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USB to HDMI adapter

H

henryhenryhenry

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 17, 2012
5
0
Has anyone used Cable Matters's USB to HDMI adapter?
How is it? I am trying to connect my old Macbook to HDTV through the USB port. And on their website it says the usb to hdmi adapter will transfer both audio and video for most computers.

Thanks
 
henryhenryhenry said:
Has anyone used Cable Matters's USB to HDMI adapter?
How is it? I am trying to connect my old Macbook to HDTV through the USB port. And on their website it says the usb to hdmi adapter will transfer both audio and video for most computers.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Do you have to use USB for this? I ask, because there are much easier ways to do it. If the Macbook you're talking about is the MBP in your signature, then all you need is a miniDP - HDMI adapter. Make sure you get one that passes audio, as the 2011 MBP should pass audio over the miniDP port.

If you're talking about an older Macbook, you probably need a miniDVI - HDMI adapter and a separate mini-jack audio cable. Then, on the TV, you would need an HDMI port that supports auxilliary audio.

ft
 
I second that. USB video out is not good for anything involving video, because framerates are pretty poor. However, I've not seen an adaptor that has Mini DVI and an audio jack to HDMI, which means running a separate audio cable if your computer is that old (pre-unibody).

jW
 
Mal said:
I second that. USB video out is not good for anything involving video, because framerates are pretty poor. However, I've not seen an adaptor that has Mini DVI and an audio jack to HDMI, which means running a separate audio cable if your computer is that old (pre-unibody).

jW
Click to expand...

I have a 2011 pro and a 2008 macbook. My thought is that if USB to HDMI adapter works, why not get one and it will work for all the macs or pcs, and I don't need to worry about the mini dvi or min displayport or audio support, right?

The USB to HDMI adapter does mention that it support 1080P video.
 
henryhenryhenry said:
I have a 2011 pro and a 2008 macbook. My thought is that if USB to HDMI adapter works, why not get one and it will work for all the macs or pcs, and I don't need to worry about the mini dvi or min displayport or audio support, right?

The USB to HDMI adapter does mention that it support 1080P video.
Click to expand...

I think the issue is that, while it may work, it'll probably be disappointing. To me, adapters are the way to go. It's not that big a deal to get a miniDVI and a miniDP adapter. PCs typically have HDMI built-in, so that's no biggie.

Alternatively, you can wait for 10.8 Mountain Lion and get an aTV for Airplay mirroring. That would be the easiest, although it wouldn't be compatible with PCs.

How much is that USB/HDMI adapter?

EDIT - I just checked on Amazon and the price was $50. The reviews seemed positive ... there were a few Mac users that wrote reviews. Seems like it works fine. If you do get it, be sure to give a review on here so that others may benefit.

Good Luck!
 
henryhenryhenry said:
I have a 2011 pro and a 2008 macbook. My thought is that if USB to HDMI adapter works, why not get one and it will work for all the macs or pcs, and I don't need to worry about the mini dvi or min displayport or audio support, right?

The USB to HDMI adapter does mention that it support 1080P video.
Click to expand...

I would recommend the mini display to hdmi with audio support its about $6 from mono price
 
iisforiphone said:
I would recommend the mini display to hdmi with audio support its about $6 from mono price
Click to expand...

The OP has a 2008 Macbook. The plastic 2008 MBs have miniDVI. The aluminum 2008 MB has miniDP, but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't support audio over DP.
 
ftaok said:
The OP has a 2008 Macbook. The plastic 2008 MBs have miniDVI. The aluminum 2008 MB has miniDP, but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't support audio over DP.
Click to expand...

sorry i should of said for his 2011, he said he has both


i know he wants 1 cable for both but since the cable for the 2011 is only $6 i fogure it would be good advice to get seperate cables for each mac
 
ftaok said:
I think the issue is that, while it may work, it'll probably be disappointing. To me, adapters are the way to go. It's not that big a deal to get a miniDVI and a miniDP adapter. PCs typically have HDMI built-in, so that's no biggie.

Alternatively, you can wait for 10.8 Mountain Lion and get an aTV for Airplay mirroring. That would be the easiest, although it wouldn't be compatible with PCs.

How much is that USB/HDMI adapter?

EDIT - I just checked on Amazon and the price was $50. The reviews seemed positive ... there were a few Mac users that wrote reviews. Seems like it works fine. If you do get it, be sure to give a review on here so that others may benefit.

Good Luck!
Click to expand...

I just ordered one from cablematters website. Will let you guys know how it works. I will test it with my 2011 Pro, 2008 macbook, and thinkpad X200.
btw, it seems they are doing a promotion on facebook, I got a price much lower than $50 :)
 
I'm sure there's some truth to that but I've successfully used one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-BVU195-USB-Display-Adapter/dp/B002GHBW4S

To drive a second external monitor from my late 2007 MBP and can watch youtube video on it just fine. I wouldn't play games on it but for run of the mill video, it works. Note that the Lion drivers are still beta and have a few glitches but work well enough for what I use it for.

Mal said:
I second that. USB video out is not good for anything involving video, because framerates are pretty poor.
jW
Click to expand...
 
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The difference is that an adapter uses the graphics card in the computer, which is designed for running monitors. A USB->HDMI would use the CPU for graphics..so it'll be slow. Also, USB->HDMI is limited to ~30mb\s transfer speed for video. An adapter would be at native speeds (~10000mb/s).
 
To extend a display for any older Mac that doesn't have audio over DisplayPort, the solution is this: http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=5969&seq=1&format=2

A DisplayPort/USB to female HDMI adapter. It uses DisplayPort for video and the USB for audio. You then plug any HDMI cable (2 male ends) into the adapter and then into the TV, receiver, or other monitor you choose to use.

It says Thunderbolt, but it's the same port as DisplayPort and this works on my late 2008 MBP and should work for any similar setup.
 
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