Video Graphics Array (VGA) Connector

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What Does Video Graphics Array (VGA) Connector Mean?

A video graphics array (VGA) connector is a 15-pin D-subminiature set of male and female electrical connectors that relays data from a computer to an output device. VGA connectors are used for LCD monitors, projectors, high definition televisions and so on. IBM designed the D-subminiature 15-pin VGA connector in 1987, and it became the standard connector for VGA output devices.

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A VGA connector is also known as HD-15, HDB-15, DB-15, DE-15, D-sub 15 and RGB connector.

Techopedia Explains Video Graphics Array (VGA) Connector

VGA connectors contain 15 pins that are designed in three parallel rows with 5 pins each, and each pin has a unique specification. VGA connectors and VGA cables are used to carry analog component red, green, blue, horizontal sync and vertical sync (RGBHV) video signals. VGA cables and VGA connectors are also used to carry video electronics standards association (VESA) display data channel (DDC) data.

The VGA connector attached with the VGA cable is a pin-out male connector while the VGA connector with the display hardware, both display card and output device, is a female connector. The analog successors for VGA connectors are super video graphics array (SVGA) and extended graphics array (XGA).

The digital visual interface (DVI) connector has superseded the VGA connector because the DVI connector is designed to provide a very high video quality on digital display devices. VGA connectors are generally used as an analog technology, while the DVI connector is designed to provide uncompressed digital video data to output devices.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.