[Elecraft] Choosing a monitor for the P3 w/SVGA option card?

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

Hi Gary,

Here's a different approach to the display issue.

I really don't have the space for a separate monitor to go with my P3's
SVGA option. But I do have a 30 inch HP LP3065 2560x1600 monster monitor in
use on my PC. And what I really wanted was to have the maxi-definition SVGA
from P3 up on the main monitor in a window.

What I did was to get a StarTech Video Capture card for my PC. Then connect
a VGA monitor extension cable from the P3 to the capture card. The software
that came with the card has three modes, opening miniscreen (plus menus for
a bunch of stuff regarding recording the screen), full screen, and naked
video window at incoming resolution. I use the last for viewing the P3 SVGA
output.

When I set the window of 1280 pixel width source to half the 2560 monitor
pixel width, I get a stunning clear, sharp focused representation of what
is going on. If I get real close to the screen I can see that some of the
band noise information in the waterfall is single pixel. Also the spectrum
display lines, if you hit freeze, are a single pixel in width. Very sharp.

The display of clicky CW signals on a narrow span shows a lot of stuff that
is highly individual. You can literally see the baud rate sidebands.

The model of the StarTech video capture card I used is PEXHDCAP. The guts
of the card has the whatever to capture full HD off an HDMI input (as long
as it's not copy protected). Will take DVI input, or component RCA. SVGA is
via supplied VGA to DVI adapter, which I am using. Got card off Amazon.

The drivers on the CD that comes with it are cr*p and dangerous. For this
card one needs to get the most recent drivers and the Stream Catcher
program off their website.

A very interesting thing, none of the Stream Catcher windows can be dragged
from the edges like a normal window. You have to click and drag with the
cursor in the video material, which really had me going and was only solved
by a text chat session with their tech support.

Good luck all.

73, Guy K2AV


On Tue, Jul 28, 2015 at 8:03 PM, Gary K9GS <garyk9gs at wi.rr.com> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I need some help in choosing a monitor.  I'm looking to buy a monitor to
> pair with my P3/SVGA combination.  I'm more than slightly confused what to
> buy.  The guy at my local computer store was less than helpful.  He asked
> me twice what kind of video card I have in my computer :)
>
> In the SVGA manual it states::/
> //
> //1024 X 768 //For faster screen updates when using fixed tune//
> //1280 X 1024     mode, we recommend setting the P3SVGA//
> //1440 X 900       resolution to 1440 x 900 or less. Note that
> 1920 X 1080    1440 x 900 will display correctly on
> 1920 x 1080 monitors.
>
> I want to get a nice big screen to take full advantages of the SVGA card.
> Several questions:
>
> 1)  What is the best display type?  TN (most common), IPS (what type?),
> MVA?  Is the TN good enough or is there an advantage to buying an enhanced
> display?
>
> 2)  What resolution should I buy?  It seems that the most readily
> available is 1920 X 1080.  Is there a problem with screen updates as stated
> in the manual?
>
> 3)  The P3 display is square.  What happens if I buy a wide screen monitor
> with a 16:9 format?
>
> 4)  Do I need to worry about the refresh rate?
>
> 5)  Do I have to worry about the contrast ratio or response time?
>
> 6)  Is there any advantage to buying, say a 23 or 24 inch screen?  Even a
> 19" screen is a big step up from the P3 screen so is going to a really big
> screen overkill?
>
> /7) If I add the P3TXMon option will that make any difference in monitor
> choice?
>
> 8)  If I buy a monitor without a VGA input will one of the VGA to HDMI or
> DVI adapters work?
> ///
>
> I don't mind spending some money on the right display but don't want to
> buy something I don't need or won't see the advantages of.  I'm beginning
> to think that I am over-thinking this whole thing.
> /
>
> --
> 73,
>
> Gary K9GS
>
> Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
> Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
> CW Ops #1032   http://www.cwops.org
>
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>
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