A515-54G-54QQ and Dual External Monitors

Sorry, none of the USBA or USBC ports on your particular model supports video out. Only the HDMI 1.4b port support video out. Jack E/NJ

https://www.gearbest.com/blog/how-to/how-to-check-if-your-windows-10-pc-or-laptop-support-miracast-3-easy-ways-8216

@Aadfhadsff

I'll post a couple methods to see if your laptop supports Miracast. It's possible that your laptop doesn't support it. I'm not sure.

Check via Command Prompt

Type "cmd" in the Windows 10 search bar and select Command Prompt
Type "netsh wlan show drivers" and hit "Enter" key.
Look for "Wireless Display Supported", if it shows "Yes", your laptop or PC will support the Miracast.

All comments

Commodore_1995#

did you look for an hdmi docking station with power adapter?

Thank you egydiocoelho. I have not pursued that option yet as I have only within the last hour discovered this problem. Also, I have no confidence that I could spend $150-$250 AND have a working second monitor at this point. I am now regretting having bought this Acer, since I could have purchased thorough Dell with the benefit of asking this question on their Sales Chat line.

>>> I was with the understanding that a USB-C to HDMI adapter (NXT Technologies - NX58161) would allow me to hook up the second of my two external monitors.>>>

Sorry no. The USBC 3.1 port is gen1 supporting data only, no single or dual mode displayport. Jack E/NJ

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM7ET3Vylng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_y0V6hRXa4

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-miracast-screen-mirroring,review-2286.html

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/microsoft-wireless-display-adapter-v2-receiver-dark-titanium/4974200.p?skuId=4974200

Neither monitor has a USB port so the power issue might be resolved by using a wall wart (what voltage?) or plugging into the laptop. Not the end of the world. While this is worth further investigation, Microsoft fails to identify a power solution if the monitor does not have a USB port. Since the adaptor I purchased simply says "Connect a USB-C laptop..." is technically incorrect, I don't trust an assumption that the USB port on my laptop will be sufficient for the task.

What I have learned so far is that when a product says "Connect a USB-C laptop to an HDTV, HD Monitor or Projector", that is marketing, subject to at least two technical caveats. It must be a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port, NOT USB-C 3.1 Gen 1, AND the manufacturer must have integrated the graphics card with the USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 adapter.

It would have been nice if the NXT Technologies box identified USB-C 3.2 and not simply USB-C. However, the Acer technical specification identified USB-C 3.1 Gen 1, and failed to indicate it would be data only. I think the expectation that Acer would specify Data Only stems from the fact I am finding USB-A 3.0 devices claiming to be able to support HDMI at 1080p. Since I am not gaming, I only need my 27" monitors (one portrait, the other landscape) to allow me to read comfortably for more than a few minutes at a time. Laptops with 15" and 17" screens are readable in a pinch, but not good for having to work all day.

I have no idea if there is some caveat that prevents me from using any USB port on this Acer laptop model with a 3rd party docking station. The wireless display looks like a viable option, but I am unwilling to part with +$100 to see whether or not the laptop can be used to power the adapter for the monitor.

I am finding this frustrating as I used to work in IT prior to retirement. I am not keeping up with technology in retirement, and with a diminishing vision, I am truly starting to understand the frustrations of people living with handicaps. If the technical and marketing specifications were complete enough, I would not need the assistance of others.

As mentioned earlier, the USBC port on the A515-54G does not support video out according to the specs. Jack E/NJ

Sorry, none of the USBA or USBC ports on your particular model supports video out. Only the HDMI 1.4b port support video out. Jack E/NJ

Thank you JackE.

The tech sheet does not adequately inform me that a second external monitor is not possible. When I look online, I am finding products that claim they will allow me to use USB 2.0 and USB-C to connect a second monitor.

I will need to work with the company I purchased this laptop through to see what they can do for me to exchange it. Due to COVID, the brick and mortars are working with reduced staff and are not answering their phones. Where I live, stores are not likely to open to the public before the end of this month.

This laptop is pretty much useless to me if I cannot hook up two external monitors. My only hope seems to be the Microsoft wireless solution that JordanB proposed, if I can power the device external to the monitor since the monitor lacks the necessary USB port.

