Two Computers One Monitor

[feetand nches]

Can I use Two Computers With One Monitor as long as only one computer is on at a time? I was wondering if this could be done with each computer using different interfaces, one VGA and the other DisplayPort or DVI?

Thanks, Nasty7

 

[samuria]

As long as only one is on no problem

 

[badcrc]

If the pcs have different connections - eg 1 is VGA other is HDMI - you can usually have both pcs on (and connected to the screen) and switch between them using monitor controls to select input. I had a set-up like that running recently - VGA and DVI.

The wording for the monitor buttons is usually hard to see, so I suggest downloading the monitor manual for reference.

Some monitors detect an input, so if (from cold) you turn on the screen and pc A, pc A will appear on the screen automatically without any button-pressing. Other monitors, however, need telling which input to display.

 

[townsbg]

I have 2 different connection types DVI and VGA on my external monitor and I connected it to 2 different computers. If you don't have 2 inputs on your monitor you can use a KVM switch or a monitor switch.

 

[cornemuse]

I have a kvm switch, 4 comps connected via vga. Comps then connected to diff monitors (16-9) via either dvi or hdmi. This one here (!) connected to vga 4x3 monitor only. I prefer 4x3 for online. (its a 21.5" Eizo 4x3 $$ mon.) When I switch comps, that comps screen is on this 4x3 screen also. (edit-squashed 16-9 to 4x3), I just turn it off.

 

[feetand nches]

Wow, lot's of good info! Apologies guys, many of my emails are going to Spam Folder now for some reason I'm missing many of my forum posts.

 

[feetand nches]

I'm very happy I'll be able to use a new Dell SFF Optiplex I got real cheap with an Ivy Bridge i7 in it! Sitting right along side of my other i3 Ivy Bridge SFF. Both running Windows 7 Pro!

I thought I read somewhere you would lose some graphics sharpness when using a Switch, do you guys not feel that way about the KVM Switch?

The new pc has DisplayPort, and I'm sure my monitor has that also, so I'll use DisplayPort for the new pc and hope all goes well.

 

[feetand nches]

Nice guys, finally got er done! Both my awesome Dell monster Windows 7 Pro machines working on one monitor. One via VGA, and the other Via DisplayPort. Two Small Form Factor Dells sitting side by side taking up about the same as one Full Tower. Perhaps it's just me but the DisplayPort connection seems to produce a nice picture.

 

[townsbg]

Display port is currently the best.

 

[feetand nches]

It's hard to tell but yes. This is what I've been told before here I believe, and what I've read, very cool I love the connection also, a little like HDMI. Don't like VGA very well at all. DVI not so bad, but still has those little screws that don't always work properly.

 

[townsbg]

HDMI vs. DisplayPort: Which Should I Use for My PC Monitor? | PCMag.com

 

[feetand nches]

This stuff is too technical for me lol. I'll need to read that again, though I don't game and have a standard Intel i3 setup with no extra graphics card, and no HDMI to worry about anyhow. So DisplayPort is plenty for me and nice and clean. Love not using that stupid VGA stuff. Thanks for the article.