You have thousands of pictures on your computer, tablet, and phone. Besides the pictures, you have countless videos taking up space on your devices. And how many of these do you ever get to enjoy the way you should? If you’re like most of us, the answer is almost never. The fact that our pictures and videos spend so much time sitting dormant is a shame, and it’s time to take action to change that. The good news is, with a simple little device called a USB to HDMI adapter, it’s easy to experience the joy of your favorite pictures and videos. Along with an adapter, all you need is a
USB port, HDMI cable, and two devices to pair up. We’ll get into the simple process required to set everything up, but before we get into how and why these two work so well together, let’s discuss how they are different.
What is the difference between HDMI and USB cables? While
USB to HDMI adapters have made it possible to view and store pictures and videos between different devices, USB and HDMI are quite different from each other. While USB technology enables similar devices, such as computers and computer hardware, to connect, HDMI allows users to link high-definition devices such as televisions, Blu-ray and DVD players, gaming consoles, and computers. The purpose of a USB to HDMI adapter is to allow you to experience the best of both worlds.
Benefits of HDMI Simply put, HDMI provides benefits that were not available before its inception. This technology not only enables users to connect multiple high-definition devices, it also allows them to transfer both audio and visual data without the need for multiple cables. Viewing quality is impressive with HDMI connections because they do not compress and decompress the data between devices. With all the benefits that both HDMI and USB have to offer, it’s worth wondering what to consider when choosing an adapter to serve as an intermediary between the two.
What to consider when choosing a USB and HDMI adapter The typical maximum distance at which HDMI cables are effective is about 50 feet. Some manufacturers have begun producing HDMI cables that are effective at greater distances by using additional hardware such as
HDMI signal extenders (also known as repeaters) to extend the distance, but the results with extenders have been mixed. That’s where a USB to HDMI adapter comes into play. One of the main things to consider when choosing an adapter is its ability to handle higher resolutions up to 1080p and 7.1 channel surround sound audio. It also doesn’t hurt to find one with a lifetime warranty as well.
How to connect your USB to HDMI adapter Start by inserting one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on your television or whatever other device you want to view or store your pictures on. Now, insert the opposite end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on the USB to HDMI adapter. Once this is done, put the USB cable into the USB/USB In port on the USB to HDMI adapter. If the adapter is equipped with a built-in USB cable, this may not be necessary. The final step is plugging the USB connection into the computer or other device on which your pictures and videos are stored.
Why HDMI quality matters and how to tell if you’ve got it Not all HDMI is created equal, and the difference between high-quality and low-quality HDMI can be substantial. To decide if high-quality HDMI is worth what it costs, start by determining your needs. High-speed HDMI delivers data at a rate of 340 MHz and offers the equivalent of a 1080p signal, which is more than 4 times the speed of standard HDMI, which offers the equivalent of a 1080i signal. While it can be nearly impossible to tell the
difference in picture quality between the two types of HDMI, if you use larger displays with greater resolutions, you will be better able to see the advantage provided by a high-speed HDMI cable. The bottom line is, if you’re using an LCD monitor with a 720p resolution, it won’t be able to use high-speed HDMI capabilities anyway. If your system’s resolution is higher, high-quality HDMI can be well worth the investment.
Conclusion A USB to HDMI adapter can allow us to enjoy videos like never before possible. HDMI has provided us with so many options on its own in recent years, and when paired up with another powerful tool like USB, the results are truly spectacular.
