If you are looking for a way to connect a monitor to your television, whether in the form of a computer or other electronic device, then most likely your best option is to use a VGA to composite cable. A VGA, or Video Graphics Array, connector is used to link up a video card from an external device such as a computer monitor or laptop computer. This is perfect for numerous uses, from watching a YouTube clip on your television or streaming any other form of online content to the TV.
When it comes to purchasing a VGA to composite cable, there are a few things to look out for in order to help you find the right model for your external device. It is very common these days that many laptops will have a smaller Video Graphics Array port, also known as a mini-VGA. If this is the case, a larger VGA to composite cable will not fit and therefore will be useless in streaming content to the television. In fact, there are many different sizes of video card ports and as such, is the most important step in finding the right VGA to composite cable for your system.
If you are not sure what size VGA to composite cable is compatible for external device, a good idea to count the number of pin holes. A standard VGA input port will have 15 pins, hence the standard VGA cable being referred to as a DE-15 connector. If your laptop or external device is much older, you may find that the Video Graphics Array port only has 9 pin holes. If this is the case, then a DE-15 VGA connector simply will not do; this becomes more difficult, as you will need to find a DE-9 VGA to composite cable, which most brands have stopped producing. Your best bet in this situation, if you cannot find one in stores is to look on a site like eBay or other online retailer. Regardless if you are purchasing your VGA to connector cable in an electronics store, it is always a good idea to take a picture of your Video Graphics Array port on your external device so they can assist you in picking the right size cable. Fortunately televisions are more compliant and tend to follow the same convention with the other end of the VGA to composite cable, so that is not as much of a concern.
When it comes to finding the right VGA to composite cable for your home, your best chances of finding what you need would be to look in an electronics store or online electronic retailer. Some of the best stores that carry VGA to composite video cables at low prices include, but are not limited to, Best Buy, J & R Computer and Music World, PC Richard and Son and Radio Shack. A local electronics store will also likely have what you are looking for. If you are looking online, check out the aforementioned store’s online departments, as well as sites like Buy.com or Amazon.