connecting a laptop to a monitor

VimFuego

is there a way of connecting a laptop with only USB ports to a monitor that only has them multi pin port thingies (god, I'm technical, it's scary)?

bertie

you mean a USB to 9 pin VGA  ?   yes there are plenty of actual converters around.   BUT the problem is,  the video output WONT be coming through the USB (at least Ive never heard of it.................)

Tho saying that -  arent some of the more uptodate KVMs   USB connected ?!?! (thats me thinking aloud, not asking you Vim !!)

manicguitarist

Yes

You can buy USB powered graphics cards. I have 3 of them, currently only using 2 (you can buy one if you want). Failing that you can see them from here: http://www.startech.com/AV/USB-Video-Adapters/

 

They are pretty good to be honest. Ok so I only use them for monitors with Outlook running and a Visual Studio help file in another...they can cope with streamed cartoons (I've taken to watching Family Guy whilst coding) too.

chrispy108

What inputs does your monitor have?

You can definitely get USB to HDMI adaptors and USB to VGA adaptors 

No idea if they're any good though

manicguitarist

^^ I'm currently powering a 4  monitor system - each with 1920x1200 resolution. 2 of them are with the USB to VGA adapator thingies - they seem to work just fine. The only caveat I would say is that they require their own USB port each and won't work well on a shared USB hub - not enough power.

VimFuego

thanks chaps, think they are what I need. I shall peruse through them. It's for gaming (tho not massively high end gaming) which my laptop handles, but the screen is a bit small and I was hoping to use my bigger monitor. With luck one of them thingies should do the job.

Danny1969

You sure your laptop doesn't have a VGA out Vim ? Almost all do 

bertie

Danny1969 said:

You sure your laptop doesn't have a VGA out Vim ? Almost all do 

this -  it might be behind a flap  -   what model is it Vim ??

manicguitarist

Ah - a USB video card isn't going to be any good for gaming.

 

It *just* handles streaming a film...but not at 1080p

bertie

manicguitarist said:

Ah - a USB video card isn't going to be any good for gaming.

 

It *just* handles streaming a film...but not at 1080p

in a laptop?

VimFuego

bertie said:

Danny1969 said:

You sure your laptop doesn't have a VGA out Vim ? Almost all do 

this -  it might be behind a flap  -   what model is it Vim ??

it's a dell. Seems to have an HDMI, a handful of USB ports and what I assume is a network port. Can't see any flaps other than the one over the DVD player. Can't think where it would be on here.

Jalapeno

Use the HDMI port - with an adapter for whatever your monitor is.

VimFuego

coolio. thx jal. This is what I love about this place, it's like having your very own harem of knowledge bitches.

manicguitarist

Saves space in your cellar too.

Axe_meister

HDMI to VGA adapter won't work (need to convert to analogue) does your monitor have a DVI port (about 2x the size of a VGA port) if yes you can use HDMI to DVI adapter

VimFuego

I prefer the term bunker.

Jalapeno

HDMI to VGA convertors have black boxes in them that convert the signal.

Such as ....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1080P-Chipset-HDMI-Male-to-VGA-Female-Video-Cable-Cord-Converter-Adapter-Black-/161081912940

VimFuego

yup, figured that was what I needed. I'm slowly being dragged into the 20th C.

ddlooping

VimFuego said:

I'm slowly being dragged into the 20th C.

Once you get there the 21st won't be much further ahead.
See you there.