Often the choice of a video card is made according to the criteria of an already purchased monitor or its desired type and image quality. For example, a digital LCD monitor requires DVI connectors. Although modern developments often offer absolutely universal solutions, it is still worth double-checking. Because for resolutions higher than 1920 by 1200 with digital image transmission, you only need a DVI Dual Link connector.
What are DVI connectors used for?
DVI connectors perform important functions for transmitting images to different kinds monitors, they are divided into several types, advanced digital and analog signals. Most modern video cards are equipped with a DVI interface, which is presented mainly in two different types DVI-I and DVI-D.
What is DVI-I?
This type is considered the most common in video cards due to its versatility. "I" stands for "integrated". This interface uses two types of transmission channel, namely analog and digital. They function separately from each other, and have different modifications:
This device has 1 digital channel and 1 analogue. They absolutely do not depend on each other. Which of them will function depends on the type of connection to the video card and on the mechanism directly to which the connection is made. This type is not used in professional equipment, because eliminates the possibility of transmission to thirty-inch and LCD monitors, namely the use of wider screen resolutions (more than 1920 by 1080).
. This is an improved DVI interface, has one analog and two digital channels for data transmission. The channels also work independently of each other.
It is noted that almost all video cards have at least two DVI-I connectors.
What is DVI-D?
This interface provides exclusively digital technologies for data transmission, and can also have several channels. This type, namely DVI-D Single Link, allows feeding at a frequency 60 Hz, in resolution 1920 by 1200 dots, but this is not enough to connect to 3D monitors. In turn, there is a second type for this. Let's take a closer look at it!
D - this is “digital”, translated as “digital”, as mentioned above, it does not have an analog channel, but at the same time allows greater possibilities for transmitting digital data. Dual – means “2” channels. This advantage makes it possible to operate NVidia 3D, feeding images to a 3D monitor, because two channels allow for 120 Hz and wide resolution capabilities.
Key differences between DVI-I and DVI-D
“I” supports both digital and analogue transmission forms; in “D” only digital is possible, so if connected to an analog monitor, DVI-D will not be able to transmit the required signal. Externally, they also differ; unlike dvi-i, dvi-d does not have four holes. The “D” connector is much less common on video cards, but it guarantees the most best quality digital image. Often used for professional CRT monitors. This type is mainly found in integrated video cards. When, in turn, it is dvi-i that is most common on popular consumer video cards, due to its two functionality. Considering the connection data, there is also an exclusively analog transmission form, DVI-A, which is used very rarely. 
What do they have in common?
Of course, this is the versatility of DVI-I and the ability to transmit, both digital and analog signal. With the help of additional adapters and combinations, “I” efficiently carries out any form of transmission, and the use of this type for an analog screen is almost no different from “D”. In modern products, the first option is used much more often than the second and, moreover, almost always!
If you have any doubts about the alignment of the video card and screen connectors, it is recommended to immediately contact a specialist, because Most often, in case of an error, you will have to either replace one of the devices or use possible alternatives and additional cables that may distort the image. The best option is to purchase DVI-D for a digital monitor, or a universal dvi-i, which can function even when replacing an analog monitor with a digital one. For more information about which of the above connectors will provide the best quality, it is best to consult when purchasing.
To visualize information processed by a computer, you definitely need a screen. WITH technical side connecting the monitor to system unit provided via cable. Cable connectors can be of four types: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI or VGA. Each of them has both its advantages and disadvantages. So what's the best way to connect a monitor? DVI or HDMI or VGA - which option is preferable?
High-Definition Multimedia Interface
Even connecting a screen to a computer has its own standards. So, DVI or HDMI - which is better for a monitor? The choice definitely falls on the last connector. This undeniable leadership is due to the fact that many modern development companies use it by default.
HDMI is the most popular this moment interface type. It is used to connect most monitors and TVs. But the use of HDMI is not limited to only these devices. It allows you to connect laptops, tablets, smartphones, game consoles, and multimedia players. HDMI is already a standard for connecting equipment to output images of particularly high quality.
Advantages of HDMI over other connection types
In order to decide whether DVI or HDMI is better for a monitor, you need to remember the advantages of each connection type. The advantages of the second are:
- Simplicity. The image is transmitted through one cable, which is very convenient because it avoids the accumulation of a large number of different wires. Thanks to this type of interface, the entire entertainment multimedia system can be converted into digital form quickly and easily. HDMI, due to its wide format, allows you to connect many devices (for example, for a home theater) using the same one cable.
- Compatibility. Each a new version is perfectly supported and interchangeable with the previous ones.
