This category holds adapters and converter cables that connect a computer or laptop to a monitor or projector with a DVI or VGA input. Most are DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort or HDMI to DVI-D or VGA models, alongside some DVI to VGA types. Leading brands in our range include StarTech.com, Micro Connect, Lindy and Lenovo.
How to choose a DVI or VGA adapter
Match the ports on both devices. Check the video output on your computer and the input on the screen before looking at anything else. Our range covers DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort and HDMI to DVI-D or VGA (D-Sub), plus DVI-D to VGA.
Check the signal type. VGA is an analogue signal, while HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI-D are digital. Going from HDMI or DisplayPort to VGA needs a converter with active electronics inside, whereas HDMI to DVI-D is usually a simple passive link because both are digital. Adapters generally work in one direction only, so an HDMI to VGA converter will not work the other way round unless it is sold as reversible.
Know your DVI type. DVI-D carries digital video only, while DVI-I carries digital and analogue. A basic DVI to VGA adapter works only from a DVI-I or DVI-A socket. A DVI-D socket cannot feed a VGA monitor through a passive adapter, so a DVI-D to VGA converter must be an active one.
Choose the right connector gender and shape. Most products in our range have a male connector at the source end. At the screen end you will find both male and female versions: female ends suit short adapter dongles, male ends suit cables that plug into a socket. For a thin laptop, a short dongle is often more practical than a long cable.
Think about resolution and sound. A single-link DVI connection handles up to 1920 x 1200 at 60 Hz, and higher resolutions need dual-link DVI or a different connection. Neither DVI nor VGA carries audio, so you will need a separate sound cable if the screen has speakers.
Brands we carry
- StarTech.com: a maker of connectivity products, known for video adapters, cables and docks used in offices and server rooms. It has the largest share of this category in our range.
- Lindy: a long-established supplier of cables and AV connectivity accessories, with adapters aimed at professional installations.
- Lenovo: a PC manufacturer, so its adapters are made to suit its own laptops and business desktops.
- Dell: another PC manufacturer, offering adapters made for its own laptops and monitors.
- InLine: a German brand of cables and computer accessories, with a range of video adapters and cables.
- Nedis: a brand of consumer electronics accessories, including video cables and converters for home use.
Also in our range: Micro Connect, Vivolink, Cablexpert, Qoltec and LogiLink.
Frequently asked questions about DVI and VGA adapters
Can I connect an HDMI laptop to a VGA monitor?
Yes, with an HDMI to VGA converter. Because HDMI is digital and VGA is analogue, the converter needs active electronics, so a plain pin-to-pin cable will not work. If the monitor also has a DVI input, a simple HDMI to DVI-D cable is often the easier option.
What is the difference between DVI-D and DVI-I?
DVI-D carries only a digital signal, while DVI-I carries both digital and analogue. The extra analogue pins on DVI-I are what allow a simple DVI to VGA adapter to work. Look at the pins around the flat blade on the connector to tell which type you have.
Do DVI and VGA adapters carry sound?
No, DVI and VGA carry video only. Even if the source is HDMI or DisplayPort, the sound is lost when it is converted to DVI or VGA. You will need a separate audio cable or speakers connected to the computer.
Do I need an active adapter for DisplayPort to DVI or VGA?
It depends on the target. DisplayPort to VGA always needs a converter that changes the digital signal to analogue. DisplayPort to DVI-D can be passive when the source supports dual-mode output, but an active adapter is more dependable for higher resolutions or when the source does not support it.
