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VGA Connector to Android

lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   -  
lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   -
Hello everyone,

A seemingly crazy idea...
Is there a way to connect a VGA (computer) screen to an Android smartphone through the "thing-that-works"?
Use case: when I use a Clonezilla bootable USB drive, often I don't have a screen available and/or I have to juggle with the KVM switch inputs, which forces me to temporarily disconnect a VGA. I don't find that practical, especially since I only need it at boot time.

Sincerely,
lnj

6 answers

  1.
    AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   167
     
    Ah it's in the other direction!

    There are indeed solutions:

    https://www.phonandroid.com/tutoriel-comment-transformer-votre-tablette-en-ecran-pour-ordinateur.html

    https://www.frandroid.com/comment-faire/tutoriaux/403350_comment-transformer-une-tablette-ou-un-smartphone-android-en-moniteur-de-pc-ou-mac-tuto

    https://www.lecoindunet.com/utiliser-une-tablette-comme-second-moniteur
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    1. lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   62
       
      The links you are suggesting are for having a second screen. I want to be able to use my Android to have one screen when there is NONE (headless computer) or when it forces me to disconnect a screen that is already in place on another PC.
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      1. AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   167 > lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention  
         
        Unfortunately, I didn't find anything else; displaying a PC's screen on a smartphone is not natively supported.

        Maybe you can use the smartphone's screen as a second screen and then unplug the main screen to do something else. It's a bit of a workaround.

        Otherwise, how about using Chrome's remote desktop feature?
        https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1649523?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=fr
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      2. lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   62 > AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        "Displaying a PC screen on a smartphone is not natively supported."
        Yes, that's why I'm looking for a (possible) device to put between the two.

        "Otherwise, how about Chrome's remote desktop feature?"
        Yes, of course, but that's for accessing a remote (running) system, it's not the same thing. I would need to have access to the screen right from the BIOS/UEFI stage. The system wouldn't even be started yet.
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  3. lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   62
     
    Hello :)

    Well, actually what you're suggesting is a dual video output for Android. What I'm looking for is to use my Android as a viewfinder. Since the video signal comes out through the VGA port, I'm trying to capture it with the right device to display it on an Android. I'm looking to see if that exists..

    --
    I have questions for all your answers. (Woody Allen)
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  4. lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   62
     
    OK thanks AgentMulder ;) for the time you spent with me...

    I found a video on how to do it using an HDMI port with an HDMI to USB adapter connected via USB OTG (source) but not for a VGA port. The problem is that most PCs have VGA ports and not HDMI.

    Does anyone else have an idea? Should I elaborate more on my request?

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  6. lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   62
     
    I'm not giving up ... Maybe I'll have better luck in the forum Hardware > Screen? If a charitable moderator could move the topic...

    Actually, I'm looking for a temporary troubleshooting tool to have a display when there is no VGA screen available. As this video shows, it can be done directly from an HDMI port.

    Schematically, we would have: 
    PC-VGA♀ ♂VGA- ... DQVB ... -µUSB♂ ♀µUSB(B)-Android


    DQVB = Device That Works Well either in 1 part or in several interconnected parts

    Inspired by the video, based on what already exists, I think this architecture could work: 
    PC-VGA♀ ♂VGA-VGA♂ ♀VGA-converter(A/N)-HDMI♀ ♂HDMI-HDMI♂ ♀HDMI-USB(A)♂ ♀USB(A)-OTG-µUSB(B)♂ ♀µUSB(B)-Android


    Would that be the case? Are there devices that would simplify this somewhat cumbersome multi-connection?
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    1. AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   167
       
      In fact, the material doesn't seem too sophisticated, it's just an HDMI to USB adapter:
      https://www.amazon.fr/Capture-Bo%C3%AEtier-Denregistrement-Diffusion-Dacquisition/dp/B088ZYW5JY

      However, the Android application that allows this is not very clear. In the link you provided, they mention an app called "Camera USB" (Google translation). I assume you need an app that can process a video stream sent via the USB port.
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    2. lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   62
       
      Yes, indeed, BUT that's applicable for a PC with an HDMI output (handling a digital signal end-to-end). For the VGA it's a different ballgame: we must first convert an analog signal to digital. In any case, we will still need the HDMI to USB adapter and a USB OTG. As for the application, it's an APK that we can install (using this method for example), I checked the package (virustotal), it seems clean (no malicious code apparently); furthermore, the developer has left their sources, which we can analyze. BIG catch! I don't have a recent Android smartphone on hand and I think that's a prerequisite. The only one I have available (for now) is a Samsung Galaxy SIII with Android 4.4.4 (KitKat). If you feel like taking on the adventure and giving feedback before I acquire a newer one...

      I am now looking for a hardware solution to establish the connection chain between devices. I will therefore ask for help in the Computer Hardware > Screen section.
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    3. lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   62
       
      Thank you madmyke for moving the topic here :)

      I found this which would plug directly into the PC's VGA and output HDMI♂. The problem is that I don't see anywhere a converter box A->N which, it seems to me, is necessary because without it, I don't see how it could work (VGA = analog connected to HDMI = digital)!!!

      Q1: Has anyone tested the type of cables I found? Or does it serve another purpose...
      Q2: Is there an Analog (VGA) to Digital (HDMI) converter in the A->N direction (and not the reverse) or are they all meant to be bidirectional?
      Q3: Is there a solution that wouldn't use the HDMI-USB(A)♂ device?
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  7. lenainjaune Posted messages 726 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   62
     
    No one?

    --
    I have questions for all your answers. (Woody Allen)
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