Building a V switch/splitter (as in K _V_ M)

[forquare1]

Hi all,

I'm looking at building what I'm calling a V switch/splitter. I've got my Mac and it runs dual screen screens, I'm looking to add a projector into the mix so that I can watch films nice and big.

Here's my problem:
The mac has one mini-Display Port and one DVI
Both monitors use DVI but could also take VGA
The projector has VGA, s-video and the phono video cable thingy

I want to make a switch that will take a DVI input and pass that input through to one of the monitors and either be able to switch the input to a VGA output to the projector or copy the input and output to both (not sure if there is any complications with splitting the signal).

Has anyone got any idea how this might be done? Does there need to be some sort of converting between DVI and VGA, or is it just a matter of taking the wires and arranging them in the right order?
Or, does anyone know of a product that can do this? My budget is fairly small (max £30) so I'd like to go for the cheapest option available.

Thanks for any input,
Ben

[saspro]

Use a dvi-vga adaptor on the mac, run it in to a splitter.
Job done.

Providing the dvi port has the analogue pins still in it (4 pins with a flat bar between them.

I've got a bunch of dvi-vga adaptors on my desk.

Otherwise you need to do active conversion between dvi-vga which is about £150 or so.

or add another video card

[forquare1]

Is there much difference between DVI and VGA? I've got converter or two, so would just need to get a splitter...

[EddArmitage]

Is there much difference between DVI and VGA? I've got converter or two, so would just need to get a splitter...

DVI is digital, VGA analogue, BUT some DVI connectors also carry the analogue signal. If you've got to generate the analogue signal from the digital you need an active converter, as SAS mentioned, but if not you can just use a standard, cheap DVI -> VGA adaptor.

[forquare1]

Hmmm, I presume the Mac Pro has the all singing and dancing DVI? If so, my converter should 'just work'

[saspro]

Hmmm, I presume the Mac Pro has the all singing and dancing DVI? If so, my converter should 'just work'

If it doesn't you'll soon find out as the adaptor won't fit in (like on the the mini dvi to dvi macbook adaptors)