Hi every one I'm currently working on VirtualMonitor in my leisure time. It allows you to use compute/tablet/smartphone as a second monitor for your primary computer. please refer to http://virtualmonitor.github.io for more information. Currently I have released very basic version for windows2000-windows7 to demonstrate the project is feasible. When I was trying to make a further step on windows, I realized it is difficult for an individual, as it is not open source and also without technical support from Microsoft.
Then I want to move to linux, and I found Ilija Hadzic's post about Virtual CRTCs. his post is here: http://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/dri-devel/2011-November/015975.html In his implementation, GPU driver can create arbitrary number of CRTCs (configurable by user) instead of only those CRTCs that represent real hardware. It is very useful not only for VirtualMonitor, but also VNC/Virtualization/USB display etc. based on this implementation those application will be able to take full advantage of the physical graphic card(3D acceleration).
I want raise Ilijia's original question agian, if anybody in this community think Virtual CRTCs is useful, and willing to work together to make a further progress. My thought is if can implement a driver independent layer between dri and vendor specific GPU driver, with some general API. maybe implement this based one vendor related GPU first? e.g. based on Ilijia's implementation for Radeon as a daemon?
GPU driver is not my expertise, If some expert from this community think this feature is interesting, and willing to initiate a project for this feature, that will be great. Then people can work and discuss together.
Any comments regarding to Virtual CRTC or VirtualMonitor are very welcome. Thanks.
Best wishes Derek