Connecting Ports
Every way to hook up a display: direct output-to-input links and adapter-based setups, plus a visual guide to each port.
A monitor, TV, projector or external display connects to a computer or phone through a video port. Some connections work directly (output to input with one cable), while others need an adapter in between (output to adapter to input). This guide lists the most common setups and explains each port.
Connecting Ports
The table below covers the common connection paths from a source device to a display. The middle column shows the cable, and any adapter needed when the two ends do not match.
| Source | Cable + Adapters (if any) | Display |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop or desktop (HDMI) | HDMI cable | HDMI monitor or TV |
| Laptop (Mini DisplayPort) | Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter + HDMI cable | HDMI monitor or TV |
| PC (DisplayPort) | DisplayPort cable | DisplayPort monitor |
| PC (DisplayPort) | DisplayPort to HDMI adapter + HDMI cable | HDMI monitor or TV |
| PC (DVI) | DVI cable | DVI monitor |
| PC (DVI) | DVI to HDMI adapter + HDMI cable | HDMI monitor or TV |
| PC (VGA) | VGA cable | VGA monitor or projector |
| PC (VGA) | VGA to HDMI adapter + HDMI cable | HDMI monitor or TV |
| Laptop (USB-C) | USB-C to HDMI cable (or USB-C to HDMI adapter + HDMI cable) | HDMI monitor or TV |
| Laptop (USB-C) | USB-C to DisplayPort cable | DisplayPort monitor |
| Phone or tablet (USB-C) | USB-C to HDMI adapter + HDMI cable | TV or monitor |
| iPhone (Lightning) | Lightning Digital AV adapter + HDMI cable | TV or monitor |
| Laptop (Thunderbolt 3 or 4) | Thunderbolt or USB-C cable | Thunderbolt or USB-C monitor (single cable) |
| PC (USB-A) | USB-A to HDMI adapter (DisplayLink) + HDMI cable | HDMI monitor or TV |
Tip: when both the source and the display have the same port, use one matching cable and skip the adapter. Adapters only step in when the two ends differ, such as a laptop with only USB-C going to an older HDMI-only monitor.
Ports Explained
From HDMI to USB and beyond, here is what every common port looks like and what it does.
HDMI
High-Definition Multimedia Interface, the most common port on TVs, monitors, laptops and game consoles. One cable carries both 4K video and audio, which makes it the default for home entertainment.
DisplayPort
The PC-focused display standard found on graphics cards, monitors and many business laptops. It supports high refresh rates, 4K and 8K resolutions, and can daisy-chain multiple monitors from one port.
VGA
The legacy analog port with 15 pins and blue plastic ends, found on older PCs, monitors and projectors. It carries video only, no audio, and tops out around 1080p, so it survives mostly in meeting rooms.
DVI
An older digital port with a wide white connector and a grid of pins, common on pre-HDMI monitors. It is video only, and DVI to HDMI adapters are still a cheap way to reuse an old monitor.
USB-A
The classic rectangular USB port on computers, chargers and hubs. It carries data and power for keyboards, mice, flash drives and phones, but normally no video unless paired with a DisplayLink adapter.
USB-B
The square-shaped USB port found on printers, scanners, MIDI gear and external drives. It plugs into the device side, while the other end of the cable is usually USB-A.
USB-C
The reversible oval port that carries data, power and video in a single cable. It is the modern standard on laptops, phones, tablets and monitors, and one USB-C cable can charge a laptop and drive a 4K display at the same time.
Thunderbolt 3 / 4
An ultra-fast port that uses the USB-C shape but runs at up to 40 Gbps. Found on Macs and high-end PCs, it connects monitors, docks and external GPUs with one cable, and can chain several devices in a row.
Ethernet (RJ45)
The wired network port with a wider 8-pin connector, found on PCs, routers, TVs and consoles. It delivers faster and more stable internet than Wi-Fi, which is why gaming and office setups still use it.
3.5mm Audio Jack
The round headphone port on phones, laptops, speakers and microphones. It carries analog audio, and the same plug shape handles both stereo output and mic input on combo ports.
SD Card Slot
The slot that reads SD and microSD memory cards from cameras, phones, drones and handheld consoles. It is how photos, videos and game data move between devices without a cable.
TOSLINK (Optical)
A square optical audio port that sends digital sound as pulses of light through a fiber cable. Common on AV receivers, soundbars and consoles, it is immune to electrical interference.