The Video Graphics Adapter [VGA] interface is used as an interface
between a Personal Computer
and a Monitor. The
VGA interface was introduced in 1987 which was followed by Super VGA [SVGA]
in 1990. So the signal pinout listed on this page is obsolete, use the pin out on the SVGA page instead. Note that the rear panel of the 2010 HDTV [right] has a 15-pin VGA connection [blue] but not a DVI connector. |
It's odd not providing a DVI connector, because a DVI could have been converted to a VGA interface with a simple dongle.
A listing on OEM D-sub connector manufacturers
Connector Manufacturers page, or
companies making Cable Assemblies.
Pin # | 15-Pin D | 15-Pin D | - | 9-Pin D | 9-Pin D |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
--- | name | Description | - | name | Description |
1 | RED Video | Red Video | - | RED Video | Red Video |
2 | GREEN Video | Green Video | - | GREEN Video | Green Video |
3 | BLUE Video | Blue Video | - | BLUE Video | Blue Video |
4 | ID2 | Monitor ID, Bit #2 | - | HSYNC | Horizontal Sync |
5 | GND | Ground | - | VSYNC | Vertical Sync |
6 | RGND | Red Ground | - | RGND | Red Ground |
7 | GGND | Green Ground | - | GGND | Green Ground |
8 | BGND | Blue Ground | - | BGND | Blue Ground |
9 | Key | No pin installed | - | SGND | Sync Ground |
10 | SGND | Sync Ground | - | - | - |
11 | ID0 | Monitor ID Bit #0 | - | ||
12 | ID1 | Monitor ID Bit #1 | - | ||
13 | HSYNC | Horizontal Sync | - | ||
14 | VSYNC | Vertical Sync | - | ||
15 | ID3 | Monitor ID Bit #3 | - |
As of 12-9-2010 an on-line article indicates that many of the major PC manufacturers will be dropping VGA support by 2015.
Of course they are referring to the SVGA interface, but using the generic VGA term.
MDA [Monochrome Display Adapter]: established by IBM as part of
the original Personal Computer [PC]. MDA is a monochrome-only, text-only
standard, allowing text display at 80x25 characters. This video display
is OBSOLETE.
CGA [Color Graphics Adapter]: The CGA standard [1981] supports
several different modes; the highest quality text mode is 80x25
characters in 16 colors. The monitors are digital with a composite signal
which is at TTL logic levels; Hs, Vs, and RGBI all at TTL logic levels.
This video display is OBSOLETE.
DVI
[Digital Visual Interface]: DVI interfaces are currently in full
production and can handle digital or analog signals.
EGA [Enhanced Graphics
Adapter]: This EGA standard [1984] offered improved resolutions and
more colors than CGA. EGA allowed graphical output up to 16 colors. The monitors have a
digital interface. This video display is OBSOLETE.
XGA [Extended Graphics Array]: IBM
introduced [1990] the XGA interface as a successor to its 8514/A display
and to compete with VGA. XGA had a 1024 x 768 resolution using a 15-pin D
connector.
XVGA [eXtended Video Graphics Array]: which just represented a increase to a 1024 x 768 screen resolution.
SVGA [Super VGA] offers more colors and
resolutions, but really does not exist as a single standard. The primary
standard refers to the BIOS, and how the computer talks to the monitor.
VESA Display Data Channel [DDC] is a VESA standard that defines how to
read certain pins in a standard SVGA monitor to query the monitor's
capabilities. The link provides pinout and signal names with a
description of the bus.
FPDI [Flat Panel Display
Interface] describes the electrical layer, logical layer, and
connector interface between flat panel displays and display controllers
in an integrated environment. Also FPDI-1, used with VGA and SVGA [800 x
600]. Followed by FPDI-2
VMChannel [VESA Media
Channel] describes a hardware interface for desktop multimedia
systems. The VMChannel is a multiple master, multiple drop, clock
synchronous interface designed for concurrent pixel data streams.
VMChannel enables the real time flow of uncompressed multimedia pixels in
a bidirectional fashion between multiple video adapters.
Back to the main PC Video Monitor Bus page, or to
the main PC Interface Bus
page.
Use the Buses icon at the bottom of the page to reach the top
level index for all bus types.
Use the Equipment icon at the bottom of the page to reach manufacturers of PC Monitors.
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