- Efficiency. connection (10.2 Gbps) provides transmission of video fragments with a resolution of 1080. Thus, using HDMI, you can watch films of truly high quality. For gamers, this point is important because, thanks to high resolution, gaming speed increases.
HDMI intelligence and innovation
HDMI is a completely digital format that requires no image conversion or compression. In addition, in the future, the developers plan to improve this technology: firstly, they are working on higher resolutions and increased frequencies, and secondly, another know-how is the technology of an expanded color palette, which will include up to a trillion colors, but for now At the moment it is at the development stage. The latter will allow you to get a more realistic and high-quality picture.
Manufacturers and developers of this type of connector are as consumer-oriented as possible, so a two-way connection ensures full interaction of devices with each other. This interface allows you to automatically determine the capabilities of each type of equipment in order to adjust the necessary options. HDMI has learned to control the resolution and aspect ratio of the image. The latest development The company is Consumer Electronics Control - technology that allows you to control playback, recording, and even launch a series of commands with one button.
DisplayPort
If you are deciding how best to connect a monitor - DVI or HDMI or DisplayPort - you need to know that the latter option is definitely not suitable for HD lovers. This interface was developed by specialists from VESA, a fairly reputable company in its field. But despite this, many users consider the connector to be the most suitable for connecting the screen and the power supply.
However, programmers and designers, thinking about how best to connect a monitor (DVI or HDMI or D-Sub DisplayPort), will probably give preference to the latter. And all because the main feature of this type of connection is the ability to work simultaneously with several monitors.
Another advantage of the interface is the absence of licensing fees. Another feature of the DisplayPort connector is that each color is transmitted on its own personal channel. Unlike HDMI, it has a locking mechanism and is free of screw fastenings, which maintains reliable operation. DisplayPort, in addition, has quite small dimensions.
Summarizing the above, we can say that the main purpose of this type of connection is to provide communication between the monitor and the computer. This is not the best option for TVs.
Digital Visual Interface
In the nineties, DVI had the status of a standard interface for connecting monitors, but soon lost relevance due to the advent of HDMI. But still, what is the best way to connect a monitor? DVI or HDMI - which option is better? DVI can be used where 4K resolution is not required. This interface supports several modes:
- digital only (the difference between the digital format is that it does not transmit an audio signal, suitable for computers that do not have speakers);
- analog only;
- digital and analog.
Video Graphics Array
In order to fully discuss (DVI or HDMI) which is better for a monitor, it is necessary to remember the long-forgotten VGA. It was once widely used in electronics, but has now become almost extinct. Several years ago, leading IT companies finally abandoned this interface, arguing that they were planning a transition to new high speeds.
But VGA is still found in old computers and projectors. And if it is convenient to use, then why should it be abandoned? After all, he served some faithfully for more than a decade.
Summarizing
How to decide on the choice - DisplayPort, VGA, DVI or HDMI? What is better for a monitor? First of all, you need to indicate the purpose of the interface for each specific connection. The best option would, of course, be HDMI, which is universal. This connection is suitable for both TV and computer.
If multifunctionality is not in the first place, then for PC good choice will become DisplayPort. The connector is now supported and used by many manufacturers. VGA and DVI, as outdated but proven versions, will also find their, although not widespread, distribution. And yet, the most technologically advanced, innovative and promising solutions will be DisplayPort and HDMI.
The digital DVI interface replaces the analogue VGA interface used in most older monitors, which has existed unchanged for over a decade. The need for such an “upgrade” has been brewing for a long time: the analogue method of data transmission had many disadvantages, first of all, significant restrictions on the amount of transmitted information, and therefore on the maximum resolution that the monitor can support.
The first versions of DVI were based on a serial data format and used three channels carrying video and additional data streams, with throughput up to 3.4 Gbit/s per channel.
At the same time, increasing the cable length had a negative impact on the maximum permissible volume of transmitted data. Thus, a cable 10.5 m long can be used to transmit an image with a resolution of up to 1920 × 1200 pixels, and if its length is increased to 15 meters, then it is unlikely that it will be possible to transmit an image more than 1280 × 1024 pixels without loss of quality (in extreme cases you will have to use several cables and special signal amplifiers). To ensure compatibility, several types of DVI cables have been developed, differing not only in their characteristics, but also in their connectors. By looking at the connector, you can understand what characteristics the cable has - namely, what data it can transmit and in what volume.
