Hi All,

First post to this site.

I'm taking Java classes and bought a second 27" monitor so I could follow
along with my instructors more easily then I can on my laptops 15" display. The first is connected via the laptops single HDMI out. The second is
useless at this point as my USBC is 3.1 (not gen 2 Thunderbird). I had
bought a USBC to HDMI cable, but obviously that didn't work. I've read that hubs or docking ports are the way to go; however there are many that require USBC 3.2 from the PC into them. All I need it to do is mirror/project the
same laptop display to monitor 1, and HDMI an extended desktop to monitor 2. Can anyone recommend an affordable adapter for this? Both monitors have two HDMI, 1 DVI, and 1 VGA. None have USBC 3.2 (or any USB for that matter).

Any suggestions/links would be appreciated!

-Doug

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
* Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)

On 28/06/2020 7:49 a.m., Doug Cooper : All wrote:

First post to this site.

I'm taking Java classes and bought a second 27" monitor so I could follow along with my instructors more easily then I can on my laptops 15" display. The first is connected via the laptops single HDMI out. The second is useless at this point as my USBC is 3.1 (not gen 2 Thunderbird). I had bought a USBC to HDMI cable, but obviously that didn't work. I've read that hubs or docking ports are the way to go; however there are many that require USBC 3.2 from the PC into them. All I need it to do is mirror/project the same laptop display to monitor 1, and HDMI an extended desktop to monitor 2. Can anyone recommend an affordable adapter for this? Both monitors have two HDMI, 1 DVI, and 1 VGA. None have USBC 3.2 (or any USB for that matter).

My laptop allows me to switch the output to an external monitor completely, or optionally watch the external and the local monitor at the same time. But it only works with the output the laptop is designed for.

There would be no way to support 2 external monitors with basic laptop, natively. You would need an additional video cards.

What brand/model laptop are you using? Does it claim to support more than 1 external?

--- TB(Stealth)/Win7
* Origin: nntp://rbb.fidonet.fi - Lake Ylo - Finland (2:221/360.0)

What brand/model laptop are you using? Does it claim to support more
than 1 external?

--- TB(Stealth)/Win7

It's an Acer. I normally buy Asus, but the Acer had more features for less; however had I known that the USB C 3 was not gen 2, I would have spent the $50 more for the Asus. What I have learned is that I might be able to use the Microsoft Wireless Data Port and use it to mirror my laptop display, while using my built in HDMI as my extended laptop. I ordered it and will see if
it works. IF a notebook has USB C 3.1 GEN2 then that USB port would send video, at which point a $10 cable would allow for 2 external monitors. Hopefully this Wireless option works.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
* Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)

On 6/30/2020 5:17 PM, between "Doug Cooper : August Abolins":

It's an Acer. I normally buy Asus, but the Acer had more features
for less; however had I known that the USB C 3 was not gen 2, I would
have spent the $50 more for the Asus.

It's these little details that get ya at the end. :/

What I have learned is that I might be able to use the Microsoft
Wireless Data Port and use it to mirror my laptop display, while
using my built in HDMI as my extended laptop.

Wireless casting of video was one aspect of Win10 that intrigued me. That would be a handy solution at my shop onto larger displays - to display product info on one monitor, a book-trailer on a 2nd display, and a 3rd display specifically intended for a customer to see (instead of having them come around to my side of the counter and peer over my shoulder when I might have other security info on the desktop.)

IF a notebook has USB C 3.1 GEN2 then that USB port would send
video, at which point a $10 cable would allow for 2 external monitors. Hopefully this Wireless option works.

I was not aware of the GEN2 variety. Technology moves ahead. I get left behind.

But.. meanwhile, I have retired the idea of moving to Win10 for now. UPS devices are more important. Recently I had a little 3 second outage at the shop, and the UPS battery connected to my main pc, (a Win7 desktop) which also serves up Microsoft Access files to another pc in the network, went OFF. Restoring normal operations was a b*tch! It took Win7 nearly 30 minutes to do its checking and more checking before I had a fully restored session.

Apparently, the battery in that UPS (750 VA) was probably near end of life and was not holding enough charge. But I did not see any visual clue that the battery should be replaced - albiet it feels that might be the right amount of time that the internal battery has aged.

Until I can get a new internal battery for that UPS, I swapped it with a smaller 550 VA UPS that I was using at home.

The 750 VA size is quite nice and allows me to continue to work on the Win7 pc between 30 and 40 minutes when the power is out. I also have a curly flourescent desk lamp connected to it.

Reliability takes a higher priority than "features" in my operations.

Are y'all using UPSes in your BBS operations?

