Connecting your Surface to a projector typically involves using a cable and, often, a compatible adapter (dongle) that bridges the connection between your Surface's display port and the projector's input port.
Understanding Surface and Projector Ports
Surface devices, such as the Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, and Surface Go, come equipped with various display ports depending on the model and generation. Common ports include:
- Mini DisplayPort: Found on older Surface Pro models (up to Surface Pro 6/7), Surface Laptops (older generations), and Surface Book.
- USB-C: Common on newer Surface Pro models (Surface Pro 7/8/9, Surface Pro X), Surface Laptops (newer generations), Surface Go, and Surface Book 3.
- Surface Connect port: Primarily for power and docking, but can sometimes be used with specific docks that offer video output.
Projectors usually feature one or more input ports, such as:
- HDMI: The most common digital standard.
- VGA: An older analog standard, still found on many projectors.
- DisplayPort: Less common on projectors but possible.
Using a Dongle (Adapter) for Connection
As referenced in the provided information from a YouTube video, connecting a Surface to a projector often requires a dongle. The video specifically notes, "Using this thin cord the dongle gets plugged in to the side of your surface pro tablet on the same side that your power connector goes into". This highlights that a dongle connects to the video output port on your Surface, often located near other ports like the power connector on a Surface Pro tablet.
The dongle acts as a converter. For example, if your Surface has a Mini DisplayPort and your projector has an HDMI port, you would need a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI dongle. The cable from the projector (an HDMI cable in this example) plugs into the dongle, and the dongle plugs into the Surface.
Common Dongle Types
The type of dongle needed depends on the ports on both your Surface and the projector:
- Mini DisplayPort to HDMI/VGA/DisplayPort: For older Surface models with Mini DisplayPort.
- USB-C to HDMI/VGA/DisplayPort: For newer Surface models with USB-C ports.
- Surface Connect to HDMI/VGA/DisplayPort (via a dock): Some Surface docks utilize the Surface Connect port to add various ports, including video outputs.
Step-by-Step Connection Guide
Follow these steps to connect your Surface to a projector:
- Identify Ports: Check the video output port on your Surface device and the available input ports on the projector.
- Obtain the Correct Adapter/Cable: Based on the ports identified, get the appropriate adapter (dongle) and connecting cable.
- Example: Surface Pro (Mini DisplayPort) + Projector (HDMI) = Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter + HDMI cable.
- Example: Surface Laptop (USB-C) + Projector (VGA) = USB-C to VGA adapter + VGA cable.
- Connect the Cable to the Projector: Plug the video cable (e.g., HDMI or VGA cable) into the corresponding input port on the projector.
- Connect the Cable to the Dongle: Plug the other end of the video cable into the output port on your dongle.
- Connect the Dongle to the Surface: Plug the dongle into the correct port on your Surface device (e.g., Mini DisplayPort or USB-C). As noted in the reference, on a Surface Pro tablet, this might be on the side where your power connector is located.
- Power On Devices: Ensure both your Surface and the projector are turned on.
- Select Projector Input: Use the projector's remote control or on-screen menu to select the correct input source (e.g., HDMI 1, VGA, Input A) that corresponds to the port you used.
- Configure Display Settings: Your Surface display should ideally appear on the projector automatically. If not, or if you want to change how the display is projected (duplicate, extend, second screen only), press Windows Key + P on your Surface keyboard and choose your preferred display mode.
Table of Common Connections
| Surface Port | Projector Port | Required Adapter/Dongle | Connecting Cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini DisplayPort | HDMI | Mini DisplayPort to HDMI | HDMI Cable |
| Mini DisplayPort | VGA | Mini DisplayPort to VGA | VGA Cable |
| USB-C | HDMI | USB-C to HDMI | HDMI Cable |
| USB-C | VGA | USB-C to VGA | VGA Cable |
| Surface Connect* | HDMI/VGA | Surface Dock with HDMI/VGA out | HDMI/VGA Cable |
*Requires a specific Surface Dock accessory.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Check Connections: Ensure all cables and the dongle are securely plugged in.
- Verify Input Source: Double-check that the projector is set to the correct input source.
- Restart Devices: Sometimes, simply restarting the Surface and the projector can resolve connection issues.
- Update Drivers: Ensure your Surface's display drivers and Windows updates are current.
- Test with Another Display: If possible, test your Surface and dongle with another display (like a monitor) to isolate whether the issue is with the Surface/dongle or the projector.
By following these steps and ensuring you have the correct adapter for your specific Surface model and projector, you can successfully connect and display your content.
