If you have a VGA monitor or video card, you’ll likely want a VGA converter. For example, the first pin transfers the color red, the second pin transfers green, and the third pin transfers blue. A VGA port on a desktop or laptop has an equal number of pinholes which make for a complementary connection with a VGA cable.Įach pin on a VGA cable has a unique function. VGA cables feature a fifteen-pin connector with three rows of five pins. These days, it’s considerably more difficult to find VGA ports, cables, and connectors since they are being replaced by updated interfaces like DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort. It was commonly used for video cards, computer monitors, TV sets, and laptops. It was first created by IBM and introduced to the world in 1987. In fact, it’s one of the oldest connection standards found on the market today. VGA, or Video Graphics Array, is considered an old-school technology. Read on for an in depth look at what they are and how they work.įirst, we’ll dive into VGA, to explore how this technology made its mark and the reasons why it’s being replaced by other modern connections. But DVI and VGA are a lot more than a jumble of letters, they are specific types of connections that can make a huge impact on your picture quality.

DVI is a considerably newer connection type that transfers digital signals while VGA is older and transfers analog signals. The basic differences between them stem from their age. What’s the difference between DVI and VGA? Below, we will dive into the difference between two common kinds of connections: DVI and VGA. In order to maximize the quality of the image you see, you’ll want to make the right choice when it comes to your connections. For example, you might need a specific converter to transfer the analog signals from a VGA port to an external monitor that uses a digital DVI interface. But it’s not always a straightforward process, especially if you need a cable that converts different signals. Your PC could have any number of ports but some of the most common include HDMI, DisplayPort™, DVI, USB, and VGA ports.Īfter you identify your port, you’ll need to choose the right connector to attach your devices. When you want to connect your computer to a bigger external monitor or TV to make your movie night or presentation more visually dazzling, you’ll have to determine what ports are on your device.

Connecting hdmi laptop to vga monitor