I have a main laptop with an HDMI output, and I'm trying to use a second laptop as a monitor. To do this, I bought an "eluteng" video capture card and I'm displaying the image on the second laptop through OBS. While it works, the performance isn't as smooth as my primary laptop, which is expected. However, I'm experiencing sporadic lag with the cursor, even though video playback seems fine. I'm unsure what could be causing these lag spikes.
3 Answers
The lag you’re experiencing is likely due to the processing delay from the capture card. You're adding a lot of extra steps to transmit the signal, which can impact responsiveness. If possible, try reducing the resolution of the output. Ultimately, using a proper second monitor or even a used TV with HDMI support might give you a better experience with less hassle.
Are you using Windows on both laptops? If so, you can try out "Microsoft PowerToys," which has a feature called "Mouse without Borders." This lets you share your keyboard and mouse between the two laptops like they’re connected to the same system. It can help with cursor movement and clipboard sharing, although it may not give you the exact setup you're looking for.
I don’t want to stray from your question, but have you considered whether you truly need both laptops for this setup? You could probably get a decent used 1080p monitor with HDMI for less than what you paid for the capture card. If you just need a secondary display for some minor tasks, an inexpensive monitor might do the trick without the performance issues.
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