#VGA #DVI-D #DVI-I #HDMI #DisplayPort

Interfaces currently in widespread use:

VGA

(D-Sub)- the only analog interface for connecting monitors still in use today. It is morally obsolete, but will be actively used for a long time. The main disadvantage is associated with the need to use double conversion of the signal to analog format and vice versa, which leads to a loss of quality when connecting digital display devices (LCD monitors, plasma panels, projectors). Compatible with video cards with DVI-I and similar connectors.

DVI-D

- basic type of DVI interface. It implies only a digital connection, so it cannot be used with video cards that only have an analog output. Very widespread.

DVI-I

- an extended version of the DVI-D interface, the most commonly used nowadays. Contains 2 types of signals - digital and analog. Video cards can be connected via both digital and analog connections; a video card with a VGA (D-Sub) output can be connected to it via a simple passive adapter or a special cable.
If the documentation for the monitor indicates that this modification uses the DVI Dual-Link option, then in order to fully support the maximum monitor resolutions (usually 1920*1200 and higher), the video card and the DVI cable used must also support Dual-Link as a full interface option DVD-D. If you use the cable included with the monitor and a relatively modern (at the time of writing the FAQ) video card, then no additional purchases are required.

HDMI

- adaptation of DVI-D for household equipment, supplemented by a digital interface for multi-channel audio transmission. Present in virtually all modern LCD TVs, plasma panels and projectors. To connect a video card with a DVI-D or DVI-I interface to the HDMI connector, a simple passive adapter or cable with appropriate connectors is sufficient. It is impossible to connect a video card with only a VGA (D-Sub) connector to HDMI!

Legacy and exotic interfaces:

What is VGA, is there a difference with D-Sub?

VGA (D-Sub) is one of the most popular connectors in the history of digital technology. This standard is used in electronic devices that went on sale thirty years ago to this day. Although this connector can no longer be called progressive, it is still easy to find in various monitors, video cards and other electronic devices.

D-Sub (D-subminiature) is a fifteen-pin analog connector. Typically, it is used to connect a computer or laptop to a monitor.

VGA (Video Graphics Array) uses progressive video transmission. When the brightness level changes, the voltage decreases or increases at the same time. Moreover, the signal voltage can vary from 0.7 to 1 V. If we consider CRT monitors, which most often contain VGA connectors, then the intensity of the beam created by the electron gun changes in them. As a result of such actions, the brightness of the display changes.

As for the difference between VGA and D-Sub, there is simply no difference, because we are talking about the same DE15 connector. This is a 15-pin connector, where each channel is responsible for specific functions. It is worth noting that in its appearance, VGA really resembles the letter “D”. Hence the name - D-Sub.

What can be connected via a VGA connector?

Today, VGA is no longer considered a common connector for technology. But over the years of its existence, a variety of devices have received such a standard. For example, this interface is present in certain models of LCD and plasma TVs. It was often installed in DVD players. But the VGA connector is especially common in monitors with cathode ray tubes. Almost all CRT monitors were equipped with just such an interface for connecting to signal sources. Even early LCD models had this standard, which was gradually replaced by DVI and HDMI.

History of the VGA interface

The VGA connector was announced in 1987 by the world famous company IBM. It was specially designed for high-quality video signal transmission to screens using cathode ray tubes. Therefore, all current computers at that time worked with monitors that were equipped with this interface. It should be noted that until this moment there were DE-9 connectors, which were often used to connect joysticks to game consoles and PCs. At the same time, VGA (DE-15) no longer received 9, but 15 contacts at once. This made it possible to enjoy color images that were displayed on CRT monitors.

In the 90s of the last century, many equipment manufacturers also began to apply this standard. TVs and DVD players with VGA on board began to be produced. D-Sub remained popular until the DVI digital standard became widespread. Moreover, the official presentation of DVI took place in 1999. But it began to gradually oust the morally and physically outdated VGA interface from the market only in the 2000s, when digital technologies and corresponding content turned out to be in demand and accessible among users. Moreover, in 2015, AMD, Intel and many other major corporations decided to completely abandon the use of the VGA standard in their new products.

Types of D-Sub output

The VGA interface has used 15 pins since its launch. A line-by-line signal with an unstable voltage amplitude is transmitted through them. At the same time, today it is known that there are two types of this connector, which are almost no different from each other:

• Standard VGA. This interface is used in many video cards and monitors, as well as some DVD players and TVs.
• Mini-VGA. This connector can be found in laptops and certain portable devices. In terms of appearance, it looks more like a USB port. But in terms of its capabilities it is no different from a standard connector.

Technical characteristics, features and pinout of VGA Connector

As noted, VGA (D-Sub) was designed for convenient analog signal transmission. There are 15 contacts used here, each of which performs a specific function.

