Скільки передає VGA

Short for video graphics adapter or video graphics array, VGA is a popular display standard developed by IBM and introduced in 1987. VGA provides 640 x 480 resolution color display screens with a refresh rate of 60 Hz and 16 colors displayed at a time. If the resolution is lowered to 320 x 200, 256 colors are shown.

VGA utilizes analog signals, which means it’s only capable of lower resolutions and a lower quality display on screens.

VGA cable and connector

The picture above is a VGA/SVGA cable and connector used with a computer monitor.

The VGA standard is replaced by SVGA (super video graphics array) and, although these cables and connectors are still called VGA, they are technically SVGA.

What attaches or uses the VGA connector?

The VGA connector is used for display devices and is used to connect a computer to a monitor, projector, or TV.

What has replaced the VGA connector?

It is not uncommon to still find a VGA cable and connector with today’s computers, monitors, projectors, and TVs. However, this type of connector is becoming obsolete and being replaced by the DVI (digital visual interface), HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), DisplayPort cable and connector.

VGA pin functions

The illustration shows the 15-pin VGA connector, its pin assignments, and size dimensions. As shown, the VGA connector has 15 holes, and each hole (pin) has its own function, as explained in the below chart.

VGA symbol

A rectangle with two lines on the left and right side is a symbol used to represent the VGA connector on many computers and devices.

How can I connect an older VGA monitor to a newer computer?

Newer video cards no longer have VGA connectors, which makes it difficult to use older displays. However, converters can take the VGA signal to a connector supported by the video card.

Related information

VGA vs. HDMI: What’s the Difference?

If you still use VGA you may want to consider upgrading.

Ryan Dube is a freelance contributor to Lifewire and former Managing Editor of MakeUseOf, senior IT Analyst, and an automation engineer.

Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years’ experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.

In This Article

The main difference between VGA vs. HDMI video cables and ports is that the VGA signal is analog, while HDMI is digital. This means VGA signals transmit information via electrical wave size. HDMI digital signals transmit data in bits of data (on or off) in varying frequencies.

There are many other differences between the two, which should help you decide which cable and converters you may need to use.

Overall Findings

• Adapters can convert to HDMI.
• Only transmits video.
• Max refresh rate of 60 Hz
• Max resolution of 1600×1200

• Supported by modern devices.
• Transmits video and audio.
• Max refresh rate of 240 Hz.
• Max resolution of 1920 x 1200

Video Graphics Array (VGA) was the standard video cable for computers when it was first released in 1987 and are easily recognizable by their blue 15-pin connectors. At that time, the supported resolution was 640×480, but eventually expanded in stages up to Ultra Extended Graphics Array (UXGA) in 2007. UXGA could support 15″ monitors at 1600×1200 pixels.

High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) was developed in 2002 and soon became the new standard for computing. The main feature offered by HDMI that no other video cable could offer was the ability to transmit audio in the same cable as the video signal. HDMI supports HD video at 1920×1200 pixels and 8 audio channels.

Few devices support VGA anymore. You’ll find most computers and TVs have an HDMI port and no VGA port. However, you might have a need for a VGA cable if you still use older technology like older projectors or older video game consoles.

Compatibility: Modern Monitors Use HDMI

• Available on older monitors.
• Supported on older graphics cards.
• Adapters can convert to HDMI.
• Converters degrade the signal.

• Available on newer monitors.
• Adapters can convert to VGA.
• Supported by most graphics cards.

If you still have a very old monitor with a VGA port, you will have a need for a VGA cable. However you likely will need a VGA to HDMI converter to connect to any modern monitors. If you’re using a monitor built from 2000 through 2006, you’ll likely need a VGA to DVI converter.

However, since VGA can’t transmit high definition video signals to newer displays like HDMI can, even with a converter you’ll notice significantly degraded video. If you’re using a newer computer with an older monitor that has a VGA port, there are HDMI to VGA converters available as well.

