Mini-VGA

Last updated
Apple Mini-VGA
Mini-VGA cropped.jpg
The Mini-VGA port on an iBook
Type Analogue computer video connector
Superseded VGA connector
Superseded by Mini-DVI
General specifications
External yes
Pins 14
Data
Data signal I²C data channel for DDC information
Pinout
MiniVGA Connector Pinout.svg
A female Mini-VGA connector
Pin 1 GND GND
Pin 2 VSync N.C.
Pin 3 HSync N.C.
Pin 4 Red Return GND
Pin 5 Red video S-Video (C)
Pin 6 Green return GND
Pin 7 Green video S-Video (Y)
Pin 8 +5 V +5 V
Pin 9 Blue video Composite video
Pin 10 DDC data DDC data
Pin 11 DDC clock DDC clock
Pin 12 GND GND
Pin 13 Cable detect Cable detect
Pin 14 Blue return GND
Left column indicates VGA mode, right column indicates television output mode.
Samsung Mini-VGA
Minivga samsung chromebook.jpg
The Mini-VGA port on a Samsung Chromebook
Type Analogue computer video connector
Production history
Manufacturer Samsung
Superseded VGA connector
Superseded by Mini DisplayPort
External yes

Mini-VGA connectors are proprietary and non-standard alternative video connectors that were used on some laptops and other computer systems in place of a standard VGA connector. Apple, [1] HP, [2] and Asus [3] each introduced separate connectors using the same moniker, "mini-VGA", but which are otherwise physically incompatible with each other (though all of them are compatible with standard VGA using the correct adapter).

Apple's mini-VGA ports may be found on some older Apple computers, including iBooks, eMacs, certain PowerBooks (e.g.: 12-inch), and some iMacs (e.g.: the iMac G5). In addition to a more compact form-factor, Apple's mini-VGA ports also have the added ability to output composite as well as S-Video, in addition to VGA signals, through the use of EDID. When used for S-Video, S-Video's chrominance (C) and luminance (Y) signals replace VGA's red and green channels, while an equivalent composite video signal is output on the blue channel. (The horizontal and vertical sync pins of VGA are left unused.)

HP's version of mini-VGA can be found in HP Minis and HP TouchSmarts. Samsung Chromebooks, as released in June 2011, feature their own implementation of mini-VGA. [4] Various other Samsung laptops, such as the Series 7 and Series 9, also featured this new connector. [5] Mini-VGA ports can also be found on several laptops previously manufactured by Sony.

With the introduction of mini-DVI, as well as Mini DisplayPort, mini-VGA connectors were largely superseded in favor of these newer, more versatile connector types.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S-Video</span> Signal format for standard-definition video

S-Video is an analog video signal format that carries standard-definition video, typically at 525 lines or 625 lines. It encodes video luma and chrominance on two separate channels, achieving higher image quality than composite video which encodes all video information on one channel. It also eliminates several types of visual defects such as dot crawl which commonly occur with composite video. Although it improved over composite video, S-Video has lower color resolution than component video, which is encoded over three channels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Component video</span> Video signal that has been split into component channels

Component video is an analog video signal that has been split into two or more component channels. In popular use, it refers to a type of component analog video (CAV) information that is transmitted or stored as three separate signals. Component video can be contrasted with composite video in which all the video information is combined into a single signal that is used in analog television. Like composite, component cables do not carry audio and are often paired with audio cables.

