(Surface and Surface Pro tablets)微软(Microsoft)的Surface 和 Surface Pro 平板电脑没有HDMI 端口(HDMI port)，如何将它们连接到外接显示器也不是很明显。许多其他Windows 8.1设备也是如此，包括由 HP、Dell 或 Lenovo(Dell or Lenovo)创建的笔记本电脑和平板电脑。所有这些现代设备都有一个Mini DisplayPort ，您可以使用它来将它们连接到使用(Mini DisplayPort)HDMI 输入(HDMI input)的各种显示器和投影仪。在本教程中，您将学习如何使用Mini DisplayPort将(Mini DisplayPort)Windows 8.1设备连接到外部显示器. 您还将了解为这项任务购买什么样的电缆以及购买时要注意什么，以免被愚弄而付出太多。
Windows 8.1设备上的MiniDisplay 端口(MiniDisplay Port)
顾名思义，Mini DisplayPort是 DisplayPort 的小型化版本(DisplayPort)。DisplayPort是一种数字显示接口(display interface)，用于将视频源(video source)连接到显示设备(display device)。它可以同时传输视频和音频信号，以及其他形式的数据。您可以在下面看到Mini DisplayPort的图片，它位于(Mini DisplayPort)Microsoft的Surface Pro 2上。
Mini DisplayPort (mDP) 是由Apple引入的标准，随后被Intel和包括Microsoft在内的其他公司采用。如果您想了解有关其规格和历史的更多信息，请阅读Wikipedia上的此页面：Mini DisplayPort。
(Connect)使用Mini DisplayPort转HDMI 电缆(HDMI Cable)连接到显示器(Monitor)
尽管DisplayPort 信号(DisplayPort signal)与HDMI不兼容，但现代Mini DisplayPort(Mini DisplayPorts)设计为通过使用转换电信号的外部无源适配器来传输(passive adapter)HDMI 协议。(HDMI protocol)如果您需要将Windows 8.1设备连接到使用HDMI作为输入的显示器，您需要购买并使用Mini DisplayPort转HDMI 电缆(HDMI Cable)。使用此电缆时，信号会经过转换，以便正确发送到您连接的显示器。
品牌 Mini DisplayPort(Branded Mini DisplayPort)转HDMI 电缆(HDMI Cables)的问题
如果您在Microsoft商店中搜索Mini DisplayPort到HDMI 电缆(HDMI Cable)，您会发现非常昂贵的品牌电缆 -美国39.99(United)美元或(States)欧洲(Europe)39.99 欧元。当您查看其他商店时也是如此。如果您从Apple、Microsoft、Belkin和其他著名公司购买品牌电缆，您最终会为此付出太多。您可以在下面看到Microsoft在其商店中出售的电缆。
是的，它看起来不错，但你的钱看起来更好。🙂 品牌电缆的另一个问题是它们只有一种尺寸，而且往往很短。
购买Mini DisplayPort(Mini DisplayPort)到HDMI 电缆(HDMI Cable)时要寻找什么
为了获得一笔好交易，您应该寻找不是微软或苹果(Microsoft or Apple)等知名公司品牌的电缆（是的， Apple电缆适用于Windows设备）。
首先(First)，看看价格：如果您支付的费用超过 15 美元或 15 欧元，您可能支付的费用过高。然后，忽略品牌并查看(brand and look)以下规格：
- 电缆使用的 DisplayPort 标准(DisplayPort standard)版本。您必须购买适用于DisplayPort 1.2(DisplayPort version 1.2)或更高版本的电缆，以确保它能够发送具有出色图像质量(image quality)的全高清信号。自 2010 年起生产此类电缆。DisplayPort 1.3 版(DisplayPort version 1.3)支持 4K图像质量(image quality)。支持此版本的设备和电缆将于 2014 年下半年上市。
- 是否支持全 1080p 高清数字视频。使用DisplayPort 标准(DisplayPort standard)1.1 版(version 1.1)的旧电缆将不支持完整的 1080p。
- 保修和退货政策(warranty and return policy)：卖家是否为这些电缆提供保修？它的退货政策(return policy)如何？您购买的电缆可能不适用于您的设备，并且在购买之前，您应该仔细检查是否可以在需要时将其退回。
为了帮助您，我们选择了两条非常适合我们自己的Surface Pro 2平板电脑的电缆：
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电缆很重要 镀金 Mini DisplayPort 到 HDMI 电缆(Cable Matters Gold Plated Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable)(Cable Matters Gold Plated Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable)- 适用于美国买家，售价 10.99 美元。该电缆以两种颜色和多种不同尺寸出售。每个版本的价格都很合理，您可以轻松找到满足您需求的版本。
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Kamor® Mini DisplayPort 转 HDMI 电缆(Kamor® Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable)(Kamor® Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable)- 可供欧洲买家购买，售价 9.99 英镑。不幸的是，在欧洲，我们找不到一家公司可以销售多种尺寸和颜色的电缆。但是，我们推荐的那一款效果很好，它的长度足以满足大多数尺寸需求。下面你可以看到它的图片。
如何通过Mini DisplayPort将(Mini DisplayPort)图像投影(Image)到高清显示器(HD Monitor)
将 Windows 8.1 设备连接到高清显示器(HD monitor)并打开它们后，图像应该会自动复制到显示器上。如果不是，或者您想扩展主显示屏而不是复制它，请调出超级按钮并选择“设备(Devices)” 。然后，选择项目(Project)。
现在您可以看到几个与您刚刚连接的显示器进行交互的选项。您可以对其进行设置，以便复制或扩展图像，或仅使用现在可用的两个显示之一。
选择您喜欢的选项，Windows 8.1将根据您的偏好显示图像。
注意：(NOTE:)如果您想使用刚刚连接的显示器或投影仪(monitor or projector)进行演示，请阅读本指南中的“如何通过笔记本电脑进行演示”("How to Make Presentations from Your Laptop")部分，了解如何设置：如何充分(Most)利用装有Windows 移动中心(Windows Mobility Center)的笔记本电脑(Laptop)。
结论
希望我们的建议对您有所帮助。如果您有任何疑问或问题，请随时在下面发表评论。我们将尽力为您提供指导。
Connect Windows 8.1 Devices With Mini DisplayPorts to HDMI Displays
Surface and Surfaсe Pro tabletѕ from Microsoft do not have an HDMI port and it isn't very obvious how to connect them to an external monitor. The same is true about many other Windows 8.1 devices, including laptopѕ and tablets сreated by HP, Dell or Lenovo. All these modern devices do have a Mini DisplayPort that you can use for connecting them to аll kinds of displays and projectors that work with an HDMI input. In this tutorial you will learn how to сonnect yоur Wіndows 8.1 device to an external diѕplay, using the Mіni DisplayPоrt. You will also learn what kind of cable to purchase fоr thіs task аnd what to pay attention tо when buying one, so that уou are not fooled into paying too much.
The MiniDisplay Port on Windows 8.1 Devices
As the name implies, the Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort. The DisplayPort is a digital display interface used to connect a video source to a display device. It can carry both the video and the audio signal, plus other forms of data. Below you can see a picture of the Mini DisplayPort, on a Surface Pro 2 from Microsoft.