The simplest option is DVI-A Single Link. The letter A in this abbreviation means “analog”. Such a cable is not capable of transmitting digital data at all, and, in fact, is an ordinary VGA cable equipped with a DVI connector. You can find such a cable in real life pretty hard.
DVI-I cables support both analog and digital transmission data. This cable is one of the most common: the letter “I” in the abbreviation stands for “integrated”, and means that this cable has two independent data transmission channels - analog and digital. Using such a cable, you can connect both a digital monitor and an analog one (for example, an old CRT monitor). To do this, you will need an inexpensive DVI-VGA adapter.
Finally, DVI-D cables only support digital data transfer. You won't be able to connect an old analog monitor to them. In particular, you need to remember this when choosing a video card: by looking at the connectors available on it, it will become clear which monitors can be connected to it and which cannot.
The DVI-I connector has more pins than the DVI-D connector. Additional contacts on the DVI-I connector are responsible for transmitting a signal in an analog format, which is not available on the DVI-D connector.
Finally, we need to talk about the Dual link variation (dual mode), which is found in DVI-I and DVI-D cables. The DVI standard implies the ability to double the channel bandwidth by adding several additional pins to the connector.
Thanks to this, the cable can transmit twice as much information, and therefore the monitor can be set to a higher resolution and refresh rate. Without Dual Link, nVidia 3D Vision three-dimensional image display technology will also not work, for the implementation of which you must have a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a resolution of 1920x1080.
If we take the standard screen refresh rate of 60 Hz, then the Single Link cable will provide a resolution of up to 1920x1080 pixels, and the Dual link will allow you to transmit an image in a resolution of up to 2560x1600 pixels.
The conclusion that can be drawn from these figures is clear: to connect digital monitors with a relatively low resolution by today's standards, any digital DVI cable - Dual link in in this case not required. If the monitor supports resolutions such as 2048x1536, 2560x1080 or 2560x1600 pixels, then dual mode will be indispensable.
If the house has an old monitor with an analog VGA connector, but the video card does not have such a connector, you will have to make sure not only that there is an adapter, but also that the cable supports analog data transfer (that is, it is equipped with a DVI-connector). I).
Probably every user of a personal computer or laptop has encountered issues with connecting a monitor or TV to it, as well as the quality of the resulting image. And if earlier getting a high-quality picture on the screen was quite problematic, today this problem does not exist at all. Of course, if your device has a DVI connector. This is what we will talk about, and also consider other existing interfaces for displaying images on the screen.
Types of connectors for displaying images on a computer monitor or screen
Until recently, everything personal computers had an exclusively analog connection to the monitor. To transfer images to it, a VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) interface with a D-Sub 15 connector was used. Experienced users still remember the blue plug and 15-pin socket. But, besides this, video cards also had other connectors designed to display images on a TV screen or other video device:
- RCA (Radio Corporation of America) - in our opinion, “tulip”. An analog connector designed to connect a video card to a TV, video player or VCR using a coaxial cable. Has the worst transmission characteristics and low resolution.
- S-Video (S-VHS) is a type of analog connector for transmitting a video signal to a TV, VCR or projector, dividing the data into three channels responsible for a separate base color. The quality of signal transmission is slightly better than “tulip”.
- Component connector - output to three separate “tulips”, used to output images to the projector.
All of these connectors were widely used until the late 1990s. Of course, there was no question of quality, since both televisions and monitors at that time had very low resolution. Now we can’t even imagine how it was possible to play computer games looking at a television screen with a cathode ray tube.
With the advent of the new century, thanks to the introduction of digital technologies in the development of video devices, RCA, S-VHS and component output began to be used less and less. The VGA interface lasted a little longer.
A little history
The operating principle of a conventional video card was that the digital image output from it had to be converted into an analog signal using a RAMDAC device - a digital-to-analog converter. Naturally, such conversion already deteriorated the image quality at the initial stage.
With the advent of digital screens, it became necessary to convert the analog signal at the output. Now monitors have also begun to be equipped with a special converter, which again could not but affect the image quality.
And here, in 1999, DVI appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, the latest digital video interface, thanks to which we can today enjoy the perfect picture on the screen.
The development of this interface device was carried out by a whole group of companies, which included Silicon Image, Digital Display Working Group and even Intel. The developers came to the conclusion that there is no need to convert a digital signal to analog, and then vice versa. It is enough to create a single interface, and the image in its original form will be displayed on the screen. And without the slightest loss of quality.
What is DVI
DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface. The essence of its work is that a special TMDS encoding protocol, also developed by Silicon Image, is used to transmit data. The method of signal transmission through a digital video interface is based on the sequential sending of information pre-implemented by the protocol, with constant backward compatibility with the analog VGA channel.