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Wireless casting of video was one aspect of Win10 that intrigued me.
That would be a handy solution at my shop onto larger displays - to display product info on one monitor, a book-trailer on a 2nd display,
and a 3rd display specifically intended for a customer to see (instead
of having them come around to my side of the counter and peer over my shoulder when I might have other security info on the desktop.)

I'm sure that Microsoft makes one that can do what you describe. There alternate brands, however many of them were getting bad reviews relating to taking over video card settings with their drivers, eliminating any special features they would set up, and or the driver being difficult to use. Microsoft gets reviews of being seemless and "just works," to borrow an Apple slogan, so I decided to keep it simple for now. The one I bought, I believe only supports 1 additional monitor, but it also was only $45-48 .. I did
notice they had more hub looking versions that I imagine have more video outputs.

I was not aware of the GEN2 variety. Technology moves ahead. I get left behind.

Yeah, nor was I, until I needed it :) Its an incredibly cool tech called Thunderbolt. Check it out. Many PC manufacturers are either misleading
people to think it has the feature and or only including it on their $700 and up machines. I don't need that much machine, as I don't play video games,
but I would like the video capabilities of the USB C gen2 Thunderbolt.

Are y'all using UPSes in your BBS operations?

Well ... no. Not really. It's running on a laptop to very nice surge protector, and my power settings are disabled on the laptop so it doesn't go into sleep mode. So I hadn't seen a reason to really get one. However my
Asus tower runs on one. I don't recall what size it is; or if it even still works to be honest; my wife and I bought it a good 8 years ago. That PC is pretty much just used for Zoom calls for my wife's masters classes, and a server for my Music. The few times the power has gone out here, we haven't needed it for that machine. IF there is a reason I need it on my laptop,
lemme know. I thought reinvesting the dollars into a higher joule rating
surge protector would be better (and 2 additional displays ;)

-tG

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
* Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)

So August,

I can officially recommend the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter. Not only did it work right out of the box with 3 simple steps, it added it as a THIRD extended dispaly. The picture quality is 1080P, which I'm unclear how that translates to monitor display pixels; however I ran videos from netflix on it and it was flawless. It works with HDTV's and or computer displays, as well
as works with phones and other type of devices with some limitations. It
even uses wireless without requiring internet, so it's not using bandwidth. Directly from the Laptop to the display, period. There are two things that
are required:

1. You'd have to search how to do this as I forget how. However, a command prompt can tell you if your laptop supports the wireless display function.
2. I can only say it works great on Windows 7+. I can't say it works well with other OS's.

Total cost $49. I'm extremely happy!

Can be purchased on Amazon for less then on Microsofts web site. There is a version 1 for less, but I'd recommend the v2. It's only $5 more. And, there are refurb options for $10 less. It was painless, and works fantastic.
Might be good for your shop!

-Doug

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
* Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)

On 7/2/2020 4:36 PM, between "Doug Cooper : August Abolins":

I can officially recommend the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter. Not only did it work right out of the box with 3 simple steps, it added it as a THIRD extended dispaly. The picture quality is 1080P, which I'm unclear how that translates to monitor display pixels; however I ran videos from netflix on it and it was flawless.

1080p means 1080 pixels high.

I've read about these "casting" devices before. Infact, I was looking into one for casting just audio to a pair of speakers elsewhere in my shop so that I could fill my space with fuller sound. (I have the device, but I haven't installed it yet - I have to get the speakers first! LOL) The audiocast works in the wi-fi band. Also at that time, I had an older 2.4G cordless phone that had interference issues when I was offering public wi-fi in the shop (and for my occassional own use). In the meantime, the old phone set died during the most inconvenient time in the shop.. and I now have a new DECT 6.0 phone set that claims no interference issues with the wi-fi.

But Miracast may not work for me. With a 3 display setup, I'd like one display to be from an XP laptop + and extended desktop, a 2nd display from a 2nd desktop (Win7), and a 3rd monitor from another Win7 desktop to show documents or website results to customers.

I've been reading some info on Miracast, and one article says this:

"Download Miracast for PC on Windows 8/8.1/10/7/XP & Vista Computer

" To enjoy the super cool features of Miracast for your PC, you must first install this app. Before you start, make sure that you have to download BlueStacks Android Emulator on your PC "

So.. did you have to download any app? Will I be able to make things work with the XP pc? It sounds like the XP laptop would need a special "wireless monitor" option which I think it does not have - unless that BlueStacks Android Emulator" is designed to be the hack solution.

I like the sound of Miracast over Chromecast. Different approaches. The latter needs a Chrome app or browser which I would rather NOT install.

If using the XP laptop is not possible, I'd be fine casting from the Win7 desktops.

BUT.. further reading seems to indicate that I need special Intel WiDi video drivers for my desktop pcs.

Or.. I will have no choice but to use a Chromecast solution?

