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    How good are cheap ebay hdmi to displayport adapters and hdmi cables?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by pjw27890, Oct 20, 2012.

  1. pjw27890

    pjw27890 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a T520 that I would like to hook up to a TV via hdmi.
    As you all know, thinkdpads have only the displayport, and I was wondering how reliable/durable are the cheap adapters and hdmi cables sold on ebay.

    The adapter I'm looking at will be shipped overseas from China, at a cost of only $3.50 ( 1pcs Mini DP Display Port Male to HDMI Female Adapter for MacBook Pro Air Cable | eBay).

    And the hdmi cable is under $5. ( 15 ft New Premium Ultra High Speed HDMI to HDMI Cable with Ethernet Black 15ft | eBay)

    Genuine adapters and 15ft hdmi cables are in the range of $20 each, and if the listed items can emulate same performance (or similar), I'm so ready to make the purchase.

    Does anyone have experience with these cables, or the like?
    I would like appreciate input on the idea of getting cheap cable from ebay.

    Thanks!
     
    pjw27890, Oct 20, 2012
    #1
  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    In theory, it should work, now the problem is if it doesn't you need to wait weeks to ship it back to China (from eBay via PayPal). So it's up to you if you want to save a few bucks for potentially a big headache.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Oct 20, 2012
    #2
  3. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thors.Hammer, Oct 20, 2012
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  4. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    I'm using $1.50 HDMI cables with my PS3, and I haven't had a problem with them. I bought two from different (US) sellers in case one was bad, and they both work.
     
    Commander Wolf, Oct 20, 2012
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  5. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    I've bought quite a few adapters and cables on eBay from Chinese/HK sellers, with no issue. The biggest problem is with DisplayPort adapters and audio; you have to really make sure that the adapter you're getting (say, for a DP to HDMI adpater) will pass audio--oftentimes, it won't.
     
    MidnightSun, Oct 20, 2012
    #5
  6. mochaultimate

    mochaultimate Notebook Consultant

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    For what it's worth, I'm using a Displayport to HDMI adapter (bought in China) which cost about $8 with my T410 permanently hooked up to my TV - it works flawlessly and passes audio as well.

    I wouldn't worry about getting one of these adapters especially with the low risk involved. If it didn't work, I'd just chuck it in the trash.
     
    mochaultimate, Oct 21, 2012
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  7. hceuterpe

    hceuterpe Notebook Evangelist

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    Be very careful which HDMI adapter you buy. I had to go through 3 before I found one that passed audio correctly.
    I ended up paying a bit more for:
    DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter - HDMI - DisplayPort to - Cables/Adapters - AV PRODUCTS

    It's the one Lenovo sells.
     
    hceuterpe, Nov 2, 2012
    #7