how many monitors do you use?

PakMonyet · 07-23-2009, 05:07 AM

Hey All,

I'm curious about the set-up players are using to play EQ2. I don't mean cpu speed, ram, etc. I mean things like: do you use a special mouse or special keyboard or left-hand game pad, 2 or more screens, use a projector, cool chair, desk, or other furniture. Basically, I guess I'm asking about peripherals you use around the computer you play on to enhance the game or make it more immersive.

Let me know your hot tips.

Guy De Alsace · 07-23-2009, 05:45 AM

I used to use 2 monitors - a 22in and a 19in to play the game in monstrous widescreen. However I did have problems...

The screen was so big I kept losing my cursor
Screen split was directly in the middle of your toon
view in 22in was distorted due to differing screen sizes.
Some graphical glitches.

I'm back on a single 22in now.

Also played on one monitor but in portrait mode (stood on its side like a sheet of A4). That was interesting to try!

Baccalarium · 07-23-2009, 05:53 AM

Plain ole 19" monitor. An old computer nearby with its own 19" monitor often for support: eq2i searches, ACT, out of game voice, forum browsing, looking up alts, etc. etc. KVM withonly keyboard connected to allows one keyboard to serve both computers.

Jaffa Tamarin · 07-23-2009, 05:56 AM

I have my pet rat on the desk while I play. Does that count?

guillero · 07-23-2009, 06:20 AM

Me and my gf just bought the 24inch BenQ 2412HD (19:10 wide display) and it's awesome

Really cheap priced at the moment. Some really good deals at various stores now (at least here in europe). And it's just all you need. No 2 monitors. Just 24inch WIDE madness. Excellent color, crystal clear and 2ms response time.

We suddenly have so much space at the bottom for all our hotbars! Just great! No more cluttering on a smaller screen.

Jer

woolf2k · 07-23-2009, 09:03 AM

2 monitors 24/26 but i don't run across them ...i usually multibox or have other things going like by browser ..etc.

g5 cause of it's speed so i can move across the screen quickly

i knnow of numerous people with g15 keyboards ..ive considered it but i prefer ergo keyboards and not even the new g19 is ergo

mono headset via usb for gabbing

Barx · 07-23-2009, 09:10 AM

I use one glorious wall of EQ2 that I call my 37" HDTV/monitor.

Before I had that I used two 24" CRTs (although I would only use the second monitor occasionally).

I also have a G15, a non-usb headset and a usb headset (usb one is for when I play on the laptop), and a 7.1 surround sound system. The mouse is a Razor copperback gaming mouse. My chair is an old manager's-type chair, old but very comfy.

Yimway · 07-23-2009, 12:09 PM

I use 4 Monitors + a laptop with 3 pc's and one kb/mouse. The screens are 3 24" wide aspect lcd's in a /-- configuration, with a 17' square screen mounted on one side with the laptop setup on the other.

I use an application called Synergy that allows my mouse to move between screens/pc's just like you do using multiple monitors on one pc. As my mouse goes off the right hand side of pc1 monitor1 it move to pc2 monitor1 and my kb controls now go to pc2 until my mouse leaves one of its screens.

I have further software that allows me to enable and disable keystroke forwarding to all pc's / screens. I use a g15 with programed binds on my gkeys that allow me to send specific macro binds to specific pc/screens as needed.

As an example, I can hit my gkey bank3 button (healer pc binds) and press gkey1 and this will issue a macro series to my defiler running on the healer pc. This series will disable keystroke broadcasts to this pc for 9 seconds and then issue a series of cure commands that will target each group member, cast a single target cure, wait 1s, and repeat on the next group member. Once its cast the 6 cures, it will re-enable keystroke broadcasts to that pc if they were previously enabled. In this way, I can be on my tank, forwarding heal commands on my keystroke broadcasting, but see an aoe dot hit the group, press 2 keys and my defiler issues the commands needed to clear the dot.

This is just one example of highly effective macroing for multibox play. It takes _considerable_ time to get the technology, the scripting, etc set up, but once done it can be highly effective.

Lorzus · 07-23-2009, 12:18 PM

I have a 3 monitor hodgepodge over 2 computers SMILEY

I use a 22" monitor exclusively for playing eq2 on one box, then a 19" and 15" hooked up to a second box that I use for browsers, ACT, IM's, music, etc...

It works out rather well but I may have to check out this synergy software to remove some desk clutter ...

I also have a g15 keyboard on the eq2 box and use 2 standard MS wireless mice.

