Difference Between VGA Cables and HDMI Cables

Connecting a new computer monitor or high-definition display presents a potentially confusing array of options. Representing analog and digital connectivity, VGA and Best HDMI Cable connections allow differing levels of functionality and compatibility. The cable you choose for your application depends on the jacks on the source device and monitor, a need for as few cables as possible or whether certain hardware resolutions are enabled on one cable type or the other.
Image Quality Considerations
VGA, also known as D-Sub, and HDMI are largely capable of the same level of video resolution. If your television, source or monitor offers 1920-by-1080 or greater resolution, you may find the all-digital HDMI connection looks sharper and crisper. High Definition Content Protocol restrictions may allow HDMI to extend into advanced resolutions not allowed over analog VGA. Since HDCP protection is enabled over digital formats like HDMI and not analog cabling, hardware companies compensate by reducing resolution capabilities to less than the cable itself can handle. Check whether your hardware is HDCP-compliant prior to selecting a VGA or HDMI interconnect; this can be found in your user manual or product literature for this information. If so, you may be forced to use HDMI to unlock the hardware's full video performance potential.
Audio and Video
One of HDMI's key features is the ability to pass audio and video over one cable. VGA and other cabling types do not offer this, requiring a separate analog or digital audio cable for sound. Additionally, HDMI has the bandwidth needed to carry uncompressed, lossless audio formats such as DTS Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD that even optical or coaxial digital cables do not. Although improvements in audio might not be that important when connecting directly to a TV or monitor, it is important when feeding through a surround sound system. Even if the audio requirements are basic, reducing cabling quantity in any installation is typically appreciated.
Physical Characteristics
VGA cables are larger than HDMI, using rotating locking nuts to secure the cable to connected devices. HDMI uses a smaller connecting shell, but may come loose if the cable is thick and oriented vertically from the back of a television or computer monitor. VGA's 15-pin configuration spaces the pins on the connector in a wider pattern, resulting in a connector that requires marginally more room on the back of a device. Although HDMI comparatively uses 19 wires for picture, sound and data, the overall size is more svelte and friendly in a crowded jack pack.
Other Considerations
Any cable carrying a video signal is subject to the same laws of physics observed by any other electrical wire. HDMI over 50 feet is subject to signal degradation, manifesting itself by your display showing digital "snow" or intermittent images. Repeaters installed in-line on runs 50 to 100 feet or more re-generate the signal, normally solving these issues. Displayport to VGA cables carrying higher resolutions over similar distances may have a reduction in color quality, increased noise in the image or ghosting. In either case, it's important to use the shortest distance possible given your installation requirements. Additionally, should your source device have a different output connector than the monitor, inexpensive adapters are available to convert the pinouts for increased compatibility.