HDMI to VGA

So I didn't know that the signal was fundamentally different and bought two HDMI to VGA cables on eBay (at least it wasn't a big loss--$2.50 a piece w/ shipping). Is there any way for me to have my computer send out an analog signal on the HDMI port for a cable like this, or am I just stuck getting a converter like this one: Laptop PC VGA to HDTV HDMI 1080p AV Converter Adapter - eBay (item 120600305520 end time Aug-24-10 02:20:12 PDT)

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Nope, you need the converter.

 

since there are dvi to vga adapters and hdmi is pin compatible with dvi. i assume you can buy a hdmi to vga cable. although the link you posted is the opposite direction of what the thread is called. if you want hdmi to vga then yes a cable should cost around $10. if you want vga to hdmi thats gonna require an analog to digital converter which is what you linked to making it more expensive.

EDIT:after re reading your post it looks like you want vga to hdmi so like said above yes youll need the converter box

 

That actually will not work. It is true that the digital video components of HDMI and DVI are electrically compatible. It is also true that there are analog DVI to VGA adapters that work. However, this is because most DVI outputs both an analog signal and a digital signal. The DVI to VGA adapters simply use the analog output pins of the DVI output. HDMI eschews the analog video signal, so no simple adapter is ever going to work.

No, he wants to get VGA from his computer's HDMI output. There are converter boxes that do this, but they all cost an arm and a leg. It would probably be better to just buy a new display that supports HDMI or DVI.

 

I guess it depends on what your definition of an arm and a leg is - VGA to HDMI converters run about $50-80 depending on the brand.

 

The reason I want DVI->VGA is to simultaneously power two projectors that I built, so buying a new display isn't really an applicable option for me. The idea of sending an analog signal through the DVI port is intriguing, though. Is there by any chance software that can do that?

 

Are you looking for DVI or HDMI to VGA? It's not the same thing. If it's DVI-I you're fine with just an adapter. DVI-D (either variety) is going to be annoying.

 

Ah, he needs digital to analog conversion, but all the DVI to VGA conversion boxes are ridiculously over-priced. But I've actually found HDMI to VGA converter boxes that are actually cheap. A DVI to HDMI converter plug is trivial, so this is a setup that should work: New HDMI to VGA+Audio HD HDTV Video Converter Box 1080P - eBay (item 260609382687 end time Sep-22-10 19:45:24 PDT) You want to make sure the converter box you get is digital to analog because they do not work in reverse!

The basic DVI standard allows for the digital signal carried by some pins, and the analog signal carried by other pins. Manufacturers can pick and choose either one of them or both of them. In your case since you already tested it, your DVI output is only the digital component, and that means there is no way possible to get an analog video signal out of your DVI port.

He already tried an adapter cable off ebay, so I'm assuming it was the standard hookup of vga output connected to the analog pins of the DVI connector. So unfortunately his laptop's DVI port does not output an analog signal.

 

Not sure how HP does it, if it's something specific to the HDMI power on the Envy machines (I don't have any other machines with HDMI out that are up and running right now to test with), but I got the HDMI->VGA adapter for my Envy for $40: HP HDMI to VGA Display Adapter | HP® Official Store