Hello.
I have a second monitor I'm trying to use for my computer. At the moment it seems the only way to do it is via a VGA to HDMI adapter, however the monitor has a USB 2.0 port. Is it possible to connect the monitor to my PC with USB? I'm not sure if the USB port is only for the intergrated webcam on the monitor.
What monitor? Please specify the make and complete model number. I suspect the USB port on a monitor would be for firmware upgrades or services and not as a video input source. Are you sure it's a USB port and not a display port?
I'd say Google the monitor for info. AFAIK the normal use for a USB on a monitor is that it acts as USB hub to connect to your pc. I think in that circumstance, there is a square type USB socket on the monitor that needs to be linked to the pc with a USB A-B cable. Used in this fashion, it's maybe handy to be able to plug your flash drive into the monitor, much the same as some Apple Mac keyboards (used to) have a USB socket on the side edge. The built in webcam ... not sure how that connects. See if there's a model number on a sticker on the monitor that you can google. I pretty sure that the USB on the monitor is not video in.
edit - anyhow, I don't think you can get a USB cable with the same plug at each end. USB sockets carry power, and if such a cable were available, I sure someone would try using it to connect 2 pc's together with disasterous results. There's a good reason why there's so many different types of pc connectors - form-function etc.
Last edited by badcrc; 11 Mar 2015 at 09:10.
There are no usb video inputs on a monitor, just get the correct video cable.
USB is used for Keyboards, mice, printers, flash drivers, cameras, webcams, game pads etc.
How many video ports are on the monitor you want to use, and what are they ? VGA, DVI, HDMI ?
This 2nd pic shows from left to right, an HDMI, a DVI and a VGA port.
The 1st picture also includes a Display Port video input (less common)
Last edited by AddRAM; 22 Apr 2015 at 17:47.
USB ports on a monitor are for connecting the monitor to the PC via a USB cable to allow USB connectivity through the monitor when the PC is in a hard to reach place. We use this method at work all the time as the PCs are installed underneath work benches and are hard to get to, so using the USB port on the monitor is a God send. The ports are usually found on the side of the monitor.
To reiterate what everybody has said though it is not for video connectivity, only extending your USB access.
Other reasons USB is on some devices is for updating the device or playing video files, via USB pen drives and external hard drives for example.
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