VGA Cables - A Complete Buyers' Guide

VGA cables were first introduced during the late 1980s. Since then, 15-pin VGA cables have become a widely used standard for connecting various types of electronic devices that use video signals. The acronym VGA stands for Video Graphics Array and is commonly heard today as something of an umbrella term for various types of cable/connector that share a common base pin layout and socket format.

These familiar VGA cables and their instantly recognisable 15-pin connectors are frequently found in both home and office desktop PC setups, usually carrying a visual signal from a desktop computer to a monitor VGA input. Similarly, they’re also used for linking various other types of video output devices - such as laptops, video cards, projectors, and certain varieties of set-top boxes - to TVs, monitors, all-in-one PCs, and various other types of screened display peripherals.

Standard VGA cables remain vital for establishing a reliable video or graphics link between computers, monitors, projectors and high definition television sets in both domestic and commercial environments. It’s more common for smaller devices (such as compact laptop computers) to have a mini-VGA port installed, as opposed to a full-sized VGA connector, but these miniature versions play exactly the same role in terms of graphical signal transfer.

In this guide, we’ll give an overview of what VGA cable types are available and look a bit more closely at how they’re used, defined, and differentiated. We’ll also address a few frequently asked questions about VGA cables, including ‘what is a VGA port symbol?’ and ‘what’s the difference between VGA and newer standards like HDMI?’.

The earliest configurations of VGA cables initially came to market in 1987. Through various minor revisions and iterations by other manufacturers in the years that followed, the format quickly settled to become one of the most common standard configurations for computer cabling assemblies.

Today, we still see VGA sockets and cables in use on a large number of PCs, laptops, TVs and monitors. The most familiar and easy way to identify a VGA cable is the classic three-row, 15-pin connector (designated DE-15, and commonly referred to as D-sub miniature or D-sub) at either end.

These connectors can be either male or female, and are commonly - but not always - flanked by a matching pair of captive thumb screws. When positioned on either side of the connector itself, these screws can be tightened after insertion to create a more secure connection with the socket. As noted above, this will typically be a monitor VGA input socket, the corresponding laptop VGA input port, or a similar application such as a suitable socket on the rear of a TV.

There are numerous different types of VGA cables and compatible variants. Despite being an older connection standard, this reflects the fact that VGA ports are still found on a huge number of modern computers, monitors, laptops, TVs, graphics cards and other video-related peripherals and devices.

In addition to VGA and SVGA cables themselves, most manufacturers and suppliers will also offer a range of VGA cable adapters and splitters, as well as numerous other compatible connectors, features and accessories.

The main distinction you’ll need to be aware of when shopping for VGA cables is the technical difference between VGA and SVGA.

VGA connectors are gendered and come in both male (pins/plug) and female (holes/socket) variants. Most VGA cables are identified in terms of reference to the gender of connector A and connector B, or a similar naming scheme, as this allows you to select the right configuration for the connection you’re trying to make between devices.

Even so, depending on the specific type of cable in use and the precise configuration of the connection you need to make at the PC or monitor end, you may require the use of various VGA adapters, extenders and splitters in order to create a working connection for a particular setup. Widely available adapter/splitter options for gendered VGA cables include:

• VGA male to male adapter
• Male to female VGA adapter
• Female to male VGA adapter
• Female to female VGA adapter

There is a wide range of VGA connector types available today, reflecting the number of different devices - both new and legacy - that still make use of this connection type. Increasingly, VGA connectors are used alongside or in combination with other newer standards such as DVI connectors and HDMI cables.

The terminology here is sometimes used rather interchangeably when it comes to labelling various types of VGA cable and can be a little vague. However, the basic or standard VGA connector type will usually be referred to as some variant of the following: DE-15, HD15, VGA plug, SVGA plug, D-Sub 15 or D-Subminiature, or the more generic RGB connector.

In addition to the standard D-sub connector type at one end of a VGA cable, products with various other types of adaptor or connector types at the opposite end are widely available. Common configurations of VGA cable connectors and adapter ends include:

There are a huge number of companies worldwide that manufacture VGA cable, although differences can be noticed as a result of the varying construction methods and materials that are used. If in doubt, it’s always best to opt for a reliable cable from a well-known manufacturer as opposed to an option which may be cheaper but is likely also worse quality.

Among the various market-leading suppliers of branded VGA cable, some key names to look out for include the following.

What is a VGA Port Symbol?

You can usually recognise a VGA port symbol either as a fairly accurate depiction of the trapezoid connector socket with 15 holes in three rows or sometimes as a more simplified or stylised version showing a rectangle with a straight line down either side.

What Do the 15 Pins on a VGA Connector Do?

The pins on a standard VGA connector typically function as follows:

Pin 1 :

• Name : RED
• Description : Red Video

Pin 2 :

• Name : GREEN
• Description : Green Video

Pin 3 :

• Name : BLUE
• Description : Blue Video

Pin 4 :

• Name : RES
• Description : Reserved

Pin 5 :

• Name : GND
• Description : Ground

Pin 6 :

• Name : RGND
• Description : Red Ground

Pin 7 :

• Name : GGND
• Description : Green Ground

Pin 8 :

• Name : BGND
• Description : Blue Ground

Pin 9 :

• Name : KEY
• Description : Key (no pin) - Optional +5V Graphics Card Output

Pin 10 :

• Name : SGND
• Description : Sync Ground

Pin 11 :

• Name : ID0
• Description : Optional - Monitor ID Bit 0

Pin 12 :

• Name : SDA
• Description : I2C Bidirectional Data Line

Pin 13 :

• Name : HSYNC
• Description : Horizontal Sync

Pin 14 :

• Name : VSYNC
• Description : Vertical Sync

Pin 15 :

• Name : SCL
• Description : Monitor ID3 in DDC1

Where are VGA Cables Most Often Used Today?

Although many newer devices have seen the older, standard VGA ports replaced by more modern connection types (notably DVI and HDMI), VGA ports are often still supplied with both legacy and modern computers, monitors, TVs, laptops, projectors and more. These cables remain widely used in both domestic and commercial settings.

In particular, the demands of many industrial, factory, warehousing and production environments mean that VGA cables are often sought out over newer alternatives due to the durability and reliability of VGA port connections (particularly those accompanied by thumb screws). Furthermore, VGA cables are often available at longer lengths and with thicker sheathing/jacketing than many modern alternative cables. Finally, VGA cables still boast widespread compatibility with a huge range of older hardware and legacy equipment. This means that VGA cables and connectors are still extremely common in many homes and workplaces alike.

What’s the Difference Between VGA and HDMI?

The main difference between VGA and HDMI connectors and cables is that VGA is used for carrying analogue signals, while HDMI is a digital standard. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, depending on factors like the type of hardware you’re trying to connect and the install environment.

VGA quickly became a widespread and almost universally adopted format shortly after its introduction but has gradually begun to be phased out on some newer devices over the last decade. However, there remains a great many legacy and high-compatibility devices that still use the standard due to its former widespread adoption. Conversely, HDMI is a much newer standard and tends to be used exclusively for far higher definition digital audiovisual transfer. This is because HDMI can carry audio data as well as video, which VGA does not, making the former a costlier but more convenient option in certain types of modern multimedia setup.