1. You'd have to search how to do this as I forget how. However, a command prompt can tell you if your laptop supports the wireless display function.
2. I can only say it works great on Windows 7+. I can't say it works well with other OS's.

What exactly is the result of the command on the Win7+ pc?

Total cost $49. I'm extremely happy!

The price sounds reasonable.

Can be purchased on Amazon for less then on Microsofts web site. There is a version 1 for less, but I'd recommend the v2. It's only $5 more. And, there are refurb options for $10 less. It was painless, and works fantastic.
Might be good for your shop!

Yes.. I am already clearing the space behind the counter in my dreams! LOL Thanks for the V2 tip.

Still waiting for my 750 VA UPS replacement battery from Amazon.

--- Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.1.16) Gecko/20101125
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What exactly is the result of the command on the Win7+ pc?

So I looked up the command again. From you cmd prompt, its

netsh wlan show drivers

One of the last listing results will be "Wireless Display Supported." With your computer supporting that, you can use Miracast.

The Microsoft required ZERO drivers. It just plugged in and worked. You do have to go to your settings menu and enable wireless display, but other then that, it worked. There is an AP you can download that literally has just a couple of features to adjust the screen (just in case it doesn't fill it or
is slightly right or left,) and to get firmware updates for the device. I installed the AP and it had a firmare update to do which speed up the device itself(mostly scrolling up and down within a web page, otherwise I haven't noticed any difference, and haven't on web pages since the firmware update).
I did not have to adjust my display at all.

As for your setup, not sure about XP; I have two sitting on the floor next to me I haven't used in years, just waiting to fire them up to get the data off the hard drives and then maybe build them into one 32bit system for the BBS.

As for my setup, Windows 10, running one monitor out the HDMI port of the laptop, the laptop is a second display, and the Microsoft Wireless Display adapter to the third display. I enabled "extended" desktop, and it automatically added all 3 as independent displays. You may need to look into how many wireless displays Windows 7 can take. I would imagine thats a lot
of resources on a video card? Therefore they may have a hub with it's own built in video card to support more wireless displays. I can try to look
into it for you tomorrow, once I figure out why my stupid HTML page I'm
writing for class will NOT hold it's bottom border between div's .... anyway ... It works great and I so much easier on my eyes for 9-5 classes on zoom.

-Doug

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
* Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)

On 03/07/2020 1:14 a.m., Doug Cooper : August Abolins wrote:

What exactly is the result of the command on the Win7+ pc?

So I looked up the command again. From you cmd prompt, its

netsh wlan show drivers

I remember seeing that with a basic google search.

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

netsh wlan show drivers

The Wireless AutoConfig Service (wlansvc) is not running.

So.. is there hope?

The Microsoft required ZERO drivers. It just plugged in and worked. You do have to go to your settings menu and enable wireless display, but other then that, it worked.

I'd expect the driver to send video over LAN so that the MS dongle-thingy can pick it up over my wi-fi network. That's how the audiocast thingy works.

So.. technically, I don't need wi-fi support at the PC. I only need the ability
to add an extra display. Maybe I'm confused.

As for my setup, Windows 10, running one monitor out the HDMI port of the laptop, the laptop is a second display, and the Microsoft Wireless Display adapter to the third display.

Your laptop is probably broadcasting the vid signal from the laptop radios.

I just wonder how is a desktop supposed to do it if it doesn't have a wifi device attached. Therefore, it just needs to broadcast the signal over the LAN and the wifi from the router should broadcast it.

--- TB(Stealth)/Win7
* Origin: nntp://rbb.fidonet.fi - Lake Ylo - Finland (2:221/360.0)

I just wonder how is a desktop supposed to do it if it doesn't have a
wifi device attached. Therefore, it just needs to broadcast the signal over the LAN and the wifi from the router should broadcast it.

The way I understand it is that if you have the Wireless Display capability enabled / included within your PC, it broadcasts wireless directly from the
PC to the MICROSOFT display device, which I believe works on the Miracast technology. It does NOT run through LAN to a router; so unlike a Ring Door Bell, as an example, it does not require pairing the Wireless Display to the router. It works more like bluetooth. I hope that makes sense. You have to have the PC within 200ft range of the dongle to get good reception for it to work as a result; unless they make some type of repeater. Considering my TV
as well as my second monitor are within 10ft of the PC, I can speak to it working perfectly. And, it's not consuming resources or bandwidth (whatever it's called) from the router.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
* Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)

netsh wlan show drivers

The Wireless AutoConfig Service (wlansvc) is not running.

So.. is there hope?

Sorry hit send instead of quote.

