HDMI to dual D Sub monitors
Discussion
Hi,
I have a 2013/2014 Dell XPS 15 laptop and currently use the Mini Display Port output to connect to a 4K monitor. The laptop lid remains shut and I don't use that display at all.
I've recently had the requirement (new contract) to use a twin monitor setup.
I'd like to connect two 1080p 22 inch monitors that only have a D-Sub input. There is a unused HDMI port on the laptop.
I'm thinking to get a USB-C to HDMI converter adaptor and use this USB-C to dual HDMI adaptor ;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sabrent-Adapter-Supports-...
Then use 2 of these HDMI to D-Sub converters in each output
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-HDMI-Adapter...
Am I correct in thinking this should work ? I do wish to extend the two extra monitors so that they're independent of each other/can display separately.
Cheers, Dennis!
I have a 2013/2014 Dell XPS 15 laptop and currently use the Mini Display Port output to connect to a 4K monitor. The laptop lid remains shut and I don't use that display at all.
I've recently had the requirement (new contract) to use a twin monitor setup.
I'd like to connect two 1080p 22 inch monitors that only have a D-Sub input. There is a unused HDMI port on the laptop.
I'm thinking to get a USB-C to HDMI converter adaptor and use this USB-C to dual HDMI adaptor ;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sabrent-Adapter-Supports-...
Then use 2 of these HDMI to D-Sub converters in each output
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-HDMI-Adapter...
Am I correct in thinking this should work ? I do wish to extend the two extra monitors so that they're independent of each other/can display separately.
Cheers, Dennis!
You can get usb-c to VGA/d-sub adapters and might be able to get a twin one.
As said, depending on the spec of the old monitors it also might be time to swap them out. That said, I'm using a pair of 19" 3:4 1280x1024 monitors which are not 15 years old, they do have DVI in however!
We bought these for my partner, twin 23" ex-industry monitors and a new £30 stand for £140 deliveried. Not bad in my book. Nothing wrong with them, she's over the moon.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-HP-23-Dual-Monitor-...
Daniel
As said, depending on the spec of the old monitors it also might be time to swap them out. That said, I'm using a pair of 19" 3:4 1280x1024 monitors which are not 15 years old, they do have DVI in however!
We bought these for my partner, twin 23" ex-industry monitors and a new £30 stand for £140 deliveried. Not bad in my book. Nothing wrong with them, she's over the moon.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-HP-23-Dual-Monitor-...
Daniel
When the graphics cards (high end) dropped vga from the connectors on the back.
Many people still had vga monitors, the manufactures came out with 2 converters from hdmi to vga.
1 was termed "active" it had the bits inside to convert from digital signal to analog that the vga monitor needed.
At the time they were £80 (I think) they would work on all the ones I tried.
The other was a "passive" which simply converted the cable across with nothing else.
They didn't work, except on a very specific professional monitors.
I'm not convinced your converter to converter idea is going to work.
Without knowing more about the usage case, it's difficult to offer other idea's.
The fall back is always going to be buying 2 cheap digital monitors.
Many people still had vga monitors, the manufactures came out with 2 converters from hdmi to vga.
1 was termed "active" it had the bits inside to convert from digital signal to analog that the vga monitor needed.
At the time they were £80 (I think) they would work on all the ones I tried.
The other was a "passive" which simply converted the cable across with nothing else.
They didn't work, except on a very specific professional monitors.
I'm not convinced your converter to converter idea is going to work.
Without knowing more about the usage case, it's difficult to offer other idea's.
The fall back is always going to be buying 2 cheap digital monitors.
What your talking about depends on the connector if a passive adapter will work or not rather than the monitor.
IE if the graphics card had DVI-D output that contained only the digital element, but if it had a DVI-I output that contained the analogue element as well, and therefore a passive adapter could be used to extract it.
HDMI contains the same electrical signals and connections has DVI-D just in a different connector and bundled with audio connections, and therefore you can use a passive adapter between the two in either direction without any issues.
Display port is a different signal standard, however dual mode DP contains HDMI signal and will again convert with a passive adapter.
USB-C to anything else is also an active adapter.
However as far as I am aware neither HDMI or Display port contain the analogue signal within a vga d-sub connector, so will need an active adapter. However with direct access to china via eBay and the likes, you can have active adapters for three roles at about the £8 mark, as the op has found, and certainly I've had no issues with DP to HDMI and USB-C to HDMI at this price point.
You will get some signal loss going from digital to analogue and back again, however it may well be good enough you can't really tell and or good enough for what the op needs. For 2x£8 it might well be worth a put if the other options start at £140 and run to half a grand easy.
Daniel
IE if the graphics card had DVI-D output that contained only the digital element, but if it had a DVI-I output that contained the analogue element as well, and therefore a passive adapter could be used to extract it.
HDMI contains the same electrical signals and connections has DVI-D just in a different connector and bundled with audio connections, and therefore you can use a passive adapter between the two in either direction without any issues.
Display port is a different signal standard, however dual mode DP contains HDMI signal and will again convert with a passive adapter.
USB-C to anything else is also an active adapter.
However as far as I am aware neither HDMI or Display port contain the analogue signal within a vga d-sub connector, so will need an active adapter. However with direct access to china via eBay and the likes, you can have active adapters for three roles at about the £8 mark, as the op has found, and certainly I've had no issues with DP to HDMI and USB-C to HDMI at this price point.
You will get some signal loss going from digital to analogue and back again, however it may well be good enough you can't really tell and or good enough for what the op needs. For 2x£8 it might well be worth a put if the other options start at £140 and run to half a grand easy.
Daniel
Hi,
Thanks for the replies!
I already have the monitors and mounted up on a twin sturdy holder. I only have a specific space of a certain area to have them mounted.
Usage is light/moderate, nothing complex or demanding.
Had more of a search around and instead of the initial idea, I've found a Targus USB3.0 port replicator unit capable of driving two external monitors and ordered that in. One of it's output is a DVI and already have a DVI to D sub adaptor and also ordered a HDMI to d Sub lead.
Cheers, Dennis!
Thanks for the replies!
I already have the monitors and mounted up on a twin sturdy holder. I only have a specific space of a certain area to have them mounted.
Usage is light/moderate, nothing complex or demanding.
Had more of a search around and instead of the initial idea, I've found a Targus USB3.0 port replicator unit capable of driving two external monitors and ordered that in. One of it's output is a DVI and already have a DVI to D sub adaptor and also ordered a HDMI to d Sub lead.
Cheers, Dennis!
Hi,
Well a few months in and absolutely fantastic with this Targus port replicator solution !
The 43" Philips monitor I've been extremely happy with in the few years of having it now - 4K resolution and once work is done, it's awesome to be able to watch a movie on via Amazon !
The two older 21 inch 1920x1080 monitors run at that resolution perfectly and I only use them for specific aspects. Due to the physical space availability and the dual monitor holder fits in a certain way only, then the lower screen isn't optimally angled but it's fine for when I need to use it.
Sorry it's taken ages to get a pic up !
Cheers, Dennis!
Well a few months in and absolutely fantastic with this Targus port replicator solution !
The 43" Philips monitor I've been extremely happy with in the few years of having it now - 4K resolution and once work is done, it's awesome to be able to watch a movie on via Amazon !
The two older 21 inch 1920x1080 monitors run at that resolution perfectly and I only use them for specific aspects. Due to the physical space availability and the dual monitor holder fits in a certain way only, then the lower screen isn't optimally angled but it's fine for when I need to use it.
Sorry it's taken ages to get a pic up !
Cheers, Dennis!
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