D-Sub vs VGA: What's The Difference?

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When it comes to connecting a monitor, laptop, or other video devices to your computer there are plenty of different cable types and connectors to choose from. Which one should you use? It all depends on the features that you need, but also how much space you have available and what kind of budget you’re working with.

Both D-sub connectors and VGA connectors are common standards for computer monitors, laptops, and other video devices. They’re used for transmitting analog signals like audio and video from one source to another. Each type has its own benefits, as well as its own set of limitations. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at each option so that you can decide which is best for your needs.

D-Sub Connectors

A D-sub or “DB-15” connector is a type of analog connection used for video and audio devices. It consists of a 15-pin male connector on one end, and a female connector on the other end. It’s one of the most common ways to connect a computer monitor to a computer and other devices.

Unlike VGA connectors, D-sub connectors are not digital. Instead, they send analog signals through two wires: the “green” wire is for the brightness of the image, and the “blue” wire is for the color.

The other 13 wires on the D-sub connector are for other types of signals. For example, the red and white wires are for audio and the yellow wire is for the image’s “sync” signal. Another example is the “black” wire which sends the “ground” or reference voltage from the computer to the monitor.

VGA Connectors

A VGA connector is a type of digital connection used for video and audio devices. It consists of a 15-pin male connector on one end, and a female connector on the other end. It’s one of the most common ways to connect a computer monitor to a computer and other devices.

The “VGA” part of the name comes from the Video Graphics Array technology standard, which this connector was created to connect to.

VGA connectors are digital, meaning that they send a “true” 1s and 0s to represent the brightness of the image. This means that they’re a more accurate way to send signals than the analog D-sub connector.

They also allow for a higher audio quality and faster data transfer speed. However, the VGA connector cannot be used for audio. Instead, it requires another dedicated audio cable that is often included in monitor cables.

D-Sub vs VGA: What’s The Difference?

Let’s analyze various key areas that separate D-sub and VGA connectors. From these differences, you will know which is the right connector type for you.

Number of pins

The two tend to have the same number of pins. Both are 15-pins. This means that you can connect two monitors with the same type of connector. However, D-sub has a smaller range of connectors than VGA.

Size

VGA is a larger connector than D-sub, with the former being around 3 inches long and about 1/4 inch thick. D-sub is about 2 inches long and about 1/5 inch thick. When you look at D-sub on the left, you will see that it’s thinner and longer than VGA.

Connectors

The number of connectors differs as well. While both have 15 pins, they differ in how they are arranged on the connector itself. The VGA connector has four rows of pins—two rows of seven pins each—and one row of three pins (which are used for power). On the other hand, the D-sub connector has only two rows of five pins each and one row of three pins (which are used for power).

Data transfer speed

VGA has a higher data transfer rate than D-Sub. It is capable of sending up to 800MHz per second, whereas D-Sub can only do up to 400MHz per second. This means that it will take longer for the graphics to appear on the screen when you are sending information through VGA cables than it would through D-Sub cables.

Supported resolutions:

D-sub connectors are more versatile than VGA ones because they support many resolutions including 800×600 and 1920×1200, while VGA connectors usually do not support such high resolutions as these two. Thus, it is better to use VGA connectors if you need to use high resolutions.

Cost

VGA is usually more expensive than D-sub. This is because it comes with an integrated cable, which makes it more difficult to manufacture. Thus, you will have to pay more for the cable itself.

However, if you are looking for a new computer monitor, then this doesn’t matter because the cost of the monitor will cover most of the cost difference between these two types of connectors.

Audio signal

Both VGA and D-sub connectors don’t support audio signals. This implies that you will have to connect a separate audio cable for you to get the audio signal from the computer.

Quality of signals

The quality of signals is determined by the cable you use. Even though VGA cables are more expensive, it doesn’t mean that they are good. Generally, VGA cables are not as good as D-sub ones. This is because VGA cables have to carry more signals and thus, require more wires and connectors.

Signal interference

VGA has more signal interference compared to D-sub because it carries more signals. This means that you will have less signal interference when you use D-sub connectors.

Maximum channels

Channels in this context refer to the number of colors that a monitor can produce. For example, a 24-bit monitor can produce up to 16.7 million colors while a 16-bit monitor can only produce 256 colors.

So, the higher the number of channels, the better the quality of colors your computer screen will have. VGA supports up to 16.7 million colors while D-sub supports only 256 colors.