Yeah reads as such. The instructions are geared toward Windows 10 or Surface
/ Surface Pro 8.1 - 10. However it supports other versions of windows. The location will be somewhat similar. Mine is under Notifications / Connect / Wireless Display Adapter. Yours might be in Settings. I haven't tried on my computer upstairs as I never use it other then Windows Media Player and
iTunes through my network to the garage and or outdoors. BUT ... I would imagine you'd find the ability to enable it (if available) within settings
and display options. And/or you may have to do a quick google search to see how for your version of windows. I guess I like one thing about Windows 10 now, but thats about it :) I preferred v7....... well ... XP ... but ....
I'm slowly converting over to PI4's as a result of this "Everything is an AP" and "On a cloud" thing. And limited command prompt functions (Albeit

PowerShell is very nice).


Happy 4th! Hope your shop is hopping today, and or your having fun taking a day off.

-Doug

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
* Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)

On 7/4/2020 4:52 PM, between "Doug Cooper : August Abolins":

netsh wlan show drivers

The Wireless AutoConfig Service (wlansvc) is not running.

So.. is there hope?

Yeah reads as such. The instructions are geared toward Windows 10 or Surface / Surface Pro 8.1 - 10. However it supports other versions of windows. The location will be somewhat similar. Mine is under Notifications / Connect / Wireless Display Adapter. Yours might be in Settings. I haven't tried on my computer upstairs as I never use it other then Windows Media Player and iTunes through my network to the garage and or outdoors. BUT ... I would imagine you'd find the ability to enable it (if available) within settings and display options.

It seems that mircast is designed for laptops only. I've read that there are USB dongles for PCs that can "broadcast" video to a matching receiver at the TV.

When I first learned about Win10's support to cast video to another monitor on a network, or to a TV with mircast, I was thinking "I could really use that for entertainment and customer service at
the shop".

Before that, I was poised to rig up a dedicated pc at each TV and use VNC and cast extended desktop displays to them. But the extra hardware and wiring seemed ridiculous.

Chromecast from my existing Win7 and XP pcs might be the only feasible solution at this time.

Happy 4th! Hope your shop is hopping today, and or your having fun taking a day off.

The Canadian "day off" is on the 1st. Yes, it was cool to not have to bother going to the shop. At that time I was still operating only Tue-Fri, 11-4. So, with the 1st off, it was only a 3-day week for me!

But now the tourists have arrived en masse. Families/kids expect better than Tue-Fri. So, starting next week, the shop will be Mon-Sat 10-5. I may as well open on Sun too. Every dollar counts. I have a tonne of deliveries that I still need to unpack and shelve. I may as well be there.

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It seems that mircast is designed for laptops only. I've read that
there are USB dongles for PCs that can "broadcast" video to a matching receiver at the TV.
When I first learned about Win10's support to cast video to another monitor on a network, or to a TV with mircast, I was thinking "I could really use that for entertainment and customer service at
the shop".
Before that, I was poised to rig up a dedicated pc at each TV and use
VNC and cast extended desktop displays to them. But the extra hardware and wiring seemed ridiculous.

Not sure about the laptop only or not. I did enough research to be able to tell if my PC was capable of the wireless display feature, and bought it. I
am not a big fan of wireless A/V over wired, however in my case it was a need and the only way to accomplish it without expensive hubs.

I have wired outdoor speaker planters, to an older Onkyo receiver, and muti-room switcher. It's connected to an airport express and itunes. Prior
to the airport express it was a 200 disc CD changer. Lets just say that the wiring was a lot of work to get it from the second floor of my home to the
back yard, and frankly I couldn't hear the difference between
itunes versus the 200 disc changer as the outdoor speakers were a garage sale find and crap anyway :) Since then I'm more open to wireless tech -- except for my home theater system.

After owning the Miracast/Microsft WD for a few weeks now, the only minor annoyance is having to reconnect it (in monitor settings) each time Windows reboots. Otherwise I've noticed zero difference between it and the HDMI hard connected display.

-tG

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
* Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)

On 18/07/2020 7:54 a.m., Doug Cooper : August Abolins wrote:

After owning the Miracast/Microsft WD for a few weeks now, the only minor annoyance is having to reconnect it (in monitor settings) each time Windows reboots.

Does that only happen after a full shutdown/re-boot? Maybe it cooperates better
when resuming after Hibernate?

I'm a fan of Hibernate. Things spring back to life much faster.

--- TB(Stealth)/Win7
* Origin: nntp://rbb.fidonet.fi - Lake Ylo - Finland (2:221/360.0)

Does that only happen after a full shutdown/re-boot? Maybe it cooperates better
when resuming after Hibernate?

I'm a fan of Hibernate. Things spring back to life much faster.

It only happens when you do a full shutdown / re-boot, otherwise it never happens. So it's all good; I only get full shut downs when windows updates require such and /or after my js classes. I don't use hibernate as it did
not seem to gel well with mystic.

-dC

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
* Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)