DVI to USB

[rcdeacon]

I have a ceiling mounted projector at my place of work that I need to connect to. It already has a usb cable run through the ceiling to a media control center. It currently uses a pc to run the projector but I would like to use my MacBook to connect. I already have the dvi to vga adapter but how can I change from vga to usb? Perhaps there is a different adapter I can purchase? Thanks for any insight you technologically gifted people send my way.

 

[NewMacbookPlz]

There are Video over USB solutions, but I don't know if there's anything for OS X.

You're not going to be able to "convert" DVI or VGA to a USB signal, totally different things. The solutions I mentioned use an external box and some software to output a video signal over the USB port. Again though, do some searching to find the products.

 

[RMo]

How does it connect to the PC now (to get the display, I mean)? Surely it uses VGA or DVI rather than USB, although it may use USB for other things like audio. I don't think USB has enough bandwidth to support a (decent) video connection, but, in any case, you won't find a USB video adapter for your MacBook like you'll find DVI, VGA, and friends (although the above poster mentioned some similar possibilities).

 

[rcdeacon]

Thank you for the replies. Currently it only uses USB and a PC. We run power point presentations on it primarily but occassionally run some things off the web. I appreciate all the replies and the information.

 

[monkey86]

im not sure if you can physically run video through a usb cable - if you can take a picture if the inputs on the projector - you have to be using a VGA or DVI-D cable usb cannot transmit video

 

[NewMacbookPlz]

im not sure if you can physically run video through a usb cable - if you can take a picture if the inputs on the projector - you have to be using a VGA or DVI-D cable usb cannot transmit video

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/logitec-displaylink-certified-usb-to-dvi-dongle-handles-qwxga/

USB from the computer to a DVI input. The technology is called "Display Link." The particular model I linked to isn't out yet, but it's the most recent link I found. Engadget has had earlier models of this tech in the past.

I'm not saying I don't share your skepticism about the OP's description of the setup...that I do. I doubt a company would use then when running a long VGA cable is far easier and cheaper. That's how all our conference rooms are wired up; a desktop with a switchbox (to accommodate laptops when needed) then connected to a ceiling mounted projector with all the VGA cable hidden above the drop ceiling.

 

[monkey86]

fair enough thats a good product (but its a preorder right, also im betting that the op's projector will be on the cheaper side, plus all projectors will have vga/dvi/svideo anyways so why cant the op run a monitor cable if he needs to connect that badly?