Looking for a way to add another display to your desktop or notebook? TRENDnet has a simple solution: the TU3-HDMI. It's an adapter that features one HDMI port and one Micro-B USB 3.0 port, allowing users to extend their Windows desktop via a USB 3.0 port without the need for adding a PCIe card to their tower. For laptop owners, it's a great way to turn a desk into a multi-monitor workstation.
According to the company, the adapter converts a USB 3.0 signal to HDMI although how this is done isn't specified. Similar solutions on the market require that DisplayLink software be installed which, after installation, allows the user to plug in up to six USB adapters and configure the attached displays. The specs and product sheet say nothing about DiplayLink.
According to the specs, the adapter supports HDMI 1.3 up to 165 MHz, and screen resolutions up to 2048 x 1152. It also supports three modes: Extended for expanding your desktop horizontally across multiple monitors, Mirror for duplicating the desktop on another screen (good for presentations and such), and Primary for making the connected monitor the primary display when the adapter is plugged in.
As for other specs, the TU3-HDMI features digital RGB, DAC, DVI, FPI display connectivity, 32-bit True Color Depth technology, and a 60 Hz refresh rate. The adapter is powered by the desktop or laptop's USB port (1.47 W), so there's no need for an external power supply. It works on Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and even the decrepit Windows XP operating systems.
For Windows8/7/Vista, the adapter requires for video streaming and playback an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or better, 2 GB of RAM, and one of the following GPUs: Intel GMA X5400, AMD Radeon HD 3xxx, Nvidia GeForce 9-series or better. For office use, customers will only need an Intel Core 2 Duo 1.4 GHz processor or better, and 1 GB of RAM.
The TU3-HDMI is available now online and at retail partners for $99.99 USD. For more information about the adapter, head here.
