Exploring various Monitor Cable Types and their core applications in electronics, network communication and embedded systems
Monitor Cables: A comprehensive overview
Monitor cables often referred to as monitor cords or computer screen cables are physical connectors used to transmit video signals (and sometimes audio and power) from a computer or video source (like a graphics card, laptop, or docking station) to a monitor, screen, or display device. Computer screen cables play an important role in electronics for connecting visual display systems with signal-generating electronic devices (like computers, microcontrollers, or test instruments). They serve both functional and diagnostic roles across consumer, industrial, and embedded electronics systems. Although the primary function of monitor cords in network communication systems is not data transmission between the devices, monitor cables serve a vital purpose for system control, management, diagnostics, and monitoring.
Use-cases of Monitor Cables:
|
Function |
Use Cases |
|
Video Transmission |
Resposible for carrying analog or digital video signals from source devices to displays |
|
Signal Testing |
Applied to oscilloscopes or test monitors to see outputs under debugging Signal Testing |
|
Embedded Display Interfaces |
Put embedded controllers (i.e. Raspberry Pi, Arduino) to mini displays |
|
Diagnostics & Debugging |
Display boot processes, BIOS screens, or microcontroller data via HDMI/VGA/DVI |
|
Prototype Devices |
Used to connect prototype boards to monitors for UI/UX and functional testing |
|
Test Benches |
Engineers use HDMI or DisplayPort to connect PCs and test firmware visually |
|
FPGA and SoC Development |
Output visual signal from custom logic to HDMI-compatible displays |
|
NOCs (Network Operation Centers) |
Connecting control center display panels to management consoles or routers/firewalls with GUI |
|
Data Centers |
Driving high-resolution displays for real-time traffic visualization, dashboards, network switch configuration for On-site field diagnostics |
|
Security Surveillance |
Monitoring high-resolution video camera feeds for maintaining security systems |
Types of Monitor Cables:
|
Cable Type |
Signal Type |
Features |
|
HDMI |
Digital |
Transmit Video + audio without compression; Dynamic HDR, Excellent Audio Return (eARC) and Ethernet (optional) |
|
DisplayPort |
Digital |
High bandwidth, and can support daisy-chaining (MST) and adaptive sync capabilities, and can drive 4K at high refresh rate as compared to HDMI 2.0 |
|
USB-C (with DP Alt Mode) |
Digital |
Uses DisplayPort protocol on USB-C; supports video, power and data; is host-to-host connection between embedded systems and portable displays |
|
Thunderbolt 3/4 |
Digital |
USB-C connector high speed data and video; backward compatible with USB-C |
|
DVI-D |
Digital |
Digital signal only (on monitors) no audio support |
|
DVI-A |
Analog |
Analog-only variant of DVI; Very uncommon nowadays |
|
DVI-I |
Digital + Analog |
Has the capability to interoperate with either DVI-D (digital), or VGA (analog) with adapters |
|
VGA |
Analog |
Analog signal, signal quality diminishes with higher resolutions |
|
Mini DisplayPort |
Digital |
Compact DisplayPort; laptops and ultrabooks |
|
LVDS/eDP |
Digital |
Panel-to-board connectors of embedded displays (used in laptops, etc.) |
|
(TTL/HDMI over GPIO) |
Digital |
Direct microcontroller or SoC to display contact (e.g. TFT LCD) |
1. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
● Connector: 19-pin (Type A most common)
● Connector Shape: Flat, wide with angled corners
● Signal Type: Digital
● Video & Audio: Supports both
● Max Resolution: Up to 10K @ 120Hz (HDMI 2.1)
● Versions: 1.4 (4K @ 30Hz), 2.0 (4K @ 60Hz), 2.1 (8K-10K @ 120Hz)
● Use Case: Monitoring network performance using tools like Nagios, Zabbix, or custom dashboards.
