Video graphics array (VGA) is a type of digital data connection for transferring video between electronic devices, such as a computer and television. The distinctive, four-sided plug on a VGA cable contains 15 steel pins in three rows that align with the 15 holes in a VGA port. The connection is commonly used to attach a monitor to a computer, although a VGA cable can also be used to connect a computer to other video equipment, such as a television. However, older TVs are usually equipped with a coaxial cable jack, not a VGA jack, so an adaptor and signal converter are required to unite the VGA cable with a coaxial cable. The connections take only a few minutes.

  • Video graphics array (VGA) is a type of digital data connection for transferring video between electronic devices, such as a computer and television.
  • The distinctive, four-sided plug on a VGA cable contains 15 steel pins in three rows that align with the 15 holes in a VGA port.

Insert the plug on one end of a VGA cable into the VGA jack on the adaptor, taking care to align the pins in the plug with the holes in the jack. Tighten the locking bolt on each side of the plug to the adaptor by turning clockwise by hand.

Attach the coupler on the other end of the adaptor to an S-video cable, taking care to align the plug with the jack and the four steel pins inside.

Connect the S-video cable to a signal converter box, available at electronics stores.

Attach a coaxial cable to the "Out to TV" coax jack on the signal converter box. The coaxial cable attaches with a coupler turned clockwise around the threaded jack.

Connect the DC power cord to the signal converter and plug the transformer on the other end into a wall outlet.

TIP

Turn off the power to electronic devices while connecting video cables and adaptors. Converting the VGA video signal to coaxial may result in lower image quality.

WARNING

Be careful not to bend or break any of the steel pins inside the VGA plug or the single pin in the coaxial cable. This will ruin the cable. This connection supplies a video signal only. A separate audio cable connected to the devices is necessary to transmit sound.