DVI-D to vga?

Mark M · 10 Aug 2011 at 11:16

Couldnt decide where to put this, monitors, graphic cards or general hardware so hope GH was the correct option!

DVI-D to VGA, Is it possible? I have found a suitable adapter but the reviews suggest that it wont work because DVI-D is a digital signal whereas VGA is analogue.

Is there anyway to achieve this other than a second graphics card?

Thanks

andicole0 · 10 Aug 2011 at 11:20

It must be possible because OCUK sell a cable.

Andi.

cmndr_andi · 10 Aug 2011 at 11:35

andicole0 said:
It must be possible because OCUK sell a cable.

Andi.

I think that is just a DVI-A to VGA adapter - so just a pin swap not a cable that is doing any digital to analogue conversion. See here for a picture of the DVI pin types.

To the OP, as you mention it isn't possible to convert between DVI-D (purely digital video signal) and VGA (analogue video signal) without an active digital to analogue converter - something which will cost you ~£100.

May I ask what things you are trying to connect, maybe there is an easier solution?

Tealc · 10 Aug 2011 at 11:35

The DVI connector has the capability to carry analogue signals too. On one side you have 24 digital pins and the other you have the rgb analogue side pins.

These adapters will only work if the source outputs the analogue signal.

I know that my graphics card has two DVI outputs but only one carries the VGA analogue signal so if I wanted a second analogue connection I would need to convert the signal or buy a separate card.

Mark M · 10 Aug 2011 at 11:38

cmndr_andi said:
I think that is just a DVI-A to VGA adapter - so just a pin swap not a cable that is doing any digital to analogue conversion. See here for a picture of the DVI pin types.

To the OP, as you mention it isn't possible to convert between DVI-D (purely digital video signal) and VGA (analogue video signal) without an active digital to analogue converter - something which will cost you ~£100.

May I ask what things you are trying to connect, maybe there is an easier solution?

Im trying to connect a second screen to the computer. Its only for office work so is only a cheap monitor which only has vga input. My motherboard has vga and DVI-D outputs so will need to utilise the DVI-D port if at all possible?

Surveyor · 10 Aug 2011 at 11:41

DVI-D is a digital signal only so you can't connect to VGA using that.

DVI-I (integrated - digital and analogue) and DVI-A (analogue only) carry an analogue signal so can be used with an adapter, or cable that andicole0 linked to, to connect to VGA.

What are you trying to connect to what?

cmndr_andi · 10 Aug 2011 at 11:43

Ah, in that case you would be better off buying a cheap graphics card that supports two VGA monitors. That is assuming that the DVI port is indeed DVI-D not DVI-I (which can support a native analogue video output with the use of a cheap DVI-I to VGA adapter or cable). Just to confirm, do you know the model name/number of the motherboard you are using?

Something like a AMD 5450 or 6450 would be a good option if you need to buy something new (assuming your PC has a free full-size PCIE port) as these cards have a DVI-I and a VGA port - so will work great with two VGA monitors.

Surveyor · 10 Aug 2011 at 11:44

Mark M said:
Im trying to connect a second screen to the computer. Its only for office work so is only a cheap monitor which only has vga input. My motherboard has vga and DVI-D outputs so will need to utilise the DVI-D port if at all possible?

Not possible without expensive adapters.

Best option is to buy a cheap graphics card with VGA output but you need to make sure you can use the onboard GPU at the same time or just make sure the cheap graphics card can provide 2 VGA outputs.

Mark M · 10 Aug 2011 at 11:55

The motherboard in question is Asus M4A785TD-V EVO link here http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3/M4A785TDV_EVO/#specifications

Thanks for the help

cmndr_andi · 10 Aug 2011 at 12:04

Ah yes, that motherboard seems to only have a DVI-D port (not DVI-I) and can only support dual screen monitors if you use the VGA + DVI or HDMI.

With this in mind the best option seems to be to go for a cheap graphics card that supports two VGA outputs (eg the AMD HD 5450 or 6450).

Mark M · 10 Aug 2011 at 13:09

thanks for all the hemp. just ordered a cheap card. Might even go for 3 monitors

cmndr_andi · 10 Aug 2011 at 13:15

Mark M said:
thanks for all the hemp. just ordered a cheap card. Might even go for 3 monitors

Sounds good, though if you do go for three monitors then I'm not sure you will be able to use the onboard graphics alongside the discrete graphics card.

However, if you got a graphics card that can provide three display outputs (like a HD 5000 or 6000 series card) then you can do this fine - so long as you use an active displayport to VGA/DVI adapter.

Monster ninja · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:06

yes it works, im using it right now with a dvi/vga adaptutre that came in the graphics card box

Surveyor · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:10

Monster ninja said:
yes it works, im using it right now with a dvi/vga adaptutre that came in the graphics card box

What works?

A DVI to VGA adapter will work with a DVI-I connector as it carries an analogue signal.

The OP has a DVI-D connector, which is digital only, so there's no analoge signal.

cmndr_andi · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:11

Monster ninja said:
yes it works, im using it right now with a dvi/vga adaptutre that came in the graphics card box

Aye, but that will be a DVI-I (carries analogue and digital video signals) port on your graphics card, the OP has a purely digital DVI-D port on his motherboard - so a passive adapter like the one you are using will not work in this situation.