HDMI vs. DisplayPort vs. DVI vs. VGA: What’s the Difference?

The world of audio and video cables can be confusing—especially with multiple connector types still in use. While industry standards have evolved, devices across homes, offices and industries continue to rely on a mix of old and new AV cables. 

Each cable type has its own strengths in signal quality, compatibility and supported resolutions. Understanding these differences helps ensure the best performance from your displays and connected devices. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI and VGA—including what each cable supports, where it’s commonly used and which one is best for your setup. 

Comparison of Common AV Cable Types and Applications 

HDMI 

[Three photos of HDMI cables go here, from previous version of this blog post] 

[Photo caption]: From left: standard HDMI, Mini HDMI and Micro HDMI. 

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) was developed as a joint project by various technology and multimedia companies who wanted to streamline audio/video connections. The goal was to create a single cable as a universal industry standard that could be supported across all devices regardless of brand. In late 2002 they succeeded and HDMI 1.0 was released. Newer versions of HDMI have been released since then, with the latest 2.1a version coming out in 2022. 

Today, HDMI cables are used on almost every electronic device including TVs, computers, Blu-ray Disc players, projectors and more. Aside from near-universal compatibility, the main draw of HDMI is its 4K and 8K video resolution. The first version of HDMI capable of fully supporting 4K was version 2.0, released in September 2013. It should be noted that the previous version, 1.4b, did have some 4K capability but did not support it fully. 

There are also two downsized versions: Mini HDMI and Micro HDMI. They are used on electronics that are too small to accommodate a standard HDMI port, like tablets and cell phones. 

If an electronic has a port for HDMI, it is the best all-around cable users can go with today. 

DisplayPort 

[Two photos of DisplayPort connections go here, from previous version of this blog post.] 

[Photo caption]: Standard DisplayPort (left) and Mini DisplayPort. 

DisplayPort was designed for use with computer monitors. It is a very powerful cable, even more so than HDMI, capable of supporting the highest video resolution (16K) currently available. Many monitors today are built with DisplayPort as well as HDMI, but high-end monitors may only have DisplayPort due to its superior video quality. 

There is also a downsized version called Mini DisplayPort, used on electronics too small to house the standard version. The Mini version was originally implemented by Apple and is most commonly seen on MacBooks, although some Windows computers use Mini DisplayPort as well. 

Apple makes an upgraded version of Mini DisplayPort, called Thunderbolt. While it is backward-compatible with the older Mini DisplayPort, Apple does not share the proprietary rights of the Thunderbolt so it will not be seen on non-Apple devices. A Mini DisplayPort cable will not work with a newer Thunderbolt port, as newer Thunderbolts (3 and later) use USB-C, not Mini DisplayPort. To tell Mini DisplayPort and Thunderbolt apart, look for a small lightning bolt symbol. If it is present, a cable or port is Thunderbolt; if not, it is Mini DisplayPort. 

Like HDMI, DisplayPort is audio/video ready. When using a computer monitor, DisplayPort is the best option available. 

[Two photos, of Thunderbolt and Mini DisplayPort connections, go here.] 

[Photo caption]: A Thunderbolt connection (left) vs. a Mini DisplayPort connection.  

DVI 

[Photos of five DVI connections go here, from previous version of this blog post.] 

[Photo caption]: Top row (from left): DVI-A, DVI-D single-link and DVI-D dual-link. Bottom row (from left): DVI-I single-link and DVI-I dual-link. 

DVI cables are an older type of video connection. While it is not obsolete just yet, it is on its way there. Like DisplayPort, DVI only supports video and not audio. DVI is also bulkier, does not support 4K like HDMI or DisplayPort do, and is a bit more complicated as there are different versions of it. 

There are two subcategories for DVI, the first of which contains single-link and dual-link. Simply put, dual-link uses more pins in the connector, which allows for greater video resolution. 

The other category relates to DVI’s ability to be digital and/or analog. DVI-I (integrated) is capable of supporting both analog and digital signals. DVI-D (digital) can be adapted to newer digital formats but will be limited to DVI’s maximum resolution. DVI-A (analog) is typically only used to adapt to VGA, an even older video format. Generally, users should only use DVI when HDMI and DisplayPort are unavailable. 

VGA 

[Photo of VGA connection goes here, from previous version of this blog post.] 

VGA is an outdated analog video connection no longer used as a standard for most electronics, although they are still heavily used on projectors. For other electronics like computers and monitors, plenty of units equipped with VGA cables are still functional but few are still manufactured. Typically, the only reason to use VGA today is if it is the only option available. 

Get Your Audio and Video Cables Today 

No matter which type of display or device you’re connecting, choosing the right AV cable makes all the difference in video and audio quality. HDMI and DisplayPort dominate modern devices for their digital performance and high resolutions, while DVI and VGA remain useful for legacy and industrial applications. 

ShowMeCables offers a full range of AV cables, adapters and converters, as well as hybrid solutions that bridge analog and digital signals. Every product is tested to federally regulated standards to ensure quality and performance. Our same-day shipping policy and U.S.-based customer service support our customer-focused approach.  

Questions? Please call us at +1 (866) 545-8420, email us or reach our contact page.