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HDMI, DVI, VGA, and USB-C are popular computer interfaces found on monitors and some TVs that aid the visual, audio, power, and data features of monitors and TVs. These ports appear differently and support different outputs that enhance the media and general performance of a computer monitor.
Often, their functions and features that aid their functionality are interchanged for the other, hence the need to identify how they contribute to the overall performance of a monitor.
Contents
Difference Between HDMI, DVI, VGA and USB- C
High Definition Multimedia Interface
HDMI is a well-known name in the digital market that functions as an interface for transferring media signals to a display screen such as a monitor or a TV. It is a digital interface that transmits signals to permits videos and audios in a monitor using a reversible interface.
It is built with 15 points and supports 1080p high definition signals, although recent improvement in HDMI technology now supports 4k, 2k, 3D, HDCP encryption, and Dolby. It also supports the connection of smartphones and other enabled devices to a TV.
Its ability to function as an audio and video interface makes it popular among digital devices as a multipurpose digital media interface among manufacturers. However, the manufacturers of display solutions such as monitors and TVs have to ensure that the HDMI signal transmitted on their devices is licensed from the patent.
Video Graphic Adapter
This display is a 15-pin display interface that is popular among older monitors and it uses analog signals to display videos with a low resolution which is typically around 640 x 480 pixels and 16 colors at the same time. It is available in different types and sizes and it uses a male and female connector.
However, because it is rarely found in modern monitors does not make it less important because there are some monitors (although very few) that come with it. A monitor that has a VGA output can be connected to function by using a VGA converter such as a VGA to HDMI converter, an HDMI to VGA converter, and a DVI-A to VGA converter.
Digital Visual Interface
This is a 29-pin interface that transfers video signals to monitors and TVs, although it is more popular among monitors than TVs. It comes in different modes which makes it suitable for handling digital video transmission to monitors.
It is forward and backward compatible and can connect with older monitor models built with a VGA source to support analog videos by using a DVI to VGA converter.
This is possible with the aid of a DVI format known as DVI-A that transfers DVI signals to analog computers. It also has a DVI-D display format that enhances the direct digital connection between a video card and a monitor, and a DVI-I that is capable of transferring both analog and digital video signals, making it the one-time solution for digital and analog computers.
However, the cables that enhance the performance of a digital visual interface on its different formats are not interchangeable, except for a DVI-I that can be used in place of a DVI-D.
A DVI format can be utilized via two types of connectors which are the single link that uses a 60hz TMDS (Transmission minimized differential signaling) with a resolution of 1920 X 1200 and the dual-link that uses two TMDS to display with a resolution of 2560 X 1600.
Universal Serial Bus
USB-C is the latest version of USBs that was created as a replacement for older versions of USBs. It is built with 24 pins that unify data, power, and display features into one unit. Its features make it a multi-purpose USB input/output port that can be used to transfer data between multiple devices, charge devices, enhance display capacities of devices and aid its general performance.
Most modern devices utilize a USB- C port in its structural specification as a multipurpose port that can also support different USB connectors such as USB 3.0, and 3.1. It also enhances the functioning of video ports such as VGA, HDMI, and DisplayPort.
Conclusion
There are different interfaces (ports) on a display source (monitor and TV) that are built to function independently and sometimes collectively to enhance its power, data transfer, and media performance. Hopefully, now that you know how they work, you can easily set up a computer monitor.