HDMI 2.1 Male to HDMI 2.1 Male Cable (SC-2HH003F_SPL)
2. DisplayPort
● Connector: 20-pin (Standard or Mini)
● Connector Shape: Rectangular with one notched corner
● Signal Type: Digital with Video support but audio optional
● Max Resolution: 8K@ 60Hz (DSC for DP 1.4) and up to 16K@ 60Hz (DP 2.1)
● Version: 1.2 (4K @ 60Hz), 1.4 (8K (60Hz), 2.0/2.1 (16K (60Hz)
● Use Case: IT centers security with onscreen traffic-heatmaps, multi-screen environments to monitor packet flows in real-time
MOLEX Display Port (47272-0001)
3. DVI (Digital Visual Interface)
● Connector: Large rectangular with many pins (white/cream colored)
● Types: DVI-D (Digital), DVI-A (Analog), DVI-I (integrated Digital + Analog)
● Max Resolution: Single-Link: 1920×1200 @ 60Hz and Dual-Link: 2560×1600 @ 60Hz
● Audio: Not Supported
● Use Case: Viewing router/switch GUIs on KVM systems in legacy data centers for system monitoring
AMPHENOL DVI-D cable (DVID2DVIDSL6F-C)
4. VGA (Video Graphics Array)
● Connector: 15-pin (blue, trapezoid shape or D-shaped)
● Signal Type: Analog only
● Max Resolution: Up to 1920×1080 (but lower quality)
● Audio: Not Supported
● Use Case: Connecting to network appliance console screens during failure diagnostics
VGA Cable (30-1511-6)
5. USB-C / Thunderbolt 3/4
● Connector: USB Type-C
● Connector Shape: Small, oval (same as phone charger)
● Signal Type: Digital (Video + Audio + Power + Data)
● Video & Audio: Yes (DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt)
● Max Resolution: Up to 8K (with Thunderbolt 4 or USB4)
● Use Case: Connecting to portable monitors or docking stations for switch/firewall setup
Amphenol USB Type-C cable (USBC2USB2MB-C)
6. Mini DisplayPort
● Connector Shape: Small rectangle (like Thunderbolt 1 & 2)
● Signal Type: Digital (Video + Audio)
● Max Resolution: Up to 4K @ 60Hz (version 1.2)
● Use Case: Connecting Surface devices or older MacBooks to a monitor during on-site system reviews
Tripp Lite 0.9m Display Port to Mini Display Port (P583-003-BK)
Detailed comparison between HDMI 2.1 vs DisplayPort 1.4 vs DisplayPort 2.1
|
Feature |
HDMI 2.1 |
DisplayPort 1.4 |
DisplayPort 2.1 |
|
Max Bandwidth (Raw) |
48 Gbps |
32.4 Gbps |
80 Gbps |
|
Effective Data Rate |
~42 Gbps |
~25.92 Gbps |
~77.4 Gbps |
|
Max Resolution @ 60Hz |
10K (with DSC) |
8K (with DSC) |
16K (with DSC) or 10K uncompressed |
|
Max Resolution @ 120Hz |
4K (native) / 8K (DSC) |
4K (with DSC) |
4K/8K (uncompressed) |
|
HDR Support |
Dynamic HDR (HDR10+, Dolby Vision) |
HDR10 (static metadata) |
Dynamic HDR, better color depth |
|
Audio Support |
Yes (eARC, multi-channel) |
Yes (basic audio) |
Yes (enhanced, optional) |
|
Compression Technology |
DSC 1.2a (optional) |
DSC 1.2a |
DSC 1.2a |
|
Daisy-Chaining (MST) |
Not Supported |
Multi-Stream Transport Support |
Enhanced MST Support |
|
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) |
FreeSync, G-Sync, ALLM |
Adaptive Sync |
Adaptive Sync |
|
Cable Length (Optimal) |
~2–3M @ 4K60 or higher |
~2m @ 4K60 |
~2m (optical cables for longer) |
|
Connector Type |
Type A (standard HDMI) |
Standard or Mini DisplayPort |
Standard DisplayPort |
|
Backward Compatibility |
With HDMI 2.0 and 1.4 |
With DP 1.3/1.2 |
With all DisplayPort versions |
|
Applications |
TVs, Consoles, Soundbars |
Gaming Monitors, PCs |
High-end monitors, Pro displays |
Major Applications of Monitor Cables in Network Communication Systems
|
Cable Type |
Applications in Network Systems |
Environment |
|
HDMI |
- Connecting control center displays to management consoles or routers/firewalls with GUI |
NOCs (Network Operation Centers), CCTV, A/V distribution |
|
DisplayPort |
- Driving high-resolution displays for real-time traffic visualization, dashboards |
Data centers, NOCs, security monitoring rooms |
|
USB-C (DP Alt) |
- Connecting portable laptops/tablets for configuring network switches or diagnostic tools |
On-site field diagnostics, remote NOC setups |
|
DVI |
- Used in legacy monitoring stations for graphical output |
Older rack-mounted systems or refurbished control panels |
|
VGA |
- Connecting older equipment for BIOS-level monitoring or basic display output |
Legacy hardware consoles, routers with onboard displays |
|
Mini DisplayPort |
- Connecting compact or mobile devices to control or diagnostic displays |
Mobile engineering kits, older laptops in field work |
Core Applications of Monitor Cables in Electronics
|
Cable Type |
Signal Type |
Typical Use in Electronics |
|
HDMI |
Digital |
Embedded systems (Raspberry Pi, FPGA boards), media electronics |
|
VGA |
Analog |
Interfacing with older CRTs or VGA-compatible LCDs for testing |
|
DVI |
Digital/Analog |
Lab monitors for prototype testing and retrofitting older equipment |
|
DisplayPort |
Digital |
High-performance display setups in electronics development labs |
|
USB-C (with DP Alt Mode) |
Digital |
Compact development boards, modern AI laptops |
|
LVDS/eDP |
Digital |
Embedded LCD panels, laptops, industrial HMIs |
|
MIPI DSI |
Digital |
Phones, tablets, embedded projects |
Availability of the Monitor Cables
For more information on the Monitor Cables, it is highly recommended to go through the product page of unikeyic Electronics.