I am extremely disappointed in discovering some articles that claim you can even have a USB-C Gen 2 port AND not have graphics capabilities. The total number of external monitors supported needs to be in the Technical Specifications. From what I have seen, all manufacturers fail in that regard.

10 foot Extension USB cable (power cable extension for Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter):

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Extension-Cable-Male-Female/dp/B00NH12O5I

15 foot Extension USB cable (power cable extension for Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter):

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-15-Feet-Female-Extension-108608/dp/B009GUMXQE/ref=psdc_464394_t1_B00NH12O5I

USB wall power:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-12w-usb-power-adapter-white/7006915.p?skuId=7006915

I tend to post links to items that I would buy personally.

https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/adapters/wireless-display-adapter-2/p3q-00001

You can connect two or more monitors through the HDMI port via a hub but they will not be independent displays if that's what you need. Jack E/NHJ

Thank you Jack. I do need the monitors to be independent. I need a laptop for portability, but I rarely use the laptop screen. I need one 27" monitor in portrait mode to read books, the other 27" monitor is landscape for general use.

Both on at the same time? How do you read a book in portrait mode on one monitor at the same time something else general is going on in landscape mode in the other monitor? One eye reads the book in portrait mode while the other eye is doing something else general in landscape mode? I'm confused? Jack E/NJ

Thank you Jordan for the USB product info. I am likely to go with the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter. I like the $49.95 price, but in Canada, that is over $70.00 with retailers selling the product for $79.99. The only thing I cannot find on the product is the power requirements. I have at least four different types of USB chargers that have different voltage ratings (5v and 9v) as well as different amperage ratings from 500mA to 2A at 5v. I would expect the 500mA to work, and wall-wart power means less wear and tear on the laptops USB port.

Aadfhadsff said:

Thank you Jordan for the USB product info. I am likely to go with the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter. I like the $49.95 price, but in Canada, that is over $70.00 with retailers selling the product for $79.99. The only thing I cannot find on the product is the power requirements. I have at least four different types of USB chargers that have different voltage ratings (5v and 9v) as well as different amperage ratings from 500mA to 2A at 5v. I would expect the 500mA to work, and wall-wart power means less wear and tear on the laptops USB port.

You're welcome!

For some reason the moderators decided they didn't like my answer though. So even though you marked my answer as solved, the moderators felt it didn't answer your question or using a Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter won't work.

I looked at your original question in your first post "what would be necessary to connect the second of two external monitors?."

Apparently my answer of..... use a Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter won't work since they unmarked it as a solution.

Hi Jordan.

I am disappointed and sorry to see that the question "Did this answer the question? Yes - No" no longer appears. The fact that the answer I accepted was rejected without clarification or an answer provided by someone at Acer is more than disappointing. It adds to my buyers regret with this product.

I am not upset with Acer specifically, as the lack of the singular piece of information I required is systemic within the industry. To me it is a nobrainer to add to technical specification sheets how many external monitors the device will support.

I do have a good longstanding relationship with the people inside the store I bought the product from, through their corporate website. If the individuals were still working, they were inaccessible to the public at the local brick and mortar. I am trusting that when the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, I can get in to exchange this product so I can purchase a product that will fulfill my needs. I fully expect to have to pay more to get what I need, and I am still open to buying another Acer.

If the moderator from Acer is looking in on this, I suspect I am not alone with others who have visual disabilities who need to clearly know how many external monitors can be connected to a system.

https://www.gearbest.com/blog/how-to/how-to-check-if-your-windows-10-pc-or-laptop-support-miracast-3-easy-ways-8216

@Aadfhadsff

I'll post a couple methods to see if your laptop supports Miracast. It's possible that your laptop doesn't support it. I'm not sure.

Check via Command Prompt

Type "cmd" in the Windows 10 search bar and select Command Prompt
Type "netsh wlan show drivers" and hit "Enter" key.
Look for "Wireless Display Supported", if it shows "Yes", your laptop or PC will support the Miracast.

Thank you JordanB!

Wireless Display Supported: Yes (Graphics Driver: Yes, Wi-Fi Driver: Yes)

I am going to place my order for the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter tonight.

Your help is very much appreciated!