Wired HDMI-compatible docking station for Pixel 6a

TheCrow

Hi guys, I am looking for a compatible USB C docking station with HDMI, RJ45, Audio in and out etc. for a Pixel 6a for using the phone as a computer. The problem is that HDMI output doesn't work on most stations.

Which ones can you recommend that are compatible with the Pixel 6a? Ty a lot!

yoshamano

Sadly, none of the Pixel phones support HDMI or DisplayPort. The only way around that is to use the DisplayLink Presenter app with a DisplayLink compatible dock or dongle. DisplayLink creates a video stream that the dock/dongle can decode. The downsides are it can't display protected video content (such as Netflix), its a mirror of your screen (no desktop mode), and it can get a little choppy at times.

Google intends for the entire Pixel line to use Chromecast if you want to display your phone on another screen.

TheCrow

Thank you for the explanation!
Any cheap DL-compatible dock you can recommend?

What could be the downsides using the Chromecast? Would it be safe regarding the privacy and security?

Welteam

TheCrow Chromecast is a privacy nightmare imo

sev

Welteam The basic dongles without any advanced features are generally fine, the problem is the Google delivered ones are poised as a Fire Stick competitor, so they have a lot of needless junk if all you need is screencasting... I wish Miracast wasn't a security nightmare so the industry didn't abandon it.

Here is a nice article about DisplayLink, as well as some compatible adapters: https://dancharblog.wordpress.com/2020/09/16/run-4-monitors-from-a-laptop/
It's a bit older and poised for laptops but the content about DisplayLink is still relevant to the Pixel 6 line. You may be better off getting a cheap dock and using a USB DL adapter from the dock's USB hub, as long as the dock supports running the hub ports in host mode it should work, but YMMV.

TheCrow

sev Can you give me an example of a USB DL Adapter please? I have a cheap USB C dock (it doesn't support DisplayLink) already, so I would like to try out this method.

Btw. what is the clue about the hidden option "Enforce desktop mode" in the developer options?

yoshamano

Any DisplayLink device is fine. It depends on if you want a dock that has additional connectivity or a dongle that just does video. I've personally used a Dell D6000 and a Plugable USB3-3900DHE.

The issue with Chromecast on GOS is you'll need to have Google Play Services installed, the Google Home app, and a Google account to configure and use a Chromecast.

Hulk

TheCrow
Please don't touch developer options, unless you are an Android developer and know exactly what you are doing.

"Enforce desktop mode" does not work.

TheCrow

I often see a strange new USB port on these docking stations:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/BLcAAOSwPP1h-OpX/s-l400.jpg
It's the blue one left from the white DVI-port. So I would need an adapter cable from "strange USB" to USB C as well, right?

yoshamano

TheCrow

Nothing strange or new about that port. Its a USB 3.0 Type-B port. If you have a monitor with USB 3.0 ports built into it you'll see one of those ports on there as well. If you own a USB printer then it'll have a USB 2.0 Type-B port.

Type-A ports are the ones on the back of your computer.

TheCrow

yoshamano Would the docking station from above (its this one: https://www.ebay.de/itm/403444427102 ) work with a USB 3.0 B to USB-C-adapter cable with the Pixel 6a regarding video output? If yes, which cable should I chose?

yoshamano

TheCrow

I don't see why it wouldn't. Just don't expect that dock to also charge your phone while connected. As far as cables go, the USB 3.0 Type-B connection isn't that unusual, but a USB 3.0 Type-B to USB 3.0 Type-C cable is unusual. I found one on Amazon, so they at least exist, but I have no experience with them.

https://www.amazon.com/TNP-USB-C-USB-B-Cable-Black/dp/B011BGMDGU

Personally, I use the Plugable dock I mentioned earlier along with the USB Type-A to Type-C adapter that came with my Pixel 6.

TheCrow

Ah that's an important information - I need the phone to be charged. Would it work with your before mentioned solution?

TheCrow

Or in other words: Through what combination can it be arranged, that the Pixels video output, audio in and out, RJ45 etc (= using it as a computer) can be used, while the Pixel itself is being charged?

panopticon

TheCrow I also was looking for this setup and was told that phones cant output video from a cable. I hope Im mistaken and someone has a legit way to do this. Idk if scrcpy could possibly work in your scenario.

yoshamano

panopticon

What you've heard is correct. Pixel phones do not support HDMI or DisplayPort out of the USB Type-C port. What we're talking about is the DisplayLink Presenter app and DisplayLink compatible docks.

I'm simplifying things here, but the DisplayLink Presenter app basically scrapes your screen, compresses it into a USB data stream, that is then reconstructed by a DisplayLink dock or dongle, turned back into a video signal, and then displayed on the screen connected to said dock or dongle.

If your goal is to take things like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or any other streaming service that uses protected video and play them on a larger screen, it won't work. These apps view the DisplayLink Presenter app as a screen capturing app (because it is) and will only display a blank window on the other end. The only videos I've ever gotten to work are YouTube (through NewPipe) and videos I've ripped and saved to my phone and played through VLC.

yoshamano

I believe the Dell D6000 will do all of that. I think I still have access to one at work. If so I'll double-check that it charges my phone.

Essentially what you're looking for is a DisplayLink laptop dock that charges the laptop through Power Delivery (USB-PD).

The DisplayLink website has a list of docks if you want to see what else is out there, but be ready to spend a whole lot more than what that Dell D3000 you linked costs.

https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/displaylink-products-list?field_displaylink_category_value=universal_docking_stations

TheCrow

yoshamano Yes it would be nice, if you could check that, thank you.

TheCrow

yoshamano I have a cheap USB C docking station with power delivery for charging the Pixel simultaneously, where everything except HDMI works on my Pixel. So could I buy a cheaper USB A 3.0 DisplayLink docking station and plug it into a USB 3.0 port on the other docking station to make HDMI on the cheaper DL docking station work through USB 3.0? Would this combination work? Is my idea understandable?