Matrox Triple Head 2GO

Tom,
There is quite a nice article on this piece of hardware in this month's
Computer Pilot magazine.If you have a Barnes & Noble bookstore nearby, you
can check this out, as they carry Computer Pilot (at least the one in my
hometown does.) If you can't find a copy, then send me an email, and I may
be able to scan the article & send it to you as picture files. Take care...

Randy L.
--
"With no power comes no responsibility."

"TomS" <someone.RemoveThis@somewhere.biz> wrote in message
news:BbXtg.5040$tE5.1713@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Is anybody using this with FS2004? Looking for some feedback on pros and
> cons.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Matrox Triple Head 2GO 

"TomS" <someone.TakeThisOut@somewhere.biz> wrote in message
news:BbXtg.5040$tE5.1713@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> Is anybody using this with FS2004? Looking for some feedback on pros and
> cons.
I made these replys in the "Windowed or Not " thread so to save myself some
typing I'll cut'n'paste and add a bit
----------------
I just acquired the Triipleheadtogo and can say that this thing must have
beeen made with CoF in mind. It comes with an editing utility that rewrite
the config files of Cof (along with a lot of other games) so that it works
as advertised. Nice thing is the utility also allows you to undo those
changes in one click if you don't like the result. I just start CoF from the
new shortcut and it works without any massaging of the settings. The initial
Flightsim select-your-flight panel is presented on your center screen at its
normal size. When you enter 3 D mode the image appears across the 3 panels.
This works great if you fly in the VC mode but if you are a 2D cockpit flyer
it introduces some serious distortions to the panel, so serious that I would
regard the 3head2go unit as a waste of money for the 2D flyer.

(Later note: Quilljar added to this thread with a note saying "Do not
despair about the distorted guages in 3 screen 2D mode. There is a free
utility called FS2004 panel layout saver by David Gray designed to set this
right.
Email David at u7i8o9.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com and get a copy.")

I have arranged the 3 monitors so that the outer "wing" screens are slanted
towards me at approximately 30 degrees. This happens to place the outer
edges of the panels in line with the frames of my glasses so the view is
very natural for me. Coupled with a Track IR unit I have a much more
immersive experience.

Expensive, yes; particularly when you add in the price of the 2 extra
monitors. However, if you happen to have some extra new toy money lying
around, its well worth it. Since it is a separate unit from your computer it
will be reasonably future proof as you upgrade you computer over the years.

Dave
-------------------------------------
In a followup Richard asks
"Richard Hardiman" <Richard.Hardiman.TakeThisOut@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:G_udnWsAWqqLLCnZRVnytw@bt.com...
> Thanks, Dave - nice to hear from someone who has actually used the unit.
> Do you run OK in full-screen? And how about resolution? - if you use
> flatscreens how does it relate to the screens 'native resolution'?
>
It runs Ok in the full screen mode. I really haven't noticed much slowdown
but then I haven't done any proper FPS readings either. Been too busy just
flying around enjoying the sensation. (FYI I'm running an AMD 3200/64 with 2
gig RAM and a 6800GT vid card pushing the pixels to the Triplehead2go)
Resolution is the 3840 x 1024. The 3840 is the sum of the native horizontal
resolution of the 3 1280 x 1024 Samsung LCD screens so its right at the
screens native resolution. I've always found that running at the natve res
works best with LCDs; anytime I go away from that I get fuzziness. I'm not
using AA in CoF since it never did that much for me.

I also use the 3 displays for online sim auto racing. There I do find some
FPS reduction (compared with using just single center screen) but only with
many competitors around and not to the point of unplayability.

Dave

-----------------------

I'll add in this thread that I'm still very pleased with the unit in
FS2004/CoF. It does take some getting used to in that I've had to to rachet
the Fov all the way back to .33 to get sufficient vertical view of guages to
canopy rail. However with the Track IR unit head movement is natural and I
had no problem adapting. If your computer is stout enough to run the sim at
good framerate at those pixel counts (have not gone to a really busy airport
yet but I am running high setting and more detailed aftermarket scenery at
my local airport) then really only the expense is a limiting factor

Dave
 >> Stay informed about: Matrox Triple Head 2GO 

> Is anybody using this with FS2004? Looking for some feedback on pros and
> cons.


