac Pro.

7th January 2007	#4
chrisp2u Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Amherst, NY Posts: 691	Why not get some type of PCI-e expansion instead? Then you can add even more cards

7th January 2007	#8
uncle duncan Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,714	I'm not familiar with PT 3HD. (See my signature) Does it use more than one slot? That must really suck. I guess my point is that there is 'professional work' being done on 3 slot macs, and to generalize that the machine is inadequate for professional work ignores a lot of professionals who are making there living on such a machine. But I feel your pain. I think the processing power of the new generation of Macs is going to usher in the obsolesence of PT, but convention is like a rock - it doesn't move without a lot of force, even if it's blocking the road.

7th January 2007	#9
zak7 Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 756	I totally agree with you.....but seems that the processing power of the new computers can break the essence of Digidesign-Protools.....but I think PT is already a standard and the software is getting much better!!! I think Macs are more of a monopoly....

8th January 2007	#11
zak7 Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 756	What I mean is that their 6% is super controlled . is not such an open plattaform as microsoft. and compare typewriters is a very bad example!! everybody were manufacturing typewrites at that time.....is like to say all DAWs would be obsolete!!! not only PT. Protools and Cubase are both DAWs!!!!!! ......but are different companies !! I am a PT user but I love Sonar and Cubase!! and if one day PT would not be the standard that is fine for me!!