HDMI to VGA Converter not working

WORKING NOW --> Please see last post

Laptop -- Yoga 13 (Windows 8.1)

I recently bought this thing:

1080P Hdmi Male TO VGA Female Video Converter Adapter Cable FOR PC DVD PS3 B0169 | eBay

which has the ability to convert HDMI signal to VGA via the built-in chipset. However, something is not working when I try to use it. I am trying on both my Yoga 13 and an older Dell with Windows XP.

On the Yoga, I am able to detect an external monitor is attached, but even trying to run it at 1280x800 or smaller, I cannot seem to drive the attached projector.

it could of course be a faulty unit, but I am hesitant to say it is that, when I am not exactly sure how to force the HDMI signal to output. If I plug the HDMI cable in and out of my laptop, the screen on the projector flickers for a moment, but I am not able to output anything!

Any advice is appreciated, as I'm really hoping to retro game on my projector soon!!!

Thanks!

 

HDMI is digital, VGA is analog. You need an active adapter, a simle cable won't work. As far as I know.

 

Yeah as stated above, you need an active adapter to change the digital signal to analog.

 

I was aware of that, but I thought this one was. Others went for 99 cents but clearly stated "this must be used with an active adapter from digital to analog" while this one didn't state that. It said it was ready for PC, PS3, etc...

I guess not?

EDIT:

According to this, people had similar problems on their Rasberry PI.

http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=269212

It seems to be an issue with the HDMI port on the board (ie my laptop) not wanting to output to HDMI, even though something is plugged in.

Not having an HDMI device to test out, I can't do a hot-swap.

Any ideas about how to force output through HDMI?

 

You can't force something that isn't compatible; and it unlikely your HDMI is the weak link here. An active converters (what you need) cost about $40.

Nevertheless, even if you don't have an HDMI to test it on and put your mind at ease, just find a friend or neighbor since HDMI are plentiful these days.

For the record, its quite common for advertiser to leave out information so people can buy their product.

From now on, come here first, and ask about an unfamiliar product. If something differs greatly from the norm, its a good reason to be suspicious.

 

I don't see power in on that ebay converter. It needs power to actually convert the video signal. Is there power going into it?

 

It says:

Built-in chipset
No external power required.
Power supply from HDMI signal.

I wish I had another device like a DVD player or game console to test, before I give up on it.

It's got 70 sales (just from this seller) so I doubt the concept doesn't work. The chipset should make it "active", no?

 

it's fairly rare but, there area few devices that can support such cable but, they have the proper circuits to do so.

 

Well, pin 18 of hdmi supplies 5 volts at 50 mA, so there is a little power, but not much. There are other companies that make converters that don't need external power. So it is certainly possible. Not only that, checking the reviews, I see other people got this converter to work. So in theory it should work, unless the ebay seller faked the reviews, which is doubtful.

You said you have a monitor? Do you have any hdmi displays, or can you borrow one? It may not properly detect the projector. If you can test it on another display, at least you will know it is not defective.

I don't know the Yoga, any place in bios or the display controls, or Fn keys, to force output? How about powering on with the built in display closed?

 

it's not that hard, there are companies you can pay for reviewers. i know gigbucks and fiver.com do that kind of stuff.

 

I don't think the reviews are fake based on the quantity, and the verbiage. But I mentioned it, since it is a distinct possibility.

 

Fair enough.

 

Seems like I got a faulty unit -- no way of getting it working, and I've tried everything! Including booting to BIOS.

On tuesday I will try booting the laptop with a real HDMI cable plugged in, then switching it to this adapter.

 

That's a good idea.

But yeah, there are for sure a lot of fake adapters on Ebay. They all have that fine print: "laptop circuitry must support" when the truth is that there are probably no laptops that support it. This one I'm not sure about, but there are definitely some others out there like HDMI to coaxial RCA video and other stuff that just isn't possible to do without more independent circuitry.

Wow I should have looked around more before I asked about one of these in a recent thread here - not that I bought one, but I was looking at something similar because my audio jack is broken. I was hoping to use the HDMI audio, but now I can't imagine I'd be able to get that to work unless the audio is much simpler than the video connection...

 

UPDATE

I have finally managed to get it working. According to Rasberry Pi users who had similar adapters and issues, you can force most computers to output via HDMI by plugging in an HDMI device first and outputting via it, sleeping the computer, then plugging in your adapter. That is what worked for me finally.

I don't have an HDMI input at home, so we'll have to see how I can continue to make this work, but at least it's good to know 100% that the adapter works and that is not the issue.

Although the video quality of VGA looks more washed out than HDMI..that might just be the two different settings on the TV. Excited to try it out.

For anyone else considering this adapter, you can rest knowing it works...but the process may not be simple.

UPDATE #2

Got home and it's not working on either my VGA cable, or my projector. Will test my VGA cable tomorrow and rule it out...then it's time to say goodbye to my projector

 

LOLOLOLOLOL !!!11111!!!

User mf error! I can't believe it!

This whole time, I've been connecting a laptop to the projector's "MONITOR OUT" port. It works fine via VGA, so I didn't question it.

However, there was no way in hell I could get the HDMI adapter to work.

So, after trying all manner of cables and all manner of output devices, I confirmed that it was the projector at fault, and was ready to give it a piece of my mind.

However, after unplugging the VGA cable today, I went to re-connect it, and noticed that there are two ports that both accept VGA cables. One is marked "MONITOR OUT", and the other, "COMPOSITE VIDEO". Figuring what the hell, I went and plugged my HDMI adapter cable into the "COMPOSITE VIDEO" port, and voila, instant success! I can't believe it!!!

Good news, idiotic user error on my part, and I'm not ready for 60" 800x600 gaming! Whoo!!!