StarTech MDP2HDVGA Mini DisplayPort to HDMI and VGA Adapter

Overview

The StarTech MDP2HDVGA is a compact passive adapter that gives a single Mini DisplayPort 1.2 source — a MacBook, Surface Pro, or any Mini DP-equipped workstation — simultaneous access to both HDMI 1.4 and VGA outputs. Instead of carrying two separate adapters or hunting for the right dongle in a conference room, you get both digital and analog connectivity in a single 5.9-inch cable terminating in a 20-pin Mini DP plug. At 0.8 oz and just 7.5 × 2.3 × 0.5 inches, the MDP2HDVGA fits in a laptop bag pocket without thought. If you support mixed AV environments — boardrooms with older VGA projectors alongside newer HDMI displays — this adapter removes the compatibility guesswork. Browse the full StarTech adapter and connectivity catalog for additional display conversion options.

Key Features

• Dual Output Connectors (HDMI + VGA): A single adapter covers both a 19-pin HDMI 1.4 port and a 15-pin high-density D-Sub VGA port simultaneously. That matters in mixed-display environments — corporate training rooms, dual-monitor carts, AV presentation setups — where you cannot predict which input the screen will have. No second adapter needed.
• 1920×1200 / 1080p Maximum Resolution: Both the digital HDMI output and the analog VGA output max out at 1920×1200, which covers standard 1080p (16:9) and WUXGA (16:10) panels equally. Presentations, spreadsheets, and video content all render at native resolution on either display type without downscaling artifacts.
• Mini DisplayPort 1.2 Input: The source-side connector is Mini DP 1.2, which provides enough bandwidth headroom to drive the 1920×1200 signal reliably. Compatible with any system exposing a standard 20-pin Mini DisplayPort port — Apple Mac hardware, Microsoft Surface, and Mini DP-equipped docking stations all qualify.
• HDMI 1.4 with 7.1-Channel Audio: The HDMI output carries full 7.1-channel audio alongside the video signal. This is meaningful in conference rooms or digital signage deployments where the display has integrated speakers — one cable handles both picture and sound without a separate audio run to the screen.
• Up to 49.9 ft (15.2 m) Cable Run: The maximum recommended cable distance from this adapter to the display is just under 50 feet. For most conference room and boardroom deployments, that covers the full run from podium to ceiling-mounted projector or far-wall display without a signal booster or repeater.
• Compact 5.9-Inch (150mm) Integrated Cable: The short pigtail keeps the adapter flush to the laptop port and reduces mechanical stress on the Mini DP connector compared to rigid plug-style adapters. Useful in tight equipment rack shelves or presenter lecterns where port clearance is limited.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 60°C (32°F to 140°F): Rated for standard indoor commercial environments. Not designed for outdoor or industrial use, but covers every typical office, classroom, and conference center scenario without thermal concerns.
• 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty: StarTech backs the MDP2HDVGA with a 3-year warranty, which matches or exceeds most comparable display adapters in the category — relevant when deploying across a large fleet of conference room or mobile workstation kits.

Integration and Compatibility

The MDP2HDVGA connects to any Mini DisplayPort 1.2 source and drives one display at a time — HDMI or VGA, not both simultaneously. Confirm your source system exposes Mini DP 1.2 before ordering; Thunderbolt 1 and 2 ports are physically compatible (same 20-pin connector) and will also work. Thunderbolt 3/4 and USB-C ports require a different adapter entirely. On the output side, the HDMI 1.4 port supports displays and projectors with standard HDMI inputs at up to 1920×1200; the VGA port covers legacy analog displays, projectors, and KVM switches. For environments needing 4K output or dual simultaneous displays, this model is not the right fit — consider a higher-bandwidth display adapter with active conversion or MST hub capability. For structured AV deployments including AV-over-IP distribution or KVM switching, this adapter pairs cleanly at the endpoint workstation level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the MDP2HDVGA output to HDMI and VGA at the same time?

A: No. The MDP2HDVGA supports one display at a time — either the HDMI output or the VGA output, not both simultaneously. It is listed as supporting one display. Use an MST hub if you need to drive two monitors concurrently from a single Mini DP source.

Q: What is the maximum resolution supported?

A: Both the HDMI and VGA outputs support up to 1920×1200 (WUXGA) and 1080p. The adapter does not support 4K or higher resolutions.

Q: Does the MDP2HDVGA carry audio over HDMI?

A: Yes. The HDMI 1.4 output supports up to 7.1-channel audio, so the connected display's built-in speakers will receive audio without a separate audio cable. Note: VGA is a video-only interface and carries no audio.

Q: Is the MDP2HDVGA compatible with Thunderbolt ports?

A: Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 ports use the same 20-pin Mini DisplayPort physical connector and are compatible. Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB-C ports use a different physical connector and require a different adapter.

Q: What is the warranty on the MDP2HDVGA?

A: StarTech provides a 3-year manufacturer warranty on the MDP2HDVGA.

Q: How long is the maximum cable run from the adapter to the display?

A: The maximum recommended cable distance is 49.9 ft (15.2 m) from the adapter to the connected display.

Jerry Tildsen

The MDP2HDVGA is the adapter I reach for when I'm equipping a conference room fleet where the presenter workstations have Mini DisplayPort and the room has a mix of older VGA projectors and newer HDMI flat panels. The 5.9-inch integrated pigtail keeps it from torquing the laptop port the way a rigid plug adapter does, and the 0.8 oz weight means it stays in the bag without adding bulk to a mobile kit.

Technical Highlights:

• HDMI 1.4 with 7.1-Channel Audio: Drives a display's built-in speakers without a separate audio cable — clean single-cable connection to conference room monitors or digital signage screens.
• 1920×1200 Maximum Resolution: Covers both 1080p (16:9) and WUXGA (16:10) panels on both output types, so native-resolution output is consistent regardless of which panel is in the room.
• 49.9 ft (15.2 m) Maximum Cable Distance: Enough reach for ceiling-mounted projectors in mid-size conference rooms without a signal repeater — one fewer active component to manage or power.

Deployment Considerations:

• This is a one-display-at-a-time adapter — it does not extend or mirror to both HDMI and VGA outputs simultaneously. If your use case requires dual simultaneous outputs, specify an MST hub instead at the procurement stage.
• VGA output carries video only — no audio. If the VGA-connected projector or display requires audio, a separate 3.5mm analog audio run from the source is still necessary regardless of what this adapter does on the HDMI side.

For corporate conference room standardization projects where presenter laptops carry Mini DisplayPort and room displays vary between installed VGA projectors and HDMI monitors, the MDP2HDVGA is a clean single-SKU solution that eliminates the need to stock two separate adapter types per room kit.