Yimway · 07-23-2009, 12:22 PM

Sanjii@Antonia Bayle wrote:

It works out rather well but I may have to check out this synergy software to remove some desk clutter ...

Synergy may have been the most useful software package I've discovered in a decade.

The only downfall is the way the technology works, mouse look / run is not feasable. The slight latency in the driver translation causes small commands to get way over compensated. Mouse look will work on the primary pc you have the kb/mouse on, but when on a screen on a seperate pc, the latency kicks in.

For everything else, it works amazingly well. Far better than switches, etc.

Merriestar · 07-23-2009, 12:32 PM

An over the top WOW player 32 accounts in all.

I play on a 20 in. and a 17 in. laptop next to it for boxing.

Wingrider01 · 07-23-2009, 12:38 PM

Atan@Unrest wrote:

I use 4 Monitors + a laptop with 3 pc's and one kb/mouse. The screens are 3 24" wide aspect lcd's in a /-- configuration, with a 17' square screen mounted on one side with the laptop setup on the other.
I use an application called Synergy that allows my mouse to move between screens/pc's just like you do using multiple monitors on one pc. As my mouse goes off the right hand side of pc1 monitor1 it move to pc2 monitor1 and my kb controls now go to pc2 until my mouse leaves one of its screens.
I have further software that allows me to enable and disable keystroke forwarding to all pc's / screens. I use a g15 with programed binds on my gkeys that allow me to send specific macro binds to specific pc/screens as needed.
As an example, I can hit my gkey bank3 button (healer pc binds) and press gkey1 and this will issue a macro series to my defiler running on the healer pc. This series will disable keystroke broadcasts to this pc for 9 seconds and then issue a series of cure commands that will target each group member, cast a single target cure, wait 1s, and repeat on the next group member. Once its cast the 6 cures, it will re-enable keystroke broadcasts to that pc if they were previously enabled. In this way, I can be on my tank, forwarding heal commands on my keystroke broadcasting, but see an aoe dot hit the group, press 2 keys and my defiler issues the commands needed to clear the dot.
This is just one example of highly effective macroing for multibox play. It takes _considerable_ time to get the technology, the scripting, etc set up, but once done it can be highly effective.

think we are using the same setup for the systems - synergy and the other software, it does take a little time to get it worked out right but makes life easier when you run multiple systems and multiple instances. 3 PC's 2 monitors each and a laptop

Spyderbite · 07-23-2009, 12:46 PM

22 inch display... but I can hot swap between virtual desktops on this box and two others hooked up to the same display.

My biggest crutch for gaming is my Ideazon Fang Gamepad. I hate using the keyboard for anything more than chat. SMILEY

Sprin · 07-23-2009, 01:55 PM

I have a huge "L" shaped desk with a 28" WS LCD as my main, with a 19" LCD as my second monitor, that i have vent / act / wikipedia / pandora / youtube etc on...

Lazy boy recliner as my chair... fully reclined, with a foldable TV tray as a platform for my mouse, which is leaning over the side of my recliner... good times!

So if i fall asleep playing I am in the comfort of a full sized relciner...

Uwopo · 07-23-2009, 01:59 PM

Atan@Unrest wrote:

Sanjii@Antonia Bayle wrote:
It works out rather well but I may have to check out this synergy software to remove some desk clutter ...
Synergy may have been the most useful software package I've discovered in a decade.
The only downfall is the way the technology works, mouse look / run is not feasable. The slight latency in the driver translation causes small commands to get way over compensated. Mouse look will work on the primary pc you have the kb/mouse on, but when on a screen on a seperate pc, the latency kicks in.
For everything else, it works amazingly well. Far better than switches, etc.

You might want to take a look at Input Director. I was using Synergy, but the mouselook issue on all but the master PC drove me nuts.

I'm not sure if you'll find the same level of macroing support that you get with Synergy, but mouselook works perfectly on slave PCs.

Yimway · 07-23-2009, 02:05 PM

Uwopo@Antonia Bayle wrote:

For everything else, it works amazingly well. Far better than switches, etc.
You might want to take a look at Input Director. I was using Synergy, but the mouselook issue on all but the master PC drove me nuts.
I'm not sure if you'll find the same level of macroing support that you get with Synergy, but mouselook works perfectly on slave PCs.

I actualy try to touch a mouse as little as possible while playing the game, so its never been an issue to me. I only mentioned it as some others had found that to be annoying.

ID seems to have a few more compatability issues, but if mouselook is a deal breaker, checking out Input Director as an alternative is worth a look. IIRC, its the same base code (open source project) with some adjustments for mouse acceleration compensation.

