Monitor cable ID.

[rodney]

I have just bought some Sgi F180 flat panel displays
at auction and they are missing the video cables.

The specs refer to it as a
"15 pin D-sub connector / DVA connector"

Would the cognoscenti know if this cable
can be sourced from Dick Smith?
or if there is a generic name for this
"plug on both ends" cable?.

.....and if I can also ask why, with the option
to plug two computers into one monitor, why one
would want to do this?

Thanks
Rodney.

 

[Franc Zabkar]

I have just bought some Sgi F180 flat panel displays
at auction and they are missing the video cables.

The specs refer to it as a
"15 pin D-sub connector / DVA connector"

The user guide states that the monitor has "two signal ports (Dsub
port and DVI-I connections to 2 computers at a time".

http://techpubs.sgi.com/library/manuals/0000/860-0299-001/pdf/860-0299-001.pdf
http://techpubs.sgi.com/library/tpl/cgi-bin/summary.cgi?coll=hdwr&db=bks&docnumber=860-0299-001

Page 21 of the manual show the pinouts for the analogue and
digital/analog connectors.

From the specs page:
==================================================================
Type 18.1inch (45.97cm) Flat Panel Active matrix-TFT LCD
Anti-Glare coating
Viewable Size 18.1inch (45.97cm)
Viewing Angle (max.) 80° (Left / Right / Up / Down)
Pixel pitch 0.28 x 0.28mm
True color 16.7 million color
Horizontal Freq. 30kHz - 80kHz (Automatic)
Vertical Freq. 56Hz - 85Hz (Automatic)
Input form Separate, TTL, Positive/Negative
Composite, TTL, Positive/Negative
SOG (Sync On Green)
Digital
Signal input 15 pin D-Sub connector / DVI-I connector
Input Form Separate, RGB Analog, 0.7Vp-p/75ohm, Positive, Digital
Resolution Max VESA 1280 x 1024 @75Hz (Digital/Analog)
Recommend VESA 1280 x 1024 @60Hz (Digital/Analog)
==================================================================

- Franc Zabkar

 

[Clifford Heath]

....and if I can also ask why, with the option
to plug two computers into one monitor, why one
would want to do this?

It's what people used to do before KVM switches.
If you're working on a task that needs multiple
computers, you don't need the desk space for all
the monitors as well. A bit redundant in these
days of KVMs though, which save the keyboard and
mouse space as well.

 

[rodney]

If you're working on a task that needs multiple
computers, you don't need the desk space for all
the monitors as well. A bit redundant in these
days of KVMs though, which save the keyboard and
mouse space as well.

Thanks Clifford.

 

[rodney]

Thanks Franc,
turned out to be just a "VGA cable" $10
up and running and the new 18"Sgi LCD
looks very smart indeed, thank you.
Good shopping at $90.