Audio: HDMI Supports High Definition Audio Signals

• VGA only transmits video.
• Requires second audio output.
• Newer graphics cards do not support VGA

• Supports 32 audio channels.
• Supports Dolby, DTS, and DST high-resolution audio.
• Doesn’t require second audio cable.

VGA can only transmit a single video signal without any audio, while HDMI can transmit up to 32 channels of digital audio. HDMI supports most high definition audio signals like Dolby Digital, DTS, and DST.

If you use a VGA to HDMI converter to display from an older computer to a newer monitor, you’ll still need a second audio cable to transmit sound.

If you use an HDMI to VGA converter to display from a newer computer to an older monitor, a second audio cable is still needed if the monitor supports sound. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to connect your computer’s audio to separate speakers.

Data Transfer Speed: HDMI Is Far Superior

• Maximum refresh rate of 85 Hz.
• Less input lag.
• More signal interference.
• Not hot-pluggable.

• Maximum refresh rate of 240 Hz.
• Slight input lag.
• Almost no signal interference.
• Hot-pluggable.

An HDMI cable has 19 or 29 pins and transmits video and audio. HDMI 2.0 is capable of achieving 240 Hz at 1080p resolution. VGA on the other hand has 15 pins and uses an RGB analog video signal. This analog signal is only capable of a refresh rate from 60 Hz to potentially 85 Hz.

Another significant difference is that you can unplug and plug in an HDMI video cable while the computer is turned on and the video cable is transmitting (hot pluggable). You can’t do this with VGA. You’d need to stop the video stream or turn off the computer before plugging in the VGA cable.

The one benefit to VGA’s analog signal is that there’s no post-processing of digital signals, which means there will be no “input lag”. However in the case of HDMI, the data transfer and refresh rates are so much higher that this input lag is insignificant by comparison.

VGA signals are also subject to significant signal interference from outside sources like microwaves or cellphones. HDMI cables are far less susceptible to this, and with thick shielding almost completely impervious to interference.

Final Verdict

If you’re using a much older computer that only has a VGA port, you’re eventually going to have to use a VGA to HDMI converter to use newer displays. However, you’re never going to be able to enjoy the much higher detail and refresh rates that a full HDMI port and cable offers.

The only time you may need to use a VGA cable is if you’re still using older devices like vintage gaming consoles. In this case you’ll want to keep a VGA cable with the device, as well as the required converters.

Ultimately, you’re going to want to upgrade your desktop or laptop to a newer one that offers the best video output possible. You’ll find that the latest video outputs use USB-C, but there are plenty of converters that allow you to output from USB-C to HDMI displays without any signal loss at all.

What Does VGA Mean?

Tim Fisher has more than 30 years’ of professional technology experience. He’s been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire.

In This Article

Abbreviated VGA, Video Graphics Array is a standard type of connection for video devices such as monitors and projectors.

Generally, it refers to the types of cables, ports, and connectors used to connect monitors to video cards.

While this technology is still in use today, it’s rapidly being replaced by newer interfaces like DVI and HDMI.

VGA Technical Details

Below are some technical features of VGA, helpful for identifying cables and ports:

VGA Pins

VGA cables have 15-pin connectors: 5 pins at the top, 5 in the middle, and the other 5 at the very bottom. The picture above is an example of a cable showing all 15 pins.

A VGA port on a desktop or laptop naturally has the same number of pin holes so that a VGA cable can plug directly into it.

Each and every pin has its own function. For example, the first pin is for transferring the color red, while the second and third are for green and blue, respectively.

Computer Hope has more information on the purpose of the other twelve pins.

Male vs Female VGA Connections

All types of computer cables take on a specific gender—male or female. A male cable is one that has its connections protruding, or sticking out of the cable. Female connections are the reverse, having inward holes that allow the male cable to fit perfectly with the female connection.

VGA cables are no different. The picture at the top of this page shows one with two male ends. This cable goes from the monitor to the computer, where it’s met with a female connection from the video card.

VGA Converters: HDMI & DVI

With VGA, DVI, and HDMI video cards and monitors all mixed in together in the real world, you’re bound to want a VGA converter if all you have is a VGA monitor or video card.

