Has anyone been able to use a USB-to-HDMI convertor on a NAS device?

Hi all,

So, I understand that one can install Debian on a NAS device, like PogoPlug. But can you also attach a USB-to-HDMI convertor to the PogoPlug to essentially turn the device into an inexpensive desktop?

I've been reading about a similar initiate for mobile phones (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_High-definition_Link). Of course, mobile phones have a display built in already and PogoPlug does not, so it may be impossible.

Your thoughts, please?

Modern DisplayLink devices/adapters work best (i.e. Displaylink Doublesight DS-90U) and can drive a monitor up to 1920x1200 in 16bit color. X11 desktop is useable as long as an efficient window manager is used (fluxbox is best) and web browsing works with a lightweight browser like Midori, uzbl, or dillo.

Dont epect miracles though - the dockstar has a single real USB2.0 port (the others are a hub) and the bandwidth is shared with the disk drive and anything else plugged in. Realtime video is not really possible - even scrolling web pages can be a bit jumpy.

-PG

Hello Peter,

Thank you for that. So, I wonder, if I were to buy a USB-3 NAS device, do you think that would make the desktop experience up to par with what people expect nowadays?

Addendum:

This Pogoplug (Series 4) is USB 3.0, and apparently sells for about $100.

Is anyone planning to try a Displaylink monitor with this device? Would it be cheaper/easier/better to use a Nettop PC for running Debian?

-Gavin