URGENT!! Chromecast Not Working With HDMI to VGA Adapter

[TaylorHope]

Hi,

 

We have recently purchased Chromecast's for all of the classrooms. Some of our projectors do not have HDMI ports, so we purchased HDMI to VGA adapter ( I will link the exact product below) to see if they would work, unfortunately they don't. Does anyone have any ideas into why the Chromecast is not liking the Adapter as we do not want to go spending thousands of pounds to update our projectors that are working perfectly fine!

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014SASHU2/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d2_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=WYWFGNNW4Z2PZC0V1DJS&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=867551807&pf_rd_i=desktop

 

Kind regards

[3s-gtech]

I don't think that can work - the HDMI socket also carries power to the adaptor which I don't think VGA will do. You're most likely going to need to replace your projectors or buy (approved) active adaptors - those passive ones are a big question mark.

[TaylorHope]

Do you recommend any 'Approved' adapter we could test?

[3s-gtech]

I wouldn't personally recommend any adaptor. VGA and HDMI are just such a long way apart in terms of function - sometimes there are solutions like the Kanex ATV Pro for Apple TVs that are designed for the job, but with a Chromecast I doubt there's such a thing. Perhaps Universal HDMI to VGA Adaptor with Audio but no guarantees. Cheaper alternatives may work.

[Joanne]

the adaptors only work for HDMI out. You are doing HDMI in.

 

I learnt that the hard way too!!

[TaylorHope]

So my last option now is replacing the projectors?

[3s-gtech]

As I say, the adaptors may work, but it all seems a bit hit and miss. Those Belkin ones say they work specifically with Chromecasts, but they're expensive and I'm no fan of their products. Worth getting hold of one or similar, as the alternative could be thousands depending on your projectors, installations, mounting brackets etc.

[mb2k01]

So my last option now is replacing the projectors?

 

The options you have left now are replacing projectors (though I'd question the logic and value in doing so for a peripheral), and finding a powered adapter to test if that approach works.

Your first option should have been testing one before purchasing in bulk. If it was you, then you've just got to bite the bullet and chalk it up to experience, but if it was someone else it's a nice time to point out they should have engaged with you on the technical front before purchasing.

[TaylorHope]

A majority of our projectors do have HDMI ports, but several dont. We want to try as many solutions as possible before we turn to purchasing new projectors.

[Brimstone]

So my last option now is replacing the projectors?

 

Have a look at these, they work for connecting Apple TV's to a VGA projector...

 

HDMI To VGA For Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV

[NewFormz]

The problem you have is HDMI outputs both video and audio in a digital format. You will need something that has a HDMI input and converts to VGA output with Analogue audio output. You really need something like this:

 

https://www.startech.com/uk/AV/Converters/Video/HDMI-to-VGA-Adapter-Converter-with-Audio~HDMI2VGA

 

As other have mentioned it will also require a power.

 

Don't feel bad if you've made a mistake. Our head of IT asked me about purchasing Raspberry Pi's, I told him they weren't compatible with our with our VGA monitors. He then went ahead and purchased 50 of them anyway with some cheap £5 convertors of E-Bay. He was then shocked when none of them worked!

Edited May 12, 2016 by NewFormz

[Norphy]

That looks like it is a passive adapter.

 

HDMI is basically a DVI connection with addition pins for audio. DVI in itself can also carry a VGA signal over certain pins. If the HDMI/DVI devices have these pins, a simple passive adapter without any additional electronics can be used to plug it into a VGA output device.

 

If the HDMI device doesn't have these pins (and I would be extremely surprised if a Chromecast does, how many people use VGA connections on their TVs?), you need an active adapter. The active adapter has circuitry to take an HDMI signal and convert it to VGA. As already mentioned, something like this:

 

Kanex Pro X Cable - AirPlay mirroring For VGA projector - Apple (UK)

 

should work. The reason it's so expensive is because it's an active adapter. Being an active adapter, it also needs power but then, so will the Chromecast.

[GuyJD]

Have a look at these, they work for connecting Apple TV's to a VGA projector...

