My DVI port stopped working on Monitor, can a Mac connect to RGB port?

[steve333]

I have an older LCD Samsung Monitor that I love.
The picture started cutting out after a few seconds connected to the DVI port so I think that port went bad.. I ended up switching to another Samsung Monitor so I know the cable is good but the picture is harsh on my eyes.
Can a Mac connect to the RGB Port on the back of my older Monitor? I have a 2018 Mac Mini
Thanks

 

[PaulD-UK]

You could I think, at 1080p, with a DVI-D to VGA/RGB/Component Video Converter.
This presumably won’t be HDCP compliant, so it won’t allow commercial video to be played.

 

[Fishrrman]

Tell us what Mac you have.
Tell us what year it was made.
Tell us what version of the OS you're using.

Tell us which model display you have and ALL the input ports on the back.

I've used a 2012 Mini with a 27" Viewsonic 1080p display, via the display's VGA port.
Worked well enough. I can't remember which port I used on the Mini (minidisplayport or HDMI).

If it is indeed "an older" display, you might consider a 27" 4k display. There are many at all price points. The upward jump in display quality might impress you.

 

[steve333]

You could I think, at 1080p, with a DVI-D to VGA/RGB/Component Video Converter.
This presumably won’t be HDCP compliant, so it won’t allow commercial video to be played.

Well that wouldn't be good

 

[steve333]

Tell us what Mac you have.
Tell us what year it was made.
Tell us what version of the OS you're using.

Tell us which model display you have and ALL the input ports on the back.

I've used a 2012 Mini with a 27" Viewsonic 1080p display, via the display's VGA port.
Worked well enough. I can't remember which port I used on the Mini (minidisplayport or HDMI).

If it is indeed "an older" display, you might consider a 27" 4k display. There are many at all price points. The upward jump in display quality might impress you.

I have a 2018 Mac Mini with the Intel chip
I am running the latest Mac OS Sonoma
It is a Samsung 2233sw LCD 20 inch monitor
It has a DVI input and a RGB input.
I actually prefer this LCD pciture to my newer LED Samsung which I find to be harsh, even with fiddling with the controls.
I think either the DVI port on the monitor is loose or needs to be replaced. The picture showed up then cut out after a few seconds. The cable is fine since it works with the newer Samsung

 

[PaulD-UK]

That's called a VGA input NOT RGB - RGB was an analogue port (or ports) dating back to Scart/RCA input TVs.
An HDMI to VGA adapter is what you need.

VGA is analogue R,G and B separate signals, but also separated sync signals that ports called RGB don't have.

 

[steve333]

That's called a VGA input NOT RGB - RGB was an analogue port (or ports) dating back to Scart/RCA input TVs.
An HDMI to VGA adapter is what you need.

VGA is analogue R,G and B separate signals, but also separated sync signals that ports called RGB don't have.

Thanks, will the quality of the picture be affected?

 

[meson]

Thanks, will the quality of the picture be affected?

I bet you won't notice the difference. That said, DVI is a digital signal and theoretically results in a better picture. VGA is analog so there can be noise that shows as a slight flickering of pixels sort of like snow on a CRT TV overlaid on the correct image. In practice I've never noticed a difference on monitors early on in their use, but have finally started seeing a difference in a spare monitor at home after about 10 years of use with VGA. I haven't tried swapping out cables for a different one. It just hasn't been a priority as I don't use that monitor much these days.

Give it a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[steve333]

I bet you won't notice the difference. That said, DVI is a digital signal and theoretically results in a better picture. VGA is analog so there can be noise that shows as a slight flickering of pixels sort of like snow on a CRT TV overlaid on the correct image. In practice I've never noticed a difference on monitors early on in their use, but have finally started seeing a difference in a spare monitor at home after about 10 years of use with VGA. I haven't tried swapping out cables for a different one. It just hasn't been a priority as I don't use that monitor much these days.

Give it a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

There is nothing plugged into my HDMI port. Looks like my monitor is plugged into one of the thunderbolt ports?
When I look at the manual it mentions DVI, what is the difference between DVI and HDMI? I believe my current cable is DVI.
I attached ther manual

 

[steve333]

I saw that adapter on Best Buy's website, I'll order it

I bet you won't notice the difference. That said, DVI is a digital signal and theoretically results in a better picture. VGA is analog so there can be noise that shows as a slight flickering of pixels sort of like snow on a CRT TV overlaid on the correct image. In practice I've never noticed a difference on monitors early on in their use, but have finally started seeing a difference in a spare monitor at home after about 10 years of use with VGA. I haven't tried swapping out cables for a different one. It just hasn't been a priority as I don't use that monitor much these days.

Give it a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

This is the manual for my current monitor

 

[steve333]

That's called a VGA input NOT RGB - RGB was an analogue port (or ports) dating back to Scart/RCA input TVs.
An HDMI to VGA adapter is what you need.

VGA is analogue R,G and B separate signals, but also separated sync signals that ports called RGB don't have.

This is the manual for the monitor. My current monitor is attached with a DVI cable

 

[PaulD-UK]

"I have a 2018 Mac Mini"
"My current monitor is attached with a DVI cable"

How does that plug into the 2018 Mac mini, which has HDMI and USB-C video ports?

You need to connect the HDMI or USB-C (which is DisplayPort through a USB cable) port on your computer to the VGA port on the monitor via whichever cable you choose and the appropriate VGA adapter.

 

[steve333]

"I have a 2018 Mac Mini"
"My current monitor is attached with a DVI cable"

How does that plug into the 2018 Mac mini, which has HDMI and USB-C video ports?

You need to connect the HDMI or USB-C (which is DisplayPort through a USB cable) port on your computer to the VGA port on the monitor via whichever cable you choose and the appropriate VGA adapter.