For example, if your computer has a video card that only supports VGA, but you’ve just bought a new monitor that only has DVI and/or HDMI ports, you must either replace your video card to get one with newer ports, get a different monitor that supports VGA, or buy a converter.

The same goes for if your video card only supports HDMI and/or DVI, but all you have is a monitor that accepts a VGA cable.

It can be confusing to understand what type of converter you need. Do you need a VGA to DVI, or a DVI to VGA converter? An HDMI to DVI converter, or is it called DVI to HDMI? Keep reading for some clarification.

VGA & HDMI Converters

A VGA to HDMI converter is what you need to convert the VGA signal from your computer to the HDMI port on a monitor or TV. Get this if your computer has a VGA port on the video card, but you want to use an HDMI monitor or TV as the display.

Some VGA to HDMI converters even have a USB cable embedded with the converter that carries audio along with the video signal (since VGA doesn’t transfer audio) so you can play sounds through a display with embedded speakers, such as an HDMI TV.

An HDMI to VGA converter does just the opposite: connects a video card with HDMI output to a monitor or TV that has a VGA input connection. Since HDMI is newer than VGA, this type of converter is helpful when you’re connecting a new desktop or laptop to an older display.

Both of these converters are readily available online and at electronic stores.

VGA & DVI Converters

As you’d guess, a DVI to VGA converter is required if you need to connect a video card with DVI to a display that has a VGA port.

DVI to VGA converters are usually DVI male to VGA female converters. This means the DVI end of the converter plugs directly in to the DVI port in your video card, while the VGA end of the converter is used with a male to male VGA cable for connecting the converter to the female end of the display device.

These types of converters are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.

VGA to DVI converters also exist, but can be rather expensive and hard to find. This type of converter is required if you need to move video from a VGA video card to a DVI monitor.

DVI to VGA converters work because the signal is going from digital to analog, which is just a matter of translation in the DVI pins since DVI carries both analog and digital signals. VGA carries just analog, so going from VGA to DVI requires a converter to change those analog signals to digital.

More on VGA Converters

Some VGA converters require you to have a VGA cable in addition to the converter, something to keep in mind if you’re shopping around for one.

For example, this is common with HDMI to VGA converters. The converter may be made up of an HDMI cable with a VGA converter box all in one cable, but the VGA box has a female connection just like your monitor or TV, so you’d need a male to male VGA cable to finish the connection.

More on Cable Converters

If all this converter talk is confusing, and you’re still not sure what kind of cable to buy for your specific setup, just look at the ports themselves to see if you need the ends to be male or female, and then look for a converter that matches that.

For instance, if the monitor and video card both use female ports, you’d want to get a cable that has male connectors on both ends.

The only other distinction that needs to be made is identifying the type of connection at both ends; whether they’re VGA, DVI, or HDMI, but that shouldn’t be difficult given they look very different from one another.

The image at the top of this page shows a cable that can only be used to connect to a monitor and video card that both use female VGA ports.

VGA vs Mini-VGA

In place of the standard VGA connector, some laptops and other devices may use what’s called mini-VGA, though it has never been as popular as the standard VGA connector.

Mini-VGA looks more like a USB port than a VGA port (here’s a photo of one), but it’s still used for video just like the standard VGA port.

There are also mini-VGA to VGA adapters that will allow a standard VGA display device to connect to a computer that has a mini-VGA port.

Similar to DVI replacing VGA, mini-DVI is more widely used than mini-VGA.

More Information on VGA

You may need to update your drivers in Windows if your new configuration isn’t supported by your old drivers.

If your display settings are set up incorrectly, causing your monitor to display nothing at all, you can boot to Windows using a lower video resolution.

Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8 users can do this through Startup Settings via the Enable low-resolution video option.

In older versions of Windows, this option is found in the Advanced Boot Options Menu (called Advanced Boot Options in XP). It’s listed as Enable VGA Mode in Windows XP.