Connect other devices and display with Surface Hub
You can connect other devices to your Surface Hub to display content. This article describes the Guest Mode, Replacement PC Mode, and Video Out functionality available through wired connections and lists accessories you can connect to Surface Hub using Bluetooth.
Tip
Surface Hub will use the video input you select until a new connection is made, the existing connection is disrupted, or the Connect App is closed.
Which method should I choose?
When connecting external devices and displays to a Surface Hub, there are several available options. The method you use depends on your scenario and needs.
| When you want to: | Use this method: |
|---|---|
| Mirror the Surface Hub's display on another device. | Video Out |
| Present another device's display on the Surface Hub screen and interact with both the device's content and the built-in Surface Hub experience. | Guest Mode |
| Power the Surface Hub from an external Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, turning off the embedded computer of the Surface Hub. Cameras, microphones, speakers, and other peripherals, are sent to the external PC, in addition to pen and touch. | Replacement PC Mode |
Guest Mode
Guest Mode uses a wired connection, so that users can display content from their devices to the Surface Hub. If the source device is Windows-based, that device can also provide Touchback and Inkback. Surface Hub's internal PC takes video and audio from the connected device and presents them on the Surface Hub. If Surface Hub encounters a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) signal, the source is displayed as a black image. To display your content without violating HDCP requirements, use the keypad on the right side of the Surface Hub to directly choose the external source.
Tip
When an HDCP source is connected, use the side keypad to change source inputs.
Ports
Use these ports on the Surface Hub for Guest Mode.
| Interface | Type | Description | Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Port 1.1a | Video input | Guest input #1 | - Support simultaneous guest input display with guest input #2 and guest input #3 (one full resolution, two thumbnails). - HDCP compliant in bypass mode - Touchback enabled |
| HDMI 1.4 | Video input | Guest input #2 | - Support simultaneous guest input display with guest input #1 and guest input #3 (one full resolution, two thumbnails). - HDCP compliant in bypass mode - Touchback enabled |
| VGA | Video input | Guest input #3 | - Support simultaneous guest input display with guest input #1 and guest input #2 (one full resolution, two thumbnails). - HDCP compliant in bypass mode - Touchback enabled |
| 3.5-mm jack | Audio input | Analog audio input | - Ingest into Surface Hub PC, usually with the VGA video input. |
| USB 2.0, type B | USB out | Touchback | - Provides access to the HID input devices mouse, touch, keyboard, and stylus back to the guest PC. |
Port locations
These port connections are used for Guest Mode on the 55" and 84" Surface Hub (v1).
Wired port connections on 55" Surface Hub
Wired port connections on 84" Surface Hub
Port enumeration
When a Surface Hub is connected to a guest computer with the wired connect USB port, several USB devices are discovered and configured. These peripheral devices are created for Touchback and Inkback. The peripheral devices can be viewed in Device Manager. Device Manager shows duplicate names for some devices.
Human interface devices
- HID-compliant consumer control device
- HID-compliant pen
- HID-compliant pen (duplicate item)
- HID-compliant pen (duplicate item)
- HID-compliant touch screen
- USB Input Device
- USB Input Device (duplicate item)
Keyboards
- Standard PS/2 keyboard
Mice and other pointing devices
- HID-compliant mouse
Universal serial bus controllers
Generic USB hub
USB composite device
Guest Mode connectivity
Your choice of video cable depends on what is available from your source input. Surface Hub (v1) has three options for video input: DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA. See the following chart for available resolutions.
| Signal Type | Resolution | Frame rate | HDMI - RGB | DisplayPort | VGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC | 640 x 480 | 59.94/60 | X | X | X |
| PC | 720 x 480 | 59.94/60 | X | X | |
| PC | 1024 x 768 | 60 | X | X | X |
| HDTV | 720p | 59.94/60 | X | X | X |
| HDTV | 1080p | 59.94/60 | X | X | X |
Source audio is provided by DisplayPort and HDMI cables. If you must use VGA, Surface Hub has an audio input port with a 3.5-mm plug. Surface Hub also uses a USB cable that provides Touchback and Inkback from the Surface Hub to compatible Windows 10 or Windows 11 devices. The USB cable can be used with any video input that is already connected to a cable.
Someone using Guest Mode to connect a PC would use one of these options:
- DisplayPort: DisplayPort cable and USB 2.0 cable
- HDMI: HDMI cable and USB 2.0 cable
- VGA: VGA cable, 3.5-mm audio cable, and USB 2.0 cable
If the computer you're using for Guest Mode isn't compatible with Touchback and Inkback, you don't need the USB cable.
Replacement PC Mode
In Replacement PC Mode, the embedded computer of the Surface Hub is turned off and an external PC is connected to the Surface Hub. Connections to replacement PC ports give access to key peripherals on the Surface Hub, including the screen, pen, and touch features. This does mean that your Surface Hub won’t have the benefit of the Windows Team experience, but you'll have the flexibility offered by providing and managing your own Windows computer.
