Dual monitor and display of photos

[MarcS]

I'm just now getting my HTPC up and running, and will be experimenting with Xlobby...

Because I have an older CRT RPTV (HD capable), I don't have digital input, and therefore will be using the HD video out from my video card for DVD and other hi-def playback, with a separate monitor for other computer uses... (for when I don't want to fire up the 58" widescreen for other tasks)

Although I do have an honest-to-god vga input on this set (uncalibrated), and might connect that to my computer also for web browsing... but my primary HTPC output will be to my tv, not to a monitor. I know y'all are paying attention, but to reiterate, I will not be using a monitor to view DVDs or hi-def programs.

BUT, on to my main question. When displaying digital images (photos), exactly how is this done, how does it get to the tv? I get the impression that I somehow have to be displaying my computer desktop on the tv to view images? If so, my only method would be through an uncalibrated input--certainly not as desirable as my other hi-def capable calibrated inputs...

Am I missing something, or did I get the image flow process correctly?

TIA...

[gamejester]

I run a dual display set up using a twin desktop over a 1280x720 projector and a 15" LCD flat panel.

Questions:

1. What make is your Video Card
2. Which monitor are you planning on running xlobby on?
3. Are you planning on running an extended desktop across both displays?

2 scenarios:
1. My ATI Radeon has an extended display across the DVI and DSUB outputs. Also my second Radeon has extended display across a SVHS (TV) and DSUB.
2. My Xcard setup has DSUB out to monitor running xlobby then initiates video only to the TV via SCART and XCARD.

[MarcS]

Questions:

1. What make is your Video Card
2. Which monitor are you planning on running xlobby on?
3. Are you planning on running an extended desktop across both displays?

1. geforce 6600 gt

2.now that I think about it, I guess I'd want to run it on the tv for dvd and photo navigation, but otherwise, if I'm playing CDs, I'd just use the LCD. Computer will also be used for other purposes, including video monitoring/recording, and in the future, data logger for weather station, also will be a VPN type machine (using a flavor of VNC)--so I don't want to be turning on a big screen just for those purposes...

3. hadn't thought about it, implications or implementation...

If my tv had a DVI input, I'd be set, but with only analog inputs I'll be using the HD output of the video card (it has the s-video type of breakout cable into RGB component) for DVD playback. The vga output would go to the LCD monitor.

This doesn't solve the issue of how to get a desktop to the tv though, unless I use a switcher to go between the vga input on the tv or the LCD monitor. But then I'd have to use one input on the tv to navigate with Xlobby, then switch to another input to actually view DVDs or photos...

I suppose I could help solve the problem by buying a new tv with DVI input? Right ??

Thanks for your input/help...