Cable Matters VGA Extension Cable (VGA Cable Male to Female) - 1.8m

Product Information

HDMI offers compatibility with video and up to 32-channel audio, making it the more widely used standard for HD and UHD displays and video recording hardware. Conversely, DVI offers only video signal support and does not transmit audio signals, thus making external speakers necessary for most applications. DVI stands for Digital Video Interface, a standard for boosting the efficiency of data transfer from modern video graphics cards and enhancing the output quality of flatscreen LCD monitors. When demand for DVI was still growing, its main applications included connectivity for video devices like projectors and DVD players. However, once the popularity of DVI grew, the standard expanded to encompass digital monitors. This is why DVI connectors are still common in some personal computers today. DVI mainly serves as a standard for computer video interfaces today. However, for a short while, it was also the preferred digital data transfer method for HDTVs and other high-end video displays for television, DVDs, and movies. Interestingly, DVD players from the premium segment have featured DVI output compatibility and high-quality analog component video ports. Also, another unique type is the Mini-DVI connector , a digital alternative to the Mini-VGA connector used on specific Apple computers. In October 2008, Apple announced the company was phasing Mini-DVI out in favor of Mini DisplayPort. Mini-DVI connectors on Apple hardware can carry DVI, VGA, or TV signals through adapters. Mini-DVI does not support dual-link connections and hence cannot support resolutions higher than 1920×1200 @ 60 Hz.

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. The ideal cable length can depend on the desired resolution. An 800×600 output can be achieved with a cable as long as 100 feet, while 1024×768 and 1280×1024 resolutions require a cable between 50 and 100 feet long. Once the resolution reaches 1600×1200 or 1920×1200, the recommended cable length is 25 feet. Smaller devices like laptops would commonly have a mini-VGA port installed. While these ports would be smaller than full-sized VGA connectors, they were just as efficient at transferring graphical signals.Finally, DVI-I is an integrated cable capable of transmitting digital-to-digital and analog-to-analog signals. This cable type is the most versatile, as one can use it in digital and analog applications. VGA adapters, splitters, and extenders are used to establish working connections for specific configurations. Adapter and splitter types for gendered VGA cables include the male to female; male to male; female to male; and female to female.

Considering all the above factors, it is safe to say that, generally speaking, even a 10-meter-long DVI cable would sustain a clear video output. Any longer, and the output would likely be either distorted or blank. Up to roughly a decade ago, one could frequently find VGA cables in personal and professional desktop setups. Their primary purpose would generally be transmitting visual signals from CPUs to monitors. However, they were also linked to other source devices (such as video cards, laptops, and set-top boxes) to output devices (such as projectors and televisions). The HDMI form factor is smaller and simpler when compared to DVI. This could be one reason for HDMI being more common on modern devices. On the other hand, DVI is being phased out and replaced with USB-C on many personal-use devices.DVI-D cables can establish a direct digital link between a video source (such as video cards) and output device (such as LCD monitors). This type of DVI connector supports the faster transmission of higher-quality images compared to analog variants.

While the original DVI Type-A connector supported analog video signals like VGA, it was upgraded to support digital signal compatibility in 2002. Today, DVI connectors are capable of transmitting digital and analog signals. Finally, it is no secret that many companies still run some of their applications on legacy hardware, which gives VGA cables a reason to boast of their widespread compatibility with a range of older computing equipment. Both HDMI and DVI use the CEA-861 standard. This means that HDMI signals are DVI compatible and can be converted using an adapter without any drop in quality or loss of signal.Single-link DVI and dual-link DVI are another sub-classification of the DVI standard. Digital formats are accessible using DVI-D single-link and dual-link and DVI-I single-link and dual-link type connectors. DVI cables transmit data through a digital information format known as transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS). While single-link cables are equipped with one TMDS 165Mhz transmitter, dual-link cables come with two. However, even here, several factors affect the VGA signal, including the strength of the signals from the source; the electrical interference levels; and the product architecture, such as shielding, gauge, and copper wire quality. 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. The DVI-D type is the most ubiquitous male connector, while DVI-I is the most commonly seen type for female DVI connectors, as it can accommodate all other formats.

VGA cables works by carrying the electronic signals and data from one hardware device to another. The signals are normally in form of video signals. VGA cables are used to connect monitors to a personal computer, TV screens or laptops. VGA cables are designed with an HD-15 connector female or male depending on connection requirements. The capability of the DVI cord to carry both analog and digital signals gives it a unique advantage over HDMI and other “digital-only” video interfaces, as well as over VGA. It is worth noting that most manufacturers use DVI ports that have all the available pinholes open. However, this does not always mean that the port will be compatible with digital and analog signals (DVI-I). VGA cables transmit analog signals, while DVI cables can transmit both digital and analog signals. As DVI is newer, it offers sharper video output compared to VGA; however, VGA offers support for longer cable lengths. DVI and VGA connectors and ports are also visually distinct, making it easy for users to tell them apart.The key difference between VGA and HDMI is that while VGA transmits analog signals, HDMI is a digital interface. Also, like DVI, VGA is a video-only standard, while HDMI encompasses both video and audio. Specific examples of VGA applications include industrial, warehousing, factory, and production settings. In these environments, VGA cables are preferred over newer alternatives due to the reliability and durability of VGA port connections, especially thanks to the thumb screws. VGA cables transmit analog video signals and are generally compatible with video resolutions up to 640×480. Today, the hardware standard of choice seems to be the HDMI interface for high-definition media applications. The DVI standard is more exclusive to specific applications in the computer space. A DVI-to-VGA adapter or cable would be needed if one connection is DVI and the other is VGA, with the DVI being compatible with analog signals.