Software requirements
You can run Surface Hub in Replacement PC Mode with 64-bit versions of Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home, Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro, and Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise. You can download the Surface Hub Replacement PC driver package from the Microsoft Download Center. We recommend that you install these drivers on any computer you plan to use as a replacement PC.
Hardware requirements
Surface Hub is compatible with a range of hardware. Choose the processor and memory confirmation for your replacement PC so that it supports the programs you're using. Your replacement PC hardware needs to support 64-bit versions of Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Graphics adapter
In Replacement PC Mode, Surface Hub supports any graphics adapter that can produce a DisplayPort signal. You improve your experience with a graphics adapter that can match Surface Hub's resolution and refresh rate. For example, the best and recommended replacement PC experience on the Surface Hub is with a 120-Hz video signal.
- 55" Surface Hubs: For best experience, use a graphics card capable of 1080p resolution at 120 Hz.
- 84" Surface Hubs: For best experience, use a graphics card capable of outputting four DisplayPort 1.2 streams to produce 2160p at 120 Hz (3840 x 2160 at 120-Hz vertical refresh). Such graphics cards include: NVIDIA Quadro K2200, NVIDIA Quadro K4200, NVIDIA Quadro M6000, AMD FirePro W5100, AMD FirePro W7100, and AMD FirePro W9100.
Check directly with graphics card vendors for the latest drivers.
| Graphics vendor | Driver download page |
|---|---|
| NVIDIA | http://nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx |
| AMD | http://support.amd.com/download |
| Intel | https://downloadcenter.intel.com/ |
Replacement PC ports
Replacement PC ports on 55" Surface Hub
| Description | Type | Interface | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC video | Video input | DP 1.2 | - Full screen display of 1080p at 120 Hz, plus audio - HDCP compliant |
| Internal peripherals | USB output | USB 2.0 type B | - Touch - Pen - Speakers - Microphone - Cameras - NFC sensor - Ambient light sensor - Passive infrared sensor |
| USB hub | USB output | USB 2.0 type B | - Underneath USB ports |
Replacement PC ports on 84" Surface Hub
| Description | Type | Interface | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC video | Video input | DP 1.2 (2x) | - Full screen display of 2160p at 120 Hz, plus audio - HDCP compliant |
| Internal peripherals | USB output | USB 2.0 type B | - Touch - Pen - Speakers - Microphone - Cameras - NFC sensor - Ambient light sensor - Passive infrared sensor |
| USB hub | USB output | USB 2.0 type B | - Underneath USB ports |
Replacement PC setup instructions
To use Replacement PC Mode
Download and install the Surface Hub Replacement PC driver package on the replacement PC.
Tip
Set sleep or hibernation on the replacement PC so the Surface Hub will turn off the display when it isn't being used.
Turn off the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
Connect the cables from the Surface Hub's replacement PC ports to the replacement PC. These ports are usually covered by a removable plastic cover.
- 55" Surface Hub: Connect one DisplayPort cable and two USB cables.
- 84" Surface Hub: Connect two DisplayPort cables and two USB cables.
Toggle the Mode switch to Replacement PC. The Mode switch is next to the Replacement PC ports.
Turn on the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
Press the power button on the right side of the Surface Hub.
You can switch the Surface Hub to use the internal PC.
To switch back to internal PC
- Turn off the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
- Toggle the Mode switch to Internal PC. The Mode switch is next to the Replacement PC ports.
- Turn on the Surface Hub using the power switch next to the power cable.
Video Out
The Surface Hub includes a Video Out port for mirroring visual content from the Surface Hub to another display.
Video Out ports
Video Out port on the 55" Surface Hub
Video Out port on the 84" Surface Hub
| Description | Type | Interface | Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Output Mirror | Video Output | Video Output | - Supports connection to a standard DisplayPort monitor (only supports an x4 Link displaying 1080p60 resolution at 24 bpp) - Supports use with HDMI monitors (supporting 1080p60) by using a DisplayPort-to-HDMI adaptor |
Cables
Both the 55” and 84” Surface Hub devices have been tested to work with Certified DisplayPort and HDMI cables. While vendors do sell longer cables that may work with the Surface Hub, only those cables that have been certified by testing labs are certain to work with the Hub. For example, DisplayPort cables are certified only up to 3 meters, however many vendors sell cables that are three times that length. If a long cable is necessary, we strongly suggest using HDMI. HDMI has many cost-effective solutions for long-haul cables, including the use of repeaters. Nearly every DisplayPort source automatically switches to HDMI signaling if an HDMI sink is detected.
Bluetooth accessories
You can connect the following accessories to Surface Hub using Bluetooth:
- Mice
- Keyboards
- Headsets
- Speakers
Tip
After you connect a Bluetooth headset or speaker, you might need to change the default microphone and speaker settings.