Matrox tripleHead2Go and Matrix/switcher

[strangefamilia]

hello everyone,
i don't know much anything. Specially what the difference between Matrixes and Switchers, they seem to do the same thing to me.

Anyway, here are some questions that i'm sure, will look trivial to you.

I m thinking to connect 4 triple head to go after a DUAL link DVI switcher/Matrix that will connect to 4 mac pros. I plan to be able to arrange those big stretched screens as i want, just remapping input/outputs with the Matrix.
Never used the tripleHead to go before. Do you think it s doable ?
Do you think that each mac pros will see the tripleHead even if the signal go trough a Matrix? And if i switch, how long do you think it will take to the mac pro to see the new triplehead it as been directed to ?

Thanks

[vjair]

a switcher changes which input is sent to a fixed output, a matrix can change which input is sent to which output. a matrix is like a patchbay in audio world.

[strangefamilia]

SO i bet i m looking for a Matrix for this one !

[strangefamilia]

thanks for the answer vjair. My real 2 questions for anybody arriving are : Do you think that each mac pros will see the tripleHead even if the signal go trough a Matrix? And if i switch, how long do you think it will take to the mac pro to see the new triplehead it as been directed to ?

I m joining a simplified version of the system as a PNG. Maybe will help to understand ?

[stickygreen]

I really doubt this will be as easy as it sounds. The signal for a TH2go is notoriously buggy, and doesn't like to be interrupted.

I'd look into the TVone box everyone is using these days, I'd imagine you'd need 2 of them, but it should do what you want it to do.

[sleepytom]

i replied on the resolume forum, but will cut n paste it here too...


i would not switch inputs going into a TH2GO - the matrox is very prone to falling over and suffers from a load of problems caused by EDID errors etc.

I would use Datapath X4 Splitters, they are a lot more reliable and can cope with switching inputs. Seing as you need 2x X4 splitters for 6 outputs I would simply chain them together (an option which isn't possible with TH2go)



This lets you use the other output for your operator monitor and means you can use a (good quality) KVM switch to allow for switching between the systems.

Do you actually need to run this on mac hardware? Mac Pros are not very road worthy and are very expensive for the level of performance offered. If the machines will be dedicated Arena servers then quality rackmount PCs would be my choice as they are much more affordable, lots more ergonomically suited to touring and even possible to repair on the road.

[strangefamilia]

Thanks every body,

Do you actually need to run this on mac hardware? Mac Pros are not very road worthy and are very expensive for the level of performance offered. If the machines will be dedicated Arena servers then quality rackmount PCs would be my choice as they are much more affordable, lots more ergonomically suited to touring and even possible to repair on the road.

I m really thinking of the PC option, but i have to say that i will not operate and do the maintenance of the system on the road, and maybe i m wrong, but it feels like the Mac will be easier to maintain than the PC option. I m also interested by the syphon solution for Mac.

In PC world the task will be easier i feel, specially with a eyefinity card for example.

I could also let go resolume and go for arkaos mediaMaster that will maybe give me more flexibility with multiple graphic cards ? ...

Finillay i have to do some research on what stickygreen proposed :

I'd look into the TVone box everyone is using these days

Never heared about that, maybe somebody can point me to an url.

Thanks to vjair, stickygreen and sleepytom, the quantity and quality of info you bring on the forum is amazing. Keep up the great work

PS: i m thinking of a Gefen KVM

[strangefamilia]

Originally Posted by sleepytom

Do you actually need to run this on mac hardware? Mac Pros are not very road worthy and are very expensive for the level of performance offered. If the machines will be dedicated Arena servers then quality rackmount PCs would be my choice as they are much more affordable, lots more ergonomically suited to touring and even possible to repair on the road.

Any recommendation for a particular brand of rack mount PC ? Either Mac or PC, i plan to get everything under SSD drives

[stickygreen]

search TVone 1T-C2-750

there are a few other devices from TVone that are similar and function more or less the same, but i believe the 750 is the better of the lot.

Really though, Tom's pointed you in a better direction with the Datapath X4 devices, they are awesome and truly worth the additional cost over the TH2go's.

as for the PC/Mac debate, I've got both macbook pro, and a rack mount PC, if you're touring with this rig, go PC! dealing with repairs (they will be needed for sure!) is so much easier with PC hardware. Mac's make great laptops, but if you're show has outgrown a laptop, don't expect teh same reliability from the Mac Pro, don't get me wrong it's a great computer, but it's just a big box full of parts, just like a PC, same vibrations that will damage the PC, will damage the Mac Pro, and the PC is just alot easier to get parts for. If you're not familiar with the inner workings of a computer, and how to do your own repairs, i'd learn quick, cause that's what a a tour VJ does, or at least is expected to do from my experience..

feel free to ask Q's about building your setup, there are lots of forum regulars that have build gig specific boxes and can help point you in the right direction.

and I'd vote down Arkaos, and +1 for R4 Arena!

[strangefamilia]

Thanks so much guys,

The X4 seems the way to go, it looks like an amazing machine to me.
I wonder if chaining them up will not tend to create artifacts in the outputs ? By upscaling constantly, it has to create pixels that doesn t exist.

I m still gonna have a look to the TVone.

To the PC-MAC discussion. I m not sold to any one. I m not gonna be touring with the show, that mean the guy operating has to know how to change a graphic card, reinstall the drivers, reinstall windows and so on. I have to find out. Mac Pro being a PC for Dummys, i m thinking that will make the process easier for him or her. But that for sure there is way more lattitude to play with PC.
I have to check under what widows version Resolume Arena run the best. I know there is ton of post on the subject, and what is the best graphis card to use. I m gonna do my homework !

Now I've redone a little graphic just for fun. The top part is the simpliest version, the bottom one is with a back up system. I separated the monitors feed-KVM from the X4 set ups. But maybe chaining them is not such a problem, you ll tell me ?

And I ve also used just one graphic card per computer as i understood was the best practice with resolume (i agree, i would like to stay away from arkaos, i m just used to resolume and love it).
But i know of some systems working with severals multiple-headed GPU's.

Any way, i thank you very much, i m still gonna ask questions i m sure. I m so thankful of this great community.