Outputs on one machine can be synced by using the Mosaic feature on Quadro GPUs or the Surround feature on GeForce GPUs. The second option which also works across multiple machines is a Quadro GPU with a Sync Board (dedicated piece of hardware)
Info
This post only deals with Nvidia GPUs, since those are the ones that we are using in our machines. All sync related settings are available in the Nvidia control panel (press Display Setup when using PB Menu)
When do I need output sync?
- working with TV cameras that film the output of Pandoras Box
- working with some LED controllers, especially those that take multiple signals in one box
- other cases where a house sync exists and media servers are required to sync to them
- working with an array of displays that are stacked vertically. output sync does not solve the inter-screen tearing, but it seems to help
Syncing outputs within one machine
Outputs on one machine can be synced by using the Mosaic feature on Quadro GPUs or the Surround feature on GeForce GPUs
Quadro GPUs can handle up to 4 screens, while Geforce GPUs only allow 3 synchronized displays. You can use 4 displays on most Geforce GPUs, but you can only sync 3 using the surround feature (also called immersive gaming).
Syncing outputs across multiple machines or locking to an external sync source
Quadro GPU with a Sync Board (dedicated piece of hardware). You either take an external sync source using the BNC connector or declare one of the machines as the sync master. All other machines are daisy chained using RJ45 cables. In full hot backup scenario it is advisable to have two seperate masters for the live and backup system. You can split the incoming sync signal to two signals if required.