Connecting a second external monitor to a A514-53 using a USB display adaptor

I have seen several conversations (mainly from JackE, eg 594647) explaining that the USD ports on some Aspire 5's do not support video out, and therefore simple USB to HDMI/VGA/DVI connectors do not work - you must get a more sophisticated "USB Converter/adapter" (see 612931). I have a A514-53 (S/N NXA69EK00103801F812N00; SNID 038008065223), and bought a 13-Multiport adaptor 9868T which includes a VGA and HDMI port, and can confirm that it does not work. I have 2 questions. Firstly, does the Acer 10-in-1 Type-C Dongle work?? (Ref.HP.DSCAB.002 as advertised in the ACER shop online). It looks almost identical to mine and there is nothing in the specification that says it will not work on an A514-53 like mine - but given the above, I doubt it will. Secondly, there are lots of USB Display adapters on the market. What technical phrase should I look for in the spec to confirm that the device will work - eg "DisplayLink chipset" - or alternatively can you recommend a USB converter adaptor that definitely works. Rgds

Accepted answers

JackE

The only ones so far that users have reported to work on USB data-only ports are shown below. Technically they're called active video converters but sometimes called adapters even though not passive. Multi-function docks & hubs are almost always passive port replicators. The fact that most of the replicators are compatible with PCs, Macs & Chromebooks suggest a simple passive cable passthru. If you read the 1&2 star reviews for these docks, the main complaint is no video signals at the HDMI & DP outputs. Jack E/NJ

usb-2-video
hdmi
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BPEV1XK/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0811LTJ1H/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2Q675KK39AE01&psc=1
https://i-tec.pro/en/produkt/u3dual4kdp-2/
https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/951662#Comment_951662

displayport
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-Supporting-Resolution/dp/B018YHTUNI/ref=sr_1_10?crid=35VF6GFPGK43N&dchild=1&keywords=cable+matters+usbc+to+displayport+adapter&qid=1598400106&s=electronics&sprefix=cable+matters+usb+to+displayport,electronics,171&sr=1-10

stretchcj

I can confirm that a DisplayLink compliant adaptor works on my A514-53. I now have 2 external screens working. I bought the HDMatters https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07W3ZSYF1 (£23.39) - what's more, it works through the 14-in-1 USB-c dongle so I only have to disconnect the single USB-C connector when I take the laptop away. Thank you for your advice.

All comments

JackE

The only ones so far that users have reported to work on USB data-only ports are shown below. Technically they're called active video converters but sometimes called adapters even though not passive. Multi-function docks & hubs are almost always passive port replicators. The fact that most of the replicators are compatible with PCs, Macs & Chromebooks suggest a simple passive cable passthru. If you read the 1&2 star reviews for these docks, the main complaint is no video signals at the HDMI & DP outputs. Jack E/NJ

usb-2-video
hdmi
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BPEV1XK/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0811LTJ1H/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2Q675KK39AE01&psc=1
https://i-tec.pro/en/produkt/u3dual4kdp-2/
https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/951662#Comment_951662

displayport
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-Supporting-Resolution/dp/B018YHTUNI/ref=sr_1_10?crid=35VF6GFPGK43N&dchild=1&keywords=cable+matters+usbc+to+displayport+adapter&qid=1598400106&s=electronics&sprefix=cable+matters+usb+to+displayport,electronics,171&sr=1-10

stretchcj

Thanks for this JackE - based on this I wont get the ACER dongle. I'm in the UK. I'll try the simplest single-display "DisplayLink chipset" converter I can find first, if I can get that working then I might consider a more sophisticated, 2-display converter, which will greatly simplify my docking cable configuration! I'll let you know how it goes.

JackE

OK. Good luck with your video out experiments.

Jack E/NJ

stretchcj

I can confirm that a DisplayLink compliant adaptor works on my A514-53. I now have 2 external screens working. I bought the HDMatters https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07W3ZSYF1 (£23.39) - what's more, it works through the 14-in-1 USB-c dongle so I only have to disconnect the single USB-C connector when I take the laptop away. Thank you for your advice.