3.2.3MONITOR
If all of your CPUs are of the same type, we recommend that you use the corresponding type of monitor. If your CPUs are of different types, the monitor must be a multisync model, able to sync to every CPU’s video-output frequencies, and compatible with all of the CPUs’ video cards.
While PC-type CPUs and VGA monitors normally use two separate leads to send/receive sync signals (one lead for horizontal sync and one for vertical sync, referred to as “H/V”), Mac and Sun CPUs/monitors normally send/receive a composite sync signal on a single lead. (So do some otherwise PC-compatible CPUs, including many SGI models.) If you attach both H/V and composite-sync CPUs to your system, either your monitor must be capable of accepting both H/V and composite-sync input, or you’ll have to use a sync converter and special cables to convert H/V to composite sync or vice versa (call Black Box Technical Support for a special quote).
For maximum compatibility, we recommend a 17" or larger, high-quality multisync monitor capable of (a) displaying a maximum resolution of not less than 1280 x 1024 at a maximum refresh rate of not less than 75 Hz, and (b) accepting both relevant types of sync input (H/V and composite). Such monitors are available from many manufacturers. (However, since these monitors usually have an HD15 video-input connector, you will need a special User Cable to use them with Sun keyboards and mice; this cable is product code EHN059 [original] or EHN225 [coax].) The higher the resolution you use, the less distance you can run; see Tables 3-2 and 3-3 on the following pages.
Other concerns specific to IBM PCs:
•The Matrix ServSwitch is designed to support standard VGA video, including VGA monochrome (“page white”). It does not support PCs that use CGA, EGA, or proprietary versions of VGA that depart from the original specifications. Consult your PC’s manual, and if that doesn’t tell you whether or not the PC uses standard VGA, consult with the PC’s or the video card’s manufacturer.
•The Switch is also designed to support SVGA, although it doesn’t handle higher resolutions or longer distances very well without coaxial cabling (see the next two pages). With coaxial cables, it will also support XGA, RS/6000, and SGI video (RS/6000 and SGI require cables with 13W3 connectors—see Appendix B).
If you have Mac CPUs attached, you’ll need a Mac Adapter for ServSwitch (product code KV99MA) for each CPU that outputs video in a format other than VGA (640 x 480).
