VGA cables were designed to carry only video signals from a device to a display. At the time they were first released (1987), analog signals were the norm. When digital signals became more common, VGA cables were enhanced with converters to enable an analog-to-digital conversion. However, newer display devices used digital signals, too, so the process became a two-step conversion from digital to analog and back to digital, with concurrent degradation of the signal. The analog signal would lose some information in the conversion to digital, and more information is lost when converted back to digital. In addition analog signals carry less information than digital, so the original image such a scenario starts out as less 'sharp' than what can be achieved in digital.
VGA vs. HDMI Capabilities
The HDMI standard allows for the transfer of both digital video and audio signals via the same interface (port) and cable, capable of providing high-definition (HD) video at resolutions of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels and 8 audio channels simultaneously. Because it supports digital copy protection of all signals, HDMI cables are included for devices such as the Apple TV, Blu-Ray players, and game consoles, among other similar electronic products.
Signal Quality
VGA cables are subject to crosstalk (signal interference from other cables) and length issues; for beyond about 4 feet, the analog video signal tends to break down. HDMI cables are less sensitive to crosstalk, but can suffer interference from electromagnetic fields. To avoid this issue in tight places with several cables, the best HDMI cables offer thick insulation. However, most standard HDMI cables offer excellent connections and solid performance without the need for premium cables at premium prices.
Input Lag
Input lag can refer to one of two things: the delay between a display device, such as a TV or monitor, receiving a signal and displaying it, or the delay between pressing a button in a video game and seeing the game execute the corresponding action.
VGA connections generally exhibit less input lag than HDMI connections because they don’t apply post-processing on the input. Post-processing is similar to a Photoshop filter, in that it applies effects, such as depth of field, motion blur, and color correction. While disabling post-processing reduces image quality slightly, it decreases input lag. There is an option on some TVs called “Game mode” which also disables post-processing.
Another factor in input lag is the use of adapters. Technically, every additional device introduces some delay because of the extra distance electrons have to travel, but this is negligible. Using low-quality, unofficial adapters can increase input lag significantly as well.
Compatibility
VGA cables are incompatible with HDMI ports, except with the use of converters. Even with converters, video signal quality is greatly compromised when using VGA cables, so they usually serve as a stop-gap measure. Audio requires a separate cable.
If HDMI cables are used with a VGA port, a converter unit and separate cable are needed to hook up the video display and provide the audio signal to a separate port.
HDMI Connector Types
HDMI connectors come in 5 different types:
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VGA Connector Types
There is only one kind of VGA connector. Often colored blue, it has both a male, 15-pinned form and a female 15-holed form. The pins/holes run across three rows, with each pin/hole performing a different function, such as providing red/green/blue (RGB) color information, power, vertical or horizontal syncing, and electrical grounding.
An example of a male VGA connector
VGA Resolutions
There are some variations of VGA that refer to specific screen resolutions. Below is a table of the most common ones:
Applications
The main advantage of a VGA connection nowadays is that older technology, such as projectors, are almost always compatible with them; however, VGA is now mostly outclassed and outperformed by newer connections outside of specifics, such as input lag.
HDMI connections are used by most PC gamers for their faster response times (the speed at which the image on the screen updates or shifts; the longer the response times, the more motion blur is visible), presence in most modern monitors, low-cost cables, as well as their ability to carry both audio and video. However, HDMI 1.4 is limited to 4K resolution at 30 FPS, and while HDMI 2.0 supports 4K up to 60 FPS, the more recent version is not very common; furthermore, as previously stated, without “Game mode”, HDMI connections tend to have higher input lag.
Another application of HDMI connections is on Macs. While only post-2010 models of the Mac Mini, post-2012 models of the MacBook Pro, and late 2013 models of the Mac Pro come with HDMI ports for connecting to HDTVs and other displays, other models can still use a mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter to connect via HDMI port.
Price
VGA cables, as they have fallen out of common use, are often inexpensive and can be found online easily. Converters might cost substantially more than the cables as they are more of a specialty item.
HDMI cables are more expensive than previous DVI standard cables, reflecting the fact that HDMI offers single-cable audiovisual feeds and higher quality. Quality HDMI cable prices vary by manufacturer and length and can range from about $6 for a 6-foot cable, to about $10-$20 for a high-end 9-foot cable. Check Amazon.com for current prices and discounts.
