Use of USB Adaptor for BenQ SW2700PT: The USB-C on my Asus Vivobook laptop has no video signal. It can't used as the displayport to my BenQ SW2700PT. I've been looking at a USB...

Brucer Loc: Bedminster, NJ

The USB-C on my Asus Vivobook laptop has no video signal. It can't used as the displayport to my BenQ SW2700PT. I've been looking at a USB Displayport adapter. (Connects to a normal USB port, and I know that port sends signal, because we booted up the BenQ by use of an hdmi cable, just to see.) I called BenQ and couldn't get much information from the guy, a disappointment, but he told it will work, but that BenQ does not recommend using one. I asked why. He could only tell me the signal won't be as good. Before I go out and blow a whole lot of money on a new computer, does anyone have any experience using one of these adapters to connect to a BenQ monitor?

Brokenland

Could be that you're using a single directional cable instead of a bi-directional cable. Just depends on what your system needs. But typically the bi-directional should be used.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

I use the HDMI port on that BenQ and it works very well. Since you used HDMI to check it out, why not stick with HDMI?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

UTMike wrote:

I use the HDMI port on that BenQ and it works very well. Since you used HDMI to check it out, why not stick with HDMI?

Exactly. What else would you use the HDMI port for?

Brucer Loc: Bedminster, NJ

TriX wrote:

Exactly. What else would you use the HDMI port for?

I saw a video that said HDMI compresses the signal so you don't get as good a display on the SW2700PT. It also says the i1 Pro will not work with an HDMI cable used. And for that matter, the BenQ tech never thought of suggesting an HDMI cable. Why wouldn't he, if that was an alternative to my buying an expensive computer? But I will be sure to call them back about this.

Thanks.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Brucer wrote:

I saw a video that said HDMI compresses the signal so you don't get as good a display on the SW2700PT. It also says the i1 Pro will not work with an HDMI cable used. And for that matter, the BenQ tech never thought of suggesting an HDMI cable. Why wouldn't he, if that was an alternative to my buying an expensive computer? But I will be sure to call them back about this.

Thanks.

The video you saw is incorrect. HDMI is a video/audio interface specifically designed to transmit UNcompressed digital video, although the audio may be compressed or uncompressed, which is inconsequential. Modern video cards typically use HDMI, DVI (same video quality as HDMI except no audio) or display port outputs. Not only is HDMI your best choice, it also leaves your USB port(s) free for other uses and allows you to use the “hot key” on your keyboard to switch between displays.

Btw, your USB-C port CAN support a monitor as well with a converter/adapter cable, but I can’t think of any reason to use it.

Just plug in the HDMI and enjoy your monitor knowing that you’re feeding it with the best video your laptop can produce.

jefflane

The HDMI may be the best choice here but my understanding is that the BenQ is optimized for a DVI port. I can't explain why.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

jefflane wrote:

The HDMI may be the best choice here but my understanding is that the BenQ is optimized for a DVI port. I can't explain why.

It is my understanding that HDMI, like a few other formats dating back to CompactCassettes and before, requires payment of a roayalty fee for every hardware item manufactured and sold. There are also issues with certain encrypted signals, specifically those from BluRay and other entertainment sources. My understanding is also that DVI and DisplayPort are both intended as computing interfaces, and are open source formats, while HDMI was and is primarily intended as an entertainment interface and can be much harder to deal with administratively. HDMI also is a very "aggressive" interface which takes control of the source device even worse than our cameras take control of our creative choices when shooting JPEG. I know for a fact that my Sony BluRay player taked over my entire entertainment system when we show a movie. That would be fine if it would put everything back when it the movie is over.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

larryepage wrote:

It is my understanding that HDMI, like a few other... (show quote)

You are correct Larry. As I understand it, HDMI has just licensed a version that can be used over USB-C without an adapter/converter. Regarding DVI, on the BenQ, HDMI to DVI cables are readily available - same video, but no audio in DVI - shouldn’t make any difference to the quality of the video displayed.

