About VGA

About VGA

(Video Graphics Array) VGA is ananalog interface between a PC and monitor that was widely used prior to DVI,HDMI and DisplayPort. VGA was introduced on the IBM PS/2 in 1987, replacing theprevious digital CGA and EGA interfaces, which had lower resolution and fewercolors. New LCD monitors may include a VGA port for legacy PCs, and PCs mayhave a VGA port for legacy monitors.

Lots of Variants

VGA debuted with 640x480 pixels and 16or 256 colors. This is still the mode PCs boot into, and it is also used inSafe Mode with the display driver disabled (in case the driver is the problem).

In a short time, non-IBM vendors boosted resolution and colors, calling them"Super VGA" . IBM later introduced XGA (1024x768), and over theyears, more resolutions were added that were fractions or multiples of thetotal number of pixels in VGA and XGA resolutions.

VGA Pins

VGA cables have 15-pin connectors: 5 pins at thetop, 5 in the middle, and the other 5 at the very bottom. The picture above isan example of a VGA cable showing all 15 pins.

A VGA port on a desktop or laptop naturally has thesame number of pin holes so that a VGA cable can plug directly into it.

Each and every pin has its own function. Forexample, the first pin is for transferring the color red, while the second andthird are for green and blue, respectively.

Male vs Female VGA Connections

All types of computer cables take on a specificgender-male or female. A male cable is one that has its connections protruding,or sticking out of the cable. Female connections are the reverse, having inwardholes that allow the male cable to fit perfectly with the female connection.