Continuum with VGA?

[jhoff80]

True. And as I mentioned, the phone beeps that it detects the USB connection so I doubt it's that. It seems to me like the phone just doesn't support a VGA connection, but I just wanted to throw some other options out there because I don't know for sure.

 

[casab1anca]

I haven't had much luck even with a USB-C to HDMI adapter. I've tried two configurations:

1. USB-C -> HDMI -> DVI -> monitor : this occasionally works but only at 640x480 resolution, making it basically useless
2. USB-C -> HDMI -> TV : this doesn't work at all

 

[jhoff80]

For what it's worth, I also tried a generic HDMI adapter to connect directly to my HDMI port on my TV, and it gave a very unstable connection with no audio support. The official Display Dock doesn't have this problem at all.

 

[bijak_riyandi]

For what it's worth, I also tried a generic HDMI adapter to connect directly to my HDMI port on my TV, and it gave a very unstable connection with no audio support. The official Display Dock doesn't have this problem at all.

sounds like Microsoft put some black magic inside the Display Dock to make Continuum work...
damn, that thing is expensive...

 

[jhoff80]

sounds like Microsoft put some black magic inside the Display Dock to make Continuum work...
damn, that thing is expensive...

Or the cheap generic adapter I bought was just made poorly.

 

[Paolo Ferrazza]

Hi guys,
I'm planning to buy a new 950 in a few weeks and I have a question for you all.

Has anyone tried to connect an good ol' non-HDMI monitor with a USB-C to VGA adaptor to the Lumia 950?
I wonder if Continuum would work on it

Thanks in advance

Test it and tell us

 

[ashram]

another thing just hit me (saw my hdmi 2 vga adapter and remembered)

this was an issue concerning the "cheap" adapters. they attempt to pull voltage via the HDMI port to handle the signal conversion, with reports of burnt out HDMI ports. There were others that grabbed additional power via USB. Recalled reading this years back and went out of my way looking for an adapter that could be powered off USB if needed.

Now using the same assumption, it's possible that the 950 isn't giving that much power via the USB-C port to power devices (thus why low power USB devices work fine, but not things like a USB Hard Drive without a powered hub in between)

this is the adapter I have, and it has worked for Blue-Ray players, my Playstation TV and a few random devices.
HDMI Male to VGA Female Adapter w/ Audio - White + Red - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

While I did find some USB-C to HDMI adapters in town yesterday, the prices were more than I was willing to spend on a test ($35 and up) considering a display dock can randomly be found on ebay under MSRP.

 

[paulbram]

Is there a list of all known/working USB C -> HDMI adpaters out there? I guess I was under the impression that any USB C -> hdmi adpater would work.

For example, this one seems like a FAR cheaper alternative to the MS display dock: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUvbUpU3417959

Which ones have people had luck with?

 

[ashram]

a known list would be awesome.... bought one on Ebay and it appears to be not be what it claims, so it was a no-go. at less than $10, I wasn't expecting much. MHL Type C Male to HDMI 2 0 HDTV Female USB 3 1 Adapter Cable for MacBook 12" | eBay

I've seen the one you mentioned, but never tried it as I'd like to find one locally to test 1st. I would like to have something small that can give me HDMI and keep my 950 powered for cheap to keep on me.

 

[Donaldson86]

I can confirm that I also tried HDMI to VGA adapter and had no luck with my work VGA monitor.

 

[ashram]

I can confirm that I also tried HDMI to VGA adapter and had no luck with my work VGA monitor.

did you try a powered or non powered unit?

what's the difference you ask? Since these adapters need power, some have been known to damage older HDMI devices since they attempted to draw out as much power as they could. Others just didn't work with the voltage the HDMI port supplied. Some adapters came with an additional USB plug so they could get the needed power to work.

Also the sync method on the monitor matters. There were a few, with sync on green being more popular, and worked with every adapter I had, including hdmi to vga and component to vga. The one TV I had that didn't support sync-on-green would only work with a PC at EXACT resolution settings (640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 at EXACTLY 30Hz)

 

[YingTK]

This is probably not what you guys are discussing about, but it was something related to continuum in VGA as well, so I thought I'll share my experience. I tried using the dock> HDMI to VGA adapter> monitor, continuum showed up, but with scaling issues. It seems that the display output is still 1080p, but my monitor is only 960p capable, so pretty large area of the screen was cut off. I could not find any scaling options in the phone to solve this.

 

[cracgor]

Then get a vga to hdmi adapter, that seems like the logical choice to me. Probably cheaper than Usb c to vga cable.

The HDMI to VGA adapters are incredibly inconvenient. I got one to use a projector at my old job. The problem is something like HDMI is digital and VGA is analog, so the adapter has a power supply. (For Example: Amazon.com: Cable Matters Active HDMI To VGA Adapter with Micro-USB Power In Black: Computers & Accessories)

The USB C to VGA adapters look better and simpler. I guess the USB C can carry the power supply itself.

VGA has hung on for a long time. Almost as impressive as coaxial cables or RCA cables.