The DVI specification allows for a single TMDS connection to operate at up to 165 MHz and a transfer rate of 1.65 Gbps. This makes it possible to obtain an output image with a resolution of 1920x1080 with a maximum frequency of 60 Hz. But here it is possible to simultaneously use a second TMDS connection with the same frequency, which allows you to achieve a throughput of 2 Gbit/s.
Having such indicators, DVI left far behind other developments in this direction and began to be used on all digital devices without exception.
DVI for the average user
Without delving into the jungle of electronics, a digital video interface is just a special encoding device that has a corresponding connector on the video card. But how do you know that a computer or laptop has a digital output?
Everything is very simple. The connectors of video cards with a digital interface cannot be confused with others. They have specific type and shape, different from other nests. In addition, the DVI connector is always white, which makes it stand out from the rest.
In order to connect a monitor, TV or projector to a video card, you simply plug in the plug of the desired wire and secure it using special hand-screwed bolts.
Resolution and scaling
However, neither digital coding nor special video card connectors have completely solved the problem of computer-monitor compatibility. A question arose about image scaling.
The fact is that all monitors, screens and televisions that already have a DVI connector are not capable of producing a higher output resolution than that provided by their design. Therefore, it often happened that the video card produced a high-quality picture, and the monitor showed it to us only in a quality limited by its capabilities.
The developers caught on in time and began equipping all modern digital panels with special scaling devices.
Now, when we connect the DVI connector on the monitor to the corresponding output on the video card, the device instantly self-adjusts, choosing the optimal operating mode. We usually don’t pay any attention to this process and don’t try to control it.
Video cards and DVI support
The first video cards of the NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS series already had built-in TMDS transmitters. They are still widely used today in Titanium cards, being integrated into rendering devices. The disadvantage of built-in transmitters is their low clock frequency, which does not allow achieving high resolution. In other words, TMDS do not make the most of their advertised 165 MHz bandwidth. Therefore, we can say with confidence that NVIDIA at the initial stage failed to adequately implement the DVI standard in its video cards.
When video adapters began to be equipped with an external TMDS, working in parallel with the built-in one, the DVI interface was able to produce a resolution of 1920x1440, which exceeded all the expectations of the company's developers.
The Titanium GeForce GTX series had no problems at all. They are without special effort provide an image with a resolution of 1600x1024.
ATI took a completely different path. All of its video cards that have DVI outputs also operate from integrated transmitters, but they are supplied complete with special DVI-VGA adapters that connect 5 analog DVI pins to VGA.
Maxtor specialists decided not to bother at all and came up with their own way out of the situation. The G550 series video cards are the only ones that have a dual DVI cable instead of two signal transmitters. This solution allowed the company to achieve a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels.
DVI connector: types
It's important to know that not all digital connectors are created equal. They have different specifications and designs. In ours with you Everyday life The most common types of DVI connectors are:
- DVI-I SingleLink;
- DVI-I DualLink;
- DVI-D SingleLink;
- DVI-D DualLink;
- DVI-A.
DVI-I SingleLink connector
This connector is the most popular and in demand. It is used in all modern video cards and digital monitors. The letter I in the name means “integrated”. This DVI connector is special in its own way. The fact is that it has two combined transmission channels: digital and analog. In other words, this is a DVI+VGA connector. It has 24 digital pins and 5 analog pins.
Considering that these channels are independent of each other and cannot be used simultaneously, the device independently chooses which one to work with.
By the way, the first such integrated interfaces had separate DVI and VGA connectors.
DVI-I DualLink connector
DVI-I DualLink is also capable of transmitting an analog signal, but, unlike SingleLink, it has two digital channels. Why is this necessary? Firstly, to improve throughput, and secondly, it all again comes down to resolution, which is directly proportional to image quality. This option allows you to expand it to 1920x1080.
DVI-D SingleLink connector
DVI-D SingleLink connectors do not have any analog channels. The letter D informs the user that this is a digital interface only. It has one transmission channel and is also limited to a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.
DVI-D DualLink connector
This connector has two data channels. Their simultaneous use makes it possible to obtain 2560x1600 pixels at a frequency of only 60 Hz. In addition, this solution allows some modern video cards, such as nVidia 3D Vision, to reproduce three-dimensional image on a monitor screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
DVI-A connector
In some sources, the concept of DVI-A is sometimes found - a digital connector for transmitting exclusively an analog signal. In order not to mislead you, let us immediately indicate that in fact such an interface does not exist. DVI-A is just a special plug in cables and special adapters for connecting analog video devices to the DVI-I connector.
