VGA: what kind of cable, driver, graphics adapter?

Most modern users of computers, mobile devices or television panels have faced such a concept as VGA. What is it - connector, video adapter, monitor, driver, cable or adapter? Unfortunately, many of us have a clear understanding of this issue, as a rule, no. Therefore, it is worthwhile to dwell on this standard in more detail.

VGA: what is it in a general sense?

First, a few words about the standard itself. In the broadest sense, VGA is not an individual component, listed above, but a complete video interface of the component type, originally developed by IBM for their computers.

Thus, in understanding the entire technology of image reproduction or transmission, both "iron" and software components are included, and the interface functions in their interaction.

History of appearance

Now a few words about the appearance of the video standard VGA. What is it, a little figured out. For the first time, the Video Graphic Array technology was introduced by IBM in 1987 on PS / 2 computers.

VGA-adapter, in contrast to its predecessors and followers, used (and uses) an analog signal for high-quality image transmission. But incidentally, the question arises as to why it was necessary to implement a new standard. For a complete understanding of such a solution, it is necessary to turn to the basic parameters of the devices themselves.

Main characteristics

The first and one of the main factors of the transition to this standard, most experts call the moment that initially it was necessary to reduce the number of wires in the main cable with the ability to connect system blocks via the VGA graphics adapter to the appropriate monitors that were able to transmit many more colors and shades than before. At the same time, a higher resolution of the picture was achieved.

The VGA graphics adapter itself has a structure that includes the following elements:

• A graphics controller for exchanging data between video memory and the CPU based on bit data operations;
• Video memory DRAM 256 KB, divided into four color layers;
• A serial converter of video memory data into bits for transferring attributes to the controller;
• An attribute controller for converting input data to color values based on a palette;
• Synchronizer for control of layer switching and timing parameters of the graphics adapter;
• A cathode ray tube controller for generating synchronization signals with a monitor.

Provided that a VGA driver is installed in the system, the maximum resolution is 640x480 pixels per inch with a color depth of up to 32 bits. Of course, at the time of the standard's appearance it was truly a revolution. But today you can meet much more resolutions, which is achieved through the use of digital technology. But as it turns out, even at the current stage of the development of computer technology, you can not discount the VGA standard. What does it mean? But only that for the transmission of the image, as already mentioned, an analog signal is used, which can be converted to any other. In addition, the size of the adapter itself is significantly reduced, and it can be integrated directly into the motherboard or in addition to the video card.

Here we should also pay attention to the fact that the digital signal has a wider bandwidth, and MPEG signaling technology is used to transmit this signal. And this, in turn, leads to a loss of quality.

VGA-monitors and TVs

Since the appearance of the main standard, the corresponding monitors have also started to be actively used, and after that - the TV panels of this interface (for example, LCD devices).

Today, this abbreviation is usually used to designate all graphics modes, and monitors, including those capable of supporting the resolution of 640x480 pixels, regardless of the hardware component. At the current stage of development, they are practically not used, although at one time they were very popular.

Graphic adapters

Almost all modern graphic accelerators (video cards), whether they are integrated or discrete, support the basic modes of the described interface and are equipped with appropriate outputs (ports), which are sometimes referred to as D-Sub.

In other words, there can be several video outputs on the video card. And the VGA-connector is mandatory. By the way, such connectors can be found on the rear panels of fixed system units and on the side walls of laptops.

Drivers

It stands to reason that no graphics accelerator will work if it does not have the appropriate driver (VGA driver included).

But for modern graphics cards, you need to install such control programs not from operating system databases, but from distributions of equipment manufacturers. In addition, today, the management or overclocking utilities available for the most popular NVIDIA and Radeon cards are widely used.

The fact that the VGA-driver works correctly, many gamers can make sure by setting in the game settings the video mode 640x480 or its non-standard variations. Actually, the same situation is observed when connecting a computer or laptop to a high-resolution TV panel, if a VGA cable is used (and not only with the same type of connectors on both sides).

Types of cables and adapters

Since there are quite a lot of options for connecting to completely different video interfaces, it is worthwhile to dwell on cables with adapters that can be used to convert image transmission according to a scheme that will be recognized by both the receiving device and the sending device.

As an example, consider a VGA cable with different transitions. Among the main (except for the usual type), we can distinguish the following:

• VGA-DVI (used on some video cards that do not have a VGA connector, although they support the corresponding modes of operation);
• VGA-HDMI (can be used to connect older computers or laptops to modern TVs and projectors);
• VGA-RCA or VGA-"tulip" (used to connect modern computer systems that are not equipped with VGA connectors to older TVs or monitors with CRT cathode-ray tubes);
• VGA-HDMI-RCA-mini-Jack (the variation of combining the two previous adapters for connection with audio transmission - via VGA sound is not transmitted);
• VGA-S-Video (a less popular option for connecting to TVs).

The main connector of the standard, also referred to as DE15F, in any of the variants is a 15-pin connector on one side, which allows the transmission of a signal based on the progressive scan technology, in which the voltage change corresponds to a change in the brightness of the ELF (the beam intensity of the monitor or kinescope gun).

Summary and conclusions

That's all about understanding VGA. What it is? In fact, this is the interface, not its individual components, which are necessary for correct functioning. And as you can already see, it is present in most modern computer devices. Although the prospects for the development of such technologies look very vague, nevertheless, no one is going to refuse them.

It remains to add that this standard, despite the appearance of its followers in the form of the same interface as Super VGA or XGA, still remains one of the most popular and popular in the whole world and on all types of devices, including computers, laptops, TV panels or even mobile Gadgets.