Support for multiple monitors

Both VGA and D-sub have the same maximum number of channels. However, a VGA monitor can support only one cable while a D-sub monitor can support up to four cables. So, if you need to connect more than one computer to your monitor, you will need to use multiple VGA cables or multiple D-sub cables.

Standards

VGA uses a standard called EGA while D-sub uses a standard called ESDI. Both standards are compatible with each other and both standards are also compatible with PCI Express (PCIe).

The main difference between the two is that VGA is an analog signal while PCIe is a digital signal. From this, you can conclude that if your motherboard supports PCIe, then your graphics card will also support PCIe.

Advantages of D-Sub connectors

Cheaper than VGA connectors – D-sub connectors are usually cheaper than VGA connectors. This is especially true if you buy used connectors or buy them in bulk.

Better for long cables – The degradation of the signal in short cables is not as big of a problem as with long cables. This makes the D-sub connectors preferable for long cables, which are common in home theater applications.

More flexible – The DB-15 connector used in D-sub connectors is more flexible and resilient than the VGA connector. This makes it more suitable for tight installation spaces.

Has more pins – The DB-15 connector has more pins than the VGA connector, which makes it more flexible. You can use it for more signals and devices. This can be very useful in home theater applications, where the computer system is close to the video source.

Disadvantages of D-Sub connectors

More expensive than VGA connectors – Although D-sub connectors are cheaper than VGA connectors per cable, they are more expensive in the long run. This is because you need one cable for each source (computer and video device). A VGA connector, on the other hand, is one connector for both sources.

Less accurate than VGA connectors – The analog signal used in the D-sub connectors is less accurate than the digital signal of the VGA connectors. This can be an issue if you’re using the connectors for audio or video editing.

Loses image quality when longer than 10 meters – The analog signal used in the D-sub connectors loses image quality when longer than 10 meters. If you’re using the connectors for audio or video editing, this can be an issue.

Advantages of VGA connectors

More accurate than D-sub connectors – The digital signal used in the VGA connectors is more accurate than the analog signal of the D-sub connectors. This can be important for audio or video editing.

Allows a greater distance between devices – The digital signal of the VGA connectors allows a greater distance between devices without losing any information or quality. This can be important in home theater applications where the source is far away from the display device.

Disadvantages of VGA connectors

More expensive than D-sub connectors – VGA connectors are more expensive than D-sub connectors, which can be a drawback for home projects.

Works only with computer devices – VGA connectors are designed for computer devices. This means that you cannot connect an audio source or video source directly to them. You have to use an extra converter device, which increases the cost.

Needs a converter device – VGA connectors need a converter device for connecting to audio sources and video sources. This means that the total price for the connectors is higher and the installation is more complex.

How to set up D-sub connectors(step by step)

Depending on the device you’re connecting, you may need to configure your computer first. Make sure that your computer supports the input that you want to use.

You can usually choose between different inputs in your computer settings. If you’re connecting a computer monitor, keyboard, or mouse, you may be able to use the cables that came with those devices. If you’re connecting a different type of device, you’ll need to buy new cables.

Plug the monitor into the monitor port on your computer. Plug the keyboard or other device into the computer’s USB port. Connect the VGA cable from the monitor to the computer. If necessary, change the input source by clicking the input source icon in the lower-right corner of the computer screen.

How to set up VGA connector

Depending on the device you’re connecting to, you may need to configure your computer first. Make sure that your computer supports the input that you want to use.

What should I look for when buying VGA and D-sub connectors?

Here are some of the factors to consider when buying both D-sub and VGA:

– Compatibility – Make sure that the device you’re connecting to your computer is compatible with VGA or D-sub. Some devices use both types of connectors, so check before buying.

– Price – Both D-sub and VGA are cheap, but they’re also widely used. If you’re not planning on using your monitor often, it might be worth buying a cheaper cable that uses only the D-sub connector. If you’re going to use the monitor a lot and don’t want to replace cables often, paying more for a VGA cable might be worthwhile.

– Cable length required – Unfortunately, VGA cables are usually shorter than D-sub cables. That’s because most monitors use a single cable that connects between the monitor and computer (and sometimes also between the computer and keyboard). A long cable can make it harder to reach some parts of your monitor’s screen.

Conclusion

I hope that with this information, you can now differentiate between VGA and D-sub cables and choose the one that’s right for you.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask us. And in case you want to buy any connector, let ICRFQ help. We are a reputable sourcing agent for the electronic components in China.