Digital connector: pinout
All of the connectors listed differ from each other in the location and number of contacts:
- DVI-I SingleLink - has 18 pins for a digital channel and 5 for an analogue one;
- DVI-I DualLink - 24 digital pins, 4 analog, 1 - ground;
- DVI-D SingleLink - 18 digital, 1 - ground;
- DVI-D DualLink - 24 digital, 1 - ground
The DVI-A connector also has its own unique pin arrangement. Its pinout consists of only 17 pins, including ground.
HDMI connector
A modern digital video interface also has other types of connecting communications. For example, the HDMI DVI connector is in no way inferior in popularity to the listed models. On the contrary, due to its compactness and the ability to transmit an audio signal along with digital video, it has become a mandatory accessory for all new TVs and monitors.
The abbreviation HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface, which means “high-definition multimedia interface.” It appeared for the first time in 2003 and since then has not lost any of its relevance. Every year new modifications appear with improved resolution and bandwidth.
Today, for example, HDMI makes it possible to transmit video and audio signals without loss of quality over a cable up to 10 meters long. The throughput is up to 10.2 Gb/s. Just a few years ago this figure did not exceed 5 Gb/s.
This standard is supported and developed by the world's leading radio electronics companies: Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony, Philips, etc. Almost all video devices today manufactured by these manufacturers must have at least one HDMI connector.
DP connector
DP (DisplayPort) is the newest connector that replaced the HDMI multimedia interface. Possessing high throughput, minimal loss of quality during data transmission and compactness, it was designed to completely replace the DVI standard. But it turned out that not everything is so simple. Most modern monitors do not have appropriate connectors, and changing their production system in short time- it’s an impossible task. In addition, not all manufacturers are particularly keen on this, which is why most of video equipment is not equipped with the DisplayPort standard.
Mini connectors
Today, when more mobile devices are often used instead of computers: laptops, tablets and smartphones, it becomes not very convenient to use conventional connectors. Therefore, manufacturers such as Apple, for example, began to replace them with smaller analogues. First VGA became mini-VGA, then DVI became micro-DVI, and DisplayPort shrank to mini-DisplayPort.
DVI adapters
But what if, for example, you need to connect a laptop to an analog monitor or another device that has a DVI connector to a digital panel with HDMI or DisplayPort standard? Special adapters will help with this, which can be purchased today at any radio electronics store.
Let's look at their main types:
- VGA - DVI;
- DVI - VGA;
- DVI - HDMI;
- HDMI - DVI;
- HDMI - DisplayPort;
- DisplayPort - HDMI.
In addition to these basic adapters, there are also varieties of them that provide connection to other interfaces, such as USB.
Of course, with such a connection there is a loss of image quality, even between devices of the same type that support the DVI standard. An adapter connector, no matter how high-quality it is, cannot solve this problem.
How to connect a TV to a computer
Connecting a TV to a computer or laptop is not difficult, but you should determine which interface is equipped with both devices. Most modern television receivers have built-in connectors that support DVI. This can be either HDMI or DisplayPort. If a computer or laptop has the same connector as the TV, it is enough to use the cable that usually comes with the latter. If the wire was not included in the kit, you can freely buy it in the store.
The computer operating system will independently detect the connection of the second screen and offer one of the options for using it:
- as the main monitor;
- in clone mode (the image will be displayed on both screens);
- as an additional monitor to the main one.
But do not forget that with such a connection, the image resolution will remain the same as provided for by the screen design.
Does cable length affect signal quality?
Not only the signal quality, but also the data transfer speed depends on the length of the cable connecting the device and the screen. Considering modern characteristics connecting wires for various digital interfaces, their length should not exceed the established parameters:
- for VGA - no more than 3 m;
- for HDMI - no more than 5 m;
- for DVI - no more than 10 m;
- for DisplayPort - no more than 10 m.
If you need to connect a computer or laptop to a screen located at a distance exceeding the recommended one, you must use a special amplifier - a repeater (signal repeater), which can also distribute the channel to several monitors.
Modern computers or mobile gadgets are equipped with a wide range of ports, from traditional USB 2.0 to the newfangled Thunderbolt 3. Even if they are all familiar to you, time passes and technological progress gives rise to new standard power supply or reception and transmission, which require new adapters. Let's find out what wires and adapters are needed to connect your computer to a monitor, TV, network, gadget and other peripheral device.
