Connect Surface Pro to TV

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sidefx

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#138607 10-Jan-2014 12:23

I want to connect my Surface Pro to HD TV, as cheaply as possible.

My first thought is a mini Displayport to HDMI cable or adaptor. I've come across a number, but was wondering if anybody had any other suggestions or options I should look at?

Bonus points if you can suggest something available in a walk-in store in auckland :)

EDIT: This is the current option I'm looking at:

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=CABDIG7008&name=Digitus-DisplayPort-adapter-cable--mini-Display-po

Curious if there is either a cheaper option, or something more flexible for a bit more money (something like a miracast dongle or reciever?)

My TV is a Panasonic ST60, but I'd also possibly want to use it with a relatively recent Sony Bravia. Also possibly other TVs so don't want to rely on anything built into the TV.

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TwoSeven

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#964468 10-Jan-2014 12:54

I use the Microsoft Display port to HDMI adaptor - not sure if it came in the box or if I brought it separately. However, I also sometimes use a mirrorcast adaptor (I think mine is a netgear one).

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Lias

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#964469 10-Jan-2014 12:55

I'd get a Miracast kit personally.

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sidefx

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#964543 10-Jan-2014 14:08

I'm very tempted by the Miracast kit, but at ~$90 it's around $65 more than an adapter and money is a wee bit tight with christmas and all ;)

I am considering the Netgear Push2TV 3000 though. But I see a number of people with issues with it disconnecting frequently, etc. @TwoSeven: Is yours pretty reliable? Does it add much lag? Tried any gaming with it? (interested in some light gaming perhaps...)

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nathan

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#964549 10-Jan-2014 14:16

its pretty simple if you want wireless it will cost more

wired is always going to be better than wireless because of the laws of physics :)

The PTV3000 is OK, probably the people complaining about it is before they did a firmware update on the device

The Actiontec Screenbeam Pro adapter is higher quality but costs slightly more

You'd probably be cheaper to parallel import from US or eBay

I'll loan you my spare one if you want to try before you buy

sidefx

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#964557 10-Jan-2014 14:25

nathan:
I'll loan you my spare one if you want to try before you buy

That would be brilliant if you wouldn't mind; I'll pm you.

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ferg_nz

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#964563 10-Jan-2014 14:30

I use one of these http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=WQ7427&w=mini+display+port+to+hdmi&form=KEYWORD to connect my Surface Pro to my TV has added benifit of also being useful when working form home and i want to connect to a standard Monitor as well as it has DVI and Standard Display port

Not bad price and depending on where you are the local Jaycar may have it in stock

nathan

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#964566 10-Jan-2014 14:36

ferg_nz: I use one of these http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=WQ7427&w=mini+display+port+to+hdmi&form=KEYWORD to connect my Surface Pro to my TV has added benifit of also being useful when working form home and i want to connect to a standard Monitor as well as it has DVI and Standard Display port

Not bad price and depending on where you are the local Jaycar may have it in stock

PB Tech also have those last time I was in there I saw them

One thing you kind of need to do with the non official Surface adapters is take to the plastic piece of the mDP end with a knife to make it sit flush with the edge of the Surface

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TwoSeven

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#977568 30-Jan-2014 17:25

Just out of interest, I have found with my mirrorcast unit I can get three displays working - the Surface Pro main screen, a second monitor using display port to HDMI connector and a TV using my little netgear unit. Have not done any performance testing, just use the TV to watch YouTube music videos.

Takes a while to work out where the mouse has gone to, and I also had to figure out how to redirect the sound (it would be nice if sound was tied to each display - but one has to choose one output location).

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nathan

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#977603 30-Jan-2014 18:46

that's by design, the Miracast adapter just becomes another screen on your system :)

go into the Display properties and align your screens by dragging and dropping the location of the display, that should make it easier to figure out where your mouse pointer is

Dairyxox

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#977669 30-Jan-2014 21:12

I use one exactly like the link in your OP.
Got it new off trademe for about half the price.

TwoSeven

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#977803 31-Jan-2014 07:47

nathan: that's by design, the Miracast adapter just becomes another screen on your system :)

go into the Display properties and align your screens by dragging and dropping the location of the display, that should make it easier to figure out where your mouse pointer is

My flat-screen TV doesn't support the mouse drag operation - too heavy - mice being so small and all. However, I suspect it has a pretty good implantation of the 'drop' feature if it falls off the table:)

sorry, couldn't resist.

Is there a limit to the number of mirror cast devices one can connect to at a time?

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nathan

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#977811 31-Jan-2014 08:33

I believe it's only 1