With the rise in multi-purpose technologies, it is not uncommon for a home or business user to need to split the visual output from their computer to a monitor to multiple devices. A video gamer may prefer the high resolution offered by an HD computer monitor and direct the Xbox 360 signal to the computer monitor; a businessperson may desire to show a PowerPoint presentation on the company’s big screen TV for ease of viewing. Other users (most commonly graphics and audio design professionals) may elect to optimize the visual workspace of their machine by setting up multiple display devices. Regardless of the reason, to split the signal from the current VGA output a VGA Y Splitter cable will be required.
A y-splitter indicates the cable has one male connector and two or more female connectors. A male connector is the portion of the connection device which has pins or other protuberances that are inserted to the female connector to join the two components. For example, all the ports on the back of a computer are female as they receive the male connectors from the keyboard, mouse, USB devices, etc. As such, in order to split the VGA signal, multiple female connectors are needed. When there are two female connectors, the overall shape is a Y, thus the name of the VGA Y splitter cable.
The most basic form of the y splitter is to allow multiple VGA input on one device. This may be required when multiple monitors are to be used on one computer with either identical or unique displays on each monitor. However, some newer computers come equipped with two VGA input ports and this is not required. Generally the VGA to VGA cords can be shorter as the computer or laptop is likely to be within five feet of both VGA devices. These cords can be purchased at most major electronics stores and at a variety of online specialty stores such as Tiger Direct and prices start around $4 depending on the length and quality.
A second type of VGA Y splitter cable is geared towards using different types of devices that utilize HDMI, S-Video, component or some other display type. HDMI is user in some newer HD monitors as well as for HDTV applications; s-video and component are the types of output more commonly seen in older CRT televisions. LCD projectors may have any of these types of output options depending on the maker for the projector. The cable will have one male VGA connector, and either a combination of one VGA female connector and second-type connector or two female connectors neither of which are VGA. Multi-use cords can be found in the same locations as the solely VGA cables, but prices are generally higher starting around $9. Due to the applications multi-use cables are utilized for it is more common to need a longer length cord which will also increase the cord.
When purchasing a y splitter cable there are a few things to look for to ensure the quality of your cable. Higher-end cables will offer gold plating on the contacts for maximum conduction; other quality amplifiers are double shielded foil insulation and the flexibility of the cable to reduce breaking. In longer cables, detents or “stop clicks” will work to keep the signal from degrading over distance by ensuring signal integrity.