Issue

Pictured overhead projector setup does not work. #1 -> #2 -> #3 -> Phone. All cables are tested and work! The issue is the HDMI connection between cable #2 and #3.

With all other cables, the screen will automatically be displayed onto the projector screen. No extra work needed. With the pictured setup, the smartphone screen is not displayed onto the projector screen. What is the issue with the HDMI connection??

Background

We recently had to do presentations at work (school), but the administration only provided VGA means of hooking up to it. Mostly likely reason probably dealt with cost. Anyways, there are several teachers that have brand new Samsung Series 9 ultrabooks (or similar). You know, the ones without VGA support.

So I bought an adapter for those ultrabooks. Cable #5 in the picture below.

However, both my coworker and I have been wanting to just display our phone screens on the projector. This I knew would require some extra work.

What I have

1. VGA cable to projector (cables go through the wall)
   • For laptops
2. HDMI to VGA cable
   • For laptops
3. MHL adapter
   • For 11-pin microUSB phones
4. microHDMI to VGA cable
   • For ultrabooks
5. 11-pin to 5-pin microUSB adapter
   • For older 5-pin microUSB phones)

Equipment

1. Projectors
   • 1 projector with VGA and HDMI input (issue is coworkers forget to switch sources)
   • 1 projector with VGA only input
2. Laptops
   • 2 new Samsung ultrabooks w/o VGA or HDMI support
   • 1 ultrabook with VGA and HDMI support
   • several other laptops with at least VGA support
   • 1 tablet with 11-pin microUSB
   • at least 1 new phone with 11-pin microUSB
   • at least 1 old phone with 5-pin microUSB

Tested

1. VGA cable (#1) to laptop
   • Good
2. VGA cable (#1) to HDMI adapter (#2) to laptop
   • Good
3. VGA cable (#1) to microHDMI adapter (#5) to laptop
   • Good
4. Projector to HDMI cable (not shown) to MHL adapter (#3) to Galaxy Note 3 smartphone
   • Good
5. VGA cable (#1) to HDMI adapter (#2) to MHL adapter (#3) to Galaxy Note 3 smartphone
   
   • Does not work!!

Extra Notes

1. The 11-pin MHL adapter will not fit inside the 11-pin to 5-pin microUSB adapter so older phones can be displayed on the screen.