When you purchase a new laptop or desktop computer, it is always interesting to find out what connectors and ports are present on board. In addition, knowledge will always come in handy to help you find out whether your device will benefit in transfer speed if you attach it to a modern usb type-c port, rather than the already outdated usb 2.0. That is why I tried to collect a complete list of ports, as well as the type and cost of adapters that you may encounter when pairing a computer or laptop with your gadgets.
Description: The most common audio connector in the world. On most computers, tablets and phones it is designed as a 3.5 mm jack and connects most wired headphones, speakers to a computer or gadget. Moreover, computers, as a rule, have two or more audio jacks for a microphone and headphones, speakers for 3.1, 5.1 or even 7.1 sound format. And mobile gadgets have only one headset port.
Need an adapter Note: If your device does not have a 3.5mm jack, you may want to consider purchasing a wired USB headset or Bluetooth wireless audio device or adapter USB-to-3.5mm. Fortunately, the cost of each option exceeds $10.
Options for 3.5 mini jack adapters
Ethernet network port (RJ-45)
Also known as: Gigabit Ethernet, 10/1000 Ethernet, LAN port.
Description: Focused primarily on the business segment of devices - servers and switches, laptops and computers. This port allows you to connect directly to wired networks. While Wi-Fi continues to increase wireless connection speeds, Ethernet has long been able to operate at 1Gbps over a wire. Having such a speed is really very convenient, because data transfer speed plays a big role these days decisive role, if it is possible to select an interface for connecting to the Internet. Ethernet in business connects millions of office computers into a local network and transmits tens of gigabits of traffic in the largest data centers.
At home, if you have more than one computer, TV with a LAN port, you should think about organizing local network. No network standard available today will offer you such a data transfer speed and at the same time network stability and lack of interference.
Need an adapter Note: If you don't have a built-in Ethernet port, you may want to consider purchasing an adapter USB-to-Ethernet. The average cost is from $15 to $30, depending on the USB type: Type-C or Type-A. For some mobile devices, it is possible to obtain Ethernet by connecting to the Docking Station.
RJ-45 Ethernet cable
HDMI connector
Also known as: Interface for high definition multimedia.
Description: This popular connector is the most common for connecting devices to a TV, and also appears on many monitors and projectors. Depending on your laptop or desktop PC with a graphics card, the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port may be able to output resolutions up to 4K. However, you may not be able to output two displays from the same port. Also, HDMI carries audio along with video. So if your monitor or TV has speakers, you will also get sound.
If your computer has an HDMI output and your monitor has a DVI output, you can convert the signal from one to the other with an adapter that costs less than $5.
Most laptops that have HDMI use a full-size port (Type A), but there are also ultra-thin devices that use mini HDMI connectors: mini-HDMI (Type C) and micro-HDMI (Type D), which are physically designed in smaller forms. -factor.
Need an adapter: If you need to connect to a DVI port, then use HDMI-DVI adapter that costs $5. For about $25 you can find an adapter USB (Type-C)-HDMI.
If you want to convert the signal from the HDMI port on your computer to a DisplayPort device, such as a monitor, you will have to purchase a fairly expensive active converter that requires its own power connection and costs over $30. Cables DisplayPort-to-HDMI will not work without power.
DVI-HDMI adapter, mini-HDMI port
DisplayPort/Mini DisplayPort
Also known as: Dual purpose port.
Description: DisplayPort is the most advanced standard for connecting monitors to a computer today, with the ability to output 4K 60Hz images to one monitor, or up to three Full HD monitors (using a hub or docking station). Most laptops that have DisplayPort use a mini DisplayPort or DisplayPort Type-C connector over a USB port.
Still, most monitors and TVs don't have a DisplayPort connector, but you can output to an HDMI-compatible display with an adapter that costs less than $10. Like HDMI, DisplayPort can output audio in the same cable as video.
Need an adapter: If you want to display an image on more than one monitor from one mini DisplayPort port on a laptop, then you need a multi-threaded DisplayPort hub, which costs between $70 and $100 and requires electricity. One cable USB (Type-C)-to-DisplayPort or mini DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cables cost just over $10.
mini-DisplayPort, DisplayPort
DVI port
Also known as: DVI-D, DVI-I, Dual-Link DVI.
Description: By virtue of physical dimensions DVI, not every laptop is equipped with this interface. But almost every monitor with Full HD resolution has a DVI port. Often DVI will be the best option for connecting your computer and monitor, as many budget displays only have DVI and VGA connectors. Fortunately, if the need arises, you can purchase an adapter to convert from HDMI or DisplayPort to DVI.
