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General discussion

sVGA works with CRT monitor but not with LCD monitor

Apr 28, 2006 9:18AM PDT

At work I use a GE Voluscan 730 Expert (basically a fancy computer ultrasound machine). It has multiple video outputs in the back (SVGA/S video/BNC). When I hook up CRT monitor to the SVGA it works like a charm. If I hook up a LCD monitor to the SVGA the LCD monitor says the signal is not supported.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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Check options
Apr 29, 2006 12:58AM PDT

Are you using an adapter cable to a vga port or one that came with the LCD. If you can acess the GE system to accept alternative video ports then don't expect the h/w to do this on its own. Besides the h/w issue the s/w must allow its acceptance, so I see the video signal as a std. error in not supported. read, the GE system manual for optional devices, etc., for what it supports. It may just as well support a LCD, but some brand or special needs.

tada -----Willy Happy

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GE Voluscan 730 Expert
May 5, 2006 10:11PM PDT

Willy
I'm using the cable that came with the LCD. The GE Ultrasound(US) does not allow me to change the settings.
I contacted GE and they emailed me the specification info (hertz, resolution, etc.) of what kind of monitor the US supports. Sent info to DELL - never got a reply.
The harddrive had to be repartitioned on the Ultrasound. When the technician came, asked him about this issue and he said he had seen the same US hooked up to a normal LCD monitor via a $75 dollar connector at RadioShack. Local RadioShack has no clue.
Could probably get a moniter from GE. They would charge more money for a ''medical grade'' monitor.
I just do not understand how a old CRT will work without a problem but not a LCD

Thanks

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OH kay
May 6, 2006 1:39AM PDT

When i checked into this "after" posting to ya the first time, all pictures shown a monitor. Thus, I suspect it was offered orginally using std. monitors at the time. I suggest, if you can use an adapter try this websites:
http://www.cyberguys.com
http://www.blackbox.com

The blackbox people are more open to help in your query should call or email them. Of course you can try other online vendors, but it should cheaper than $75. As for RadioSmack, check thier online catlog website to surf there as well. In store sales people can be lacking at times. Sad

Remember, the spec sheet(your guide) you got should be used against the spec sheet for your current LCD. It *may not support* the freq. scan rate and/or sizing of display as they do vary. In a typical PC setup you have more leedway as compared to a decicated system which is usually "lock-in" to setting with no tolerance outside it own level. Hope this hglps

tada -----Willy Happy

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Secondary Voluson 730 Expert Resolution Issues
May 19, 2006 10:04PM PDT

Sorry it has been a while to follow up to your post.

Went to a big meeting (ACOG) in DC. Met with a bunch of GE reps (ultrasound is a General Electric Voluson 730 Expert)and go to talk to the German guy who designed the entire unit. From what I gather the secondary VGA output has a higher resolution than what run the mill LCD can process. The reasoning is that in some medical offices there is a ultrasound tech doing the scans while the doctor is watching on a secondary monitor in another room. GE does not want a doctor trying to evaluate antomical structures with a crappy monitor. The monitor on the unit itself is a high resolution monitor.

My goal is to have a decent flat screen mounted on the wall so the patient and family members can see a decent picture without have to jockey for position around the small monitor on the ultrasound itself. The room is to small to have a big CRT monitor mounted to the wall.

Since I do not have the ability to change resolution through the system, I figure I have two choices:

1. Buy a inline adaptor (don't know if they exist) to drop the resolution to what an average flat screen can handle. I will contact the vendors that Willy mentioned

2. Buy a monitor that can handle the resolution. The specs that I got from GE are

3-8-6 Video Specificationfications VGA Connector
Timing Parameter Value
Visible Resolution 800 x 600
Horizontal Rate [kHz] 47.20
H Total cycle time [

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Not liekly
Jun 6, 2006 9:49AM PDT

I don't see a typical adapter in the future, not likely. The resolution and all those specs are what's needed for a LCD match. However, it appears you need a hi-end LCD that's more capable as typical LCDs have a native resolution or basic setting and under the PC the video card does the rest to the LCD. Since the GE system is IMHO locked into a video mode and resolution it can't be rid of, then the LCD has to be a good match in order to work. You now need a LCD with a "wide setting" abilities in order to work. Since the engineer who developed the thing can't offer a clue, well that suggests something amiss or more to it than meets the eye. I can only suugets what is any option GE offers and see if you find it on the open market. If a tech is seeing a 2nd monitor, then it has a model#, etc. etc..

tada -----Willy Happy

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Lcd Panel and Ultra sound
May 7, 2006 9:40AM PDT

Find the specs on the video refresh rate output of the machine you want to connect to. I am sure they are available somewhere. Maybe a phone call to a support tech at the company that made it. But most likely the refresh output of the machine is to high for the LCD. Where a crt monitor can handle refresh rates up above 100 an LCD can not and will show either no signal at all or state a compatibility issue of some sort depending on the brand. I would start there and see what you can find out. good luck.

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Think your right.
May 19, 2006 10:10PM PDT

Sorry it has been a while to follow up to your post.

Went to a big meeting (ACOG) in DC. Met with a bunch of GE reps (ultrasound is a General Electric Voluson 730 Expert)and go to talk to the German guy who designed the entire unit. From what I gather the secondary VGA output has a higher resolution than what run the mill LCD can process. The reasoning is that in some medical offices there is a ultrasound tech doing the scans while the doctor is watching on a secondary monitor in another room. GE does not want a doctor trying to evaluate antomical structures with a crappy monitor. The monitor on the unit itself is a high resolution monitor.

My goal is to have a decent flat screen mounted on the wall so the patient and family members can see a decent picture without have to jockey for position around the small monitor on the ultrasound itself. The room is to small to have a big CRT monitor mounted to the wall.

Since I do not have the ability to change resolution through the system, I figure I have two choices:

1. Buy a inline adaptor (don't know if they exist) to drop the resolution to what an average flat screen can handle. I will contact the vendors that Willy mentioned

2. Buy a monitor that can handle the resolution. The specs that I got from GE are

3-8-6 Video Specificationfications VGA Connector
Timing Parameter Value
Visible Resolution 800 x 600
Horizontal Rate [kHz] 47.20
H Total cycle time [

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Monitor for Ultrasound
Jun 5, 2006 8:15PM PDT

Basically what it seems they are saying is it is not a compatible signal. Its like trying to watch TV with a radio. There may be something that would do the job but sounds to me there are too many individual incompatibilities. The resolution is definatly in range. But things like front porch, back porch are specs that generally are not even spoken of in the LCD monitor world. I would like to talk to them myself to see if they are using terminolgy one language (ultrasound) that translates into english as far as LCD goes. Without spending a ton of money I personally think you will be looking for new technology in the home user LCD market that just isn't there yet. It's developing fast and good but really is still in its infancy. I have two people in my family that work at Gwinnett Medical Center in Atlanta and I will see what I can possibly find out. Good luck. I love a good challenge. Later, Jeff Hyder