 

HDMI To VGA For Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV

I used them at one of the schools I worked at, some didn't work for no apparent reason but the majority did the job perfectly.

[NewFormz]

I don't think those air play adapters will work as them don't offer HDMI in unless you also have some kind of HDMI female to female adapter. Chromecast are just dongles with HDMI male adapters attached.

[NB9457]

Got an eBay one to plug an Xbone into a VGA projector, works spot on, just make sure it says it is active though!

[Norphy]

I don't think those air play adapters will work as them don't offer HDMI in unless you also have some kind of HDMI female to female adapter. Chromecast are just dongles with HDMI male adapters attached.

 

Get a gender changer?

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leegoal-Premium-Female-Adapter-Coupler/dp/B000U0KK6O

 

Should work OK...

[jmak]

Has anyone used Chromecasts to share screens from wireless devices to a projector? I'll limit myself to projectors with an HDMI input... I'm looking at options to display the output from MS Surface Pros on the whiteboard. The original plan was a refurb PC at the front of the class using RDP or running reflector+Air Parrot or similar, but #budget happened, so that's cancelled.... I'd use the facility in the Chrome browser to cast any Window to a Chromecast. Wireless is pretty good with an AP in each room, but I know that people have set up VLANs just for Apple TV and that sometimes you generate huge amounts of network traffic. Just looking for people's experiences please.

 

Thanks in advance.

[sted]

Has anyone used Chromecasts to share screens from wireless devices to a projector? I'll limit myself to projectors with an HDMI input... I'm looking at options to display the output from MS Surface Pros on the whiteboard. The original plan was a refurb PC at the front of the class using RDP or running reflector+Air Parrot or similar, but #budget happened, so that's cancelled.... I'd use the facility in the Chrome browser to cast any Window to a Chromecast. Wireless is pretty good with an AP in each room, but I know that people have set up VLANs just for Apple TV and that sometimes you generate huge amounts of network traffic. Just looking for people's experiences please.

 

Thanks in advance.

yes dont from what i remember it was quite laggy miracast if you devices support it was better though my surface pro since moving to 10 dosent seem to like that

[jmak]

yes dont from what i remember it was quite laggy miracast if you devices support it was better though my surface pro since moving to 10 dosent seem to like that

Thanks. I'd heard that about Miracast and the Miracast dongles are more expensive. Plus only 16 out of >100 devices support it. WiDi is more commonly supported on our devices, which may or may not be Miracast compatible :sigh:

 

I think I could buy a lot of devices to trial and find nothing reliable. The dirt cheap mini display port to VGA/HDMI/DVI adaptors I bought from Amazon seen to work - just don't let you get very far from the display!

[Brimstone]

That looks like it is a passive adapter.

 

HDMI is basically a DVI connection with addition pins for audio. DVI in itself can also carry a VGA signal over certain pins. If the HDMI/DVI devices have these pins, a simple passive adapter without any additional electronics can be used to plug it into a VGA output device.

 

If the HDMI device doesn't have these pins (and I would be extremely surprised if a Chromecast does, how many people use VGA connections on their TVs?), you need an active adapter. The active adapter has circuitry to take an HDMI signal and convert it to VGA. As already mentioned, something like this:

 

Kanex Pro X Cable - AirPlay mirroring For VGA projector - Apple (UK)

 

should work. The reason it's so expensive is because it's an active adapter. Being an active adapter, it also needs power but then, so will the Chromecast.

 

 

The Kanex Adaptor requires no additional power or some fangled female to female set up....

[3s-gtech]

True, but the Apple TV doesn't draw its operating power via HDMI where a Chromecast does.

[Norphy]

True, but the Apple TV doesn't draw its operating power via HDMI where a Chromecast does.

 

A Chromecast can be powered with a MicroUSB cable as well though, for it to be powered through HDMI you need a TV with an MHL HDMI port which is comparatively rare

[3s-gtech]

Ah, that will certainly help - some projectors have USB ports which may just work to power this (though if they lack HDMI they probably won't have USB).