Splitting two VGA monitors from one HDMI port on Mac Mini (2012 OR 2018)

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Splitting two VGA monitors from one HDMI port on Mac Mini (2012 OR 2018)

Hi, I am seeking a definitive answer on something i've run into repeated problems trying to accomplish. I simply want to attach two monitors simultaneously from the HDMI port of either

a 2018 or 2012 Mac Mini. These monitors happen to have only VGA and DVI ports, not HDMI, and I can't use the DisplayPort/TB port on the Mini because I need that to attach a TB audio device and only have one TB port on the Mini for that. So, I need to use the HDMI out - to TWO VGA monitors. I've tried a passive HDMI>VGA adapter, going to a powered dual VGA splitter box..that is, adapter to the VGA port on the splitter and then the two monitors connected to the splitters two VGA ports. For some reason that hasn't worked! One VGA monitor does have a long run of 10, maybe 15 feet (can't recall which off hand). Is that length a factor, and if so, what can i do to get around that issue?

I have tried a couple different powered VGA splitters (using a passive HDMI to VGA adapter to the splitter) - and neither worked. However, even a passive VGA-2-VGA splitter out of the TB/Displayport, DOES work. Again, I only have ONE TB port on these Minis and I can't use it for the Displays.

Any ideas and/or device recommendations on how to accomplish what I'm describing? Thanks!

Posted on Jan 21, 2023 10:26 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

90,994 points

Jan 21, 2023 2:40 PM in response to MIKEinMICH

On the 2018 Mac mini.

Use an HDMI to VGA adapter for one monitor.

Then use a second HDMI to VGA adapter and plug that into a USB-C to HDMI adapter for the other monitor.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

90,994 points

Jan 22, 2023 9:14 AM in response to MIKEinMICH

The 15' + cable run could also be the problem.

I would also try testing the local monitor on the USB-C to VGA adapter and the 15' + run on the HDMI to VGA adapter.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

90,994 points

Jan 21, 2023 11:09 AM in response to MIKEinMICH

The 2012 Mac mini supports two displays, one on the HDMI port and one on the single Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort port.

The 2014 Mac mini supports two displays, one on the HDMI port and one on one of two Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort ports.

The 2018 Mac mini support three displays, one on the HDMI port and two staggered on the four Thunderbolt/USB-C ports.

The 2020 M1 Mac mini supports two displays, one on the HDMI port and one on one of the two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports.

So in reality only the 2012 Mac mini does not have enough ports, to support both a display and audio device on it's single Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort port.

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Answer 4

MIKEinMICH Author

Level 1

20 points

Jan 21, 2023 11:34 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks. Sorry if i was unclear but, at least in the case of the 2012 Mini, I am not looking to divide both a display and audio device on the single TB/Mini Display port. I need to use the TB port on the 2012 exclusively for an audio device which is TB. Then , separate from that, I want to split two VGA monitors out of the HDMI port.

In the case of a 2018 mini, the audio device would be connected to one of the TB/USB-C ports. In addition to that using another port or ports, I want to connect two VGA monitors.

For some reason, on the 2018, I don't recall having any success getting either of the VGA monitors to work when connected to a USB-C port using a VGA>USB-C adapter. That would be fine if it worked. Ideally on the 2018, I would use the HDMI for one monitor, and put another on a USB-C, if i could use Mirroring that way.

Maybe the question becomes, what might I not be doing right to get a VGA monitor to be recognized and work via a 2018 mini's USB-C port?

Beyond that, I still am not understanding why an active/powered VGA splitter won't work when adapting that to the HDMI port on either model? Thanks!

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Answer 5

MIKEinMICH Author

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20 points

Jan 21, 2023 9:33 PM in response to den.thed

Ok. So I understand the HDMI to VGA adapter for one monitor. But, are you saying that in order to connect the second VGA monitor to the USB-C, there's no USB-C to VGA adapter? I don't understand why i need a second HDMI to VGA adapter if I want to run the VGA connector from the 2nd monitor into a USB-C port. Where does an HDMI-VGA adapter come into the equation for that connection? And btw I did try a USB-C to VGA adapter already on the 2018 Mini and it did not pass a signal at all. (as in, the type below). Additional question would be, can i use Mirrored Display with one monitor connected to a USB-C and the other one via HDMI port?

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Answer 6

MIKEinMICH Author

Level 1

20 points

Jan 22, 2023 8:24 AM in response to den.thed

I'm going to try that type again- i.e. the one shown below but it's basically the same 'passive' type of adapter. For some reason tho, the one I showed above did not work when i tried this a few weeks ago and gave up on it. I had one monitor going VGA>HDMI, and an identical monitor going VGA>USB-C port, and the Mini just did not read that USB-C port connected monitor at all. That's what is curious. I just want to mirror a second display that goes into another room of my studio.

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Answer 7

den.thed

Level 10

90,994 points

Jan 22, 2023 7:54 AM in response to MIKEinMICH

Yes that single adapter is much cheaper and easier if it works.

I was just stating one way to get from USB-C to VGA or from USB-C to DVI that I know works because I have the adapters to test.

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Answer 8

MIKEinMICH Author

Level 1

20 points

Jan 22, 2023 9:25 AM in response to den.thed

Ok, I forgot about the possible issue with the longer cable run. Will definitely try that. Have to wait til I get another adapter to test again. I already returned the other one.

Thanks!

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