Belkin (F3h981-Series) VGA Extension Cable- What not to use when your Cable falls short.
Pros:
Good Quality - (poor design)
Cons:
Will not work; the double sets of Thumbscrews interfere with a snug mating fit.
The Bottom Line:
This seems like a bad joke; merchandising something that does not do what is claimed. Avoid extensions, just purchase a new VGA Cable of correct length
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Extension Cables – What we thought we knew and then some.
THE PROBLEM
An unusual condition was caused by the failure of one of our Gateway Vista PCs. The attempt to swap my own Gateway was nearly defeated because the rear panel ports are reversed. That increased the distance from PC to Monitor by about 8”. After a detailed search, I found that no VGA “Extension” Cable exists that will connect correctly. Reason: The connectors will not lock due to interference between the two sets of thumbscrews found in so-called extension cables. (Examine the photo above and note the thumbscrews in BOTH connectors.) This obvious solution does not work. I am convinced that Belkin knows how to make a gender changer but not an extension cable. One solution on the market that salvages the existing VGA cables (if you own 2 of them) is the Belkin “Gender Changer” ADAPTER: Belkin VGA Female-Female (f4a113) IDE; which device provides a Female-Female junction that will match the Male-Male ends of two M-M VGA cables. (The result will be 12' long.) I am told that the inexpensive OEM Cables in the PC Carton may cause “Ghosting”; which can be cured by using a shielded cable design. Connectors can cause signal reduction; thus, one-piece VGA Cables of the right length would be preferable. In any case, I recommend avoiding an Extension Cable for such a critical and complex use. Instead, buy a new cable of at least the desired length. And, make it a good quality one.
SOLUTION(s)
After several false starts, I was able to order a 10 foot long, shielded VGA cable that solved the length problem without causing undesirable 'side effects'. (The supplier had no stock, I got a 15' 'Upgrade”.) Cost: $21.76 including sales tax.*
DETAILS
Why VGA and what is it?
According to Webster's 11th Collegiate Dictionary:
VGA abbr video graphics array
~~~Video – Latin videre: to see.
~~Graphic(s) – Greek graphikos: written; or a pictorial image displayed on a computer screen.
~Array – Middle English: to set or place in order.
Video Graphics Array is a computer display standard that superseded earlier definitions called CGA and EGA in 1987. VGA began with an image of 640 x 480 for a rated 310,000 Pixels. The aspect ratio is 1.33 (portrait). Super VGA was defined in 1989; by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). Many other 'standards' followed.
E-mail image attachments transmit quickly if reduced to 640 x 480.
Please note that a VGA Cable only transfers these images from the Video Chips inside the PC to a Computer Screen. Because the user could watch the results of the PC operations; the video display allowed 'monitoring' of outcomes.
Some modern Televisions include a VGA Port; allowing users to “Monitor” computing actions. I have done that.
VGA is also referred to as a “D-Subminiature” or just plain “D-sub” (The 'D' shape assists polarization) See the 'pinout' diagram, Link listed below.
CAUTION
Users should be aware that the connectors used in Video cables can be 9 or 15 pin designs. Radio Shack sells the 9 pin version of the “D” shaped interface. If you forget, you will be OK because your D-Sub 15 pin PC will not let you forget. The old Serial Port was a 9 Pin design.
Some Video Graphics Cards have DVI (Digital Visual Interface); it is interesting to note that my video card came with two DVI ports. My monitor happens to have one of each. My video card came with two Adapters that can change the DVI output to VGA.
* Best Buy offered a 10' VGA Male-Male for $52.99: which was grossly overpriced.
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USEFUL LINKS
VGA Information; Please download the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svga
--- See an article that lists and discusses the variety that is possible with VGA and derivatives. Also, on Page 1 of 3 is an illustration of the Female Port on a typical PC for attaching the VGA Connector. Note the mounting studs, a solution that is not found on extension cables where they are needed. Most models substitute an inadequate and loose pair of 6-32 nuts. Evidently, the thumbscrew tips should meet in the center of the nut. Somehow.
(My PC Tech used two "Zip Ties" to hold the two connectors together.)
--- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector
This link provides the “Pinout” (15 pin) and other relevant information Pins 1-3 carry Red, Blue, and Green video color, 4 is vacant, 5 is ground.
--- http://www.extron.com/ http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=mmvgamoldconc&subtype=55
Illustrates a selection of VGA Male-Male Connector Cable lengths 3', 6', 10' 15' 25'.
Extron sells VGA Cables with Stereo RCA Plugs molded into the VGA block.
Enjoy
