Behind the Scene : Using a USB graphic adaptor with RealSimGear GNS-530

Using a USB graphic adaptor with RealSimGear GNS-530

The RealSimGear modules require a free graphic port to connect their built-in display
onto wich the existing instrument in the simulator will be dragged-dropped.

If all the available ports of your graphic card(s) are used by the outside views or other modules,
you need to add an extra graphic card.
One option to avoid the cost and installation hassle of an internal card it the use of an external USB graphic adaptor

This post will show you the implementation of such an adapter, the StarTech USB32HD2
https://www.startech.com/en-us/display-video-adapters/usb32hd
The cost of this adapter is around 70 Euros.

This card connects to a standard USB 3.0 and offers 2 extra HDMI ports.

NOTE : We don’t sell, support, promote, guarantee or even deeply know this product.
             This post isn’t a guarantee it will function with your computer or modules or display.
             It is purely informational within the scope of a free open forum

NOTE : Do not use this adaptor for outside views or anything requiring a high-end
             video card otherwise the FPS WILL drop a lot.
             his is simply for non or low animated views such as instruments or charts.

The first step is to install the driver from the link above.
Please refer to the installation and setup manual.
Once installed and connected to the computer, connect the video cable of the GNS-530 module.
The Windows desktop will appear after a couple of seconds :


The GNS-530 will also appear as a standard display in the Windows Display Settings.


Then, follow the normal installation of the GNS-530 as described here :
https://forum.aerosoft.com/index.php?/topic/171374-how-to-use-the-realsimgear-gns-530-with-the-aerosoft-twin-otter-under-msfs/

And here you go…
In this example, I am using my main graphic card to display the cockpit and outside view on two screens.
The GNS-530 is connected on the USB graphic adaptor :

Little bonus…

This adaptor has 2 HDMI ports.
You can of course connect a second RealSimGear module on it (the GNS430 for instance,
so that you have the complete Twin Otter avionic stack) or a simple extra display
on wich you can display other pop-up instrument, charts, or tutorial.


The Windows Display Settings will reflect that extra display or module :