X200 external display without ultrabase: USB to DVI?

Hi all,

Tried searching but didn't find a clear answer.

I have an X200, and used to have ultrabase with displayport to HDMI adapter, and display was great.

I no longer have the ultrabase, so have connected via VGA.

As you can imagine I'm not used to the VGA display.

I've seen the lenovo USB to DVI adapter, but it is expensive.

So I've searched for options.

I found this DVI to VGA plus USB cable on ebay: 30+5 Pin DVI to 15 Pin VGA M/M+USB Cable for CRT LCD PC | eBay

Would it work?

If not please can you advise?

I'm really hoping to get DVI out straight from the X200 as the VGA output is actually hurting my eyes lol!

Thanks in advance all
hany

 

I'm pretty sure this cable inputs DVI and outputs VGA. I don't know what it does to get the USB signal. You need something like said Lenovo box that has some sort of active processor in it.

 

never knew USB can be used as display output. Interesting to know the result if you can get to work.

 

Thanks very much my friend!

I think (hope) this might do it:

USB 2.0 To VGA/DVI/HDMI Multi-Display Adapter 1920x1080 | eBay

To anyone that has used one of these, please can you share your experience and advice.

Cheers!

 

USB to DVI (or VGA) uses a technology called DisplayLink, there are a multitude of these on the market, they generally work. However, it works by compressing the screen (which generally is a workable idea) and so anything moving around taxes the CPU.

 

Thanks for the info! I didn't realise they taxed the CPU cause they had their own processor inside to compress.

I also see a lot of USB 2.0 to HDMI as well on ebay. Seemingly with their own CPU.

 

Maybe it was just mine, but I don't think these tax the CPU all that much... I was using one with my switchable T400 such that I could get two displays out of the dock on integrated graphics; as far as I can remember, there was really no significant difference in CPU usage with or without it...

 

Thanks CW! Which one did you use? Lenovo?

 

No, I got some (relatively) cheapo ioGear unit from Fry's.

Very similar to (if not exactly) this:

IOGEAR - GUC2020DW6 - USB 2.0 External DVI Video Card

 

Thanks CW! Will have a research for USB to HDMI and see...

 

i use a USB2DVI converter on the X61 machines, they are okay for still images at high resolution, but if you want to display movies then you may need to look elsewhere.

 

Thanks LO!

Does anyone here use USB to HDMI? Any good?

Think if possible it certainly would be better than DVI?

 

.. like a DC adapter powered GT430/GT520 x1.Opt DIY eGPU via the expresscard slot. It will give far better performance. See sig if interested.

 

Wow very comprehensive!

Thank you.

Will have to re-read a few times to understand how to do it lol!

Any other comments welcome please.

USB to HDMI seems a bit of a stretch.

USB to DVI looks practical.