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dual-input monitors...

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John Ragle

dual-input monitors...

Barry...

(I am trying not to prolong this thread on the Elecraft
reflector...this will be my last thrust) Your idea to use dual-input
monitors has come up repeatedly in the form of an "A-B Switch" for
monitors. It is an extension of the primitive idea that one would
un-plug one video source from a monitor and plug the second source into it.

On my work desk, which I feel is reasonably typical, I am using one
large monitor for everyday business on my PC, and a second one to
run/monitor my ham radio stuff. I simply don't have space to use a 3rd
monitor, though I have several that could be scavenged...

Moreover, I don't want to give up the "live" monitoring of the
windows that are in use...email, QRZ.com, vhf_info, fldigi, etc.
So...along with a number of others who write to the E'craft server...I
feel it would have been much more convenient if the P3/SVGA output were
"windowed" on one of one's present monitors.

Technically, this would have been fairly easy...a small helper
program (perhaps similar to flrig) would run on the PC and present the
P3/SVGA output in a window. Instead, the person who made the design
decision at Elecraft, chose to/*require */a dedicated monitor to present
the P3/SVGA output.

Recently, someone suggested use of frame-grabber or similar
technology (e.g. http://rgb.com/) for this function. Unfortunately
commercial units to do this are 10X more expensive than the price of the
SVGA adapter + a small monitor to hook it to...

So...there is no alternative to the "A-B" switch idea, or hanging a
3rd monitor from the ceiling. Actually, the screen on the P3 is not a
bad solution. In my case however, the P3 lives a fair stretch of the arm
from the operating position, and I had hoped to add the SVGA to put the
output more directly in front of me.

John Ragle -- W1ZI

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: dual-input monitors...

> Technically, this would have been fairly easy...a small helper
> program (perhaps similar to flrig) would run on the PC and present
> the P3/SVGA output in a window. Instead, the person who made the
> design decision at Elecraft, chose to/*require */a dedicated monitor
> to present the P3/SVGA output.

No, the person who made the design decision at Elecraft chose not to
add additional hardware that would *further increase the cost* and waste
time/effort to develop a series of display programs for multiple
operating systems that would benefit a vanishingly small number of
potential users.

Again, if you want a windowed display, get SDR-IQ/SpectraVue or LP-PAN
with a sound card and "son of PowerSDR". Both of those solutions are
available today and cost less than the P3/P3SVGA with another monitor.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 1/15/2012 6:30 AM, John Ragle wrote:

> Barry...
>
> (I am trying not to prolong this thread on the Elecraft
> reflector...this will be my last thrust) Your idea to use dual-input
> monitors has come up repeatedly in the form of an "A-B Switch" for
> monitors. It is an extension of the primitive idea that one would
> un-plug one video source from a monitor and plug the second source into it.
>
> On my work desk, which I feel is reasonably typical, I am using one
> large monitor for everyday business on my PC, and a second one to
> run/monitor my ham radio stuff. I simply don't have space to use a 3rd
> monitor, though I have several that could be scavenged...
>
> Moreover, I don't want to give up the "live" monitoring of the
> windows that are in use...email, QRZ.com, vhf_info, fldigi, etc.
> So...along with a number of others who write to the E'craft server...I
> feel it would have been much more convenient if the P3/SVGA output were
> "windowed" on one of one's present monitors.
>
> Technically, this would have been fairly easy...a small helper
> program (perhaps similar to flrig) would run on the PC and present the
> P3/SVGA output in a window. Instead, the person who made the design
> decision at Elecraft, chose to/*require */a dedicated monitor to present
> the P3/SVGA output.
>
> Recently, someone suggested use of frame-grabber or similar
> technology (e.g. http://rgb.com/) for this function. Unfortunately
> commercial units to do this are 10X more expensive than the price of the
> SVGA adapter + a small monitor to hook it to...
>
> So...there is no alternative to the "A-B" switch idea, or hanging a
> 3rd monitor from the ceiling. Actually, the screen on the P3 is not a
> bad solution. In my case however, the P3 lives a fair stretch of the arm
> from the operating position, and I had hoped to add the SVGA to put the
> output more directly in front of me.
>
> John Ragle -- W1ZI
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

Matthew Pitts

Re: dual-input monitors...

Joe,

While I respect the decision made on this particular module for the P3, I would like to say that I probably wouldn't buy it if I already had two monitors (or more) on the desk at my operating position. For someone that is in that position and already owns the P3, the suggestion to buy something else that would have to be connected in place of the P3 (or in parallel with it) isn't something that is going to be well liked.

Matthew Pitts
N8OHU

Sent from my Wireless Device

-----Original Message-----
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
Sender: [hidden email]
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:34:23
To: <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] dual-input monitors...

> Technically, this would have been fairly easy...a small helper
> program (perhaps similar to flrig) would run on the PC and present
> the P3/SVGA output in a window. Instead, the person who made the
> design decision at Elecraft, chose to/*require */a dedicated monitor
> to present the P3/SVGA output.