Brucer Loc: Bedminster, NJ

TriX wrote:

The video you saw is incorrect. HDMI is a video/au... (show quote)

Thanks! Looking into this. For my information, do you mean a USB-C to USB-A converter/adapter? That's all I've found and I'm leaving a link if that works. I don't see from the information how any can possibly change the status of my laptop's USB-C capability, which doesn't seem to be much, since it allows for no video signal. I think it charges my GoPro battery--I plug that in somewhere--but does not seem able to do much more than that. (I laugh at my laptop. The thing is ssd128gb plus 1T. AND it has a Ryzen 5 processor, and yet Asus is cheap on its USB-C! Yup, if I knew about all this at first, I would have bought the Zenbook. But now that you tell me about HDMI and etc., it's probably just as well I saved my money. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb-c+to+usb+adapter&i=electronics&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkMqL4cXd6wIVAYeGCh1-kQOQEAAYASAAEgJvVvD_BwE&hvadid=409965365693&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003743&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9630169540489584509&hvtargid=kwd-300385767549&hydadcr=18031_11397876&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_4ns6eote7v_e

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Brucer wrote:

Thanks! Looking into this. For my information, do ... (show quote)

No, actually I meant a USB-C to HDMI adapter/converter like this: https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Thunderbolt-Compatible-MacBook-Samsung/dp/B0871YYNJH/ref=asc_df_B0871YYNJH/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416694317409&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8251598193499032209&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009733&hvtargid=pla-909611004138&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=94693386435&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=416694317409&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8251598193499032209&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009733&hvtargid=pla-909611004138

So to explain, the USB-C port (or USB-A) does not natively have any signals on it except +5V and ground and a pair of serial lines (differential). The particular SW driver you load then maps whatever signal it designates onto that serial portion of the interface. It can be digital video (in or out), audio, or any digital serial signal that fits within the bandwidth of the particular version of USB. However, there is still no reason I can think of not to use the native HDMI port to connect to your monitor. Am I misunderstanding what you’re trying to accomplish?

Brucer Loc: Bedminster, NJ

TriX wrote:

The video you saw is incorrect. HDMI is a video/au... (show quote)

And a Display Pro colorimeter works with your HDMI? I wonder why on earth BenQ posted a video that says it will not on a SW2700PT? I watched again before copying the link, and he does say "any kind of HDMI adapter," so maybe there's a difference? (All this stuff is interesting and I think the likes should be for anyone who presumes to use a high-end camera, but I am a slow learner at technical matters.) He names the video something like using a SW2700PT WITHOUT a USB-C cable, but all he means is that the SW2700PT has no USB-C port; it has a displayport. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb-c+to+usb+adapter&i=electronics&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkMqL4cXd6wIVAYeGCh1-kQOQEAAYASAAEgJvVvD_BwE&hvadid=409965365693&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003743&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9630169540489584509&hvtargid=kwd-300385767549&hydadcr=18031_11397876&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_4ns6eote7v_e

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Brucer wrote:

And a Display Pro colorimeter works with your HDMI... (show quote)

Now that is a different question. When you calibrate a monitor using a colorimeter, which is usually connected to a USB port, the calibration routine typically loads the calibration values into the LUT (look up table) on the video card in the computer. Some newer monitors (I’d have to look at the manual for your BenQ to see) have a LUT on the monitor, and some calibration systems will not function with that configuration. If your monitor has a built in LUT, then you need to make sure that your calibration system is compatible with it. And if your colorimeter has a regular USB-A connector, then you will need a USB-A female to USB-C male adapter to connect them physically like this:https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Type-C-Gen1-Female-Adapter/dp/B01GGKYYT0/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkMqL4cXd6wIVAYeGCh1-kQOQEAAYASAAEgJvVvD_BwE&hvadid=409965365693&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003743&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9630169540489584509&hvtargid=kwd-300385767549&hydadcr=18031_11397876&keywords=usb-c+to+usb+adapter&qid=1599709253&s=electronics&sr=1-6&tag=googhydr-20

and the calibration SW will take care of mapping the signal. Have I answered your question?

Brucer Loc: Bedminster, NJ

TriX wrote:

Now that is a different question. When you calibra... (show quote)

Thanks. BenQSW2700PT has a 14-bit LUT with a color difference of Delta E<2 in both Adobe RGB and Adobe sRGB, and I don't pretend to understand what the color difference of Delta less than 2 means, but in any case, the Display Pro works for it, by all I have gathered, creditable, including from BenQ. Display Pro colorimeter has a USB-A which should fit directly into the BenQ. The BenQ, by what I've gathered from the video I sent you, does not have a USB-C, so I gather I don't need the adapter. I don't understand why that video tells me HDMI will render the Display Pro caput, but again, maybe he did mean only an HDMI adapter will.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Brucer wrote:

Thanks. BenQSW2700PT has a 14-bit LUT with a color... (show quote)

Yep, if you have an available USB-A port to plug the colorimeter into, you should be fine. If not, you can always plug it into the USB-C with the adapter (or similar) I mentioned in my last post. Good luck and let us know how the calibration goes.

Cheers