It's plugged into the third port from the ethernet port, which I believe is one of the four thunderbolt ports? It is a direct cable into the monitor with no adapter.
There is nothing plugged into the HDMI port

 

[PaulD-UK]

Replace the cable with a USB-C to VGA cable.

Or use your existing cable and put a female DVI to VGA male adapter on it to plug into your monitor.

 

[steve333]

Replace the cable with a USB-C to VGA cable.

Or use your existing cable and put a female DVI to VGA male adapter on it to plug into your monitor.

Would this work?

Cmple - DVI-A Female to HD15 (VGA) Male Adapter GOLD - Walmart.com

Buy Cmple - DVI-A Female to HD15 (VGA) Male Adapter GOLD at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Best Buy doesn't list a USB-C to VGA cable

 

[meson]

Would this work?

Cmple - DVI-A Female to HD15 (VGA) Male Adapter GOLD - Walmart.com

Buy Cmple - DVI-A Female to HD15 (VGA) Male Adapter GOLD at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Best Buy doesn't list a USB-C to VGA cable

Assuming the problem is on the monitor end and not the cable, yes.

There are also hdmi to vga adapters and cables. Something like this would work as well.

Insignia™ HDMI to VGA Adapter Cool gray NS-PAHDVG - Best Buy

Shop Insignia™ HDMI to VGA Adapter Cool gray at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

 

[DeltaMac]

USB-C to VGA cables at Amazon

 

[steve333]

Assuming the problem is on the monitor end and not the cable, yes.

There are also hdmi to vga adapters and cables. Something like this would work as well.

Insignia™ HDMI to VGA Adapter Cool gray NS-PAHDVG - Best Buy

Shop Insignia™ HDMI to VGA Adapter Cool gray at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

Yes, the cable is fine as I am using it on the newer monitor. I think the DVI port on the old monitor stopped working
I had issues with hooking up the monitor using the HDMI port and a DVI adapter when I first got the Mini, which is why I got the USB-C to DVI cable, so I want to avoid the HDMI port and I have the DVI cable already.

 

[steve333]

USB-C to VGA cables at Amazon

Interesting, wonder why Best Buy didn't have this, actually they didn't have the adapter either so I shouldn't be surprised I guess.
I wonder if this is a better way to go over getting the adapter for my current cable

 

[Fishrrman]

I'm gonna say it again:
That display was probably nice in its time, but it's way outdated now.

Time for something new.
For a 2018 Mini, you should be looking at 27" with 4k resolution.
Many available.

 

[Amethyst1]

Or use your existing cable and put a female DVI to VGA male adapter on it to plug into your monitor.

Daisy-chaining a DVI-to-VGA adapter to a USB-C-to-DVI adapter does not work. DVI-to-VGA adapters don't actually convert the signal, they just tap into the analogue signal that a DVI-I ("integrated", i.e. analogue and digital) or DVI-A ("analogue only") output carries. If there is no analogue signal to begin with, such as with a DisplayPort/HDMI/USB-C to DVI-D ("digital only") adapter, it won't do a thing.

Replace the cable with a USB-C to VGA cable.

This or a HDMI-to-VGA adapter are your (only) options, @steve333.

 

[steve333]

I'm gonna say it again:
That display was probably nice in its time, but it's way outdated now.

Time for something new.
For a 2018 Mini, you should be looking at 27" with 4k resolution.
Many available.

I don't like big monitors and I really hate the harsh picture from my LED monitor. My old monitor is LCD and is much easier on my eyes. If the cable or adapter doesn't work I will just have to deal with the LED

 

[steve333]

Daisy-chaining a DVI-to-VGA adapter to a USB-C-to-DVI adapter does not work. DVI-to-VGA adapters don't actually convert the signal, they just tap into the analogue signal that a DVI-I ("integrated", i.e. analogue and digital) or DVI-A ("analogue only") output carries. If there is no analogue signal to begin with, such as with a DisplayPort/HDMI/USB-C to DVI-D ("digital only") adapter, it won't do a thing.


This or a HDMI-to-VGA adapter are your (only) options, @steve333.

It would be just connecting the DVI to VGA adapter to the DVI to usb-c cable I have, that wouldn't work?
I was thinking maybe the usb-c to VGA cable might work better though since it is direct without need for an adapter?

 

[Amethyst1]

It would be just connecting the DVI to VGA adapter to the DVI to usb-c cable I have, that wouldn't work?

It wouldn’t.

I was thinking maybe the usb-c to VGA cable might work better though since it is direct without need for an adapter?

Yup.

 

[steve333]

It wouldn’t.


Yup.

OK, that's what I will do. I just wish there were brands that I heard of. Found one on walmart that looks pretty good

USB C to VGA Cable,USB Type-C to VGA Cable [Thunderbolt 3] Compatible for MacBook Pro 2019/2018/2017, Samsung Galaxy S9/S8, Surface Book 2, Dell XPS 13/15, Pixelbook and More - 3 Feet - Walmart.com

Buy USB C to VGA Cable,USB Type-C to VGA Cable [Thunderbolt 3] Compatible for MacBook Pro 2019/2018/2017, Samsung Galaxy S9/S8, Surface Book 2, Dell XPS 13/15, Pixelbook and More - 3 Feet at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Found this inexpensive one on Amazon, not sure about this one. Wish Belkin had one or a company I know

Seefeful USB C to VGA 3 Feet Cable, USB Type-C to VGA Cable [Thunderbolt 3/4 Compatible] with iPhone 15 Pro/Max, MacBook Pro/Air 2023, iPad Pro, iMac, S23, XPS 17, Surface Book 3 and More

If you encounter any issues, please feel free to contact us, you have 60 days to try out and 12 month's product and technical support, and our friendly and easy-to-reach customer service always here for you.

www.amazon.com