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Should I Use a VGA Splitter or DVI Splitter for Video Signal Input and Output?

Technology enhancements in video signal transmission has ensured analogue and digital signals are transmitted using different devices, for instance there are several types of video splitters on the market to select from for video duplication.

The decision must be canvassed thoroughly before buying a VGA or DVI video splitter. Therefore let’s outline what VGA and DVI are, as well as the timeline they were both released.

Video Graphics Adaptor (VGA) technology has been available since 1987 thanks to IBM for development of this analogue video display technology that went onto become a standard used when referring to analogue video display standards.

VGA hardware and the software enable the data processed to become graphical data that can be displayed on a display monitor. The actual resolution for VGA is set at 640 x 480 pixels in display resolution for width and height respectively. However VGA display resolution has been enhanced with higher video resolutions such as SVGA, XGA and UXGA et al. In addition, the majority of manufacturers and resellers still refer to a VGA splitter as ‘VGA Splitter’, even though VGA has higher analogue video resolutions available, such as mentioned early like SVGA, XGA and UXGA.

VGA can carry only analogue video signals thus if you require audio as well, a separate audio connection is required. There are numerous VGA splitters that have audio capabilities built-in to the VGA splitter, for instance several Smart View devices have models available with an audio stereo 3.5mm socket for each video connection.

Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a newer technology that was released in 1999 by Digital Design Working Group. DVI superseded VGA, and as the name implies, DVI is uncompressed digital video data that is displayed on monitors and projector screens via DVI connectors. There are three main DVI connector types available on the market each with a specific pin arrangement interface, for example DVI-I, DVI-D and DVI-A. Moreover the three DVI connectors support certain video formats, for example:

• DVI-I is integrated video both analogue and digital signal support

• DVI-A is analogue video signal support

• DVI-D is digital video signal support

The key feature about DVI is its compatible with VGA. The two video interfaces work well with one another when an adaptor is utilised.

DVI has two methods available to stream the video signal between devices, which is known as Single link and Dual link. DVI single link maximum resolution is up to 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) @ 60 Hz, while DVI dual link can produce much higher resolution, but depends on several factors, such as cable copper bandwidth limitations, DVI source limitations, and DVI sync limitations. Additionally DVI supports hot plugging meaning it can be connected and disconnected without powering down the system. However VGA isn’t suitable for hot plugging hence requires the system be shut down first before connection of VGA cables.

In the early days of DVI it was envisaged that DVI would become the recognised standard for digital format. However, DVI was mainly used with computer display monitors and not so much with household TV scenarios.

DVI can stream digital video very well however it can’t transfer audio signals. To enable audio on a DVI splitter you’ll require digital audio capability built-in to the devices with separate audio connections. Furthermore, the release of High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) technology that can transmit uncompressed digital video and digital audio signals together has ensured HDMI quickly became the popular choice for digital video output to display panels.

The new computer desktops don’t have VGA connections available on most systems. Usually there are DVI or DisplayPort connections instead. The DisplayPort digital interface superseded DVI in 2006 however you still see DVI utilised. Occasionally Information Communication Technology (ICT) hardware staff may be required to mix-and-match connections with adapters, for instance, if a machine has a VGA socket but the display monitor has a DVI connector, an adapter can be utilised since DVI is backward compatible. Note: the signal will still be VGA quality that is transmitted unless a dedicated electrical VGA to DVI converter is used.

When selecting a DVI or VGA splitter ensure you check the specifications for the product, for example resolution supported, frequency rate, the display video type supported, connection types for interface input/output, power adaptor required, switching off/on functions, built-in amplifier booster and whether incorporated with audio socket or not.

The most common video splitter is the type ‘one input video source to two outputs video’ destination. However there are numerous configurations to select from for video input and output setups. Another type of splitter is called a ‘video matrix’ that can have two or more video inputs and two or more video outputs. This can be handy for multiple sources that can be switched on/off to achieve the desired video output display. Each video splitter will suit a particular scenario for video presentation so choose wisely. In addition, several brand video splitters can be cascaded, such as Smart View.

To maintain the integrity of the video signal high quality VGA cables with ferrite filters should be interconnected with the devices. If the installer decides to skimp on the cost of VGA cables for the installation signal degradation can lead to problems such as ghosting and pixelation.

There are DVI splitters and DVI boosters with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) incorporated into the devices. Authorised digital video content is only allowed to be transmitted and received between HDCP devices while VGA analogue signals aren’t restricted with this security protocol. Some users have reported interconnection issues when using HDCP enabled devices, such as handshaking connection problems and continuity in live video streaming.

If you have the newest high-definition display monitors you should consider HDMI splitters as well. VGA can be problematic when outputting video signals to large panel screens like Plasma TV, LED widescreen TV and OLED TVs. Especially video quality degradation issues and pixelation problems may occur when VGA is the source to high-definition products.