If you do a Google you will find quite a few reviews, I was reading them
last night and it does look quite impressive, doesn't seem to like a lot of
modern ATI cards and from I read ATI have been less than helpful to Matrox
with this device, though its hinted this might change.

My biggest concern was that all 3 monitors had to be the same size and 3 x
19" LCD's seems the most popular choice. I've got a Dell 2405 24" Widescreen
for my main monitor and a Dell 19" as a secondary monitor, the plan was to
buy another Dell 19" LCD for 3 monitor support, I downloaded the Matrox
Triple Head 2 Go PDF manual, and it more or less says all monitors should be
the same size ... However, in my research last night I saw screenshots of
one guy using the Matrox box with 2 x Dell 24" and what looked like a 17"
Monitor, and in the Game he was playing it looked not so bad really ... I
think my 2405 in the middle and a 19" either side might look quite good ...
But I'll sit on the fence for a while and wait for a few more reviews,
especially Flight Sim related ones.

Cheers.

Colin

PS: Dave, any chance you cold post some screenshots using the Matrox T H 2
Go and also some actual pictures of it in action using FS2004?
 >> Stay informed about: Matrox Triple Head 2GO 

"Colin" <zen87666WITHOUTTHISBIT DeleteThis @zen.co.uk> wrote in message
news:9d075$44b959a5$52471eba$14380@news.eurofeeds.com...
>
> Snip> Cheers.
>
> Colin
>
> PS: Dave, any chance you cold post some screenshots using the Matrox T H 2
> Go and also some actual pictures of it in action using FS2004?
I suspect that posting pictures here would make me less than popular with
those who prefer their newsgroups fast There is an excellent review of
the unit at the Avsim site complete with pictures. It was that review plus
the experience of a fellow racing league member that convinced me to spring
foor the unit and extra monitors
Dave
 >> Stay informed about: Matrox Triple Head 2GO 

>> Snip> Cheers.
>>
>> Colin
>>
>> PS: Dave, any chance you cold post some screenshots using the Matrox T H
>> 2 Go and also some actual pictures of it in action using FS2004?

> I suspect that posting pictures here would make me less than popular with
> those who prefer their newsgroups fast

I didn't mean litterly post the pics to this newsgroup, just a link to
uploaded pictures !!!

>There is an excellent review of the unit at the Avsim site complete with
>pictures. It was that review plus the experience of a fellow racing league
>member that convinced me to spring foor the unit and extra monitors
> Dave


Oh, OK then.

Thanks anyway.

Colin
 >> Stay informed about: Matrox Triple Head 2GO 

Thanks to everybody who replied. Actually saw the review in Flightsim.com;
just wanted to get opinions from actual users. So thanks DavErb for the
detailed reply. Seems like a worthwhile product.


"Colin" <zen87666WITHOUTTHISBIT.DeleteThis@zen.co.uk> wrote in message
news:9d075$44b959a5$52471eba$14380@news.eurofeeds.com...
>
>
>
>> Is anybody using this with FS2004? Looking for some feedback on pros and
>> cons.
>
>
> If you do a Google you will find quite a few reviews, I was reading them
> last night and it does look quite impressive, doesn't seem to like a lot
> of modern ATI cards and from I read ATI have been less than helpful to
> Matrox with this device, though its hinted this might change.
>
> My biggest concern was that all 3 monitors had to be the same size and 3 x
> 19" LCD's seems the most popular choice. I've got a Dell 2405 24"
> Widescreen for my main monitor and a Dell 19" as a secondary monitor, the
> plan was to buy another Dell 19" LCD for 3 monitor support, I downloaded
> the Matrox Triple Head 2 Go PDF manual, and it more or less says all
> monitors should be the same size ... However, in my research last night I
> saw screenshots of one guy using the Matrox box with 2 x Dell 24" and what
> looked like a 17" Monitor, and in the Game he was playing it looked not so
> bad really ... I think my 2405 in the middle and a 19" either side might
> look quite good ... But I'll sit on the fence for a while and wait for a
> few more reviews, especially Flight Sim related ones.
>
> Cheers.
>
> Colin
>
> PS: Dave, any chance you cold post some screenshots using the Matrox T H 2
> Go and also some actual pictures of it in action using FS2004?
>
 >> Stay informed about: Matrox Triple Head 2GO