You need to understand that there is a “Male” connecting cable and “Mother” plug connections.

Therefore, the protruding connections must be connected to the internal VGA holes. As for the contacts themselves, they are lined up in three horizontal stripes of 5 pieces each. Thanks to this, it is possible to transmit an analog signal “split” into blue, red and green colors.

Maximum VGA resolution (d sub)

VGA technology is officially capable of transmitting a video signal in a resolution of 1280 by 1024 pixels, but no more. In reality, the resolution can reach 1920x1080 (Full HD) and in some cases even 2048x1536. Until a certain time, this was quite enough to enjoy high-quality images. But the higher the resolution of the transmitted signal, the greater the chance of getting unexpected defects in the form of blurred pictures and other things. Therefore, experts recommend using more advanced interfaces for FHD monitors.

Pros and cons of the VGA interface

Main advantages :

1. A huge number of devices released over 30 years.
2. Large selection of different adapters.
3. Ideal for CRT monitors and analog signal transmission.
4. The only analog interface that can transmit high-definition video.

Disadvantages of the connector :

1. There is no possibility for simultaneous transmission of video and audio signals (only video is transmitted).
2. The officially declared maximum resolution is 1280 x 1024. Problems may arise when displaying images on FHD displays.
3. When using a low-quality cable, interference occurs.
4. Not very suitable for connecting digital devices.

Types of converters and converters for VGA

If you have, for example, an old video card with a VGA connector, but you decide to buy a new monitor with digital interfaces, then you can’t just connect them. In such cases, you need to additionally change the source of the video signal, or purchase a special converter. In the latter case, there is no need to buy expensive components. It is enough to find (buy) a VGA to HDMI or DVI signal converter so that the new monitor can delight you with a clear and colorful picture without the need to change the video card.

Today you can find a huge number of all kinds of adapters on the market. With their help you can convert a signal from VGA to DVI, Display Port, HDMI and so on. Many converters are equipped with a USB cable, through which it is possible to transmit not only video, but also audio. Backward compatibility is not excluded at all, when a signal from a digital standard is transmitted to a monitor with a VGA interface.

Relevance of VGA today, which is better vga or hdmi?

In today's reality, when digital content dominates, there is no point in counting on the capabilities of D-Sub (VGA). Just look at the various devices and components that have been produced by manufacturers lately. And we will find that among the interfaces there will be HDMI, Display Port or DVI. They provide high-quality display of high-definition images (Full HD and 4K). On the other hand, VGA is still with us. Over the years, companies have released an incredible number of devices that support this standard. Therefore, it is too early to completely discount it. But it’s hardly worth hoping for a miracle. It should be understood that even with the use of adapters, it is impossible to achieve complete synchronization between analog and digital interfaces. Defects will probably appear somewhere, or the image will not “reveal” to its fullest extent.

D-sub(D-subminiature) is a popular line of electrical connectors in computer technology. When it appeared on the market, the “subminiature” connector fully justified its name. However, today, it can hardly be called such; rather, on the contrary, it is one of the most massive computer signal connectors.

Description

The D-sub interface includes two (or more) parallel rows of pins and sockets. As a rule, they are surrounded by a metal shield shaped like the Latin letter D. It mechanically connects the connector to the plug and also shields the interface from electromagnetic interference. This uniquely shaped connector is very convenient because it prevents incorrect connections. The side of the connector that contains the contacts is called male connector ("dad"), another containing nests, - female connector ("Mother"). The socket shield fits inside the plug shield. If shielded cables are used, the connector shields are connected to the cable shields. This ensures continuous shielding of the entire connection.

D-sub connectors were created by ITT Cannon, a division of ITT Corporation. The date of creation of the connector is distant 1952. The designation system adopted within the company indicates that the symbol “D” designates the entire series of D-sub connectors; the second letter is used to indicate the size of the connector, which depends on the number of standard pins located inside the D-shaped shield (A = 15, B = 25, C = 37, D = 50, E = 9); then the number of actually used contacts is located, and with it the letter that characterizes the “gender” of the connector: M - “male”, F - “female”, P - plug/male, S - socket/female. For example, DB25M needs to be deciphered as follows: a D-sub connector with a screen, and the actual number of contacts is 25. The contacts in the connector are spaced at a distance of 2.77 mm, the rows are spaced at a distance of 2.84 mm.

Cannon also produces D-sub connectors with connections that have larger connectors than conventional pins. These connectors can be used for both high voltage and coaxial connections. They take the place of several standard contacts at once.