VGA splitters have generally been more popular with computer display monitors over the years than DVI. The cost for a VGA splitter is usually less than its equivalent DVI product. Furthermore with the popularity of the superior HDMI technology integrated into high-definition TVs and notebooks has ensured DVI splitters are less common. With most people selecting a HDMI splitter for their digital video and audio solutions over the less-features of DVI.

Finally, you should consider several pivotal factors for your decision, such as the quality of the video resolution broadcasted you require, and whether it’s digital, or analogue equipment utilised in your setup. Furthermore check the product specifications before purchase, and consider if you require audio as well for the video broadcast? Moreover if you implement a VGA splitter or DVI splitter choose one with a booster built-in to the device. The costs should be secondary to ensure you’re satisfied with your ultimate decision.

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Affiliate Marketing Tips to Help You Succeed

There are so many network marketers that are moving to the online world for connect and faster growth and a great way to make some extra money while growing your business and residual income is by affiliate marketing. Like most money earning opportunities, there are some strategies that work better than others. Here are 3 affiliate marketing tips to follow that will help you earn faster:

Plan Ahead

Most people who are online and doing marketing of any sort have some sort of blog or website set up. The problem is that is all they do and they assume that the affiliate programs they have in place will just automatically start working for them. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. While having a blog or website set up is a step in the right direction, you also need to make sure you have information that is valuable and relevant for the reader. The purpose f the website and blog is to create more traffic. The more traffic that stops on your page, the more people see your affiliate link and by giving the appropriate value to the links and a strong call to action to click the link, the more likely you will make more money and sooner.

Also with a blog or website it is very important to update and add content several times a week. Knowing a little bit about how keywords play into ranking is also a powerful affiliate marketing tip that can help your information to be seen quicker and on page 1 of Google.

Slow and Steady

Whoever told you that network marketing or affiliate marketing was a “get rich quick” type of income was wrong. For some individuals who have full time to work on it, very large lists of people to network with and actually go out and do all the work required are more likely to benefit for the “quick” part of that. For the other 97% of us out there, we have to plan and then build. This affiliate marketing tip may not resonate well with some, because most people want things NOW. Unfortunately, it really doesn’t matter what kind of business you start, it is rare you will see the return on investment for years. The benefit to network marketing and affiliate marketing, however, is that your investment is very low and your payment is usually residual income which is income that comes no matter if you continue to work hard or not. They key is that you still have to work to get it.

Stick to One Thing

It is easy to get distracted by other opportunities especially in affiliate marketing as you can get lost in the sea of them. Those who are greedy tend to jump from program to program and not allow enough time to make money in any of them. It is smart to stick to a program and give it time to start working for you. With affiliate marketing if you have planned correctly, and you stay true, you should start seeing the reward within a few months to a year. Again, thing is a very important affiliate marketing tip because no matter what business, that return on investment will usually take longer than that.

So make sure to plan out your affiliate marketing strategy, stay consistent and make sure to stick with your program for an appropriate amount of time before you jump ship and it is almost guaranteed you will find success and a return on your investment.

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The Healthy New York Program and the Self-Employed

The ability to obtain health insurance, for the self-employed, in the state of New York is determined by what group, sometimes referred to as a pool or marketplace, you, as an individual, fall into.Because New York State uses a rating system that uses a community base, rather than an individual base to determine your rating, you will fall into one of four categories. You will be either classified as an individual, self employed, working in a small company of 50 or less employees, for a large company with 50 or more employees.Within the self-employed category, there are typically two options. The first is to seek insurance individually from an insurance company. This option, for most self-employed people, is cost prohibitive. Although insurance companies in New York State are required to offer health insurance to all who apply, they are free within limits to set the rate, or premium, that they as a company, believe is reasonable. Based on all the factors that affect the costs of health insurance, and the company’s inability to assess you, as an individual, even one in perfect health, the company’s are forced to give you a price quote that would be comparable to a person in ill health. This is not a factor that is within the control of the insurance companies.Another option as the self-employed individual, is to join a group or business association, that, allows you, as a member, the opportunity to apply for group insurance as a member of this organization. The organizations charge a fee to become a member.One example of this type of organization is the freelancers union. This group also advocates for self employed workers in areas of health insurance, tax relief, and other benefits generally available to workers employed in larger companies.Another factor that affects, to some degree, the cost of group health insurance is that not all insurance companies are required to offer group insurance to these associations. Among those who do, are Atlantis, GHI (an Emblem Health Company), the PerfectHealth insurance company, HIP( an Emblem Health Comany), Empire, and Oxford.In addition to all the above restrictions not all companies are available to self-employed workers in all counties. Some excellent web sites are available to assist the self-employed worker to find the right health insurance plan. To begin the search for a health insurance plan that best suits you, go to Vista Health Solutions.

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