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Display connector types

Overview

When working with pen display tablets, you'll encounter lots of different connector types. This is a visual map of those connectors.

Terminology

  • the "male" end is called the plug

  • the "female" end is called the receptacle

HDMI connectors

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI

The normal-sized HDMI connector is shown below.

There are some smaller versions of HDMI connectors and ports. The Micro and Mini sizes are not common.

DisplayPort connectors

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort

Normal-sized DisplayPort connectors are shown below.

Mini DisplayPort connectors are shown below.

USB-C connectors

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C

The important thing to remember about USB-C is that it is a popular connector type, but it is often not clear what a given cable or port supports. For example:

  • Some ports and cables support power only

  • Some ports and cables support power + data

  • Some ports and cables support power + data + display signal

  • Some ports may not deliver as much power as you need

  • Some cables may not support as much power as you need

Thunderbolt 3 and 4 connectors

Thunderbolt 3 and 4 use the same USB-C port shape.

The important thing about Thunderbolt cables and ports is that they are required to carry a display signal. So, if your USB-C cable or port supports Thunderbolt 3 or 4, it can carry a display signal.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)

Thunderbolt 2 connectors

Thunderbolt 2 connectors use the mini-DisplayPort connector type. Again, by definition, they can carry a display signal.

DVI connectors

DVI is an older video signal connector type. DVI connectors are rare these days, but you may find them on older hardware. Be aware that multiple DVI port types have different physical connectors, so not all DVI cables fit every DVI port.

VGA

VGA connectors are extremely old.

USB-A connectors

USB-A ports do not provide a display signal. They are listed here for reference, so you can compare them with other USB ports.

Resources

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