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.
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| 1 | Red Video |
| 2 | Green Video |
| 3 | Blue Video |
| 4 | Monitor ID 2 |
| 5 | TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic) Ground (monitor self-test) |
| 6 | Red Analog Ground |
| 7 | Green Analog Ground |
| 8 | Blue Analog Ground |
| 9 | Key (Plugged Hole) |
| 10 | Sync Ground |
| 11 | Monitor ID 0 |
| 12 | Monitor ID 1 |
| 13 | Horizontal Sync |
| 14 | Vertical Sync |
| 15 | Monitor ID 3 |
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.
Cable, Computer acronyms, Connection, Data cable, Hardware terms, Obsolete, SVGA, TLA, VGA Mode, Video card, Video converter, Video terms