DVI can output images up to a resolution of 1920 x 1200 at 60 Hz. For 2K or 4K monitors at 30 Hz, a second connection is required - the so-called Dual-Link DVI. By virtue of its name, it can provide image output with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 at 120 Hz.
Most basic USB docking stations have at least one DVI output.
Need an adapter: You can find the cable HDMI-DVI for less than $10 and DisplayPort-DVI cable for under $15. The cheapest cable is DVI-VGA about 5$. USB docking stations with output for two DVI monitors start at $90.
HDMI-DVI adapter, DVI cable
MicroSD adapter
Also known as: MicroSD memory card slot, MicroSDHC reader, microSDXC.
Description: This slot reads MicroSD memory cards, which are used by the vast majority of modern smartphones, tablets, players and other mobile gadgets. If your laptop or tablet has a very limited amount of internal disk memory, then microSD adapter Will save you. It will allow you to expand the internal memory using a large MicroSD memory card of 64 GB or 128 GB.
Need an adapter: If your device does not have a built-in slot for a MicroSD card, then I advise you to purchase an external one microSD adapter, which will cost you up to about $10.
MicroSD adapter
SD adapter
Also known as: 3-in-1 card reader, 4-in-1 card reader, 5-in-1 card reader, SDHC memory card reader.
Description: This slot can be used to read memory cards from an SD digital camera.
Need an adapter Note: If you frequently transfer photos from your DSLR to your laptop or desktop computer, I highly recommend purchasing an SD card reader. It connects via USB and costs just under $10.
5-in-1 card reader, SDHC adapter
USB/USB Type-A
Also known as: USB Type-A, regular USB,
Description: USB (Universal Serial Bus) is the most common connector in laptops and computers today. A regular USB port is known as USB Type-A and has a simple, rectangular shape. Depending on the hardware design, it can be either USB-2.0 or USB-3.0, which differ significantly in speed.
Speed indicators
USB 1.1
- low-bandwidth mode (Low-Speed) - 1.5 Mbit/s maximum;
- high-bandwidth mode (Full-Speed) - 12 Mbit/s maximum.
- Maintains physical and functional compatibility with USB 1.1;
- Low-speed mode, 10-1500 Kbps (keyboards, mice, joysticks, gamepads);
- Full-speed mode, 0.5-12 Mbit/s (audio, video devices);
- High-speed mode, 25-480 Mbit/s (video devices, storage devices).
- Maintains physical and functional compatibility with USB 2.0;
- maximum speed information transfer up to 5 Gbit/s.
You can connect a virtually endless variety of peripherals to a USB port, from keyboards and mice to printers and Ethernet adapters. Regular USB doesn't have its own video transfer standard, but you can connect to a monitor using a universal dock or adapter with DisplayLink technology.
Regular USB 2.0 Type A cable
USB Type-B
Description: You will not find this square connector on the computer motherboard; it is not located on the side of the laptop. It is used in peripheral devices as an input port: docking stations, printers, scanners and others. All of these devices will require a cable USB Type-A - Type-B, which can be easily found in any computer store.
USB Type-B
USB Type-C
Also known as: USB-C.
Description: This slim USB port is the newest USB standard. The port is already available on a number of devices, and will likely replace USB Type-A, USB Type-B and MicroUSB on all new systems in the near future. It is much thinner than its predecessors. Type-C can fit on very thin laptops, such as the MacBook 12". The USB Type-C connector is symmetrical, so you never have to worry about the position of the plug when plugging into a port that allows you to insert the cable either way. Apple with its The Lightning connector clearly demonstrated this by introducing USB Type-C into all of its devices.
USB Type-C ports can support several different standards, but not all of them offer the same functionality. Type-C can transfer files to either USB 3.1 Gen 1 (at 5 Gbps) or USB 3.1 Gen 2 (at 10 Gbps). It can be used as a charging port (USB-PD), so you can charge your laptop with it. It can also carry DisplayPort signals, and even act as a Thunderbolt port.
Need an adapter: If you have a USB Type-A port rectangular shape, but there is a need to connect a device with USB Type-C, use a cable USB-C 3.0 (Type C) - USB-A 3.0.
USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable
USB 2.0 interface
Also known as: Hi-Speed USB, USB 2.
Description: Capable of transferring data at speeds up to 480 Mbps, USB 2.0 is the most common USB and works effectively with most peripheral devices. The USB 2.0 port can be made in various form factors: Type A - Type A (rectangular), Type B - Type-B (square), mini - mini USB or micro - micro USB. On laptops and desktops the USB 2.0 port will always be Type A, while on tablets and phones it will most likely be micro USB.