Connecting Hdmi Laptop To Vga Monitor LaptopReferences
A connection that most people don’t think about is a USB to HDMI connection. Most people will use the USB port to plug in phones, cameras, printers and other peripherals to power up or download information between devices.
Hey – A big side note: If you are just reading the text below the Exhibitor Lounge video I highly recommend that you open the video as there is a lot of illustrations to assist you in understanding this information.
On a recent show when confronted with a VGA to HDMI compatibility problem like the one we discussed last week an A/V technician suggested that I pick up a J5Create USB to HDMI adapter to solve the problem. I had never heard of plugging in a monitor from a USB port. Having fears that I would not be able to find a VGA to HDMI active adapter at a local store I went on the search for the USB to HDMI adapter. I found one pretty easily at an electronics big box store. The price was quite reasonable as they are between $45 and $70. There are other brands but the J5Create is the one that the technician said I would find in the store as he also got one recently.
When I got back to the show floor the technician showed us how to install the driver that came with the adapter, onto the computer. Once installed the active adapter worked great. OK –stay with me now. The information is going to get pretty intense.
The USB to HDMI active adapter basically works like an external graphics or video card as an interface between the computer and monitor. Most computers will have a USB 2.0 or 3.0 Type A port. This is the slender rectangular port. The other type of USB port is the Type B port that you see more on printers and other peripheral devices.
When you purchase the USB to HDMI adapter you may have a choice of a 2.0 or 3.0 adapter. The price difference is about $15 to $20 between the two. The 3.0 Type A is much faster and will probably replace the 2.0 version completely in about 4 to 5 years from now. The 2.0 version is only about 450 megabytes per second which is slow in today’s standards. HD video requires about 750 megabytes per second. Therefore, It is not recommended to run video through a computer with only a 2.0 USB port as the bandwidth is not enough for smooth playback. If your computer only has a 2.0 USB port you should only run basic PowerPoint and other office applications. A 2.0 port will accept both a 2.0 adapter and a 3.0 adapter. Remember the computer’s USB port needs to be 3.0 to run video. If you buy a 3.0 adapter it still will not play HD video out of a 2.0 USB computer port even though the physical plug will fit. The easiest way to tell if the port is 3.0 is the color. 3.0 cables and ports usually have a distinctive blue color. Another way to tell is the cable or port is stamped with the letters “SS” which stands for Super Speed. The best way to tell is to look inside the port for the extra five contact pads which is a sure indicator. A USB 2.0 port has only 4 contacts and the USB 3.0 has 9 contact pads.
You can also get a USB to DVI, a USB to VGA and you can add a passive adapter to a USB to HDMI active adapter (on the HDMI side) to create a USB to DVI converter.
As always, please respond with your questions or comments and let others know about EXHIBITOR LOUNGE.COM. We will see you next week. Until then, I am your host Michael Gray telling you to RELAX in the Exhibitor Lounge.
I have a question about using the VGA display port on my Asus notebook. I would like to be able to project the image from my notebook onto a larger monitor and get good results. So far, this hasn't been the case as I've already tried this with a SVGA cable and received horrible results with persistent flickering and ghosting of the image. Perhaps I was using a poorly made SVGA cable for this because I bought it online for only about 4 bucks. I'm trying to set up my notebook so I can work with Photoshop on a larger screen to hopefully reduce eye strain so it's really important for me to get this to work properly and with the best possible image clarity. Am I just using a really crappy SVGA cable for this or should I try using the HDMI port on my ASUS notebook to get the best results? And is it possible to connect my notebook to an external monitor with an HDMI cable as well and should I consider doing that instead? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that the HDMI port on my Asus notebook is only for connecting a Blu-Ray player or similar audio/video source to my notebook. That's why I've never even considered using the HDMI port to connect to an external monitor. Any information about this topic would be greatly appreciated as I'm a bit unfamiliar with the capabilities of my new Asus G55 notebook computer.
With televisions, HDMI is the most common connector. But if you want to connect a computer to your TV (or you've got a new computer monitor), the options tend to be HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, and sometimes old-school VGA.
Each connection has its pros and cons, and perhaps the best cable to use with your display is more than just 'what it came with.'
Here are the differences.
Before we start, it's important to note that with the exception of VGA, all the other connections here are digital. So while the pixel resolution potentials vary with each connection, the quality otherwise does not. As in, 1,920x1,080/60 over HDMI is going to look the same as 1,920x1,080/60 over DVI and DisplayPort (assuming all other settings are the same). The logical extension of this is that the cables themselves also don't make a difference, in terms of picture 'quality.' Any cable capable of a specific resolution is either going to work over a certain distance, or not work. Check out my article 'All HDMI cables are the same' for why this is.
