Video technology works with several display standards, two of the most common ones being VGA and HDMI, both coming with specific parameters in terms of aspect ratio, display size and resolution, refresh rate and color depth.
Both standards are associated with specific connectors, features and image quality. VGA stands for Video Graphics Array and denotes an analog interface used for supporting high-definition video playback, at resolutions of 1080p and higher, while HDMI is a digital interface, the abbreviation standing for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, able to transmit uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed audio data.
VGA used to be the only interface until the early 2000’s (major manufacturers started phasing out VGA around 2010, with support for the format being discontinued in 2015), when the digital interface started to become more widespread and preferred due to its ability to transmit more information and to minimize data loss, thus maximizing quality. The two standards are associated with different cables and connectors – while modern devices use HDMI as standard, many of them still have ports suitable for connecting VGA peripheries through cables that allow for the conversion between the two standards. VGA to HDMI converter cable is available in any computer and video equipment store, providing an efficient and affordable conversion solution to link the two formats.