How can I send different signals to 2 extra displays (VGA) from a laptop with 1 HDMI output?

[voidft_putchar]

I want to send 2 different signals to 2 displays, but the laptop I have only has 1 HDMI output.

I need to send one signal via VGA to a projector and another signal to a TV also via VGA, and both need to be extended displays (NOT duplicated/mirrored). It should show as 3 displays (incl. the laptop display).

I currently have an HDMI to VGA adapter plugged into the laptop, going to a VGA splitter, but the splitter sends out the same signal to both the projector and the TV and that is causing issues because of the differing resolutions.

I read some reviews for HDMI splitters and it seems that those devices also just duplicate the secondary display.

It's for my church, and we have a budget of R1000 for this.

 

[solz]

Your best thing will probably be to use a docking station. Usb3 to multiple outputs.
If you where close by you could have borrowed one of mine and test and see if it works for your needs. Problem with some of them that they delay video and it becomes choppy.

 

[voidft_putchar]

Okay. I didn't think that USB devices could be detected as another display, but I'll look into that. Thanks!

 

[solz]

I have this one and another dell one.

j5Create JUD480 USB 3.0 Boomerang Station

Think you might find others on here

 

[Ageless_ZA]

You can just add this for the VGA

Takealot

www.takealot.com

And use the HDMI out on the laptop.

@voidft_putchar

 

[Ageless_ZA]

You could also try this.

Takealot

www.takealot.com

It seems to support exactly what you want, but the description is vague at best

 

[voidft_putchar]

@Ageless_ZA Ah, yes. That's more within the budget. I didn't want to risk buying a USB device only to find out that it won't extend as a 3rd display, but if you believe that it should, then I'll go ahead.

 

[Ageless_ZA]

@Ageless_ZA Ah, yes. That's more within the budget. I didn't want to risk buying a USB device only to find out that it won't extend as a 3rd display, but if you believe that it should, then I'll go ahead.

Mileage may vary, never tested it. but my GoogleFu is pretty decent xD So either options should sort you out.

 

[Confucius]

You can just add this for the VGA

Takealot

www.takealot.com

And use the HDMI out on the laptop.

@voidft_putchar

I’ve used a few of these in the past and they work fine for sharing a desktop. I even used some on usb2.

Pity you in CPT @voidft_putchar, should have some around that I’m no o longer using.

 

[Confucius]

@Ageless_ZA Ah, yes. That's more within the budget. I didn't want to risk buying a USB device only to find out that it won't extend as a 3rd display, but if you believe that it should, then I'll go ahead.

They work fine for extending a desktop. Just creates an additional screen in windows and you can then duplicate / extend.

 

[voidft_putchar]

They work fine for extending a desktop. Just creates an additional screen in windows and you can then duplicate / extend.

Yes, that's exactly what I want.

 

[Confucius]

Thi

You could also try this.

Takealot

www.takealot.com

It seems to support exactly what you want, but the description is vague at best

as far as I remember, these types could only display to 1 output at a time and I couldn’t add 2 different desktops with the single adapter.

 

[voidft_putchar]

Thi

as far as I remember, these types could only display to 1 output at a time and I couldn’t add 2 different desktops with the single adapter.

But that's okay, as long as the HDMI out still works. I can connect the projector to the HDMI, the TV to the USB adapter and control everything from the laptop screen. The software that I'm using allows me to choose any display, as long as it shows up as a separate display.

 

[Scrooloose]

Just check if the GPU on your laptop actually supports triple displays. Using docking stations/dongles is great and all as long as the primary video device can drive that many outputs, since these add-on devices aren't graphics cards in their own right.

Also, some of the docking stations with 3 outputs can only drive 2 at FHD and the 3rd is at a diminished resolution. An example of this is the Dell WD-19. We use the 2x HDMI ports on the WD-19 plus the output on the laptop to drive 3 displays, where the laptop's internal GPU is an Intel Iris Xe.

 

[voidft_putchar]

Just check if the GPU on your laptop actually supports triple displays. Using docking stations/dongles is great and all as long as the primary video device can drive that many outputs, since these add-on devices aren't graphics cards in their own right.

Also, some of the docking stations with 3 outputs can only drive 2 at FHD and the 3rd is at a diminished resolution. An example of this is the Dell WD-19. We use the 2x HDMI ports on the WD-19 plus the output on the laptop to drive 3 displays, where the laptop's internal GPU is an Intel Iris Xe.

Ah, thanks for that heads up!

Is the triple display support related to drivers not even going to allow a third display or just lack of performance in all 3? Because I'm not even worried about refresh rates and stuff.

I'm not sure how to check for triple display support ahead of purchasing the dock, but I think if it doesn't work, I'll just return the dock and be back at square one. The USB dock will only be driving one display though, and then the HDMI port will handle the other and then there's also the laptops built in display.

 

[Scrooloose]

Ah, thanks for that heads up!

Is the triple display support related to drivers not even going to allow a third display or just lack of performance in all 3? Because I'm not even worried about refresh rates and stuff.

I'm not sure how to check for triple display support ahead of purchasing the dock, but I think if it doesn't work, I'll just return the dock and be back at square one. The USB dock will only be driving one display though, and then the HDMI port will handle the other and then there's also the laptops built in display.

The triple display support is a combination of GPU RAM and actual design, not the drivers. Where using integrated graphics, the CPU model also plays a part. You can check the capabilities by google-search for the GPU model and CPU. For example, you can do 3 monitors with an i5 9th Gen but only 2 with an i3 9th Gen.

What is the Maximum Number of Displays that My Intel® Graphics...

 

[voidft_putchar]

Okay. Thank you. That was actually very helpful.

It's very good you mentioned this because my church's budget for the AV team is not looking very good right now, so I can't actually risk buying unnecessary equipment. I think I'll still give it a try, because there doesn't seem to be many other solutions that I can think of.

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Takealot

 

[Ageless_ZA]

You wanna PK? I said just for VGA.

 

[goldfritter]

It should be OK though because he's just using the VGA on the dongle and then the laptop's HDMI out.

EDIT: Like what the boss said, just more diplomatic.

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

You wanna PK? I said just for VGA.

ja ja I read too fast.