HDMI Cables versus VGA Cables

To the common buyer, purchasing cables for your components can be a real headache since basically most of them look identical to the untrained eye. It is therefore essential to consult a technician at the mobile accessories store, computer shop or electronics suppliers about the right cable to purchase.




An HDMI cable transmits a digital image that is uncompressed while a VGA carries an analogue signal. An analog signal is a continuous signal that has small but meaningful fluctuation to transmit information. However though theoretically infinite in resolution, it is affected by noise and non-linearity therefore faces degradation over long distances. This explains why longer VGA connectors have lower video quality than shorter ones. One advantage is that it is easier to process an analog signal than a digital signal thereby making their components far cheaper than digital gadgets. It is more securely connected o the source and receiver by use of two screws on the plug .A disadvantage is that the signal has noise, over long distances, these variations become more dominant and affect the original signal thereby distorting the image. These losses however can be reduced by use of shielding, better connections, using signal amplifies and some VGA cable types such as coaxial and twisted pair.




The hdmi is a digital interface used with digital components to get a good quality signal. The fact that the signal is not compressed results to the good quality video and sound output. The digital interface means that the source starts out as digital, the interface is digital and the receiver also is digital, meaning that the quality of the signal is not distorted since there is no signal conversion along the way along the way. Speed also of the advantages of an hdmi interface. The signals transmission is very quick; about 5gigabits/sec thus lag does not occur.




Another advantage over analog signal is that the sound is carried through the same cable as video signal. This eliminates the need for extra cables thus keeping it compact and making connection easier. Physical length and cable size is another reason that hdmi cables are better than the VGA. The hdmi connectors are compact and can go for long lengths--about 100 ft--without needing a repeater or a signal amplifier. They have also being designed to be compatible with future formats and resolutions thereby making future purchases of cables with advances in televisions un necessary however the hdmi connectors are not secure. It can disconnect from the socket with minimal effort. So care is vital when moving the components around.




Clearly the hdmi interface is way better than analog interface. However, there are converters available in the market. The converter box converts the hdmi signal to VGA to make it possible to view a digital signal on an analog monitor. This makes purchase of a digital monitor/projector, which are expensive, when you have an analog monitor.