Gilasil · 07-23-2009, 02:43 PM

Sheeze. I hope that's not typical. If so then boy am I outclassed.

A lot of the time I'm playing on a single laptop. No massive bank of screens. No other computers running in the background. Just the one laptop. Well the lap top is rather high end as laptops go since it's main use is graphics programming.

The rest of the time I'm playing on a single desktop with a single monitor. Don't even fire up the laptop usually. If I want to check something on the web I go into windowed mode.

That's it.

PakMonyet · 07-23-2009, 04:31 PM

wow...great responses!

really interesting see what people use.....love the rat btw!

Check out some my DREAM EQUIPMENT (sigh....saving my pennies):

The ultimate desk:

woolf2k · 07-23-2009, 04:31 PM

Atan@Unrest wrote:

I use 4 Monitors + a laptop with 3 pc's and one kb/mouse. The screens are 3 24" wide aspect lcd's in a /-- configuration, with a 17' square screen mounted on one side with the laptop setup on the other.
I use an application called Synergy that allows my mouse to move between screens/pc's just like you do using multiple monitors on one pc. As my mouse goes off the right hand side of pc1 monitor1 it move to pc2 monitor1 and my kb controls now go to pc2 until my mouse leaves one of its screens.
I have further software that allows me to enable and disable keystroke forwarding to all pc's / screens. I use a g15 with programed binds on my gkeys that allow me to send specific macro binds to specific pc/screens as needed.
As an example, I can hit my gkey bank3 button (healer pc binds) and press gkey1 and this will issue a macro series to my defiler running on the healer pc. This series will disable keystroke broadcasts to this pc for 9 seconds and then issue a series of cure commands that will target each group member, cast a single target cure, wait 1s, and repeat on the next group member. Once its cast the 6 cures, it will re-enable keystroke broadcasts to that pc if they were previously enabled. In this way, I can be on my tank, forwarding heal commands on my keystroke broadcasting, but see an aoe dot hit the group, press 2 keys and my defiler issues the commands needed to clear the dot.
This is just one example of highly effective macroing for multibox play. It takes _considerable_ time to get the technology, the scripting, etc set up, but once done it can be highly effective.

have you tried Multiplicity Pro? if so, you swear by Synergy?

Yimway · 07-23-2009, 05:26 PM

Jaine@Nagafen wrote:

have you tried Multiplicity Pro? if so, you swear by Synergy?

Is it free? =) I think I saw it and decided I wouldn't pay for someone stealing an open source project and adding on to it...

Or I could be thinking of something else I saw.

07-23-2009, 05:45 AM	#2
Guy De Alsace Loremaster Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: England Posts: 1,902	I used to use 2 monitors - a 22in and a 19in to play the game in monstrous widescreen. However I did have problems... The screen was so big I kept losing my cursor Screen split was directly in the middle of your toon view in 22in was distorted due to differing screen sizes. Some graphical glitches. I'm back on a single 22in now. Also played on one monitor but in portrait mode (stood on its side like a sheet of A4). That was interesting to try!

07-23-2009, 05:56 AM	#4
Jaffa Tamarin Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 208	I have my pet rat on the desk while I play. Does that count? __________________ Fluffy list

07-23-2009, 12:09 PM	#8
Yimway Loremaster Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 9,707	I use 4 Monitors + a laptop with 3 pc's and one kb/mouse. The screens are 3 24" wide aspect lcd's in a /-- configuration, with a 17' square screen mounted on one side with the laptop setup on the other. I use an application called Synergy that allows my mouse to move between screens/pc's just like you do using multiple monitors on one pc. As my mouse goes off the right hand side of pc1 monitor1 it move to pc2 monitor1 and my kb controls now go to pc2 until my mouse leaves one of its screens. I have further software that allows me to enable and disable keystroke forwarding to all pc's / screens. I use a g15 with programed binds on my gkeys that allow me to send specific macro binds to specific pc/screens as needed. As an example, I can hit my gkey bank3 button (healer pc binds) and press gkey1 and this will issue a macro series to my defiler running on the healer pc. This series will disable keystroke broadcasts to this pc for 9 seconds and then issue a series of cure commands that will target each group member, cast a single target cure, wait 1s, and repeat on the next group member. Once its cast the 6 cures, it will re-enable keystroke broadcasts to that pc if they were previously enabled. In this way, I can be on my tank, forwarding heal commands on my keystroke broadcasting, but see an aoe dot hit the group, press 2 keys and my defiler issues the commands needed to clear the dot. This is just one example of highly effective macroing for multibox play. It takes _considerable_ time to get the technology, the scripting, etc set up, but once done it can be highly effective. __________________

