Video card for my PXI system; want to run duel monitors

[Randy-MIT]

Hi,

Does anyone know where I can get a PXI video card so I can run duel monitors?

Thanks,

Randy

[Adam_U]

You probably won't be able to find a PXI video card. There are however, Compact PCI (cPCI--a subset of PXI) video cards on the market. We have tested a few out but unfortunately they're no longer on the market. I would search for cPCI video cards and give them a try. What is the application for the dual monitors? What controller will you be using and what OS?

-Adam

[Collin M]

You could also buy a cPCI-to-PMC adapter and use a PMC video card in your PXI system. There are probably more PMC video cards than cPCI video cards. This may end up being expensive, though.

[Robert_Jackson]

There are CompactPCI/PXI video cards available in the market. Any card that offers a CompactPCI connector is mechanically supported in a PXI chassis, and if the CompactPCI/PXI card has a Windows driver it will be supported by a PXI controller running that version of Windows.

VRose Microsystems is jsut one company that offers cPCI video cards:
http://www.vrosemicrosystems.com/item_details.php?id=35

Note: If third party cards have a LabVIEW Real-Time driver they should also work in any PXI system.

[Randy-MIT]

Thanks for all your help,

My local sales engineer passed on some really useful info on where to find compact PCI (CPCI) video cards, as well as an article that talks about one NI has tested.

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/37FDBD12ADDDF16986256B6F00623BF9


http://www.peritek.com/eclipse3_cpci_main.htm
http://www.esd-electronics.com/german/products/CPCI/cpci-dvi_e.htm
http://www.epocsystem.se/predator_pro_cpci.htm
http://www.datapath.co.uk/horCP.htm

Randy

[ATS, LLC]

Hi,

The unfortunate issue is that the company listed in that article (KnowledgeBase 2J0AQFUK: How Do I Use Multiple Monitors with a PXI System?) no longer makes that board. Also, the company PEP has been renamed to Kontron (www.Kontron.com). They have a dual output card they are making (CP 332), but it is not in production yet. The gentleman from Pittsburgh (where the cPCI products are centered) said it would be 2-3 months until they would be available.

Have you found out anything else regarding manufacturers or had any luck with fulfilling your own need for a video controller? I'm still looking and could use some help.

Dennis

[Berto]

I'm sorry, but I'm unable to find anything here as well.  It could be possible to get a used version of one of the older boards, or see if you can "Beta test" an early release of the new boards coming out.

mike

[ATS, LLC]

OK, after much frustration and searching I have found two possibilities.

The first is a PMC VGA video controller with a PMC to cPCI adapter. (PMC stands for PCI mezzanine card). It can be found at Curtis-Wright Controls Embedded Computing Video and Graphics (I think the name is a little short and non-descriptive, ha) AKA the distributor formerly known as Peritek. Their website is http://www.cwcembedded.com/ The model is an Atlas/1V and comes with 64M SDRAM, the adapter is a model PMA-C/3U. Now get ready for the fun part, it only costs > $2K for the pair. I have no idea if it will work in the NI PXI chassis with NI controllers

The second is a cPCI card from Rackpaq, model cPCI-8217. I found it at BWI (not Baltimore - Washington International Airport and their answering service informs you of that). Their website is http://www.bwi.com/ . It lists at $287.50 and says its product status is Current-Active. I called and asked to verify the EOL, but the sales rep said he'd have to call overseas to verify. I should hear back today (yeah right). Again I really don't know if this will work either.

Right about now I'm thinking a Dell computer with a dual video output and a MXI kit might be the way to go.

[ATS, LLC]

OK, I've got some good news. I tried the cPCI-8217 with a PXI-8185 running Windows XP and it worked just fine without any special drivers.

The cPCI-8217 is made by Adlink (Irvine, CA) and re-labeled by BWI. Adlink cost is $210 (BWI was over $280). They don't have them in stock but can get them to you in ~15 days.  The odd thing is the Adlink card becomes the primary monitor after windows is loaded.

Anyhow, it works and I'm off and running.  Have fun.

Adlink Technology America Inc.

949-727-2077

~~~~~~~

Is it ignorance or apathy?

I don't know and I don't care.

    Jimmy Buffet

[Scott.555]

Are you able to configure the 2nd display to a user defined resolution or are you limited to the standard Windows Res i.e 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768 etc....

I would like to configure the 2nd display output to a 1:1 ratio of 468 x 468

Currently looking at using the Kontron CP332

Message Edited by Scott.555 on 07-19-2006 03:59 AM