If your computer doesn’t have an HDMI port, you may want to take a look at the USB 3.0 to HDMI External Video Card Multi Monitor Adapter from StarTech – here is our review.
The USB32HDE USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter turns an available USB 3.0 port into an HDMI output, with high resolution 1920×1080 (1080p) video support – a convenient external video solution that makes it easy to add multi-monitor capability to a USB 3.0-enabled desktop or laptop computer (optimal performance from USB 3.0, backward compatible with USB 2.0).
Leveraging the high-bandwidth (5 Gbps) SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface, the adapter functions as an external graphics card to deliver smooth, high-definition content to your HDMI or DVI-capable display (HDMI to DVI Adapter included). The adapter can be used to mirror your primary desktop, showing the same image on each display, or to extend your desktop to double your workspace and increase your productivity.
Who are StarTech?
From their website:
Founded in 1985 by Paul Seed and Ken Kalopsis, StarTech.com is an ISO 9001 Registered manufacturer of hard-to-find connectivity parts. Since its inception, our company has been dedicated to making IT professionals jobs easier by helping them identify, find and get the connectivity parts they need to enable their solutions.
Features
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) Interface and backward compatible with USB 2.0
- Supports resolutions up to 1920×1200
- Includes HDMI to DVI-D Adapter
- USB-powered – No external power adapter required
- Choose between Mirrored, Extended or Primary display configurations
- Driver software supports display rotation
- Supports the Windows Aero interface
- Supports 2-channel (Stereo) audio
- Supports the use of multiple USB32HDE adapters on a single system (up to 5)
What’s in the Box?
The box contains:
- the adaptor
- a DVI/HDMI connector
- manual
- driver CD
A Closer Look
Final Thoughts
The USB 3.0 to HDMI External Video Card Multi Monitor Adapter is fairly small so it doesn’t take up much room – which is great if you don’t have a lot of room around the TV or monitor you want to connect to. It always makes it portable, so you can slip it into your bag if you want to connect your laptop to a TV in a hotel room, for example (just don’t forget to take an HDMI cable with you).
You can easily mirror the display from the laptop, or if you want, extend the display from the laptop to the TV.
The adaptor works on Windows and Mac, and even Linux, so pretty much all your bases are covered. drivers……..
To use the adaptor you just connect it up to the computer or laptop, install the drivers and that’s it – very quick and simple.
I connected a laptop up to a TV with HDMI (via USB 3.0) and was very pleased with the results – there was no lag, and everything seemed very smooth. I played a 1080p movie through the laptop and again I was very happy with the results – there was no obvious quality difference and there was no lag. I tried it on a USB 2.0 port and it was noticeably slower, but then it is a USB 3.0 device! One thing to note though – don’t expect to play graphic intensive games through it, it just isn’t that type of device unfortunately.
So if you are looking for a small, portable, easy to use device to connect your laptop to a monitor, TV, or projector then you should take a good look at this one!
The USB 3.0 to HDMI External Video Card Multi Monitor Adapter retails for £59.00.
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