Published on 04/12/2006
If you've always wanted a multimonitor card but balked at the extra costs of implementing such a system, the NIVO technology from Newnham could provide a cost-effective solution by creating a "virtual graphics card" on the printed circuit board that replaces the DVI/VGA monitor cable with one based on standard USB. With the right connector, the chip can output data to all compatible CRT/flat panel monitors at resolutions of up to 1280 x 1025 @ 75Hz and 24-bit true color depth.
Unfortunately, it is not powerful enough to handle a high definition game's bandwidth. What are the performance levels of implementing such a set up? We believe that everything will run faster than current remote desktop solutions, but connecting a display via USB will most definitely induce major performance compromises. It is best used in an office environment. Kensington will release a universal laptop docking station in June that features Newnham NIVO technology at a yet undisclosed price.