Difference between VGA and SVGA

Many organizations have developed display standards for showing content on various display devices. VGA and SVGA are examples of video standards that are utilized to route video data to an appropriate visual output. VGA supports lower-resolution films and images, whereas the SVGA is a standard that provides high-resolution content presentation.

In this article, you will learn about the difference between a VGA and an SVGA. But before discussing the differences, you must know about VGA and SVGA with their advantages and disadvantages.

What is VGA?

VGA is an abbreviation for "Video Graphics Array". It was first designed and developed by IBM. It operates on analogue impulses, which have a 640 × 480 resolution screen, 16 colours at a time, and a refresh rate of 16 colours. It can display up to 256 colours at a time from the collection of 262,144 colours. It includes a 6-Bit Digital to Analog converter for converting analogue red, green, and blue (RGB) signals.

The function of the Digital to Analog converter

A 6-bit converter may generate 2^6(64) possible values. So, for every colour, it generates a total of 64×64×64 potential combinations for three signals (RGB) of the 262, 144 colour collection. It has 256 colour registers, allowing it to save 256 colour combinations at a time. It has an 8-bit value/address that may generate any needed address to select one of the 256 colour registers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of VGA

There are various advantages and disadvantages of VGA. Some main advantages and disadvantages of VGA are as follows:

Advantages

1. It has a single standard and no variants. If the equipment has a VGA-out, it will connect successfully to a VGA-in.
2. It was an upgrade version of its predecessors, such as the Enhanced graphic adapter, which had a maximum resolution of 320×200 pixels.
3. It is compatible with all Personal Computers from any manufacturer.
4. VGA signals are analog signals which mean they will be more accurate than digital signals.
5. Simple distribution amplifiers may easily split VGA signals. It simplifies VGA considerably.

Disadvantages

1. VGA's colour support is less than those of its successors.
2. It is an outdated technology that only offers a few resolutions.
3. VGA cables need to be of a larger gauge for longer runs.

What is SVGA?

SVGA is an abbreviation for "Super Video Graphics Array". It is an extension of VGA, and it offers more colours and a greater resolution. These boards may operate in two modes; these are 800 × 600 and 1024 × 480. Both of the options may support either 16 or 256 colours. However, SVGA has high memory utilization, and high resolution requires 256 additional colour memories added to the board. SVGA can also be referred to as upgraded or ultra VGA.

Key differences between VGA and SVGA

Here, you will learn the various key differences between VGA and SVGA. Some main differences between VGA and SVGA are as follows:

1. VGA is an abbreviation for video graphics array, and it may offer a resolution of 640 × 480 pixels for displays or computer screens, among other things. In contrast, SVGA is referred to as a super video graphics array, and it refers to an improved version of VGA that allows a resolution of 800 × 600 or 1024 × 480 pixels in computers, monitors, TVs, etc.
2. VGA was developed by IBM. In contrast, SVGA was designed and developed by many hardware and monitor manufacturers.
3. As the signals in VGA support a lower resolution, it may consume up to a maximum of 256k. In contrast, SVGA cables support greater resolutions. Therefore, they may utilize up to 1024k or 256k more memory than VGA.
4. VGA allows 256 colours at a time, whereas utilizing a DIA (digital to analog) converter for converting 6-bit colour for every colour will have 262, 144 colours consisting of red, blue, and green. On the other hand, SVGA may support either 16 or 256 colours at a time which generates 16 million colours. It implies that it supports 8-bit colours and may select from 256 colour combinations.
5. VGA is less expensive than SVGA since it supports shorter distances with lower resolution. In contrast, SVGA cables are more expensive than VGA since they support greater distances and require more wires. It all relies on the need because both cables are the same.
6. VGA cables are thinner and foil-shielded and have a 15-pin configuration, 14 of which are required for signal transmission. If you need to extend the distance, you may utilize a repeater or signal enhancer attached to the VGA cable, which supports a lower resolution. In contrast, SVGA cables are thicker with a braided shield with the same pin configuration as VGA, but they support a greater distance of more than 10 feet due to the higher resolution rate.

Head-to-head comparison between VGA and SVGA

Here, you will learn the head-to-head comparisons between VGA and SVGA. The main differences between VGA and SVGA are as follows:

Conclusion

VGA and SVGA are differentiated by resolution, with VGA supporting a maximum resolution of 640 × 480 and SVGA supporting a maximum resolution of 1024 × 480 pixels.