Topnotch tech

Tharindu Weerasinghe

Computer Engineer

Graduate Peradeniya Engineering Faculty

VGA ports no more?

Giants like Intel, AMD, and Samsung have announced plans to get rid of the venerable VGA (Video Graphics Array) port in favor of HDMI and DisplayPort.

For decades technology enthusiasts have been connecting displays to their computers using the ever-reliable VGA port: sure, there are limits to how much resolution VGA can handle and it is old-school analog after all, but it has served as a reliable, consistent way to peer into a computers' activities - and maybe watch a video or two. Now, technologies companies are coming together to bury VGA, not with praise. Intel, AMD, Samsung, LG, Dell and Lenovo have all announced plans to abandon VGA and speed up adoption of HDMI and DisplayPort as default interfaces for PC monitors.

What is HDMI?

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a compact audio and video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency (RF) coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA. HDMI connects digital audio and video sources (such as set-top boxes, upconvert DVD players, HD DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, AVCHD camcorders, personal computers (PCs), video game consoles such as the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and AV receivers) to compatible digital audio devices, computer monitors, video projectors and digital televisions.