Graphics Card I/O Ports and Interfaces

Graphics cards today are responsible for much more than simple text output to monitor. Their
duties now include heavy-duty 2D and 3D rendering as well as video processing. The output
devices they support include not only CRT monitors, but TVs, video recorders, LCDs and
HDTV sets as well. To do this, graphics cards are often equipped with a combination of I/O
ports/interfaces.

D-Sub output port

This 15-pin D-Sub output port is a very common sight. It is
responsible for connection to CRT monitors and LCD monitors
that support analog input. Digital signals must go through
RAMDAC conversion before being sent through the D-Sub port
as it is capable of only analog input.

S-Video output port

Current graphics processors are equipped with integrated video
encoders to provide them with direct video output capabilities. If you
didn’t already know, in the past users were required to purchase add-on
video encoders in order to realize video output.

On the video output front, nothing is more common than the 5-pin
S-Video (Separate video) port. During output, it separates the luminance (Y) and color (C)
signals in order to avoid possible interference between the two to enhance signal quality.

DVI output port

The once unownable LCD has finally entered the home of the everyday man. While LCDs
operate on digital signals, some older graphics cards output only analog signals through the
analog D-Sub port, causing compatibility problems to arise. To sidestep this problem, many
LCDs are equipped with integrated ADC (Analog to Digital Converter).

This means, according to what has been said in the D-Sub section, that a digital signal is
converted to analog and then reconverted from analog to digital again. It is a taxing process
that does not produce the best end results.

To set things straight, many graphics processors feature integrated TMDS (Transition
Minimized Differential Signaling) transmitter for direct digital output to LCD monitor through the
DVI port. This way a pure, unadulterated digital signal is ensured all the way from the graphics
card to the LCD screen.
 DVI-D port DVI-I port

DVI ports that comply with the DVI1.0 standard include the DVI-I, DVI-D and DVI-A types.
Among them, the DVI-I port is capable of supporting both digital and analog output. The DVI-D,
on the other hand supports pure digital output, while the DVI-A port supports pure analog
output.

The DVI port most often seen on graphics cards is the DVI-I port, which, direct connection to
LCD DVI port aside, will also support a DVI to D-Sub converter in order to support analog
output. The DVI-D port is rather rare, but can be found on the ASUS V9520-X and V9400-X
(both X series cards).

ASUS V9520-X with DVI-D port

RCA output port

Also known as the AV or composite video connector, the RCA port is
seen on home electronic devices including television sets and video
cassette recorders. AV output is separated into one video and two
audio signals (left and right channel). The yellow connector is often
responsible for the video signal.

For connection to AV devices, older graphics cards often featured the

RCA port. As the graphics card is responsible for only video, there was only ever the yellow
RCA port to be found.
Nowadays, the RCA port has been replaced by the S-Video port. With the help of an adapter,
an S-Video port can also be converted to RCA (video) output.

D Connector
The rise in HDTV popularity has meant a growing number of
HDTV ready sets appearing in our homes. This D here
obviously stands for Digital. The D-shaped connector hails
from Japan and is used for direct transfer of digital video
signals.

There are currently an entire series of D connectors in use, as can be seen below:

Horizontal Vertical Scanning

Part number Resolution
frequency frequency method

D1 SDTV480I 720x480 15.75KHz 30Hz Interlaced

D2 SDTV480P 720x480 31.5KHz 60Hz Progressive

D3 HDTV1080I 1920x1080 33.75KHz 30Hz Interlaced

D4 HDTV720P 1280x720 45KHz 60Hz Progressive

D5 HDTV1080P 1920x1080 67.5KHz 60Hz Progressive

A very limited number of graphics cards feature D connectors - one of them is this ASUS
EAX600XT/HTVD card.

ASUS EAX600XT/HTVD with D/Port

Video Input/VIVO port

In the past, certain high-end graphics card products provided video input ports such as
S-Video and RCA to cater to users with video input requirements. Contemporary graphics
cards, however, already have a video output port (S-Video or RCA) on the bracket. To avoid
congestion, common mainstream practice is to integrate video input and output capabilities in
a single port.

The ViVo port, as it is known, is generally found on high-end products and takes on the form of
a 9-pin S-Video port (left), which can be also used in conjunction with a ViVo adapter to offer
a complete set of video and out ports (right).

VIVO port ViVo adapter

Modular Input and Output Block Connectors

The appearance of graphics processors capable of optimized decoding

of HDTV format media has allowed HDTV output to become standard
feature. Generally speaking, this takes the form of a 9-pin S-Video port
aided by an adapter with component output to support various HDTV
media including 720p, 720i, and 1080i and so on. This type of adapter
will also provide RCA and S-Video output expansion.

Certain all-in-one cards adopt own to meet some special video input/output requirements, as
witnessed in the ATI All In Wonder card below. It too, makes use of a modular input and output
block connector solution to provide all functional ports, however. In addition, the card is built
with a TV tuner, so it rightly features a set of RF connectors as well.

ATI All In Wonder 9600 XT’s proprietary port and multi-functional adaptor and cables
Extra Information
Some interfaces are not found on the graphics card bracket, but on the PCB
next to the card’s power connector instead (right). This makes it convenient in
cases where the user wishes to have the video input/output ports located at
the a PC’s front interface panel. Such cards include the RADEON X800 XT PE and RADEON
X850 XT PE.

Closing
The graphics card interface has developed from the first simplistic VGA port to the varied
multi-function ports of today owing to the increasing number of integrated functions constantly
being added to graphics card products. Therefore, we can expect to see an even greater
variety of graphics card I/O ports, and therefore a greater number of supported output devices
in the future.

The standard complement of ports to be expected from contemporary graphics cards are a
D-Sub VGA port, a DVI-I port, plus a single S-Video output port.