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VGA and HDMI are two of the most common types of displays, so what’s the difference? What should I be looking for when comparing cables? If you’ve ever wondered about these questions, we’re here to help you find the answer.
In recent years, we’ve seen a transition from analog signals to digital signals. This has given rise to the two connectors you’re most likely to see on your computer today: VGA and HDMI.
They both have their pros and cons, but what are they? Read up below!
Let’s go over the basics by explaining how VGA and HDMI to work, as well as how they are different from each other in terms of speed and lag between devices.
It talks about resolutions too. There’s also some information on converting VGA to HDMI or vice versa. And finally, it gives some quick tips on which cables to look out for when shopping around.
What is VGA?
VGA stands for Video Graphics Array. VGA was created by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) and was the standard video output for computers for quite a while.
It can carry analog signals only, but with the advent of newer technology like HDMI, it is being phased out. The maximum effective resolution of VGA is 1600X1200 pixels at a 60Hz refresh rate.
What is HDMI?
HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. It’s technically designed to replace DVI connectors, though it’s not backward compatible with them.
This means that you can’t plug an HDMI cable into a DVI port; it just won’t fit and you’ll end up damaging your cable or the port itself. If you need to convert from HDMI to DVI, check out this HDMI to DVI cable from Amazon.
Both are used for sending video and audio data between devices. They are designed differently and should not be interchanged. Even if your computer has an HDMI port, you’ll still need the right cable in order to connect it!
You don’t want a VGA cable plugged into an HDMI port or vice versa; it may damage your device or cause problems with your display.
HDMI and VGA cables look identical (save for the label) but they are not interchangeable.
VGA vs. HDMI
Resolution
VGA resolution does not exceed 1920×1200. That’s it. There are no higher resolutions for VGA. HDMI, on the other hand, can send 4K content (3840×2160) and 1080p at an even greater refresh rate of 60Hz.
Speed
The maximum speed that VGA supports is 25Mbps or about 1GB per minute. This is also where we encounter our first problem with VGA: you cannot send audio through a VGA cable!
You’ll need to use an additional audio cable (or split the video signal from your computer into two cables in order to get audio).
HDMI has a much higher speed of 10.2Gbps, which is more than enough to handle all resolutions and data rates.
Key Features
Audio pass-through: HDMI supports sending audio through a cable while VGA does not.
VGA cable: This is the cable that plugs into your computer’s video card or graphics card (it may also have a Molex connector for other uses). This will be the only difference between an HDMI cable and a VGA cable. Everything else will look the same.
HDMI cable: This is the cable that plugs into your TV or monitor. Again, it may also have a Molex connector for other uses.
Where is VGA used for?
VGA is used in basic displays such as computer monitors or flat-screen TVs. It is not used for any new devices.
Where is HDMI used for?
HDMI is used to connect your device (XBOX, Xbox360, Sony Playstation 3, cable box, Blu-ray player) to your computer monitor or flat-screen TV.
HDMI is also used to connect your computer to an HDTV (using the VGA port on your graphics card) and connect a multimedia device (such as a DVD player or cable box) directly into your TV and bypass the use of a set-top box.
Conclusion
A VGA cable is a great type of cable to have no matter what kind of technology you use. It’s simple and effective, and it can be used for any number of electronics or entertainment devices.
HDMI is great for televisions and projectors, and it’s enough for devices like Blu-Ray players and game consoles.
However, if your television/projector is old or you just don’t want to spend the money on a new one, the VGA cable will allow you to save as much as 40% on an HDMI cable. For some people, that extra savings could mean an overall better budget.
A VGA cable is not only great for saving money on electronics; it’s also a great tool when dealing with older technology or gadgets that do not have HDMI ports.
Not sure what you need? If you still have questions about what VGA cables and HDMI are used for, how they work, or how they can benefit you, we’re here to help! Just contact us.
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