StarTech.com DVI-D to VGA Active Adapter Converter Cable - 1080p - DVI to VGA Converter Box (DVI2VGAE), Black

The converter arrived on Sept 16 and 4 weeks in to using the converter (Oct 6), it still works fine! I have a integrated A8 AMD graphics card and a DVI-D input in the motherboard.I wanted to connect 2 VGA monitors which are 1440x900 and 1280x1024 to my computer. After hours and days of researching, and help with a friend to see if you could put VGA to DVI-D, it came to the conclusion that you can't just use a converter to connect VGA to DVI-D due to the VGA sending only analog signals. At first, I bought a plastic converter for $5.50 that was colored gray with the DVI-D on the front and the VGA on the back. Once it arrived, I plugged the converter into the DVI-D port as tightly as I could so it wouldn't budge, and then I connected my VGA cord into it. I turned on the computer and as a result, it didn't work. After on the verge of giving up and just sticking to one monitor, the StarTech converter was my last resort. A converter for $25 was a bit intimidating, since someone on a review said that it didn't work after 3 days, but I took the risk.Now on to the review of the converter. It was a simple set up, just the matter of plugging everything in. I'm not too sure if the USB cable to the converter actually sends in more power to the converter since other reviewers have said that it doesn't need it. I just leave it connected anyways. After tightly plugging everything in, I turned on the computer and both of my monitors powered on. I realized that my main monitor, which is the 1440x900, kept on appearing as Monitor #2, and my 1280x1024 as Monitor #1. After looking around the monitor settings and properties, nothing worked until I realized that I had to switch the VGA plugs. My 1440x900 was connected to the actual VGA port in the motherboard, and my 1280x1024 was connected to the converter. After plugging in my 1440x900 into the converter and the 1280x1024 into the VGA port, the 1440x900 finally became Monitor #1. Performance wise, for example, when waking my computer up from the screen saver, Monitor #1 immediately wakes up. But as for Monitor #2, it wakes immediately but sometimes it takes around 2 1/2 seconds to wake but that doesn't bother me anyways. I'm glad I made this purchase and I hope it will last for a long time.

Got this to convert a DVI-D to VGA signal on my computer so that I may use dual monitors. While my computer does see and read the new monitor as existing, the monitor has a no signal. I have tested the monitor + VGA cord and they work 100% fine on my DVI-I adapter. The signal is lost on this device. My computer it outputting, and my monitor is not receiving.StarTech also promises 24hr response time for tech support. They have failed to respond to my issue within such a time.0/10 would not buy again.Will be returning to Amazon to order a different converter, or returning monitor as well to get a DVI compatible monitor.------Edit to previous review!Got ahold of the startech support via chat (the contact on the box was slow, and past the 24hr promise)Confirmed with support I had a DOA part (another reviewer had the same issue) Got a replacement through amazon.Now have the VGA monitor working from my DVI-D port via this device! Much happiness. There's a small colour issue, however it's fine for use as a supplementary monitor. Adapter worked 100% upon plug in. Did not need USB power boost, plugged in anyways in the event it does need such in the future. Haven't had this hooked up very long, so no issues upon start up noted (will be watching for).I do not plan to buy any future VGA monitors, this DVI port issue has been such a pain. My suggestion is to go DVI/HDMI to start and skip all this! DVI monitors are dropping in price to be competitive with VGA, so go that route if at all possible. Otherwise this looks like an ok fix to have a dual monitor set up.

After trying 3 of the Startech adapters trying to sort and issue and finding the root cause is most likely a Microsoft issue, I'm updating my reviews.The issue I was trying to solve was connecting 3 monitors to a Evga GTX 760 graphics card with on of them going through a VGA KVM. Problem is once you install the drivers the VGA / analog signal is turned off when a digital (HDMI and/or DVI-D) monitor is connected. So you must use some sort of digital to analog converter. Windows looks at the signal from your monitor to decide what can be displayed and evidently to enforce HDCP does checks for monitor changes regularly. So unless the KVM fakes a signal to all PCs connected to it Windows will reconfigure (scramble) ALL your windows when you switch to another PC. As far as I can tell almost no KVMs do this correctly but if you have and older graphics card it might not do the polling either so you will not notice. If you are looking for an adapter to hook your late model computer to your KVM I'm sorry to say you are probably looking at a lost cause. I finally found this post [...] which outlines the issue.Now the reviews:This is for my main 27 inch display on my main computer which I'm on most of the day doing programming and video editing so it has to be very legible. All the adapters all are simple to install and come in easy to open, all cardboard, packaging that fits nicely without a lot of extra inserts or wrappers.I started with the StarTech.com DVI2VGAE worked great. Nice clear picture till I switched the KVM. Which I know now means it was working correctly but did not solve my problem.Next I tired the HD2VGAE2 which does not have the KVM problem but it lacks the crisp video conversion of the DVI2VGAE making it for me too blurry to use as my main screen at 1920x1080 resolution.It might be OK for the less demanding though.So I tried the HD2VGAA2 thinking it might get me the best of both worlds since it was powered like the DVI2VGAE. But the KVM problem was back. Picture is almost as good as the DVI2VGAE though. Definitely usable as a programmer's main display.So I would say go with DVI2VGAE if you have the option of DVI-D but HD2VGAA2 if HDMI is your only port.