HDMI
All TVs and most computer monitors have HDMI. It's easy to use, the cables are cheap, and best of all, it carries audio. If you're plugging your computer into a TV, your first choice should be HDMI. It will save you lots of hassle.
HDMI has limitations, though, and isn't always the perfect choice. For example, your TV likely has HDMI 1.4 connections, which max out at 3,820x2,160-pixel resolution at 30 frames per second. If you've gotten a new 4K monitor, you're limited to 30fps. Not until HDMI 2.0 will you be able to do 4K over HDMI at 60fps. You'll also need new hardware (and probably a new TV).
So in most cases HDMI is fine, but for really high resolutions and frame rates, one of these other options might be better.
DisplayPort
DisplayPort is a computer connection format. There is only one television with DisplayPort, and don't expect it to see much further adoption on the TV side. It's capable of 3,840x2,160-pixel resolution at 60fps, if you have at least DisplayPort 1.2 and the Multi-Stream Transport feature. If you're looking to connect a computer to a monitor, there's no reason not to use DisplayPort. The cables are roughly the same price as HDMI.
DisplayPort can also carry audio.
DVI
The video signal over DVI is basically the same as HDMI. The maximum resolution potential depends on the equipment, though. Some cables and hardware (called single-link) can only do 1,920x1,200, while others (dual-link) can do more.
DVI generally doesn't do audio (it varies). So if you're using a TV, use HDMI. Since computer monitors don't usually have speakers, this isn't an issue.
Connecting Hdmi Laptop To Vga Monitor TvRelated stories
VGA (aka PC-RGB, D-sub 15)
The old-school VGA connector is a cable of last resort. It's not too common anymore, and hardly ever found on TVs. A recent e-mail asked about it, so I'm including it.
Don't use VGA, not if you can help it. While it is capable of fairly high resolutions and frame rates, it's an analog signal. You're not likely to get a pixel-perfect image with today's LCD monitors (hence why you'd use DVI).
Connecting Hdmi Laptop To Vga Monitor
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What about Thunderbolt?
The Intel/Apple love child of Thunderbolt is technically only available on one monitor (Apple Thunderbolt Display). There are likely to be more, but don't expect some sort of Thunderbolt revolution. The connection is compatible with Mini DisplayPort.
Converting
You can convert some of these cables into others. For example, DVI and HDMI are generally convertible using a simple adapter. Some DisplayPort connections will also work with DVI and HDMI with an adapter, but not all.
Native resolution
All modern televisions will convert the incoming signal to whatever their 'native resolution' is. For most TVs, this is 1,920x1,080 pixels. So if you send a TV 1,280x720-pixel-resolution material, it will upconvert that to 1,920x1,080. TVs tend to be pretty good with this (though they won't accept every resolution; check your owner's manual for which ones). However, you're better off setting your computer's resolution to be the same as the TV's (presuming it doesn't set itself automatically, as it should). Matching resolutions mean pixel-for-pixel accuracy and no upconversion blurring or artifacts. This is especially true for computer monitors, which rarely have the quality converting processing that their TV cousins do. Send a computer monitor a non-native resolution, and it will work..but it's not going to look as good as it should.
Check out 'What is upconverting?' for more info.
Bottom line
OK, so, generally, HDMI is fine. If you're using a really high-resolution monitor, go DisplayPort. Otherwise the options all start having serious drawbacks. If you're connecting a PC to a TV, check out this post on how to use your TV as a computer monitor for gaming, videos, and more.
Lastly, the one tricky factor in all this is that not all your equipment might support the native resolution you want to send. With TVs this isn't likely a problem as nearly all are 1,920x1,080, but with monitors and their more varied native resolutions, it's a little trickier. Check your owner's manual to verify what your monitor's native resolution is (always send the native res, when possible), and to make sure it's capable of accepting that resolution with the cable you want to use.
Got a question for Geoff? First, check out all the other articles he's written on topics such as why all HDMI cables are the same, LED LCD vs. OLED, why 4K TVs aren't worth it and more. Still have a question? Tweet at him@TechWriterGeoff then check out his travel photography on Instagram. He also thinks you should check out his sci-fi novel and its sequel.
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