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MikeD · May 7, 2003, 01:48 PM

I was thinking about getting a cheap PC with probably a good video card to work with my HD Cinema display. has anyone done something like this? What would I need? I know I'd need at least a DVI output video card for the PC end... I'm guessing I can't get a mac video card with ADC and put that in the PC end right?

itai195 · May 7, 2003, 03:08 PM

You need a PC video card with DVI and a DVI-to-ADC converter. Apple makes one, so does Formac.

I've tried this setup before, but I was never totally satisfied with the image I got when connected to the PC, so I ended up moving the PC to a different monitor.

slimshady023 · May 9, 2003, 05:14 PM

MikeD,

That's not a shabby idea - I did something similar. I purchased an inexpensive Presario (w/Radeon 9000 DVI card) and a DVI-to-ADC converter. The picture quality on this setup is just as nice as you would expect from any Apple Macintosh.

The Windows operating system is a bit ugly, but the Cinema sure makes it more palatable.

- Slim

MikeD · May 9, 2003, 07:46 PM

So what you did was simply unplug your Cinema display from the back of your powermac and into this dvi-adc connector?

Also, if i wanted to switch between the two, I would need:

1. The PCI DVI video card
2. the dvi-adc connector
3. some sort of switch from Dr Bott right? EXPENSIVE!! I think the monoswitch is what I'd be looking at and it's $299 or $399 almost as much as a junky ole pc!!

But I figure anything is better than VPC..

osxisfun · May 9, 2003, 08:04 PM

compu-cable has one. its cheaper too and has gather good reviews.

that's the one i am going to buy soon.

slimshady023 · May 10, 2003, 12:48 AM

MikeD -

You got it. The monitor cable goes directly into the DVI-ADC converter box, which plugs into your PC. It's not a cheap solution overall, but I agree that it sure beats the sox off of working on VirtualPC. (Those were my reasons for purchasing the PC as well).

Best of luck,
- Slim

D'Espice · May 10, 2003, 03:03 PM

Like already said, you'd need some kind of KVM-switch and the good ones are very pricey.

I bought a Belkin Omni Switch about a year ago, don't remember how much it was. I have a 17" miro LCD, a PowerMac G4/450 AGP and an AMD Athlon 900 running Debian Linux both connected to that LCD via said KVM switch.

JB72 · May 10, 2003, 05:54 PM

I have a box from CompuCable that I use to switch bewteen my PC and Mac using my 20" Apple display. It works pretty nice.

http://www.welovemacs.com/adcdviadcab.html

mac freak · May 11, 2003, 10:21 AM

I have a Belkin OmniView KVM I use to share my monitor between my Mac and PC (it's a CRT, though, so the KVM was a less-expensive VGA switchbox, $150 I think). It works execellently -- I reccommend the brand. CompuCable, OTOH... well, I started with their less-expensive switchbox, and I had some truly disgusting ghosting (on both the Mac and PC sides). Can't reccommend them

.

I do reccommend the setup, though. The best of both worlds

.

Leonis · May 11, 2003, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by JB72:
I have a box from CompuCable that I use to switch bewteen my PC and Mac using my 20" Apple display. It works pretty nice.

http://www.welovemacs.com/adcdviadcab.html

Nice little KVM....except for the price

I can use the same (or even less) amount of money to get a 19" CRT for the PC

freakboy2 · May 11, 2003, 10:03 PM

I ended up with a slightly different solution (for another flat panel monitor)

I have a viewsonic vg175 flat panel, and it has 2 analog inputs and you can swap using the front panel controls. Then i have 2 keyboards and 2 mice on my desk. Not optimal, but not bad.

Fb

Leonis · May 11, 2003, 11:00 PM

At the same price....

a) an expensive ADC based KVM box

b) an extra monitor

Unless space is extremely constrained I would go for option B without hestitation.

JB72 · May 12, 2003, 01:03 AM

Originally posted by Leonis:
Nice little KVM....except for the price

I can use the same (or even less) amount of money to get a 19" CRT for the PC

Price is certainly a factor with the new DVI or ADC KVMs. I didn't want to have another whole mouse/keyboard/monitor setup though. Also consider that with the DVI/ADC model, you won't need a DVI to ADC adapter.

alvinkoh · May 14, 2003, 12:51 AM

I got a Bi-Systems ADC+DVI KVM in Singapore for S$350 (~US$190). 1 ADC & 1 DVI input, 1 ADC output. The DVI input has a USB port next to it to connect back to the PC. I was able to use my Apple Pro keyboard and mouse on both Mac and PC. Display is sharp as you would expect from digital.

osxisfun · May 14, 2003, 09:25 AM

c) Space is a factor.

d) I have 2 20" LCDs and need room for other things on my desk.

e) After using my LCDs for a month, I will never, ever use a big, bulky , heat emittting, blurry, CRT again.

f) No way am i going to have 2 mice and 2 keyboards on my desk.

Will be going the compu-cable route when i build my PC soon.