A video adapter cable is a type of cable designed to connect a video output port on one device to a video input port on another device, when the ports are of different types. Essentially, they translate the video signal format or connector type to bridge compatibility gaps between various display technologies and devices.
Why Use a Video Adapter Cable?
In today's world, computers, laptops, tablets, and monitors come equipped with a variety of video ports like HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, Thunderbolt, DVI, and older VGA. Often, the ports on your device don't match the ports available on the display you want to use. Video adapter cables solve this problem by providing a seamless connection, allowing you to:
- Connect a new laptop with only USB-C ports to an older monitor with a VGA input.
- Connect a graphics card with DisplayPort outputs to a monitor that only has HDMI inputs.
- Use multiple monitors with varying port types.
These cables contain active or passive electronics within the connector heads to perform the necessary signal conversion or remapping.
Examples of Video Adapter Cable Conversions
Video adapter cables facilitate connections between numerous port types. Here are a few common examples:
- USB-C to HDMI: Connecting a modern laptop or tablet to an HDMI monitor or TV.
- HDMI to DisplayPort: Connecting a device with HDMI out to a monitor with DisplayPort in.
- DisplayPort to DVI: Connecting a computer with DisplayPort out to an older monitor with DVI in.
- USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 to VGA: As referenced, an adapter or adapter cable can convert video from a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port to an older VGA monitor by using DisplayPort Alt Mode as an intermediate format. This allows newer devices utilizing the versatile USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 connection to output video to legacy VGA displays, leveraging the DisplayPort video protocol carried over the USB-C connector.
| From Port | To Port | Common Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C/Thunderbolt | HDMI | New laptop to TV/Monitor |
| USB-C/Thunderbolt | DisplayPort | New laptop to high-resolution monitor |
| USB-C/Thunderbolt | VGA | New laptop to older projector/monitor |
| HDMI | DisplayPort | Graphics card to monitor |
| DisplayPort | HDMI | Computer to TV |
| DVI | VGA | Older graphics card to VGA monitor |
Using the correct video adapter cable ensures that you can connect your devices and display content, regardless of the different port types involved.
