VGA to workstation monitor FAQ

Copyright Tomi Engdahl

This FAQ tries to cover the details you should know when you try to connect your PC to a monitor kanen from old workstation. Old workstation monitors are sometimes available very cheaply (maybe for free) and they can seem to be an attractive alternative to normal PC monitor because they would allow you to get a big picture quite cheaply. The downside is that most workstation monitors don't work well as general purpose PC monitor and the quality of those monitors might not be the best (because of old technology and because they are typically near the end of their useful life). The tips given in this FAQ can also be used when connecting PC to video projectors etc. which are designed to be used with workstations. To be able to use the information in this document you must have a basic knowledge on electronics, computer video monitor operation and how ot configure your video card screen modes.

NOTE: Anyone undertaking this project does so at there own risk. I take no responsibility for any damage to equipment or personal injuries resulting from attempting this project.

Index of documents

• Basic questions
  • PC video card basics
  • Text and graphical modes in video cards
  • VGA and SVGA introduction
  • Workstation monitor introduction
  • Frequently asked questions and answers on monitors
• Making the connection to VGA card
  • VGA to 5 BNC connectors
  • VGA to 4 BNC connectors
  • VGA to 3 BNC connectors
  • VGA to 13W3 connector
  • VGA to Apple
  • VGA to coin-up monitor connector
  • VGA to mono monitor
  • VGA to LCD monitor
  • VGA to laptop LCD screen
  • VGA to HDTV display
  • VGA to coin-up videogame monitor
  • VGA to CGA monitor
  • VGA monitor to monitor with TTL level RGB inputs
  • VGA to monitors with ECL inputs
  • VGA card and no monitor
• Configuring your operating system
  • DOS
  • Windows 3.1
  • Windows 95
  • Windows NT
  • Linux
• Video timing details revealed
• Troubleshooting tips for VGA to RGB monitor connection and configuaration
• Video and monitor terms
• Measuring and analyzing video signals

Link pages

• Other related FAQs
• Monitor interfacing project pages

Tools

• Screen timing calculator and configuration file generator
• Monitor resolution approximator

Tools on other sites

• Monitor configuration tool links
• XFree86 Modeline Generator

Other related information

• Connecting other sources than VGA card to PC monitor
• SCART RGB interfacing to video projectors
• Showing TV picture on VGA monitor page
• Video formats comparision
• XFree86 Video Timings HOWTO

Disclaimer

This FAQ is provided as is without any express or implied warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this text, the authors/maintainers/contributors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

We disclaim everything. The contents of this article might be totally inaccurate, inappropriate, or misguided. Inclusion of any tips, hints, code samples in this document does NOT imply any approval or guarantee as to the suitability of said samples for any purpose whatsoever other than as a self-training aid. I.E. If it blows your monitor, makes your system unusable, trashes your hard disc, burns your building down or just plain don't work, #### IT ISN'T OUR FAULT #### In the event of judicial ruling to the contrary, any liability shall be limited to the sum charged on you by us for the aforementioned document OR nothing, whichever is the lower.