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UPPORTED DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS
Display types and connections
It is important to understand some basic differences among display types and connections, so that
you can match the right display with the right port or adapter. There are three major categories of
computer displays:
Flat-panel LCD or plasma displays
CRT computer monitors
Computer display projectors
All of these display types can be attached to your SideCar. However, you will need to determine
the required connection type for your display – DVI or VGA. This is easily determined from your
display documentation. You can also simply inspect your display cable connectors.
DVI vs. VGA connections
Most computer users are familiar with VGA
monitor connectors. Known technically as
HD15 or mini D-sub 15-pin connectors (see
next page), they became the computer industry
standard for monitor connections after the
VGA display standard was introduced in
1987. Display resolutions have since risen far
beyond the original VGA standard (640 x
480), but the same HD15 connector has
continued to be used and is still commonly
referred to as a VGA connector.
VGA (HD15) cabling supports only analog
display connections. Until recent years, almost
all computer displays were analog CRT monitors,
which is why the VGA connection standard is
analog.
More recently, flat-panel LCD displays and computer display projectors have become popular.
These displays are digital displays. To ensure broad compatibility, such displays are usually
offered with analog VGA connectors and cables. However, using a VGA connection with a
digital display (flat panel or projector) forces the computer’s display output to be converted from
digital to analog, then from analog back to digital. With high-quality components (a well-
engineered display; high-quality, shielded cables; and high-quality computer graphics output) this
conversion process works well. With mediocre components in the chain, display quality can
suffer. Symptoms can include blurry text, inconsistent display sharpness, poor colors/contrast,
and a wavy shimmer effect.
Fortunately, an all-digital connection is possible using a digital DVI connection, based on the
DVI (Digital Visual Interface) standard introduced in 1999. Digital DVI display connections are
highly reliable and rarely suffer from the defects of some VGA connections.
Unlike analog CRT monitors, flat-panel displays
and computer projectors are digital devices and
are best used with digital (DVI) connections.