VGA & HDMI on Sony T13

Hello,

VGA and HDMI video outputs in sony T13 model are next to each other that makes it impossible to connect 2 monitors and have them on the same time.

Is there a reason that is like that? Anyone has a solution on how to use both outputs on the laptop at the same time.

Please check the screenshot

https://www.box.com/s/c5685490919c894b3a2d

 

I think that's by design to prevent you from using both.

 

It's like that on the E and S series too, but does not appear to be a problem on the Z series as the VGA and HDMI port are on opposite sides of the machine. Though I see no reason why both can't be used at the same time. Maybe you can find a thin profile VGA cable on ebay or something.

 

the 'reason' can be as simple as the # of external displays (independent) supported by the graphics card. Generally most laptop cards support only 1 display (in addition to the build in lcd).

you could ofcourse say that you want to use both at the same time with the same output on both, but it wouldn't make sense because one will have hdmi and another vga resolution. But if thats what you want, maybe you can get some kind of hdmi-vga converter/splitter and put the dongle on the hdmi port and have 2 outputs that way.

 

Yes but I see technically no reason why not,

I mean VGA port can support 1080p resolutions, I had to give a presentation using a TV screen with my HP, so it needn't need stuff like converters. Sony did not add quad HD support and plus they only advertise a max resolution of 1080p.

Driving 3 displays is possible like with eyefinity - but that's not really in the realms of notebooks yet. I was thinking more in terms of. 2 external monitors whilst the laptop screen is off.

 

no laptop manufacturer is going to build laptops with capability to drive 2 external screens with inbuilt lcd shut off - why, you ask - because that market is extermely small. Just get a desktop instead, or a laptop dock which supports that. My opinion, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.

I don't think you are correct about vga external connector supporting 1080p. Highest vga res. is 480p. There may be extensions to vga (called super vga, xga or whatever but not standard vga).

secondly, resolution is not the only difference between hdmi and vga - hdmi supports HDCP which is a requirement for transmitting HD protected content like bluray to HDTVs. VGA does not support this.

 

Just to provide some correct information:

The RGB15 or D-Sub connector (commonly referred to as a VGA cable, a misnomer) has a max resolution of 2048x1536. MOST laptops allow you to use the HDMI and "VGA" port simultaneously in a multi-desktop environment; my old samsung r780 is doing that right now even. the gfx cards nowadays are basically all capable of driving multi-monitor displays; this is a physical limitation imposed by poor or intentional design by sony (perhaps so you'd buy the docking station). I was bummed to find this out when I bought the new S15.

 

Well I refute this comment, My HP G62 (significantly cheaper and only integrated graphics) supports this, look at photo below - It's not really a niche considering graphics chipsets all support this, most newer Thinkpads (apart from the edge 11'' line and x1 carbon) have VGA and display port/hdmi in which you can use at the same time with the screen turned off. The MBPr has 2 display ports which it can use at the same time as well as the screen.

http://i.imgur.com/DAMWr.jpg - Cheap HP g62 driving 2 displays. warning huge image.

No I was talking about the connector itself (should have said d-sub) and not the standard - the standard you'd be looking for is QXGA. But yes most graphics chips support this though, Well the d-sub connector has been with us for quite some time (late 80's). Business/conference suites still use VGA projectors, i've yet to encounter one that use HDMI or otherwise.

True VGA does not support HDCP but I never mentioned it I was just comparing resolutions. Sure some HD content will not be able to stream through VGA, but that said, HDTVs stops coming with VGA and all have HDMI connectors. I also never mentioned ''the only difference''.