Amazon Air could become a reality, how to make the most of your multiple monitors, and Holiday Pi.
Amazon Prime Air
First Version of the Amazon Prime Air
- Octocopter Design
- Small(ish) with an external payload clamp
- No real information about the avionics
New Version of the Amazon Prime Air
- Octocopter/VTOL design
- But it's a FIXED VTOL design (The motors don't swivel, it has a dedicated drive motor)
- Avionics have sense-and-avoid features
- The delivery is done on a target pad
- 15 mile range
Multiple Monitors
Traditional Port-Based Connections
- HDMI/DVI/VGA/DisplayPort/Thunderbolt
- Check with your video card to see how many active ports you can have simultaneously
- i.e. The Geforce 770 in my PC has 2 x DVI, 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort --- However, I can use EITHER HDMI or DVI + the DisplayPort
But let's get creative with DisplayPort ($67)
SIIG CE-DP0211-S1 DisplayPort to 2-Port HDMI
- Takes a Single DisplayPort in, and outputs to 2-HDMI monitors
- Can mirror or expand
- It's also good for distance runs: 5M on input, 15M on output
- Up to 3840 x 1200 Max resolution (That's 1920 x 1200 per monitor)
Notes:
- In Expand mode, it ONLY outputs side-by-side, not top/bottom
- You REALLY want to of the same monitors.
- To the computer, it looks like a single screen, so perhaps not great for gaming
Docks!
StarTech Universal USB 3.0 Laptop Docking Station (~$107)
- Requires an i3 w/2GB of Memory for full performance
- 3 x USB 3.0
- DVI, HDMI, VGA (Can use HDMI + either DVI or VGA simultaneously)
- Max resolution of 2048 x 1152 per screen
- Gigabit Ethernet Port
- Headphone/Mic Jack
- Windows XP or Better // OSX 10.6 or better
- 2 yr Warranty
Decent USB Docks
- Kensington sD3500v ($100)
- Anker Dual Display Universal Dock ($95)
Avoid like the Plague!
StarTech Thunderbolt Docking Station ($190)
- Can be used on all Thunderbolt-equipped systems (Mac/PC/Etc)
- Can be Daisy-Chained (2 Thunderbolt Ports)
- 10Gbps Bus
- 3 x USB 3.0 (UASP - USB Attached SCSI Protocol)
- Mini-Display Port can do 2560 x 1440 // HDMI can do 1920 x 1080
- Mini-Display Port (Uses one of the Thunderbolt ports) / HDMI
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Headphones/Mic Jack
- Can do Thunderbolt + HDMI simultaneously, but NOT MDP + HDMI
- 2 yr Warranty
The Mobile Geek
ASUS MB168B+ 15.6" USB Monitor ($280)
- 15.6" 1920 x 1080 TN screen
- 11ms response time
- 600:1 Contrast Ratio
- 14.9 x 9.3 x 0.3"
- 1.7lbs
- Connects Via USB 3.0 (5Gbps)
- Supports Auto Rotation Detection
- Auto-Installs Drivers on Windows7 and better
- Will Work with USB 2.0, but it's going to lead to a degraded image quality.
- Works on Windows on OSX
Pros:
- Convenient second screen
- Light and Thin
Cons:
- Case/Stand doesn't have much flexibility
Padre and WiDi
The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter
- Between $30-$45
- Works with Laptops/Tablets -- ANY device that supports WiDi/Miracast (Windows 7 and up, Android 4.2 and up)
WiDi
- Created by Intel
- 1080p, 5.1 surround, low (but NOT lag-free) latency
- Devices can connect to a WiDi monitor AND a Wireless network simultaneously.
These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/know-how/episodes/171
Hosts: Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ and Bryan Burnett
Technical Director: Alex Gumpel
Sponsors:
