USB hub for multi monitor USB-to-HDMI extenders

gmagdna

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Jul 16, 2018
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My laptop has only a single HDMI output for video, no DP, VGA, etc...I also four USB 3.0 ports. I'll have three monitors and need extended displays 1,2,3.

I'm looking at this USB to HDMI extender and know I'll need two. My question: Can I use two of these connected to a USB hub to get my 3 displays (extended)? Or is there a reason the devices need to be connected directly to the laptop USB port? I can't think why that would be the case.
 

Aeacus

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While you can connect your monitors with USB adapters, i'm quite sure that you'll overload your laptop's CPU and USB bus, producing screen tearing and low quality on your monitors. Just like seen here,
youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCoI7uxgx54

For your needs, best device to be used would be reverse KWM switch, aka KWM splitter. What KWM splitter does, is that it enables you to connect multiple monitors, KBs, mice to a singe PC. Here are some KWM splitters for you to consider,
VGA output: http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/vga-reverse-kvm.html
DVI output: http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/dvi-reverse-kvm.html
HDMI output: http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/hdmi-reverse-kvm.html
 

gmagdna

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Jul 16, 2018
127
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Aside from being prohibitively expensive for a home user, those are splitters so would provide mirroring. The language on the linked page states,

A reverse KVM allows the connection of multiple KVM consoles (independent keyboard, video monitor, mouse setups) to a single computer. This technology is great if you were looking for access to a single computer from a different room or wanted to share the same information on two different screens for a presentation or even for training.


To be sure, I chatted with the company and confirmed those devices are not the correct solution, though they referred me to their USB 3.0 to HDMI devices - what I was looking at from other vendors. I'll give them a go and see how image quality fares.
 

Aeacus

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Well, it's written in black and white that KWM splitters are a great way to share multiple monitors from single PC. What doesn't makes KWM splitters the best solution for home user is the price of it.

Though, feel free to go with cheap USB adapters and look how they fare. But for home user, best way to have multi-monitor setup is by having desktop PC with dedicated GPU. Since all dedicated GPUs have multiple monitor ports to support multi-monitor setup.

I've even seen dedicated GPUs hooked to a laptop with riser card and separate PSU to power it but that falls into jerry-rigging category and i don't want to go there. Better get desktop PC.
 

gmagdna

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Jul 16, 2018
127
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I can't say where you find "KWM splitters are a great way to share multiple monitors from single PC", but I also can't argue against it being a true statement. The KWM switcher would be for me if I wanted to:

1)connect my PC
2) connect three monitors
3) THEN also connect three keyboards and mice
4) THEN open a desktop on each monitor
5) THEN move to the respective monito/keyboard/mouse combination depending on which windows I wanted to access

The price isn't the issue, the hardware simply doesn't work as you think per my chat session with the company. As for the "cheap USB adapters", clearly they are an appropriate, and viable solution for an enormous number of users.

I'll report back my level of success.