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Projector vs. Monitor Output

Posted: 25 Aug 2012 13:24
by hdvprojection
I had posted my question in a similar thread in the Windows forum, with only a little bit of luck, so I thought I'd try here in Linux.

I'm on Ubuntu (12.04 currently), and should remain so on future installs implementing what I'm asking about here. Nvidia has been buggy, so I anticipate going ATI across the board.

What I'm looking for is splitting output from any given video file, where if the signal goes out of the #1 HDMI port to the projector, one only sees either black screen and silence or the video's contents... no mouse pointer, window border, no menus or dialogs, no nothing. Period. Meanwhile, from HDMI #2 (or DVI-D, or what-have-you) monitor output would include window borders and all of the rest, preferably some videoplaylist application that can call up VLC to play out of the projector.

How do I do this? I was successful in the past using my tower as a player (with VLC) on several gigs, but the projector was my monitor, and it only worked because I had scripted the procedure, and simply undoused my projector at showtime. If anything had not gone right, I would have had to allow the audience to see everything I was doing to correct the situation on-screen. That's unacceptable, of course, and I'd like to make sure this never happens.

Unfortunately I can't really give hardware info, as I'm discussing a hypothetical machine for dedicated use. But I suppose we could just as easily discuss this machine I'm on here:

Code: Select all

:~$ sudo lspci 00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 2nd Generation Core Processor Family DRAM Controller (rev 09) 00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 09) 00:16.0 Communication controller: Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family MEI Controller #1 (rev 04) 00:1a.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 (rev 05) 00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family High Definition Audio Controller (rev 05) 00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 1 (rev b5) 00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 3 (rev b5) 00:1c.3 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 4 (rev b5) 00:1c.5 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 6 (rev b5) 00:1d.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 (rev 05) 00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation H67 Express Chipset Family LPC Controller (rev 05) 00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (rev 05) 00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family SMBus Controller (rev 05) 01:00.0 USB controller: Etron Technology, Inc. EJ168 USB 3.0 Host Controller (rev 01) 02:00.0 Multimedia video controller: Blackmagic Design Device a11b 03:00.0 Network controller: Ralink corp. RT3090 Wireless 802.11n 1T/1R PCIe 04:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 06)
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Re: Projector vs. Monitor Output

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 10:48
by hdvprojection
Wait a second... doesn't one solve this problem with two graphics cards? Or the onboard as well as a PCI card? Linux can utilize two at the same time, correct? If so, then how would VLC select output?

Re: Projector vs. Monitor Output

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 12:30
by Jean-Baptiste Kempf
Just split the video from the interface and set the fullscreen monitor.

Re: Projector vs. Monitor Output

Posted: 29 Aug 2012 07:12
by hdvprojection
That seems easier said than done. I've never had a setup which did not "leak" artifacts onto the projector image... mouse pointer, cursor, window frame, etc. I literally want either completely black screen or the video output and absolutely nothing else. At the same time I want to see EVERYTHING on the monitor. How can I guarantee that? Thanks.

Re: Projector vs. Monitor Output

Posted: 31 Aug 2012 08:58
by hdvprojection
I need to ask again: Isn't the easiest solution just having two graphics cards?

Re: Projector vs. Monitor Output

Posted: 07 Sep 2012 18:46
by Jean-Baptiste Kempf
Two graphic cards needs 2 X setup,but it will work.
However, I do see the need for that.

Re: Projector vs. Monitor Output

Posted: 09 Sep 2012 03:35
by hdvprojection
Can you refer me to any informative threads or howtos? Thanks.

Re: Projector vs. Monitor Output

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 13:06
by hdvprojection
Bump.

Re: Projector vs. Monitor Output

Posted: 10 Oct 2012 13:49
by Jean-Baptiste Kempf
export the DISPLAY variable...

Re: Projector vs. Monitor Output

Posted: 14 Oct 2012 07:54
by hdvprojection
What does that mean? I'm still a newb in many ways...