Name confusion

Due to the widespread use of DB-25 connectors for parallel and serial ports, most users, not realizing that “B” denotes screen size, began to call the D-sub connector itself differently: DB. Although, according to the rules, designations like “DA”, “DC”, or “DE” should have been used. The same applies to the DB9 connector, which they started calling ordinary 9-pin connectors, although they should have called them DE9. This has led to the fact that DE9 connectors are now often sold on the market as DB9. By DB9 they often mean a 9-pin connector with screen size E.

Currently, there are special D-sub connectors that have a standard screen size, but at the same time have a larger number of pins, and the names use the same nomenclature.

There are connectors with even higher pin densities, called “double density”: DE19, DA31, DB52, DC79 and DD100. All connectors have four rows of contacts.

In addition, there is another family of connectors that are often confused with D-sub, although this family is not included in this standard. These connectors are called, for example, HD50 and HD68. They also have a D-shaped connector, but this connector is almost twice as thin as the DB25. Such connectors are usually used in SCSI connections.

D-sub connectors are described in DIN 41652.

Application

D-sub connectors are very popular in the field of data transmission via the RS-232 serial interface, despite the fact that the standard does not require its use for these purposes. Initially, RS-232 used DB25, but due to the fact that many applications used only part of the pins, it became possible to implement 9-pin DE9 connectors for these purposes.

In PCs, 9- and 25-pin connectors are used for:

• serial port (RS-232);
• parallel (IEEE 1284) printer port.

The IEEE 1284 standard uses a DB-25 connector on the PC side, called "IEEE 1284-A", and on the printer side, it uses an "IEEE 1284-B" connector (borrowed from Centronics).

The DE9 plug on the back of an IBM PC typically has an RS-232 connector. It was first used in PCs in 1984. There was also usually a 9-socket socket, which served as a video card output to a monochrome, CGA, or EGA monitor. Despite the fact that all interfaces used a single connector, only a certain type of monitor was used with the video card, since connecting a monitor of a different type could result in the monitor burning out.

More modern video cards, standard VGA, we used the DE15 connector, it had 15 contacts arranged in 3 rows. This connector is also known as HD15, where HD = High Density.

Today, the D-sub designation in video card descriptions is used only for DE15 connectors.

By the end of the 70s and throughout the 80s, DE9 connectors, which did not have a screw connection, were used everywhere for connecting control devices. The connector became a de facto standard after it was used in the Atari 2600 game console, as well as in the Atari line of 8-bit computers. In addition, these computer connectors are used by the following systems: Atari, Commodore, Amstrad, SEGA.

Many uninterruptible power supplies are equipped with a DE9F connector, which performs the functions of exchanging signals with a computer - in order, for example, to report the battery charge level. Most of these devices do not use a standard serial port interface, but their own wiring, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some companies deliberately use non-standard wiring to compete: to force the user to use their proprietary cable.

In addition, the following connectors are also used in D-sub technology:

• 15-pin DA15 (two rows: 7 and 8 pins) - used to connect a color monitor in early Mac computers, as well as to connect to network cards;
• 37-pin DC37 (two rows: 18 and 19 pins);
• 50-pin DD50 (two rows of 17 and one row of 16 pins).

It is designed for connecting a PC or laptop to monitors, TVs, etc. The D-SUB connector (also known as VGA) was present on all computer video cards, but recently it has been replaced by a new standard - the DVI interface. Nevertheless, this type is still common in the filling of “old iron”.

Interface description

The D-SUB connector contains a block with pin contacts arranged in two, three or four rows. The number of pins in the first row is one more than in the second. The contacts are protected by a special metal casing, the profile of which resembles the shape of the letter D. This eliminates the possibility of incorrect connection of the connector.

Connectors of this series (both socket and plug) can have a different number of contacts:

As a rule, D-SUB connectors (to ensure a reliable connection) undergo additional processing. Thus, the contacts of this device can be coated with gold or tin (tinning). This interface is installed on a block, board or cable. In the latter case, different types of housings are used. Such connectors are widely used for data transmission in many interfaces, as well as for supplying power to a variety of devices.

D-SUB connector: classification

• DRB - horizontal (right angle). There are three modifications: A = 7.2 mm, B = 9.4 mm, C = 13.8 mm. These values ​​correspond to the distance from the edge of the connector to the first row of contacts.
• DBB - vertical. On the inside of the connector there are cylindrical leads that are soldered into the board.
• DRN - paired (combined). They are a single block that consists of 2 or 3 D-SUB connectors with different numbers of pins. The compact size of the connector saves space on printed circuit boards.

D-SUB MIL-C connectors

This type of connector is intended for use in military equipment. Such connectors are considered power connectors and can be mounted on cables of various sizes. There are modifications with replaceable crimp terminals. Connectors in this series have more stringent technical specifications. They have a very durable body that is resistant to environmental influences. These devices meet high reliability requirements, but their use is very limited due to their high cost.