Can You Convert VGA to DVI?
The migration from the old CRT monitors to flat-screen monitors has slowly filtered its way into the computer industry since about 1999. Upgrading your computer's video card means that you'll have to do some finagling to get it to work without making another sizable investment buying a new monitor.
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VGA Basics
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VGA stands for video graphics array and has been the de facto standard for computer video since its inception in 1987. It's derivative, SVGA (super), was capable of 800 x 600 resolution. XGA (extended) was next in line, supporting the same resolution as SVGA but with 256 colors instead of 16. All other standards that came after were derivatives of SVGA or XGA. The one thing they all have in common is they all operate in analog.
DVI Basics
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DVI (digital video interface) is the video standard the computer industry is migrating toward. Digital video can be transmitted farther and at a much higher quality than analog. It was one of the reasons why the FCC required television stations to switch to broadcasting a digital signal by mid-2009. Flat-panel LCD displays work off of the DVI output.
There are three kinds of basic DVI outputs: DVI-A, DVI-D, and DVI-I.
DVI-A is an analog-only connector, DVI-D is digital only and DVI-I is a combination analog/digital connector.
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VGA to DVI Adapters
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The main reason people want to use old CRT monitors usually comes down to affordability. Video-card manufacturers know this and have incorporated both VGA and DVI inputs on some of their newer cards. But higher-end cards have only DVI.
One way to use an older monitor with a newer video card that has only a DVI connection is to purchase an adapter. This has a DVI connection on one end and a VGA on the other. They come in adapter only or cables and run anywhere from a few dollars to near $100.
It's important to note that the input on the video card has to be DVI-A or DVI-I for the adapter to work.
VGA to DVI Converters
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Another way, and considerably more expensive, is to buy a converter box, which has the inputs on either end and allow VGA to be used with DVI-D. They can run into the hundreds of dollars and in many cases it would be more cost-effective to buy a new LCD monitor.
CRT vs. LCD
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There are reasons why investing in an LCD monitor might be something you want to plan into your budget for an upgrade. One reason is space. CRTs are bulky; LCDs are much slimmer. Also, LCDs have a higher picture resolution and use considerably less power than CRTs (upward of 200 percent less).
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of viZZZual.com Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of fauxto_digit
