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I am trying to connect the HDMI of another device to my computer, but of course the graphic cards don't support HDMI input, so connecting HDMI to HDMI is out of the question.

Since USB-C to HDMI adapters are sold, is it possible to make USB C on my computer as an HDMI in port? (as USB-C is capable of transferring data both ways), and if so how can I do that?

To bring an example, lets say connect a gaming console HDMI port to my computer (like a Xbox or PS), and see it on my screen.

To sum it up, from the original device there would be HDMI, and the input that goes in on my device is USB-C

Or another alternative that would work for me is if it is possible to mirror the screen by connecting a USB C to USB C together.

Burgi
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Kirill2485
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4 Answers4

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I am trying to connect the HDMI of another device to my computer, but of course the graphic cards don't support HDMI input, so connecting HDMI to HDMI is out of the question.

Correct. You either need:

  1. A device with graphics input (HDMI/DVI/DP/... in, possibly with an additional convertor).
  2. Or something which captures the input. Usually to a file or to a window of the capture program. If you maximize this then you are close to your goal.

Since USB-C to HDMI adapters are sold, is it possible to make USB C on my computer as an HDMI in port? (as USB-C is capable of transferring data both ways), and if so how can I do that?

No. First of all those adaptors are HDMI output. They work the wrong way around.

Secondly, USB-C does not carry video. USB-C is the physical form or a connector usually used for two things:

  • USB 3.1 gen 2, or
  • Thunderbolt 3.

Note that thunderbolt signals can be muxed with displayport video data. There are example where a TB port (with USB-C form factor) is used to attach a monitor. However you best consider it a graphics out with in an alternative connector.

Also note that most (all current?) TB3 connectors use an Intel chipset which can do both TB and/or USB on the same plug. in USB mode it does nothing special with graphics.

To bring an example, lets say connect a gaming console HDMI port to my computer (like a Xbox or PS), and see it on my screen. To sum it up, from the original device there would be HDMI, and the input that goes in on my device is USB-C

For that specific case you need a framegrabber/digitizer with HDMI input and with an USB-C connector to communicate with the computer. And I intentionally write 'communicate' rather than 'steam video in a regular format'.

Or another alternative that would work for me is if it is possible to mirror the screen by connecting a USB C to USB C together.

This would do nothing. And unless USB changed the master-slave setup it can not even work.

Hennes
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Just to make certain I understand your question based on OP and the comments: You want your laptop display to act as a screen for an external video source, and the video connectors on your laptop are not capable of input.

If this is not the case, please clarify your question by editing it.

If the external graphics source is another laptop, there are programs that allow this function: Can I use my laptop as a second monitor?

If the external source is anything else, the answer is "no".

The ports on the laptop are only one part of the equation. The other part is that there is not a direct connection from the ports on your laptop to the screen on your laptop, and so any signal coming in through ANY of the ports must go through processing of some sort in order to be displayed on the laptop's screen. There is software and hardware that can do this (video capture), but it is unlikely to meet your needs.

Specifically regarding Remote Desktop, these are typically very optimized protocols and systems that usually do at least some of the processing of the graphical output on the client computer, allowing for near-realtime display of the remote screen contents.

I would recommend you look into video capture, and specifically capturing video for immediate display or playback. These will still not be realtime, but they may get close enough for certain use.

music2myear
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Here is a simple hdmi input to usb-c: https://sandberg.world/en-se/product/hdmi-capture-link-to-usb-c

Have not tried it

JBTPublic
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You can use that HDMI adapter the way you want to. Just plug USB-c into the laptop and HDMI into a device like a console, then turn on OBS on the laptop where you can see it in action.

KitasMr1
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