Mini-VGA
Encyclopedia
Mini-VGA connectors are used on some laptops and other systems in place of the standard VGA connector
, although most laptops use a standard VGA connector. Apple and HP have separate implementations using the same name. Apart from its compact form, mini-VGA ports have the added ability to output both composite
and S-Video
in addition to VGA signals through the use of EDID
.
The mini-DVI
and now Mini DisplayPort
connectors have largely replaced mini-VGA. Mini-VGA connectors are most commonly seen on Apple's iBook
s, eMac
s, early PowerBook
s (12 inch), and some iMac
s, but has also been included on several laptops manufactured by Sony
. HP's versions are found in HP Mini
s and HP TouchSmart
s.
The mini-VGA connector can also be used for video output. In this mode, S-Video
chrominance (C) and luminance (Y) signals replace the red and green channels, while an equivalent composite video
signal is output on the blue channel. The horizontal and vertical sync pins are unused.
Samsung Chromebooks, available in June 2011, will feature Mini VGA Ports.
VGA connector
A Video Graphics Array connector is a three-row 15-pin DE-15 connector. The 15-pin VGA connector is found on many video cards, computer monitors, and some high definition television sets...
, although most laptops use a standard VGA connector. Apple and HP have separate implementations using the same name. Apart from its compact form, mini-VGA ports have the added ability to output both composite
Composite video
Composite video is the format of an analog television signal before it is combined with a sound signal and modulated onto an RF carrier. In contrast to component video it contains all required video information, including colors in a single line-level signal...
and S-Video
S-Video
Separate Video, more commonly known as S-Video and Y/C, is often referred to by JVC as both an S-VHS connector and as Super Video. It is an analog video transmission scheme, in which video information is encoded on two channels: luma and chroma...
in addition to VGA signals through the use of EDID
Extended display identification data
Extended display identification data is a data structure provided by a digital display to describe its capabilities to a video source . It is what enables a modern personal computer to know what kinds of monitors are connected to it. EDID is defined by a standard published by the Video...
.
The mini-DVI
Mini-DVI
The Mini-Dvi connector is used on certain Apple computers as a digital alternative to the Mini-VGA connector. Its size is between the full-sized DVI and the tiny Micro-DVI...
and now Mini DisplayPort
Mini DisplayPort
The Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort digital audio-visual interface. Apple, Inc. announced the development in the fourth quarter of 2008, and now applies it in the LED Cinema Display and in all new Macintosh computers: MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini,...
connectors have largely replaced mini-VGA. Mini-VGA connectors are most commonly seen on Apple's iBook
IBook
The iBook was a line of laptop computers sold by Apple Computer from 1999 to 2006. The line targeted the consumer and education markets, with lower specifications and prices than the PowerBook, Apple's higher-end line of laptop computers....
s, eMac
EMac
The eMac, short for education Mac, was a Macintosh desktop computer made by Apple Inc. It was originally aimed at the education market, but was later made available as a cheaper mass market alternative to Apple's second-generation LCD display iMac....
s, early PowerBook
PowerBook
The PowerBook was a line of Macintosh laptop computers that was designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. from 1991 to 2006. During its lifetime, the PowerBook went through several major revisions and redesigns, often being the first to incorporate features that would later become...
s (12 inch), and some iMac
IMac
The iMac is a range of all-in-one Macintosh desktop computers built by Apple. It has been the primary part of Apple's consumer desktop offerings since its introduction in 1998, and has evolved through five distinct forms....
s, but has also been included on several laptops manufactured by Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
. HP's versions are found in HP Mini
HP Mini
HP Mini is a line of small notebooks, categorized as netbooks manufactured by Hewlett-Packard under the HP, HP Compaq and Compaq brands. They either contain the HP built Linux, Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 7 Operating systems. Like most netbooks, they aren't built with CD/DVD drives...
s and HP TouchSmart
HP TouchSmart
HP TouchSmart is a series of tablet PC laptops and touchscreen all-in-one desktop computers designed by HP. It features various Intel or AMD processors and runs Windows Vista or Windows 7 as standard.-HP TouchSmart Crossfire:...
s.
The mini-VGA connector can also be used for video output. In this mode, S-Video
S-Video
Separate Video, more commonly known as S-Video and Y/C, is often referred to by JVC as both an S-VHS connector and as Super Video. It is an analog video transmission scheme, in which video information is encoded on two channels: luma and chroma...
chrominance (C) and luminance (Y) signals replace the red and green channels, while an equivalent composite video
Composite video
Composite video is the format of an analog television signal before it is combined with a sound signal and modulated onto an RF carrier. In contrast to component video it contains all required video information, including colors in a single line-level signal...
signal is output on the blue channel. The horizontal and vertical sync pins are unused.
Samsung Chromebooks, available in June 2011, will feature Mini VGA Ports.