How to Change HDMI Output to Input on Laptop? [Easy Methods]

HDMI in laptops is used to cast the laptop’s display onto an external display device. Such HDMI are called output HDMI. All new laptops have HDMI output ports in them. So you can cast your laptop on any device that supports an HDMI connection.

But here’s the twist. If you want to use your laptop as an external display device and want to cast any other device on it, what would you do? Can you use your output HDMI? Will it work to display the external device? The answer is no. It is because the HDMI input ports are completely different from HDMI output ports. 

Output ports only allow you to send the display code to external devices but do not receive display signals coming from any external device. While the input ports have the capability to do both tasks. 

How To Check My Laptop Has HDMI Output Or Input Port?

There is a simple way to check whether your laptop has an HDMI input or output port. It just involves a double-sided HDMI Cable and a Nintendo Switch, Playstation, or any other display output device that supports HDMI. 

• Plug one end of the double-sided HDMI cable into the device and the other end into your laptop. 
• Now if your laptop asks the option “Enable Input Device” it means your laptop has the HDMI input device. 

The best way to check is to see the manufacturer’s user manual. In the manual, it will be indicated your laptop has HDMI input or not. 

Converting HDMI Output To HDMI Input On Laptop

Unfortunately, you can not change a built-in laptop’s HDMI output into HDMI input. But there are some other ways you can apply to solve this problem. As the HDMI output is unidirectional. But there are many other methods to convert your HDMI output to HDMI input. We are going to discuss some of the best and easiest methods to do this. 

Changing Laptop’s HDMI Output To Input Using Video Capturing Card

Video capture cards are often used to direct the video signals from one device to another without disturbing them. 

Things You Need:

1. A Video Capturing Card.
2. Two Double-ended HDMI cables Or HDMI to USB.
3. OBS Studio (Software).

Step 1: Connecting The Cables

Connect the one end of HDMI (Double-ended cable) to your laptop’s HDMI and another side to the Video capturing card. 

Now connect the 2nd HDMI double-ended cable from Video capturing card to the other device. 

Step 2: Installing And Configuring OBS Studio

• Download OBS Studio on your laptop. Install the application and run it.
• Press the “Plus” sign as shown in the image. 

• From the list, choose “Video Capture Device” or USB if you have used usb. 

• Create new (Write name) and press “OK”.

• Now the external device’s properties will be displayed. In the file, change the device settings to “HDMI”. 

• Here you go, your laptop will display the other device’s screen.

• To turn it to fullscreen, open “Tool file” from the top toolbar. Click “Fullscreen Projector”. Enjoy Device cast on your laptop screen. 

This method works for most of the Playstations and Nintendo switches. As video capture card allows such devices to be cast on laptop screen easily. 

Advantages of using Video Capture Card As HDMI Input For Laptop

• Most of these capture cards support 3840 × 2160 pixels with up to 60Hz and more. Which is a great thing. 
• Video capturing card allows any device that supports HDMI to screencast on your laptop like Playstations, Nintendo switches, Xbox, etc. 
• Some Video capturing cards are also capable of being directly attached to a USB board and are small in size. 
• Video capturing cards produce 4k output video. It means it does not degrade the video quality and single disruption. 
• Best way to convert laptop HDMI output to input without any risk. 

HDMI Output to Input on Laptop Using HDMI Input Adapter

There are several HDMI input adapters. These might come in handy when you want to connect any external device to your laptop to use the laptop as an external display monitor. 

Things you need:

1. HDMI Input Adapter
2. A Laptop
3. Double-ended HDMI cable
4. USB cable (Will be in a box of HDMI adapter)
5. OBS Studio or Camtasia Software

Step 1: Connecting The Cables

• Connect one end of the double-ended HDMI cable to the device that you want to display on your laptop. 
• Now there is an option of USB output on the other end of your HDMI input adapter. Connect the provided USB cable into that port. 

• Plugin the other end of this USB into your laptop USB port. In the case of MackBook, you can use a USB to USB Type-C converter. 

Step 2: Installing and Configuring OBS studio

• Install OBS Studio on your laptop. 
• Open the application once it has completed the installation. 
• Follow the steps as we have discussed earlier in the video capturing card method and configure the ObS studio. 
• It will start casting your device screen on your laptop. 

Advantages of using HDMI Input Adapter As HDMI Input For Laptop:

• These adapters are designed to convert the incoming signal to the USB output. As a result, your laptop can capture the signal and display it on the screen using applications like OBS studio.
• There is no need for any video capturing card or converter for this method as all laptops have USB ports. 
• Most of these adapters have Thunderbolt 3 compatibility. You just have to buy a USB 3 to Thunderbolt 3 wire. 
• Most Input adapters support up to 4k and 60Hz display. So your video quality will not be disturbed. 

FAQs

Final Words

There are few laptop brands that manufacture HDMI input ports. But it is not possible to convert the HDMI built-in output port to input. But there are some alternative ways that you can use to do so. You can use the Video capturing cards or HDMI input adapters to use your laptop as an external display device.