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Top 5 Improbable Converters and Interfaces: Solving Compatibility Challenges

Top 5 Improbable Converters and Interfaces: Solving Compatibility Challenges

Updated March 2020

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Check out our top 5 list of converters and interfaces to save you money or save the day

Did you pay top dollar for legacy hardware designed before 'planned obsolescence' became a thing? If so, you might be faced with the problem of how to connect something that is probably better quality than its contemporary equivalent, with the latest gear.

Perhaps you have a device that uses a serial port, and you're not going to have much luck connecting the other end of that cable. Or maybe you need to give a presentation, and you find out the projector isn't compatible with your computer. Don't despair! There's no need to have a meltdown or take electronics that are working perfectly to your next e-waste collection.

These top 5 adaptors and interfaces can make all the difference.

Got a high-quality AHD security camera that you want to connect directly to a TV or standard computer monitor? No problem: an AHD to HDMI converter (product has been discontinued) is switchable between 720p and 1080p, and includes AHD pass-through so you can convey the camera feed on to a DVR system or other hardware.

It wasn't so long ago that VGA was the default monitor output, and if you've got home entertainment gear that is gathering dust because it relies on S-Video, put it all together and give it a new lease of life with a VGA to composite/S-Video converter (product has been discontinued).

You'll never be stuck for the right port again at a conference or meeting with a multi-format converter (product has been discontinued) that you can use for connecting mini displayport, standard displayport, HDMI and DVI, enabling you to share your screen from virtually any contemporary hardware. It supports DisplayPort 1.1a with a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600px.

Serial ports are still very much alive in a variety of specialist applications, ranging from POS (point-of-sale) terminals to ECUs (engine control units) in classic performance vehicles and even high-end medical equipment! Luckily, an RS-232 to USB converter will let you connect one to a current computer.

If you're confounded by component video, a multi-format HDMI converter can be just what you need to connect the latest media player to a plasma TV you paid a fortune for. This versatile converter also has VGA out for older monitor hardware, as well as optical S/PDIF audio.

Check out our full range of switchers and converters.