You can probably use the same monitor for your computer and a P3 SVGA board, but not at the same time. VGA and SVGA use the same connector.
Typically a flat screen LCD monitor has multiple inputs, VGA (a 15-pin D-shell connector), DVI (a slightly different connector) and newer ones may also have an HDMI connector and/or a DisplayPort connector. You need a monitor that has (at least) a VGA connector. Some of the oldest monitors had only a VGA connector. Pictures of these connectors are shown in wikipedia.org articles for VGA, DVI (digital visual interface), and HDMI. I use DVI connectors from my computers (which are a few years old) to my monitor. My current monitors will also support another device attached to their VGA connectors and yet another through their HDMI connectors. You switch between them using a button on the monitor. If a particular connector is unused, my monitor cycles around to find an active connection. You should be able to connect both the P3 to the SVGA port of a reasonably modern flat screen monitor and your computer (with an appropriate video card) via DVI or HDMI and switch between them with a front panel monitor switch. There are also KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switches that allow you to connect one set of keyboard, video, and mouse from one computer or another. If you have a monitor that supports only SVGA and have a KVM switch, that'll allow you to switch between monitors. I confess that I haven't done any of this with my P3. I've just connected it to an older small flat screen that I had around and dispensed with the switching. Flat screen monitors are quite affordable these days. My limitation is desk space. I use a 2 x 24" pair for software development work and the same pair for radio contests with a different computer connected with a dual KVM switch. The P3's monitor is separate and dedicated. When I get more room, I'll go back to dedicated pairs. There are also some newer monitors and flat-screen TV that advertise "Picture in Picture" capability. Use your favorite search engine for "Picture in picture monitor". I haven't ever used one of these. Dick, K6KR -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil LaMarche Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 7:49 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] P3/Monitor I have an SVGA on order. Advice please, not being a computer expert. Will I need two monitors or can I purchase the correct monitor and use it for both the P3 and dedicated ham computer? Really need some help with this please. Phil Philip LaMarche 727-944-3226 727-510-5038 Cell <http://www.w9dvm.com/> www.w9dvm.com <http://WWW.FLAMGROUP.COM> WWW.FLAMGROUP.COM K3 # 1605 KPA500 # 029 P3 #1480 CCA 98-00827 CRA 1701 W9DVM ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
