Is it safe to use an unpowered HDMI to VGA converter on Raspberry Pi 3?

Question

I know there are a lot of questions similar to mine and this question may be regarded duplicate, but I believe my question is different. As you may know most of questions are concerned about using an HDMI to VGA converter on Raspberry Pi, and they are discussing about which and what kind of converters are working or not. I read on some forums that it's recommended to use a powered converter or else you may damage (maybe melting polyfuse of) your Raspberry Pi, So long story short:
I want to buy a converter (unpowered) and based on the supplier information it's working with Raspberry Pi, but I myself not sure about safety of device BTW I'm going a bit specific on this, Is it safe to use an unpowered HDMI to VGA converter on Raspberry Pi 3?

Answer 1

The Pi3 includes a Power Switch (RT9741) which produces H5V for HDMI which includes current limiting and protection, so provided you have an adequate power supply should be safe. See Raspberry Pi Power Limitations

I have not tried this myself, as the converters are expensive and DVI monitors are cheap - these can be used with an inexpensive passive converter and produce superior results.

Answer 2

I hope this helps someone out - I've just got my first Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ today, and although I'm quite experienced in different platforms like the Raspberry before, due to my setup, I had to install Raspbian using an official Hewlett-Packard (HP) passively-powered HDMI to VGA converter for the video output. The video converter is great, I've used it with all kinds of retro monitor gear in the past that have required a VGA input, and I have been using the official PSU (power supply unit) for the Raspberry Pi3B+, as well as tried multiple USB outlets and cables, all of them should be capable to provide the required USB voltage and amps for the Pi, however ...

With just an USB mouse + a separate USB keyboard attached, and with or without an Ethernet cable and/or wi-fi disabled as well, I got the lightning warning symbol on the top right of my screen. It seems that a HDMI "bus-powered" HDMI=>VGA converter is sucking up the juice out of the Raspberry Pi3 B+ big time. The OS runs pretty OK and I've checked that it's defo not a temp problem. The conclusion on my behalf is that a HDMI port-powered VGA converter is simply not something that the Raspberry Pi can handle. Load balance offset or something. Given the fact that I've tried disabling just about everything and switching PSU's and so forth, a passive HDMI to VGA converter is probably just too much for the Raspberry Pi (3 B+), even with the official PSU and all, which is a shame.

UPDATE: OK, I changed my cabling to a HDMI=>DVI(-D) cable and it all worked out just fine.

UPDATE 2: Yes, there indeed ARE some passive HDMI to VGA converters that will work with your Raspberry Pi 3B+! A few months ago I got one working just fine with my RPi 3B+. Keep in mind though, that there are significant differences in the quality of these converters and that it's really a game of chance if the converter cable works or not.** What I also noticed by trying out with different cheapo brands is that the picture quality in the VGA output can also vary quite a bit.

I still do claim, however, that some of the passive converters can simply draw too much juice out of the RPi. After all, it's a digital-to-analog, HD-resolution video conversion done over the HDMI bus's power. I've noticed over the course of a few years of tinkering around with the RPi3B+'s and RPi4B's that the power distribution inside the board can easily become wonky if you attach anything too power-hungry to any of its ports.

As for a cable, you might want to look for one from i.e. online stores that sell Raspberry Pi-specific peripherals, as they usually stock parts that are specifically tested to work with the RPi. Good luck!