We have been using a laptop with Windows Vista and an S-video output to play movies on our bigscreen HD tv. We use the feature of having a second monitor to do this.

There are usb/video card devices you can buy to connect a computer without a suitable output connector, to a tv set. I know I don't have the option for a second monitor in Xp. I know we have to have Vista to do this normally, but I don't know about this when using one of these usb/video card devices.

Does anybody know for sure?

Thank you.

not for sure. best way to find out is to contact the manufacturer of the hardware. another thing to consider is what were people using to get 2 monitors prior to vista as i know it was done on xp and before just not sure how.

XP does allow the use of multiple monitors. I'm on dual monitor XP machine right now. For Windows XP and newer, I think the ability to use multiple monitors is a function of the video card in the computer. For a desktop PC, it's a simple matter to upgrade your video card, and there are plenty of cheap options to do so ($30-$60). Unfortunately, it's not often very easy to upgrade video subsytems on a laptop.

A company named 'iogear' makes plug in adapters (plug their adapter in to your current single monitor adapter). Their adapters have 2 or more outputs to hook up 2 or more monitors. We used it in our office on 2 machines (one vista, one XP) and it worked flawlessly on both. Cheap alternative ($40-75) and you don't have to crack the case open.