 

[ashram]

The HDMI to VGA adapters are incredibly inconvenient. I got one to use a projector at my old job. The problem is something like HDMI is digital and VGA is analog, so the adapter has a power supply. (For Example: Amazon.com: Cable Matters Active HDMI To VGA Adapter with Micro-USB Power In Black: Computers & Accessories)

The USB C to VGA adapters look better and simpler. I guess the USB C can carry the power supply itself.

VGA has hung on for a long time. Almost as impressive as coaxial cables or RCA cables.

HDMI can also provide power (up to 5 volts i think) but the cheaper adapters run the risk of damaging older hdmi devices.
USB to VGA is an option.... IF done to spec (I have seen MHL adapters, which are using the USB 2 portion of the USB C cable as well as displayport based adapters, which are hit or miss)

comparing VGA to coax or RCA is a VERY poor comparison.... VGA, with the RIGHT screen, can look AMAZING, as well as able to support higher than 1080P. I have 2 21" Trinitron CRTs that max out at 2048x1536 at 75Hz... and it looks crystal clear compared to my 2 28" Samsung LED based screens running 1080P at 60Hz. Yes, VGA is old tech, but is has gotten a bad rap because of crappy support on LCD screens.

Also, I did manage to try my 950 on VGA using an HDMI to VGA adapter on an older 26" "gaming (casino with touch support)" touch screen.... and it worked (minus the touch). Considering the touch feature was serial based (used a serial to usb adapter to use it on my PC) I don't see the touch feature working on phones, but it would be nice

 

[bijak_riyandi]

This is probably not what you guys are discussing about, but it was something related to continuum in VGA as well, so I thought I'll share my experience. I tried using the dock> HDMI to VGA adapter> monitor, continuum showed up, but with scaling issues. It seems that the display output is still 1080p, but my monitor is only 960p capable, so pretty large area of the screen was cut off. I could not find any scaling options in the phone to solve this.

I also run into a similar problem using similar settings
hopefully Microsoft will fix this one

 

[cracgor]

HDMI can also provide power (up to 5 volts i think) but the cheaper adapters run the risk of damaging older hdmi devices.
USB to VGA is an option.... IF done to spec (I have seen MHL adapters, which are using the USB 2 portion of the USB C cable as well as displayport based adapters, which are hit or miss)

comparing VGA to coax or RCA is a VERY poor comparison.... VGA, with the RIGHT screen, can look AMAZING, as well as able to support higher than 1080P. I have 2 21" Trinitron CRTs that max out at 2048x1536 at 75Hz... and it looks crystal clear compared to my 2 28" Samsung LED based screens running 1080P at 60Hz. Yes, VGA is old tech, but is has gotten a bad rap because of crappy support on LCD screens.

Also, I did manage to try my 950 on VGA using an HDMI to VGA adapter on an older 26" "gaming (casino with touch support)" touch screen.... and it worked (minus the touch). Considering the touch feature was serial based (used a serial to usb adapter to use it on my PC) I don't see the touch feature working on phones, but it would be nice

I wasn't complaining about VGA. It is a weird thing to believe digital is always better than analog. Probably the biggest missed benefit to the CRT monitor is the ability to change the actual resolution. Really I was just commenting on the ability of the technology to hang on well beyond when it was replaced with a newer technology. In fact, it is hard to find DVI which was supposed to replace VGA.

 

[Alexander Long]

for those who are still wondering if USb-C to VGA adaptor would work,(I know VGA is not the best, however, for us who sometimes do presentation at university or institute, lots of those projector are quiet out dated,with only VGA inputs), I just recently receive the USB-C to VGA/USB-A/USB-C F adaptor i ordered on ebay for super cheap $20 , amazingly it works. everything, and now I have an adaptor i can carry easily in my pocket, and not worry it would make my pants like bone r.(which would if I put MS display dock in my front pocket)
However, I think VGA can only support a low resolution.

 

[ashram]

However, I think VGA can only support a low resolution.

depends on the monitor.... on mine though... it spits out the closest 4:3 equivalent to 720p.... haven't tried on my trinitron screens (supports a 2k resolution via vga)

 

[Alexander Long]

depends on the monitor.... on mine though... it spits out the closest 4:3 equivalent to 720p.... haven't tried on my trinitron screens (supports a 2k resolution via vga)

the monitor I tried support 1080P, and will show 1080P if connect thru HDMI or Displayport, but only show a resolution (I assume 1024x768 screensnap shown below)if connected thru VGA. I wish MS would add the option to choose output resolution on continuum like you can on PC/Tablet.

and if you wonder which adaptor I was using, it is the Vtin one shown on the Screen Shot of youtube here.

PS: it turns out the screenshot is only 640x480, which is a shame, since the monitor is 1080P, I would love to try other monitors, but all my display at home are DVI/HDMI only , so I have to try when I get a chance for projectors or so.

 

[ashram]

the monitor I tried support 1080P, and will show 1080P if connect thru HDMI or Displayport, but only show a resolution (I assume 1024x768 screensnap shown below)if connected thru VGA. I wish MS would add the option to choose output resolution on continuum like you can on PC/Tablet.

don't know if it's still an issue, but a few makes/models of 1080P monitors AND TVs (5 years ago) didn't accept 1080P via VGA, that may still be the case, i don't know, since i haven't had to be bothered my it in a while, besides I haven't needed to buy a new display in a LONG while.