Video & Display Connector Chart
Every video connector — HDMI (Standard, Mini, Micro), DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort, VGA, the DVI family, USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode, and the legacy analog set (composite, S-Video, component, SCART, BNC) — with the signal type, max resolution, and whether each carries audio.
How to Use
- Browse the grid — each card shows the connector shape, its name, signal type, max resolution, and whether it carries audio.
- Search for a connector ("hdmi", "dvi"), a device ("projector", "console"), or a resolution ("4K").
- Filter by signal (Digital / Analog), by current vs legacy, and by max resolution in the dropdown.
- Match the silhouette on a card to the port on your TV, monitor, or graphics card to identify it.
- Use the version tables below to see why an HDMI 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 port look identical but do very different things.
HDMI & DisplayPort versions (same shape, different limits)
The connector is identical across versions — the version is what sets the real resolution and refresh ceiling.
| Version | Bandwidth | Typical max |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI 1.4 | 10.2 Gbps | 4K30 · 1080p120 |
| HDMI 2.0 | 18 Gbps | 4K60 · 1440p144 |
| HDMI 2.1 | 48 Gbps | 4K120 · 8K60 |
| DisplayPort 1.2 | 21.6 Gbps | 4K60 · 1440p165 |
| DisplayPort 1.4 | 32.4 Gbps | 4K120 · 8K60 (DSC) |
| DisplayPort 2.1 | 80 Gbps | 4K240 · 8K120 |
Digital vs. analog at a glance
Shape, version, and signal
Video connectors trip people up for the same reason USB does: the shape and the capability are two different things. The connector you can see — HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, DVI — tells you what physically plugs in. The version behind it (HDMI 1.4 vs 2.1, DisplayPort 1.2 vs 2.1) tells you the actual resolution and refresh rate it can carry, and two identical-looking ports can be a decade apart in capability. When a 4K120 source won't run at full rate, the cause is almost always a version or cable limit, not the connector shape.
The second big divide is digital versus analog. Modern connectors — HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C video — are digital: the picture is pixel-perfect up to the bandwidth limit and either works or it doesn't. The legacy set — VGA, composite, S-Video, component — is analog, where the signal is a continuously varying voltage that softens and picks up noise over long runs. This is why you can't simply wire a VGA output to an HDMI input with a passive cable: there is nothing to convert the analog waveform into digital packets. That job needs an active adapter with a real conversion chip.
Audio is the third thing worth checking. HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C video, and SCART carry sound alongside the picture, so one cable does everything. VGA and DVI do not — they are video-only, and a separate audio cable is required. The same applies to bare composite, component, and S-Video connectors, which is why old gear bundles them with red/white RCA audio plugs.
This chart is a quick visual reference and runs entirely in your browser; nothing is uploaded. For the bandwidth math behind HDMI's resolution limits, see the HDMI TMDS tool, and for the full write-up, the linked knowledge-base article.
About the Video & Display Connector Chart
Working on electronics and circuit design? The Video & Display Connector Chart is a free browser tool that gives you the answer in seconds. Every video connector — HDMI (Standard, Mini, Micro), DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort, VGA, the DVI family, USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode, and the legacy analog set (composite, S-Video, component, SCART, BNC) — with the signal type, max resolution, and whether each carries audio.
How it works
Everything is laid out so you can find what you need fast. There are no long tables to dig through. The page also works without internet once it has loaded, so you can use it anywhere.
Want the deeper story? The Knowledge Base explains the ideas behind the tools in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the connector shape tell me the resolution it supports?
Only partly. The shape tells you the <em>connector family</em>, but the <strong>version</strong> sets the real capability. An HDMI port from 2009 (HDMI 1.4) and one from 2021 (HDMI 2.1) are physically identical, yet one tops out around 4K30 and the other does 4K120 or 8K. Same with DisplayPort 1.2 vs 2.1. Check the version/spec of the port, not just its shape.
HDMI or DisplayPort — which is better?
For a TV or console, <strong>HDMI</strong> is the standard and carries audio, video, and control over one cable. For a <strong>PC monitor</strong>, especially high-refresh gaming, <strong>DisplayPort</strong> usually offers more bandwidth and features like daisy-chaining (MST) and Adaptive-Sync. Many GPUs and monitors have both; pick HDMI for TVs and DisplayPort for high-refresh PC displays.
Can I just use an adapter between them?
Sometimes. <strong>Passive</strong> adapters work only when the source can output the other signal directly (e.g. some DVI↔HDMI, or DisplayPort++ to HDMI/DVI). <strong>Active</strong> adapters convert the signal and are required for VGA (analog) to/from any digital connector, and for most USB-C/DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0+ at high resolution. When in doubt, an active adapter is the safe choice.
What's the difference between single-link and dual-link DVI?
Bandwidth. <strong>Single-link DVI-D</strong> tops out around 1920×1200 at 60 Hz. <strong>Dual-link DVI-D</strong> uses extra pins (the full center block) to roughly double that, reaching 2560×1600. DVI-I adds analog pins so it can also feed a VGA monitor through a passive adapter; DVI-A is analog only.
Does VGA carry audio?
No. VGA (the blue 15-pin HD-15) is analog <em>video only</em> — you need a separate audio cable. The same is true of DVI and of plain composite/component/S-Video. HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C video, and SCART are the connectors that carry audio alongside the picture.
Why does my USB-C port not output video?
Because video over USB-C requires <strong>DisplayPort Alt Mode</strong> (or Thunderbolt), and not every USB-C port supports it. A port can be data-and-power only. Look for a DisplayPort or Thunderbolt logo near the port, or check the device spec, before expecting it to drive a monitor.
How do I use the Video & Display Connector Chart?
Simply type your numbers and read the result, which refreshes the instant you change something. There is nothing to submit and nothing to wait for.
Do I need to install or sign up for anything?
Not at all — it runs in the browser with nothing to install and no account. After it loads once, it even works without an internet connection.
Is my information private?
Yes. Everything happens in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server or saved anywhere.
Common Use Cases
Identify a port
Match the shape on your TV, monitor, projector, or GPU to learn exactly what it is.
Buy the right cable or adapter
Confirm both ends and whether you need a passive or active adapter.
Connect old gear
Recognize composite, S-Video, component, and SCART on retro consoles and players.
Plan a high-refresh setup
Decide between HDMI and DisplayPort for 4K120 or 1440p gaming.
Understand a spec sheet
See why HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 1.4 ports look the same but differ enormously.
Teach AV basics
A clear visual that separates connector shape from version and signal type.
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