HDMI, DVI and VGA Video Adapters

Does your DVI port have analog pins?

DVI comes in three forms, and the difference decides what an adapter can do. DVI-D carries digital video only, DVI-A analog only, and DVI-I both. A passive DVI to VGA adapter works only from DVI-I or DVI-A ports because it uses the analog pins, so it will not work on a DVI-D port. DVI and HDMI carry the same digital picture, so a simple adapter or cable joins them, but standard DVI carries no sound. Going from HDMI or DisplayPort to VGA needs an active converter.

Gender, length and direction cause most fit problems

Check gender at both ends: a male plug fits a female socket, and a gender changer joins matching ends. Short adapters, 15 cm (6 inches) or so, put less strain on the port, while right-angle versions suit tight spaces behind a wall-mounted screen. Look at the direction: HDMI female to DVI-D male is not the same part as HDMI male to DVI-D female. Active DisplayPort to HDMI adapters note the maximum resolution, often 4K at 30 Hz, and some support multi-screen modes such as AMD Eyefinity.

Questions about HDMI, DVI and VGA Video Adapters

Why does my DVI to VGA adapter show no picture?

Your DVI port may be DVI-D, which has no analog pins, so a passive DVI to VGA adapter cannot work. Look at the port: a flat blade with four extra pins around it is DVI-I or DVI-A. DVI-D needs an active converter.

Does an HDMI to DVI adapter carry sound?

Usually not. Standard DVI carries video only, so audio needs a separate cable from the source to the speakers or monitor. Some graphics cards send audio through a special DVI-to-HDMI adapter, but do not count on it unless the listing says so.

Does the length of a video adapter matter?

A short adapter adds little signal loss and suits any resolution it lists. For long distances, put the adapter at the display end of a good cable rather than chaining extra adapters, and check that active adapters list your resolution and refresh rate.