Epson projectors and HDMI > VGA adaptors - a bit picky?

[pete]

Recently we've bought 10 or so Epson classroom projectors (X49* etc) and found they're a bit more particular about the brand of HDMI > VGA adaptors being used (after eliminating other causes such as bad cables and drivers).

 

Can anyone running a fleet of Epson projectors recommend a HDMI > VGA adaptor brand that works reliably(before I play the "order a few different types, see what works" game)?

 

*which will eventually have HDMI run to the faceplates, but it hasn't happened yet.

[Danp]

I bought one of these and it works fine. Epson projector mounted high in the hall, VGA from projector to cat5 > cat5 to VGA at ground level > vga lead into that adaptor and into laptop.

 

*edit - projector is going to be moved and a long hdmi lead traced through the wall

Edited March 10, 2021 by Danp

[strawberry]

startech have been great for us.

[jthompson]

startech have been great for us.

 

Ditto. I tend to opt for that brand in the first instance for any adapter dongles.

[pete]

I bought one of these and it works fine. Epson projector mounted high in the hall, VGA from projector to cat5 > cat5 to VGA at ground level > vga lead into that adaptor and into laptop.

 

*edit - projector is going to be moved and a long hdmi lead traced through the wall

 

We tried one of those and it experienced similar problems. Opening it up, a couple of pins weren't connected, nor was the braided cable shield, so it may have been a dodgy unit.

[chazzy2501]

HDMI doesn't really have the power to make a reliable VGA output. I'd suggest that you use a cable rather than an adaptor so you can eliminate the VGA patch cable portion.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gold-Plated-Computer-Projector-Chromebook-Raspberry/dp/B07ZF8WFZN/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1IJBBSATRCNU3&dchild=1&keywords=hdmi%2Bvga%2Bcable&qid=1615384902&sprefix=hdmi%2Bvga%2B%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-3&th=1

 

Also if your laptops have USBC then a usbc adaptor would work more reliably. (its alt-mode not thunderbolt adaptor)

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thunderbolt-Adapter-Gold-plated-Compatible-MacBook/dp/B082R5W86P/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=vga%2Busb%2Bc&qid=1615385874&sr=8-3&th=1

[dobbyit]

I have stopped using converters and go direct with Hamid to vga / display port full length cables. Where possible I plug direct to projector from PC and hide it in trunking, face places have caused me issues in the past.

[hardtailstar]

We use startech adapters too.

 

But found some VGA cables don't work with the adapters.

[pete]

HDMI doesn't really have the power to make a reliable VGA output. I'd suggest that you use a cable rather than an adaptor so you can eliminate the VGA patch cable portion.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gold-Plated-Computer-Projector-Chromebook-Raspberry/dp/B07ZF8WFZN/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1IJBBSATRCNU3&dchild=1&keywords=hdmi%2Bvga%2Bcable&qid=1615384902&sprefix=hdmi%2Bvga%2B%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-3&th=1

 

Also if your laptops have USBC then a usbc adaptor would work more reliably. (its alt-mode not thunderbolt adaptor)

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thunderbolt-Adapter-Gold-plated-Compatible-MacBook/dp/B082R5W86P/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=vga%2Busb%2Bc&qid=1615385874&sr=8-3&th=1

 

Going forward, running extra cabling is the plan. Right now I don't have the option to open up the ceilings to run it so I need a stop-gap.

[superatticman]

Startech has generally been reliable for us too.

 

Whenever you are mixing new and old....there will always be a compromise.

[Koldov]

Time to necro this thread, as it's been a while since anyone asked this question!

 

Still got all classrooms with VGA > Projector and now got a few laptops with HDMI only...

 

As Startech seem to have a good rep, has anyone tried this version?

 

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/video-converters/1778824

 

I'm liking the lack of cable!

 

Or just stick with the old one...

 

https://uk.insight.com/en_GB/shop/product/HD2VGAE2/1/HD2VGAE2/1/

 

Any real difference in terms of reliability/compatibility...?

Edited February 10, 2022 by Koldov

[jthompson]

We've used those older type quite successfully, although we generally opt for USB-C to VGA adapters now, since all our non-VGA laptops have USB-C. We bought a bunch of the StarTech USB-C to VGA adapters, but they're not proving to be as robust as the HDMI ones. Quite a few have failed despite not looking particulary badly treated.

[Koldov]

OK, might be getting cold feet on the solid one for fear of it getting snapped off in the socket...

 

As for the one with cable, any reason it's £44.39 on their site and much less (£27.46 & FREE Returns on Startech store Amazon - I know it says it's a 'deal price', but even the normal price is way under what they sell it for themselves) from any other reseller... not missing something am I?

 

Also, is it worth getting the one with audio support, so the teachers can just plug in the speaker cable and don't have to go into the laptop audio properties?

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BUKO4WY/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00BUKO4WY&pd_rd_w=BWTu8&pf_rd_p=a8d38b47-cfdf-4208-95a0-1af779cb6e7d&pd_rd_wg=B3QXi&pf_rd_r=VD47VHY5D86P9KPQ9M31&pd_rd_r=1b76048b-3552-4c85-8ca6-67d429f8e5ba&s=electronics&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyVVZDMkE2QlpVS1JHJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDE3NzU1Mlg2OUlRUkNQS01CVSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzY5MjEyMzVYWEsxR0U5SlJYOCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbF90aGVtYXRpYyZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

I also see the HD2VGAA2 has a separate Micro USB socket as a way to provide power for better conversion for devices with weak HDMI output.