The Mini DisplayPort (mDP) is a standard that was introduced by Apple and then adopted by Intel and other companies, including Microsoft. If you want to learn more about its specifications and history, read this page on Wikipedia: Mini DisplayPort.
Connect to a Monitor Using a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable
Even though the DisplayPort signal is not compatible with HDMI, modern Mini DisplayPorts are designed to transmit the HDMI protocol by using an external passive adapter that converts the electrical signal. If you need to connect your Windows 8.1 device to a monitor that uses HDMI as an input, you need to purchase and use a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable. When use this cable, the signal is converted so that it is correctly sent to the display you have connected.
The Trouble With Branded Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cables
If you search for a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable in Microsoft stores, you will find a branded cable that's very expensive - $39.99 in the United States or €39.99 in Europe. The same is true when you look in other stores. If you are sold a branded cable from Apple, Microsoft, Belkin and other famous companies, you will end up paying too much for it. Below you can see the cable sold by Microsoft in its stores.
Yes, it is good looking but your money looks better. 🙂 Another issue with branded cables is that they are available only in one size and they tend to be short.
What to Look For When Buying a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable
In order to get a good deal, you should look for cables that are not branded by a famous company like Microsoft or Apple (yes Apple cables will work with Windows devices).
First of all, look at the price: if you are paying more than $15 or €15, you may be paying too much. Then, ignore the brand and look at the following specifications:
- The DisplayPort standard version that the cable is using. You must purchase a cable that works with DisplayPort version 1.2 or above, to make sure that it is able to send a full-HD signal with great image quality. Such cables were manufactured as of 2010 onwards. DisplayPort version 1.3 supports 4K image quality. Devices and cables that support this version will be made available on the market in the second half of 2014.
- Whether it supports full 1080p HD digital video or not. Older cables, using version 1.1 of the DisplayPort standard will not support full 1080p.
- The warranty and return policy: does the seller provide a warranty for these cables? What about its return policy? It can happen that you purchase a cable that doesn't work well with your device and, before buying it, you should double check that you can return it if needed.
To help you out, we selected two cables that work great with our own Surface Pro 2 tablets:
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Cable Matters Gold Plated Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable - available for US buyers, at $10.99. This cable is sold in two color variants and in many different sizes. The prices for each version are reasonable and you can easily find one that meets your needs.
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Kamor® Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable - available for European buyers, at £9.99. Unfortunately, in Europe we couldn't find a company that sells one cable in many sizes and color variants. However, the one we are recommending works well and it is long enough to suite most size needs. Below you can see a picture of it.
How to Project the Image to an HD Monitor Through the Mini DisplayPort
As soon as you connect your Windows 8.1 device to an HD monitor and you turn both of them on, the image should be automatically duplicated on the monitor. If it isn't or you want to extend your main display instead of duplicating it, then bring up the charms and select Devices. Then, select Project.
Now you see several options for interacting with the display that you just connected. You can set it so that you duplicate or extend the image or use only one of the two displays that are now available.
Select the option you prefer and Windows 8.1 will display the image according to your preference.
NOTE: If you would like to use the monitor or projector you just connected to deliver a presentation, read the "How to Make Presentations from Your Laptop" section in this guide, to learn how to set things up: How to Make the Most of Your Laptop with Windows Mobility Center.
Conclusion
I hope that our recommendations will be of help to you. If you have any questions or issues, don't hesitate to leave a comment below. We will do our best to guide you.