07-23-2009, 12:18 PM	#9
Lorzus Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 245	I have a 3 monitor hodgepodge over 2 computers I use a 22" monitor exclusively for playing eq2 on one box, then a 19" and 15" hooked up to a second box that I use for browsers, ACT, IM's, music, etc... It works out rather well but I may have to check out this synergy software to remove some desk clutter ... I also have a g15 keyboard on the eq2 box and use 2 standard MS wireless mice. __________________ Aldia 80 Ranger /Sanjii 80 Coercer /Lorzus 80 Guardian

07-23-2009, 12:22 PM	#10
Yimway Loremaster Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 9,707	Sanjii@Antonia Bayle wrote: It works out rather well but I may have to check out this synergy software to remove some desk clutter ... Synergy may have been the most useful software package I've discovered in a decade. The only downfall is the way the technology works, mouse look / run is not feasable. The slight latency in the driver translation causes small commands to get way over compensated. Mouse look will work on the primary pc you have the kb/mouse on, but when on a screen on a seperate pc, the latency kicks in. For everything else, it works amazingly well. Far better than switches, etc. __________________

07-23-2009, 05:07 AM	#1
PakMonyet Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: California/England/Indonesia Posts: 225	Hey All, I'm curious about the set-up players are using to play EQ2. I don't mean cpu speed, ram, etc. I mean things like: do you use a special mouse or special keyboard or left-hand game pad, 2 or more screens, use a projector, cool chair, desk, or other furniture. Basically, I guess I'm asking about peripherals you use around the computer you play on to enhance the game or make it more immersive. Let me know your hot tips.

07-23-2009, 05:53 AM	#3
Baccalarium Loremaster Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 502	Plain ole 19" monitor. An old computer nearby with its own 19" monitor often for support: eq2i searches, ACT, out of game voice, forum browsing, looking up alts, etc. etc. KVM withonly keyboard connected to allows one keyboard to serve both computers.

07-23-2009, 06:20 AM	#5
guillero Loremaster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 652	Me and my gf just bought the 24inch BenQ 2412HD (19:10 wide display) and it's awesome Really cheap priced at the moment. Some really good deals at various stores now (at least here in europe). And it's just all you need. No 2 monitors. Just 24inch WIDE madness. Excellent color, crystal clear and 2ms response time. We suddenly have so much space at the bottom for all our hotbars! Just great! No more cluttering on a smaller screen. Jer

07-23-2009, 09:03 AM	#6
woolf2k Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 845	2 monitors 24/26 but i don't run across them ...i usually multibox or have other things going like by browser ..etc. g5 cause of it's speed so i can move across the screen quickly i knnow of numerous people with g15 keyboards ..ive considered it but i prefer ergo keyboards and not even the new g19 is ergo mono headset via usb for gabbing

07-23-2009, 09:10 AM	#7
Barx Server: Antonia Bayle Guild: Mayhem Rank: Officers Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Manors of Mithaniel, New Halas Posts: 3,480	I use one glorious wall of EQ2 that I call my 37" HDTV/monitor. Before I had that I used two 24" CRTs (although I would only use the second monitor occasionally). I also have a G15, a non-usb headset and a usb headset (usb one is for when I play on the laptop), and a 7.1 surround sound system. The mouse is a Razor copperback gaming mouse. My chair is an old manager's-type chair, old but very comfy.

07-23-2009, 12:32 PM	#11
Merriestar Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 32	An over the top WOW player 32 accounts in all. I play on a 20 in. and a 17 in. laptop next to it for boxing.

