Video Graphics Array is an integrated video display controller and de facto standard, first released with the IBM PS/2 series of personal computers in 1987, that became highly popular in the computer industry over three years later. It combines digital-array processing with dedicated hardware on the motherboard that allows for a flat screen, normal range of display modes and resolutions, and more advanced options including a full range of resolution and colour depth at the highest available setting. This is in addition to the fact that it supports palette management and compression for efficient compression of video bandwidth. In essence, Video Graphics Array is essentially a scaled-up liquid-state electronic display and has become one of the most common and popular methods of delivering a sharp and clear image to a larger number of viewers. It is often used to replace projectors and flat screens in various public areas such as shopping malls and airports.
VGA is an acronym that stands for Very High Definition Multimedia Interface. A VGA monitor also referred to as a VGA output will connect a computer, through a VGA cable, to a host system which then enables video signals from the computer to be displayed on a monitor. These days, as a high-definition multimedia interface has become a must, VGA monitors are not used much any more except in specialized applications. As a result, modern monitors that still use VGA are called “VGA-D” type monitors. It should be noted that though there are very few dedicated VGA broadcast servers, there are still many VGA compatible cards that are in circulation and are widely used by network users.
VGA has evolved into a very useful form of technology over time. The original function of the VGA was, as we know today, as a connection device between a monitor and a CPU. The VGA also had other roles, such as the connection between two audio sources and between an imaging device and a printer. Apart from these uses, the primary purpose of the VGA was for connecting electronic media such as video games to personal computers. This made it a very important connector since it helped make the evolution of computer and graphics technologies. As years passed by, other methods of interconnecting electronic devices came into being; among these being the DVI and HDMI connectors which provide high resolution video signals without the use of a VGA connector.
As soon as VGA became mature, several manufacturers started making VGA compatible component and motherboard connectors that would be suitable for a wide range of computer peripherals, especially multimedia. The discovery of the need for VGA compatible interfaces gave rise to the development of the 15-pin connector, the most commonly found VGA connector to this date. The 15-pin connector has proven to be useful to a wide range of electronic components. While the VGA cards were mostly used by multimedia professionals and artists, the popularity of the 15-pin connector has extended to everyday computer users. With the advent of modern technology, modern computers utilize VGA for a variety of purposes.
While VGA is still widely used for computer hardware and multimedia devices, there are now alternatives to using VGA. One option is to convert your older PC to use an HDMI or DVI connection instead of VGA. These types of modern video connectors have superior bandwidth and allow you to use your graphics cards on modern TVs and HDTVs without any loss of quality. The DVI connection utilizes a single connection port and is only suitable for older computers, while the HDMI uses two ports and can support HD resolutions. Although the DVI and HDMI connectors are more expensive compared to VGA, they could display sharper images and are much easier to connect than VGA.
The DVI connection is more expensive because it uses more pins. With an HDMI connection, however, all signals carry the same high resolution and signal format which eliminates the need for conversion. If you’re planning to upgrade your PC or replace your existing analog video device, then you’ll need to purchase an HDMI to VGA adapter. Although the process could be costly, the cost of buying a new computer and HDMI to VGA adapter converter could be well worth it in the long run.