A Blog on SVGA Cables

For most people wanting to connect a SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) Monitor to a PC or similar device, it’s simply a case of going out and getting an SVGA cable job done.  However, have you ever been faced with poor image quality on widescreen monitors or found there is a bewildering choice of cable?

SVGA Cable
SVGA Cable

The good news is I can help you to understand what you need to know to make sure you get the right cable for the device / monitor.

This is not a going to be a technically-laden blog, but more of a general overview of the things you need to know.

There are 3 basic factors involved in choosing the best cable. These are:

  • Monitor type – Standard or Widescreen
  • Distance from PC or Output device to monitor
  • Age of PC or Output device

 

Monitor Type

Modern Widescreen monitors need the SVGA signal to be processed using the extra DDC Channels that enable the resolution to fit the pixel ratios of the screen.

Without the DDC Channels the image is often poor quality and does not fit the full screen.  You can easily tell if the monitor  or  PC/Output device is DDC compatible, then just look for pin 9 which is often missing due to being unused in normal SVGA.   The good news here is that DDC is backwardly compatible with SVGA.

 

SVGA Pin-Out
SVGA Pin-Out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distance from PC / Output device

The typical length of an SVGA lead is 2M. However, many monitors are installed on walls or at the end of a long row of desks where extra long length cables are used.  Assuming you have the right cable Standard (DDC or Standard SVGA), you technically can go to 50M however, this is where things get complicated. I am here to keep this simple.

Very cheap cables will be less likely to give a good signal, however there is no guarantee that the very expensive cables will be any better. We see a lot of expensive cables that are, in fact, cheaply-manufactured goods sold at a high price.

The things to look out for in these cables are if they have Ferrites on both ends, and also what guarantee the manufacturer offers.

If you are going to use the cable over a very long distance consider a powered signal booster for better performance.

 

Age of PC or Output device

Many people who have new large monitors are often disappointed by the image quality because they either use the existing cable from the old monitor, or the PC/Output device does not support the DDC Output. These is not much you can do about the latter because, although the two will work together, the image will not necessarily be as good as it could be.

 

In summery if you need to be sure your cables will work with the monitors and devices check the above simple steps or call us to help and advise you.  That’s what we do we are here to help.

 

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