07-23-2009, 12:38 PM	#12
Wingrider01 Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,999	Atan@Unrest wrote: I use 4 Monitors + a laptop with 3 pc's and one kb/mouse. The screens are 3 24" wide aspect lcd's in a /-- configuration, with a 17' square screen mounted on one side with the laptop setup on the other. I use an application called Synergy that allows my mouse to move between screens/pc's just like you do using multiple monitors on one pc. As my mouse goes off the right hand side of pc1 monitor1 it move to pc2 monitor1 and my kb controls now go to pc2 until my mouse leaves one of its screens. I have further software that allows me to enable and disable keystroke forwarding to all pc's / screens. I use a g15 with programed binds on my gkeys that allow me to send specific macro binds to specific pc/screens as needed. As an example, I can hit my gkey bank3 button (healer pc binds) and press gkey1 and this will issue a macro series to my defiler running on the healer pc. This series will disable keystroke broadcasts to this pc for 9 seconds and then issue a series of cure commands that will target each group member, cast a single target cure, wait 1s, and repeat on the next group member. Once its cast the 6 cures, it will re-enable keystroke broadcasts to that pc if they were previously enabled. In this way, I can be on my tank, forwarding heal commands on my keystroke broadcasting, but see an aoe dot hit the group, press 2 keys and my defiler issues the commands needed to clear the dot. This is just one example of highly effective macroing for multibox play. It takes _considerable_ time to get the technology, the scripting, etc set up, but once done it can be highly effective. think we are using the same setup for the systems - synergy and the other software, it does take a little time to get it worked out right but makes life easier when you run multiple systems and multiple instances. 3 PC's 2 monitors each and a laptop __________________ Fixing computer issues, one SOC7 at a time. Yes Jim, the user has experienced the dreaded PICNIC error

07-23-2009, 12:46 PM	#13
Spyderbite Server: Venekor Guild: Dark Vengeance Rank: Member Loremaster Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,262	22 inch display... but I can hot swap between virtual desktops on this box and two others hooked up to the same display. My biggest crutch for gaming is my Ideazon Fang Gamepad. I hate using the keyboard for anything more than chat.

07-23-2009, 01:55 PM	#14
Sprin Server: Nagafen Guild: L U S H Rank: LUSH (Supreme Drinker!) General Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,364	I have a huge "L" shaped desk with a 28" WS LCD as my main, with a 19" LCD as my second monitor, that i have vent / act / wikipedia / pandora / youtube etc on... Lazy boy recliner as my chair... fully reclined, with a foldable TV tray as a platform for my mouse, which is leaning over the side of my recliner... good times! So if i fall asleep playing I am in the comfort of a full sized relciner...

07-23-2009, 01:59 PM	#15
Uwopo Server: Antonia Bayle Guild: Vertigo Rank: Officer Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 164	Atan@Unrest wrote: Sanjii@Antonia Bayle wrote: It works out rather well but I may have to check out this synergy software to remove some desk clutter ... Synergy may have been the most useful software package I've discovered in a decade. The only downfall is the way the technology works, mouse look / run is not feasable. The slight latency in the driver translation causes small commands to get way over compensated. Mouse look will work on the primary pc you have the kb/mouse on, but when on a screen on a seperate pc, the latency kicks in. For everything else, it works amazingly well. Far better than switches, etc. You might want to take a look at Input Director. I was using Synergy, but the mouselook issue on all but the master PC drove me nuts. I'm not sure if you'll find the same level of macroing support that you get with Synergy, but mouselook works perfectly on slave PCs.

07-23-2009, 02:05 PM	#16
Yimway Loremaster Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 9,707	Uwopo@Antonia Bayle wrote: For everything else, it works amazingly well. Far better than switches, etc. You might want to take a look at Input Director. I was using Synergy, but the mouselook issue on all but the master PC drove me nuts. I'm not sure if you'll find the same level of macroing support that you get with Synergy, but mouselook works perfectly on slave PCs. I actualy try to touch a mouse as little as possible while playing the game, so its never been an issue to me. I only mentioned it as some others had found that to be annoying. ID seems to have a few more compatability issues, but if mouselook is a deal breaker, checking out Input Director as an alternative is worth a look. IIRC, its the same base code (open source project) with some adjustments for mouse acceleration compensation. __________________

07-23-2009, 02:43 PM	#17
Gilasil Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 907	Sheeze. I hope that's not typical. If so then boy am I outclassed. A lot of the time I'm playing on a single laptop. No massive bank of screens. No other computers running in the background. Just the one laptop. Well the lap top is rather high end as laptops go since it's main use is graphics programming. The rest of the time I'm playing on a single desktop with a single monitor. Don't even fire up the laptop usually. If I want to check something on the web I go into windowed mode. That's it.

07-23-2009, 04:31 PM	#18
PakMonyet Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: California/England/Indonesia Posts: 225	wow...great responses! really interesting see what people use.....love the rat btw! Check out some my DREAM EQUIPMENT (sigh....saving my pennies): The ultimate desk:

07-23-2009, 05:26 PM	#20
Yimway Loremaster Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 9,707	Jaine@Nagafen wrote: have you tried Multiplicity Pro? if so, you swear by Synergy? Is it free? =) I think I saw it and decided I wouldn't pay for someone stealing an open source project and adding on to it... Or I could be thinking of something else I saw. __________________