Cheap HDMI to VGA Convertor

[SimpleSi]

One issue with Pi s is that there is no VGA output and since a lot of old monitors just have VGA then that's a problem when trying to cobble together cheap kbd/mouse/monitor

I just had one of 1080P HDMI Male to VGA Female Video Converter Adapter Cable For PC DVD HDTV AC33 | eBay delivered today and it seems to do what it says on the packet.

It certainly worked first time when I connected it to my Pi and the VGA input on an old 15in Dell LCD Display

Now there may be some issues with it as it obviously needs to draw power from the Pi but since the HDMI spec is for 5V and as long as the 5V on the RaspberryPi HDMI connector is directly wired to the 5V main source then all should be fine.

Anyway - its worked for me and made it dead easy and cheap to use a PI with an old monitor (which is prob going to cost us geeks zilch as we have 10 in the garage) but more importantly will make it cheap to use in schools with existing kit if the Pi takes off.

Si

[Arthur]

One issue with Pi's is that there is no VGA output

They clearly made the right decision to ditch VGA. VGA to HDMI converters cost more than the Raspberry Pi itself!

[SimpleSi]

@Arthur - Have a read of my post - I think you've been sleep posting

Si

[Arthur]

What I should have said is that if the Raspberry Pi had a VGA port you would need to buy an expensive VGA to HDMI converter. Therefore, VGA port = bad.

As you mentioned, the opposite (HDMI to VGA) is much easier and cheaper.

[Dos_Box]

Nice find Simon. They used to cost close to £40 not so long ago.
In fact, can you say 'Eeeeek!': CP261H - CYP - HDMI CONVERTER, VGA | CPC

[crc-ict]

eBay is blocked here so can't see the link - how much was the converter?

[SimpleSi]

£12:48
Si

[crc-ict]

Wow! Bargain :-) Good find.

[SimpleSi]

For those ebay blocked - this on amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Black.../dp/B007KEIRNG looks like the same concept - it uses power from HDMI 5V output to power a convertor chip inside the little case.

Si

[dhicks]

It certainly worked first time when I connected it to my Pi and the VGA input on an old 15in Dell LCD Display

Suitibly impressed - now I can re-use the 30-odd monitors we have sitting upstairs.

[Soulfish]

Nice find Simon. They used to cost close to £40 not so long ago.
In fact, can you say 'Eeeeek!': CP261H - CYP - HDMI CONVERTER, VGA | CPC

We've got a few of those around (although we did pay a fair bit less than that for them) as we found several cheaper alternatives just kept dying on us. After the 5th return we gave up, got a refund and stumped up for the more expensive units!

[SimpleSi]

Ah - the 5V doesn't come direct from the micro-USB and there could be problems (but luckily fixable with a little bit of soldering!)

Raspberry Pi • View topic - Serious HDMI Problems. What's that smell? Burning Raspberry!

Mine has worked flawlessy for a few days but YMMV

Si

[vikpaw]

I'm just speccing up a basket, and have that Neewer device from Amazon already for my Asus Transformer and it works fine, but having read the horror stories, i don't want to fry the diode and have to solder things as parts could be hard to come by here, but found this and though expensive (double cost of the Neewer), does say that its official...
https://www.modmypi.com/pi-vew-raspb...-vga-converter