No, the person who made the design decision at Elecraft chose not to
add additional hardware that would *further increase the cost* and waste
time/effort to develop a series of display programs for multiple
operating systems that would benefit a vanishingly small number of
potential users.

Again, if you want a windowed display, get SDR-IQ/SpectraVue or LP-PAN
with a sound card and "son of PowerSDR". Both of those solutions are
available today and cost less than the P3/P3SVGA with another monitor.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 1/15/2012 6:30 AM, John Ragle wrote:

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N5GE

Re: dual-input monitors...

I have two HP 2311x monitors which I thought were reasonably priced at < $250
each. Each of them has three inputs HDMI, DVI and VGA. I bought these monitors
for packet cluster display and software development, not the P3. These monitors
have front panel control of the video source, so choosing the video source is
not a big deal. When I purchase the Video module from Elecraft the VGA input of
one of these will be connected to the P3 video output.

I don't see a problem with the design of the P3 video system.

On Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:57:04 +0000, "Matthew Pitts"
<[hidden email]> wrote:

>Joe,
>
>While I respect the decision made on this particular module for the P3, I would like to say that I probably wouldn't buy it if I already had two monitors (or more) on the desk at my operating position. For someone that is in that position and already owns the P3, the suggestion to buy something else that would have to be connected in place of the P3 (or in parallel with it) isn't something that is going to be well liked.
>
>Matthew Pitts
>N8OHU
>
[snip]

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Amateur Radio Operator N5GE

W5RDW

Re: dual-input monitors...

Looks like HP has got the monitor your mentioning at a good price now in their home and office website. Nice looking monitor. Thanks for the info, Tom!

I am eagerly awaiting my P3 and SVGA card in late February! I will be very happy with a nice big display!

Roger W5RDW

David Gilbert

Re: dual-input monitors...

In reply to this post by John Ragle

You ever consider buying what you need/want? From all accounts the P3
does a fine job for what it was intended to do, but there are other
solutions that would do pretty much exactly what you describe. I don't
always agree with Elecraft's design choices either, but in this case it
has been clear from day one that the P3 was intended to be independent
of the requirement to have a companion PC and that the SVGA port would
be simply that .. an SVGA port. If that wasn't what you wanted, why did
you buy it? Or did you simply not pay attention? If you have
positioned the P3 so that it isn't easily accessible you've already
negated the buttons and cursor control that set it apart from
alternative products like the LP-Pan, SDR-IQ, or QSR1 ... products that
would window the display right on your computer monitor like you want.

Dave AB7E

On 1/15/2012 4:30 AM, John Ragle wrote:

Bill Hammond

Re: dual-input monitors...

In reply to this post by N5GE

I am sure there are as many cleaver ways to display the new P3 VGA output. I plan on using an existing monitor and switching inputs too.

I have 22" light weight LG E2241(street price less than $150 USD) with front panel selectable input switching. It has DVI, VGA and HDMI inputs.
It has the standard four mounting holes on the back. CAUTION, not all monitors have those holes and if you intend on using an elevated monitor mount, those holes are a must. I might add that the LED monitors are about half the weight of previous technology. When using elevated mounting, less weight is desired. This monitor weighs less than six pounds.

http://www.lg.com/us/computer-products/monitors/LG-led-monitor-E2241V-BN.jsp

Here is a picture of the monitor (left) and my Elecraft station on my Flickr site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ak5x/6043294098/in/set-72157612687555968

The mount is here, there are many designs to choose from, mine is the MX desk mount:
http://www.ergotron.com/

73,
Bill Hammond
[hidden email]
Bill Hammond-AK5X
[hidden email]
[hidden email]
K3 #69
P3 #817
KPA500 # 149
K2/100 #4637
K1 #2033
KX1 #1023
T1

On Jan 15, 2012, at 10:40 AM, [hidden email] wrote:

>
> I have two HP 2311x monitors which I thought were reasonably priced at < $250
> each. Each of them has three inputs HDMI, DVI and VGA. I bought these monitors
> for packet cluster display and software development, not the P3. These monitors
> have front panel control of the video source, so choosing the video source is
> not a big deal. When I purchase the Video module from Elecraft the VGA input of
> one of these will be connected to the P3 video output.
>
> I don't see a problem with the design of the P3 video system.
>
> On Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:57:04 +0000, "Matthew Pitts"
> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Joe,
>>
>> While I respect the decision made on this particular module for the P3, I would like to say that I probably wouldn't buy it if I already had two monitors (or more) on the desk at my operating position. For someone that is in that position and already owns the P3, the suggestion to buy something else that would have to be connected in place of the P3 (or in parallel with it) isn't something that is going to be well liked.
>>
>> Matthew Pitts
>> N8OHU
>>
> [snip]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Jeff Herr

looking for EA3QP

He used to frequent this list
So I am attempting to establish contact.

Thanks

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ab2tc

Re: looking for EA3QP

Hi,

Look him up on QRZ.com. His listing has an E-mail address.

AB2TC - Knut

Jeff Herr wrote

He used to frequent this list
So I am attempting to establish contact.

Thanks

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