Can anyone recommend a USB to DVI adaptor which runs well under Windows 7? [closed]

Question

Wanting to connect a third monitor to my aging Dell D830 laptop. It has 2 monitor outputs (VGA + DVI), and I'd like to add a third via USB

This is the sort of thing I'm looking for ("ST Lab U-480 USB to DVI Adapter"): http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=381944

... but it doesn't explicitly support Windows 7 & the manufacturer's site doesn't show any driver updates.

TIA

Answer 1

dbruning,

I'd also suggest a DisplayLink adapter as they're supported on Mac (and Linux community) as well (increasing the utility and resale value).

I use this one, and it works great on my Mac and Win laptops, can do everything but HD video playback.

Answer 2

Look at this adapter by eVGA. I do not have this but I have done some research and was thinking of getting one. The price is right, the reviews are good, and it works with Windows 7.

Answer 3

I can't recommend a USB to DVI adaptor, but I can tell you that the ST Lab U-480 doesn't work well with Windows 7.

As it happens I purchased one today and installed it on my Windows 7 64bit machine. Using the supplied driver CD caused a BSOD.

After a bit of digging I discovered Magic Control Technology (MCT) wrote the driver and I downloaded an updated version from their website. This one doesn't bluescreen, and kind of works, but isn't what I was hoping for.

The additional display doesn't appear as a standard display in the Windows 7 display configuration settings. You have to use the provided utility to configure its position and I couldn't figure out how to adjust its resolution. Also, when the device was connected, Windows disabled Aero on all my displays which I guess I should have expected.

Alas, I think I'll end up having to buy a second GeForce 8800GTS to drive the extra monitor.

Answer 4

We have people with laptops using the Village Tronic ViBook to add a 3rd monitor. Win7 will pickup the drivers from the net automatically (comes with a disk for XP). It works extremely well for simple tasks (e-mail, web pages, most programs). It does not play full-screen video, or anything similar very well at all; though it will chug through it.

Answer 5

First off, I am running Vista, not Windows 7, but the drivers page does list Windows 7 support.

In June, I got an IOGear USB 2.0 External DVI Video Card. I have a Dell Vostro 1700 running Vista Business SP2 with 2 attached ViewSonic monitors at 1680x1050 (one left with the IOGear, one right using onboard VGA).

Things I've discovered:

1) I have had problems with getting video back after hybernating/sleeping the system with the USB-DVI plugged in. At least that's my best guess ... its hard to diagnose without any video :). My solution so far has been to unplug the USB and let the system remove the device before hybernating (which isn't a problem for me because I'm usually leaving work for the day and carry my laptop home).

2) It can't run at 32bit colors with all three monitors plugged in. I turned them down to 16bit and it looks fine.

3) It took several tries before the OS remembered the settings when I plugged it in. I would have to use Personalize->Display Settings to enable the 3rd monitor. Haven't had to do that in a while though.

Overall I'm happy with it and learning how to put a 3rd to good use.

Answer 6

I use a Digitech branded USB to DVI adapter. I can't actually find the manufacturer's website, as Digitech is actually a guitar effects manufacturer. I picked up 3 for work from Jaycar at around AU$130 (Australian $), two are running on XP (used by two other staff without complaints) and I use one on Windows 7 (running a 17" LCD). The only issue are occasional temporary lockups when running something involved like a compiler (usually half a second where the mouse freezes, sometimes 2-5 seconds where the screen blanks out then comes back up). From what I've seen this is pretty standard with USB 2.0 display adapters. It comes with a DVI to HDMI converter, a DVI to VGA converter, and a good sized (~1m) USB to mini USB cable. Construction is pretty solid.

It is a Displaylink-based adapter so there is a fair bit of driver support as well in my experience (although I've only used it on XP and Win 7 machines).

Answer 7

Thanks - I've also heard good things about the "NL571AA HP USB Graphics Adapter" from guys at work, so I'm ordering one. Will update with my experience when it arrives.

... and more than 1 year later, I can report it has worked fantastically. No lockups or freezes. Unfortunately now I want to buy another one for work, and nobody stocks it...