Side-by-Side Comparison
Display Cables
HDMI 2.1 vs. VGA
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
Comparing:
HDMI 2.1
VGA
HDMI 2.1 increases total bandwidth to 48 Gbps via Fixed Rate Link (FRL). It mandates Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable certification and supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and eARC.
VGA (Video Graphics Array) uses a 15-pin DE-15 D-subminiature connector, introduced by IBM in 1987 alongside the original PS/2 computer. As a purely analog standard with no enforced resolution ceiling, its practical maximum depends on cable and DAC quality, though 2048x1536 @ 85Hz is commonly cited as a practical limit.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Max Resolution @ Refresh Rate
|
8K @ 60Hz / 4K @ 120Hz (10K with DSC) | — |
|
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
|
48 Gbps (FRL 4 lanes) | — |
|
Pin Count
|
19 Pins (Type A) | — |
|
Display Stream Compression (DSC)
|
DSC 1.2a Supported | — |
|
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
|
HDMI Forum VRR & Quick Media Switching (QMS) | — |
|
Max Audio Channels
|
32 Channels (eARC up to 192kHz / 24-bit uncompressed) | — |
|
Max Recommended Cable Length
|
3 Meters (Passive Ultra High Speed) / 100m+ (Active Optical AOC) | — |
|
Connector
|
— | DE-15 (15-pin D-subminiature, 3 rows of 5) |
|
Introduced
|
— | 1987 (IBM) |
|
Commonly Cited Practical Max Resolution
|
— | 2048x1536 @ 85Hz |
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