That's super filmy - thanks. can hardly wait to get one now!

Absolutley!
Keep in mind that not only can you set it up so that youre T/L is on one monitor and everything else on the other,but you can save that as a preset work space. By pressing CTRL+ALT+D then a number above the keypad you can save that set up, then rearrange things, for instance I have that set up with the T/L on my widescreen monitor at times. to recall them press ALT+D then the # . Then you can also move everything around and save that.
4 example some of mine:
1 right monitor has large preview window and fader controls/everything else on left monitor.
2 right mon. has full screen project media window and tabs for explorer and generated media.
etc..
Two monitors in my opinion ...a must! three ...well thats what Im shooting for now.(I probably wont be satisfied till I have a set up like Yoyodyne's that he posted a picture of a while back with monitors up the wazoo! : )

There is a small script that will allow you to place an icon on the toolbars for quick switching of different layouts. Not sure where I got it but I am sure VASST has it listed. It's a real time saver when working with different layouts.

Good luck.

1...Timeline on main monitor 19" Viewsonic
2...Small preview window and media stuff all on second monitor Viewsonic 17"
3...Firewire output to Canopus 300 Sony 13" standard tv
4...Firewire Component output from Canopus 300 to Key Digital component switch position #2. to Sony HDTV monitor.
5...Matrox APVe HDTV overlay component output to Key Digital switch position #1 to Sony HDTV monitor
6...MY-HD-120 HDTV tuner card component output to Key Digital switch position # 3 to Sony HDTV monitor
7...JVC D-VHS VCR component output to Key Digital switch position #4 to Sony HDTV monitor.

I'm smiling.

JJK

Thanks for all the tips - if all goes according to plan, I'll be getting it tomorrow :-)

You will wonder how you ever edited with one. Just makes things so much cleaner . And your eyes will thank you.

Don't forget SLI! - I've got an ASUS a8n with two video cards in it, and you can use all four monitor outs on the cards. I'm going to do a larger post about my set up because I have not seen it discussed yet but the short story is...it works!

I've got My timeline stretched across two 19 inch Hyundai L90D+ monitors & my "preview to a second monitor" going to a 24 inch Dell 2405. I could even set up a fourth monitor but I'm out of room as it is. The set up works great, very fast and all DVI and you can overlay anything on any monitor - I loves me the real estate...

Oh, and I'm using an MSI Nforce 6800 gt and MSI nforce 6800 for vid cards.

Yoyodyne:
Are you using an in house air conditioner to cool that thing down?
JJK

Finally got my second monitor today, but haven't been able to get it to work :-( On the monitor there's a display indicating there's no video signal. As far as I can tell, I have everything hooked up properly, so what am I missing - any ideas??


My computer was especially built for editing and I know it has the video cards etc. Too bad - I was really looking forward to using it for the first time today. Thanks for any help.
Lili

Open your control panel and then open the display properties panel. Go to the settings tab. You should see a graphic of two monitors, the second of which is probably shaded or greyed out. Select it and then check the "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor" checkbox.

That should do it for you.

Rob Mack

FWIW, you don't necessarily SLI to run 4 or more monitors. I used to run 4 19" Samsung panels connected to a couple $60 NVidia video cards.

They worked great for all my NLE work. They were 128MB cards, but being relatively low-powered (GPU-wise), they weren't really up to anything that put a heavy load on the GPU. As Vegas doesn't even use the GPU (wish it did, then SLI would be worth it), it didn't skip a beat in Vegas.

The only other downside was that they weren't dual DVI. But for $60, I didn't expect them to be.

Best thing was, the two cards (one AGP, one PCI) were passively cooled. Totally silent :)

Just wanted to point out that multi-multi monitor setups are very possible without the hefty SLI investment.

Ok I have two Dell 24inch Monitors resolution is set to HD. I am capturing HDV into Vegas but when prviewing on Monitor 2 as external monitor it is all Pixelated and very slow and choppy? Any ideas I really do not know what I am doing wrong. Are there hidden parameters in the preferences for a second monitor that I am missing? Any help would be appriciated.

Thanks!

Make sure you have the preview set to best/full.

Hey Chienworks - what kind of framerate are you getting with HDV at best/full?

It is set to best full. Still horrible results.

waketek - how about you. What kind of framerate are you getting at best full? What kind of system are you running? Much appreciate any info - thanks

framerate sucks with HDV unless I render to RAM and I am using a 3.2 GHz machine with HT and 2GB of RAM

I hope my new video card is not the issue it is a Matrox P650 Dual DVI

Rob - that did it!! I'd still be sitting here trying to figure it out if not for your suggestion.

For anyone out there who has yet to experience the dual-monitor set-up - it's awesome. Too bad I have to run out to do a shoot this morning and won't have a chance to "play" until later today.
Thanks again to everyone who replied - hope you all have a great day.
Lili

Now, just a note: you have three monitors if my math is good, ain't it?
You could use, thru your network, Remote Desktop option to have access to your second computer on one of your THREE monitors and save space by getting rid of the keyboard and mouse used for this second computer. Just need to add a cheap PCI video card under the hood.
Timeline across two monitors and your prefered windows on the third one. Mmmmm.... lol !
Awh, just kidding. Cheers to your new worspace, btw !!!

Ok, I'm getting greedy for space too and want 3 monitors....
can anyone suggest a specific video card that can handle 3? I was just looking at some video/splitters at TigerDirect, would that be the solution for adding more monitors? Could I still just drag my windows across the screens as I do now with my 2 monitors?
Thanks,
Teaktart

Assuming you have available PCI slots, you can add a couple of el cheapo PCI cards instead of an expensive Matrox Parhelia (or similiar card.) Just install them, plug in your monitors and configure in windows. Drap things in Vegas where you like them and PRESTO!