HDMI to VGA cable

roytom2

I thought buying a cable to connect my new laptop to an older VGA monitor just needed a cable to connect them. So I bought a cheap HDMI to VGA cable from eBay but it came with a warning that it was not a signal converter. I don’t want to use it if it could damage something so I haven’t plugged it in yet. Therefore, do I need something extra to be able to use the new laptop with my VGA monitor? If so what do I need to get?

HoofeHearted

Have a read of this for starters.https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001707.htm

neilmcl

roytom2 said:

I thought buying a cable to connect my new laptop to an older VGA monitor just needed a cable to connect them. So I bought a cheap HDMI to VGA cable from eBay but it came with a warning that it was not a signal converter. I don’t want to use it if it could damage something so I haven’t plugged it in yet. Therefore, do I need something extra to be able to use the new laptop with my VGA monitor? If so what do I need to get?

An HDMI cable carries digital video and audio whereas VGA is purely analog and video only, if what you purchased (link please?) doesn't convert the video signal then it won't work. I assume your PC doesn't have a VGA port then? Does your monitor have DisplayPort or is it VGA only?

neilmcl

Can I assume it was something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1m-HDMI-to-VGA-Cable-HD-15-D-SUB-Video-Adapter-Cord-For-PC-Monitor-Game-HDTV-UK/124324379515?hash=item1cf24f7b7b:g:qUIAAOSwV6VfUeql you purchased?

You're better off with something like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rankie-HDMI-Adapter-3-5mm-Audio/dp/B00ZMV7RL2/ref=pd_ybh_a_1 although I can't attest to how well it works.

grumpycrab

roytom2 said:

 I haven’t plugged it in yet. 

Try it (assuming your VGA sexes match up.)  And if it doesn't work I'll tell you what worked for me.

Sandtree

You bought snake oil, the cable will never have a use in life unless someone has bodged together their own device that just happens to use a VGA port on one end and a HDMI port on the other but doesnt actually relate to those uses. On the plus side they were at least honest about it, there are many impossible cables sold without the health warning that they wont actually work.

You need a convertor that will have a DAC built into it so that it can take the Digitial HDMI signal and convert it to an Analogue VGA one. This could be a pure adapter in which case you also need a VGA cable or there are cables you can buy with a convertor built in to a cable (you'll normally see the VGA end is much bigger as its where the DAC is housed.

roytom2

neilmcl said:

Can I assume it was something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1m-HDMI-to-VGA-Cable-HD-15-D-SUB-Video-Adapter-Cord-For-PC-Monitor-Game-HDTV-UK/124324379515?hash=item1cf24f7b7b:g:qUIAAOSwV6VfUeql you purchased?

You're better off with something like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rankie-HDMI-Adapter-3-5mm-Audio/dp/B00ZMV7RL2/ref=pd_ybh_a_1 although I can't attest to how well it works.

Yes the eBay item you posted seems to the one I bought. I’m at a loss as to why this can be sold if it has no practical use.

grumpycrab

roytom2 said:

Yes the eBay item you posted seems to the one I bought. I’m at a loss as to why this can be sold if it has no practical use.

If people will buy it, then it will be sold...