If you have ever gone shopping for a computer monitor or television, you probably heard a salesman throwing around at least one of these terms.  Unfortunately, you were completely clueless as to what he was really trying to say.  Although these terms may seem a little overwhelming at first, they are actually much less complicated than you might think.  Once you have read through this guide, you will feel confident in your abilities to understand and control the technology associated with these terms.

Of these three terms, S-video is probably the most common.  Although many people are under the mistaken impression that S-video is short for Sony video, in reality it stands for Separate video.  S-video is nothing more than a way to attach an electronic device to a television.  S-video devices include video game consoles, DVD players, VCRs and of course, televisions.  Connecting two S-video devices is extremely easy.  It only requires two S-video devices and one compliant S-video cable.  To see if you have an S-video device, just take a look at its audio and video input and output ports.  You should see a port with four pins, and it will normally be labeled S-video.  Once you have found this port on both of your devices, it is time to plug in the S-video cable.  Make sure to line up the pins, and then slide the cable into each port.  This connection will provide quality movies, recordings or video games on your television.

Although S-video applies to consumer electronics and televisions, DVI and VGA are two terms that apply to computers.  DVI is used in digital projectors and flat panel LCD monitors.  A DVI connector can be used to achieve optimal pixel quality when connecting a computer to a monitor or projector.  DVI connectors have a square of twenty-four individual pins.  Once the pins are flush with the port they are connected to, two screws can be twisted to ensure that the DVI cable stays in place.  If you are purchasing a computer and monitor separately, it is important to make sure that they have compatible input and output options.

VGA is the predecessor to DVI.  VGA is also used to connect a computer to a monitor.  When computers are running in VGA mode, they are displaying a resolution of 640×480.  The VGA connector itself is a fifteen pen cable.  The major disadvantage of VGA is it is an analog technology (as opposed to DVI, which is digital).  Because of this fact, VGA has continued on the path to becoming obsolete.  However, VGA is just as simple as the other devices to connect, and it can still deliver a fair picture.

If you have ever gone shopping for a computer monitor or television, you probably heard a salesman throwing around at least one of these terms.  Unfortunately, you were completely clueless as to what he was really trying to say.  Although these terms may seem a little overwhelming at first, they are actually much less complicated than you might think.  Once you have read through this guide, you will feel confident in your abilities to understand and control the technology associated with these terms.

Of these three terms, S-video is probably the most common.  Although many people are under the mistaken impression that S-video is short for Sony video, in reality it stands for Separate video.  S-video is nothing more than a way to attach an electronic device to a television.  S-video devices include video game consoles, DVD players, VCRs and of course, televisions.  Connecting two S-video devices is extremely easy.  It only requires two S-video devices and one compliant S-video cable.  To see if you have an S-video device, just take a look at its audio and video input and output ports.  You should see a port with four pins, and it will normally be labeled S-video.  Once you have found this port on both of your devices, it is time to plug in the S-video cable.  Make sure to line up the pins, and then slide the cable into each port.  This connection will provide quality movies, recordings or video games on your television.

Although S-video applies to consumer electronics and televisions, DVI and VGA are two terms that apply to computers.  DVI is used in digital projectors and flat panel LCD monitors.  A DVI connector can be used to achieve optimal pixel quality when connecting a computer to a monitor or projector.  DVI connectors have a square of twenty-four individual pins.  Once the pins are flush with the port they are connected to, two screws can be twisted to ensure that the DVI cable stays in place.  If you are purchasing a computer and monitor separately, it is important to make sure that they have compatible input and output options.

VGA is the predecessor to DVI.  VGA is also used to connect a computer to a monitor.  When computers are running in VGA mode, they are displaying a resolution of 640×480.  The VGA connector itself is a fifteen pen cable.  The major disadvantage of VGA is it is an analog technology (as opposed to DVI, which is digital).  Because of this fact, VGA has continued on the path to becoming obsolete.  However, VGA is just as simple as the other devices to connect, and it can still deliver a fair picture.