USB 2.0 ports
USB 3.0 interface
Also known as: SuperSpeed USB, USB 3.
Description: Great for external hard drives, SSD drives, high definition monitors, docking stations, USB 3.0 has a maximum transfer speed of 5Gbps. This is more than 10 times faster than its predecessor USB 2.0. USB 3 ports are automatically backwards compatible with USB 2.0 cables and devices. USB 3 ports on the computer use rectangular type connector and, as a rule, are no different from their younger brothers. SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports are sometimes painted light blue or have a tiny "SS" logo next to them to indicate their higher data transfer speeds.
USB 3.0 cable
USB 3.1 Gen 1
Also known as: USB 3.1, SuperSpeed USB.
Description: USB 3.1 Gen 1 is a communication protocol that operates at the same 5Gbps speed as USB 3.0, but it only works with USB Type-C. This provides backward compatibility with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 devices, provided that the cable has a Type-C connector on at least one side. USB 3.1 devices can support USB device charging, which allows them to receive or transmit power at speeds of up to 100W, which is enough to charge most laptops.
USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.1 Gen 2
Also known as: USB 3.1, SuperSpeed + USB, SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps.
Description: USB 3.1 Gen 2 has the same form factor as USB 3.1 Gen 1, but with double the bandwidth, allowing it to transfer data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps. To ensure backward compatibility with USB 3.1 Gen 2 USB adapters, a Type C connector will be required, but to use it at full speed, you'll need to make sure the cable is rated for 10 Gbps. This is usually marked with an "ss" logo or in blue.
USB 3.1 Gen 2
Micro USB
Also known as: Micro-B, MicroUSB.
Description: This small size The port has gained a reputation as a port for charging smartphones and low-power tablets. This connector is not used on laptops and PCs. Regular micro USB supports USB 2.0 speed (480 Mbps) and allows you to connect multiple devices, mainly external hard drives. Micro USB 3.0 ports have some extra pins and offer faster transfer speeds, but the form factor is exactly the same as micro USB 3.0.
Need an adapter: In order to connect a phone or tablet to a laptop, you will need USB Type-A - micro USB cable that costs about $5. Alternatively, you can use an adapter Type-C - micro USB for 10$.
Micro USB 2.0, Micro USB 3.0
Mini USB
Also known as: Mini-B, mini USB.
Description: The interface is already less popular than micro USB, as it is older. Used on some external hard drives, game consoles and other accessories. They, like micro USB, are not used on laptops and computers. They can be found on mobile phones or some players. But even with the advent of micro USB, the use of this port is very rare these days.
Need an adapter: cable Type-A - mini USB costs around $5, A cable Type-C - mini USB available for under $10, and adapter micro USB - USB will cost about $5.
Type-A cable - mini USB, micro USB - USB adapter
Thunderbolt 3
Also known as: Thunderbolt.
Description: Fastest connection on the market today. Thunderbolt 3 can transfer data at speeds of up to 40 Gbps, which is four times faster than the fastest USB (USB 3.1 Gen 2). This high-speed standard can also output to two 4K monitors at once because one Thunderbolt 3 port carries dual DisplayPort signals. Thunderbolt 3 can be used to connect an external graphics card, which allows you to play games on maximum resolution using even an ultra-thin laptop.
All Thunderbolt 3 ports use the USB Type-C standard, allowing them to connect to a variety of peripherals that use USB.
Before Thunderbolt 3, which arrived on laptops in late 2015, there was Thunderbolt 2, but very few vendors were keen to use it in their systems. Backwards compatibility of the connection is preserved in Thunderbolt 3 and if you have a device with Thunderbolt version 1, you won’t have to buy anything additional.
Thunderbolt 3
VGA connector
Description: Now we can already say: VGA is the great-grandfather of video outputs. VGA (video graphics array) appeared back in 1987, but this connector is still a common feature on many monitors and projectors even today. However, since the 15-pin connector is quite large, you won't find more current generation laptops or desktop computers, which have a VGA output. This analog connection results in signal distortion on longer cables, and outputs images with a resolution of up to a maximum of 1920 x 1200 pixels.
Need an adapter: It is impossible to convert VGA to any other video signal due to the fact that VGA is an analog signal, and the rest are already digital (DVI, DisplayPort, HDMI). But you can connect a different connector to your VGA monitor using an inexpensive wire or adapter, such as cables or adapters: DVI-VGA, HDMI-VGA or DisplayPort-VGA. Their cost rarely exceeds $10.