You're most welcome. The G450 is still available, and the G550 is the latest model. I haven't compared their features lately. I have achieved the best results with the WHQL drivers posted on the Matrox site. The "latest" drivers are sometimes too bleeding edge to be completely stable - intermittend lockups are no fun in the middle of a code editing session. Best luck with your dual monitor setup!

- Bruce



>Hello Bruce
>
>Its the Matrox card for me as well then
>
>I am really looking forward to this:)
>
>Thanks for such a comprehensive reply.
>
>Mark
>
>
>
>
>>>I will shortly be getting an upgraded to Windows 2000 and a video card that supports twin monitor outputs.
>>>
>>>I have fond hopes of having the VFP Debug frame open on one monitor whilst I write code in another !
>>>
>>>Is anyone doing this at present?
>>>
>>
>>Yep. It's a piece of cake with VFP6 and VFP7. In VFP7, the windows that are "dockable", including Command, Data Session, Properties sheet, etc., can also be moved to the second display, outside of the VFP window. Once you get used to working this way, it's really hard to go back.
>>
>>
>>>Are there any problems with what I hope to achieve?
>>
>>There are quirks with how VFP draws comboboxes and how the video drivers interpret them as being a new window. Treaking the settings for the card usually can fix these issues, but it's specific to the firmware/software combination you're using.
>>
>>
>>>
>>>What video cards do folks reccomend?
>>>
>>I have used a Matrox G400 dualhead for more than 18 months. Other brands work fine, too, but I can't specifically recommend those I haven't tried.
>>
>>My card only displays video playback (QuickTime, RealPlayer, MS Media Player, etc.) on monitor #1. Mine is a 1st-generation card, and later models and brands might not have this limitation. Maybe others here can chime in.
>>
>>>What video cards should be avoided.
>>
>>Make sure that the combination of monitors you plan to use is supported by the card you pick. My Matrox supports either 2 analog VGA outputs, or 1 analog and 1 digital (flat panel). So it wouldn't work for a dual flat panel rig.
>>
>>Also, if you have mismatched montors, say a 19" primary and a 17" secondary, you may want to run different resolutions on each monitor. Make sure the resolutions you plan to run (including refresh rates) are supported by the card you pick. If you have monitors running the same resolution and refresh rate, this isn't a consideration you'll have to bother with.
>>
>>
>>>
>>>I am worried that forms that have their Centre property set to true will appear half on one monitor and half on the other. Is this what happens? How can I handle this situation without dragging them around each time?
>>
>>The forms center themselves inside the VFP window. If you have the VFP window in monitor #1, and your debugger and other dockable windows outside of the VFP window, your forms will behave just like always. However, if you maximize or stretch the VFP window to fill both monitors, then your forms will center themselves smack dab in the middle of dividing line between the two monitors.
>>>
>>>
>>>A lot of us will be working this way in the future.
>>
>>No doubt. The hot setup is a matched pair of flat-panel LCD monitors. I saw this at a friend's office, and it's very, very nice! I personally have a couple of older 19" CRT's. Lots of screen real estate in 2304 x 864 resolution!
>>
>>
>>>
>>>All comments gratefully received.

"Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them." - Albert Einstein

Bruce Allen
NTX Data