Apple Inc. has sold a variety of LCD and CRT computer displays since introducing their first display in 1980. Apple paused production of their own standalone displays in 2016 and partnered with LG to design displays for Macs. In June 2019, the Pro Display XDR was introduced, however it was expensive and targeted for professionals. In March 2022, the Studio Display was launched as a consumer-targeted counterpart. These are currently the only Apple-branded displays available.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VGA connector</span> 15-pin video connector

The Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector is a standard connector used for computer video output. Originating with the 1987 IBM PS/2 and its VGA graphics system, the 15-pin connector went on to become ubiquitous on PCs, as well as many monitors, projectors and high-definition television sets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Video-in video-out</span> Bidirectional graphics port standard

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Composite monitor</span>

A composite monitor or composite video monitor is any analog video display that receives input in the form of an analog composite video signal to a defined specification. A composite video signal encodes all information on a single conductor; a composite cable has a single live conductor plus earth. Other equipment with display functionality includes monitors with more advanced interfaces and connectors giving a better picture, including analog VGA, and digital DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort; and television (TV) receivers which are self-contained, receiving and displaying video RF broadcasts received with an internal tuner. Video monitors are used for displaying computer output, closed-circuit television and other applications requiring a two-dimensional monochrome or colour image.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DB13W3</span> Video interface connector

DB13W3 (13W3) is a style of D-subminiature connector used for analog video interfaces. The 13 refers to the total number of pins, the W refers to workstation and the 3 refers to the number of high-frequency pins. The connector was something of a pseudo-standard for high-end graphical workstations from the early 1990s to the early 2000s.

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DisplayPort (DP) is a proprietary digital display interface developed by a consortium of PC and chip manufacturers and standardized by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). It is primarily used to connect a video source to a display device such as a computer monitor. It can also carry audio, USB, and other forms of data.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DMS-59</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mini-DVI</span> Digital alternative to the Mini-VGA connector by Apple

The Mini-DVI connector is used on certain Apple computers as a digital alternative to the Mini-VGA connector. Its size is between the full-sized DVI and the tiny Micro-DVI. It is found on the 12-inch PowerBook G4, the Intel-based iMac, the MacBook Intel-based laptop, the Intel-based Xserve, the 2009 Mac mini, and some late model eMacs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamcast VGA</span> Accessory for the Dreamcast

The Dreamcast VGA Box is an accessory for Sega's Dreamcast video game console that allows it to connect to a video display such as a computer monitor or an HDTV set through a VGA port. Because the Dreamcast hardware can produce a VGA-compatible video signal natively, this connection provides improved picture quality compared to standard composite video or S-Video connections, along with support for progressive scan video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micro-DVI</span> Proprietary video output port

The Micro-DVI port is a proprietary video output port introduced on the original MacBook Air in 2008. It is smaller than the Mini-DVI port used by its MacBook models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mini DisplayPort</span> Miniaturized version of the DisplayPort connector

The Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort audio-visual digital interface.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dock connector</span> Bus and power connector in laptops and mobile devices

A dock connector is an electrical connector used to attach a mobile device simultaneously to multiple external resources. The dock connector will typically carry a variety of signals and power, through a single connector, to simplify the process of docking the device. A dock connector may be embedded in a mechanical fixture used to support or align the mobile device or may be at the end of a cable.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chromebook</span> Laptop or tablet computer running ChromeOS

Chromebook is a line of laptop and tablet computers that runs using ChromeOS, an operating system developed by Google.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple Thunderbolt Display</span> Flat panel computer monitor sold by Apple Inc.

The Apple Thunderbolt Display is a 27-inch flat panel computer monitor developed and sold by Apple Inc. from July 2011 to June 2016. Originally priced at $999, it replaced the 27-inch Apple LED Cinema Display. The Thunderbolt Display switched from Mini DisplayPort and USB connectors to a single Thunderbolt connector for data and DisplayPort. The Thunderbolt Display also added a Gigabit Ethernet port and FireWire 800 port. It is not compatible with computers without Thunderbolt, including, but not limited to desktop PCs without a Thunderbolt port; Macs released before 2011; the 2012 Mac Pro; and the single USB-C Retina MacBook. Devices with Thunderbolt 3 can use the display with an adapter.

References

  1. VGA Display Adapter - Apple Store (U.S.)
  2. HP Official Store Buy the HP Mini VGA cable direct from HP
  3. ASUS Connectivity Combo
  4. "Google Chromebooks - Laptops, detachables and tablets".
  5. "Samsung Notebooks | All Samsung Netbooks | Samsung".