VGA

• Video graphics array, introduced in 1987, improved all previous video formats with five separate analog signals to computer monitors. Three contained discrete information for the colors red, green and blue, and two contained synchronization. Incremental improvements over the years increased VGA quality and resolution to the high-definition signals used on widescreen and HDTV sets in use today. The D-sub connector used for VGA has three rows of five pins each, and may carry such labels as "HD 15," RGB/PC," "PC Connector," or "RGBHV" on HDTVs. Connect any equipment that has its output on the same type of D-sub connector.
  
  

DVI

• DVI, introduced in 1999, essentially changed the five signals of VGA into a digital format to improve computer monitor performance. Video game and home entertainment equipment manufacturers soon adopted the technology and began installing DVI-D output ports on equipment, such as DVD and Blu-ray players, cable and satellite receivers, AV receivers and video game consoles. Many devices include DVI-D and D-sub ports to provide users with an option to use digital or analog screen presentations. The digital offers a clearer picture that some users consider unnatural for some artistic applications, and prefer the softer look of the analog.
  
  

DVI-I

• A DVI-I integrated connector on a monitor has 29 pins with the five extra to carry the analog VGA signal, eliminating the need for two connectors. A computer with only a VGA output connects to it with a special cable with a VGA connector on one end and a DVI-A (analog) on the other. Some users mistakenly assume that this cable can change VGA to DVI, but it only makes an analog connection. For a computer with both outputs, a dual "Y" cable has DVI-D and VGA connectors for the computer outputs and a DVI-I connector for the monitor.
  
  

HDMI

• HDMI, introduced in 2002, added digital audio to the DVI format to make easier connections in home entertainment systems. But since the issue of version 1.4 in 2009, many computer manufacturers began using HDMI ports instead of DVI to standardize all connections. You can connect the video portion of an HDMI signal to a DVI-D input with a DVI/HDMI adapter cable, but it will not carry the sound. You need to make a separate connection from the source to the sound input jacks associated with the DVI-D input port.