Which Video Cable Carries an Analog Signal
Which of the following video cables uses an analog signal?
Community Insight
You must distinguish analog video interfaces from digital ones; the trap is assuming every modern-looking connector, or DVI's wide pin layout, is digital-only.
This CompTIA A+ 220-1201 question asks which listed video cable transmits an analog signal, and the answer is VGA, the only purely analog interface among the choices. The page explains why VGA is analog while DVI, HDMI, and USB-C carry digital video data.
Learners often pick DVI because it looks digital and modern, forgetting that DVI-I and DVI-A variants can carry an analog component and that DVI remains a digital-first standard — the unambiguous analog-only answer is VGA (A).
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
VGA (Video Graphics Array) uses a 15-pin DE-15 connector and transmits video as analog RGBHV signals, with separate red, green, blue, horizontal-sync, and vertical-sync lines. It is the legacy PC display standard that predates digital interfaces, and every mainstream VGA implementation is analog at the connector, which makes it the single correct choice here. Converters going from VGA to HDMI must include an analog-to-digital converter precisely because the VGA side is analog.Why the Other Options Are Wrong
DVI (Digital Visual Interface) was designed to carry digital TMDS video; only the DVI-I/DVI-A variants can pass through an analog signal as a compatibility feature, so DVI is classified as a digital interface. HDMI carries uncompressed digital audio and video over TMDS signaling and is fully digital. USB-C carries video through DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt, both of which are digital packet-based transports, so no analog video path exists on any of these three.Community Comment Notes
A single community comment agrees with this verdict, stating "VGA = analog video. HDMI and USB-C are digital." and answering A, which matches the analysis above. No comments dispute the choice, and none offer a competing rationale for DVI, HDMI, or USB-C.Official Reference
Exam Strategy
On cable and connector questions, group interfaces by signal type: VGA (and the S-video/composite family) are analog; DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, and USB-C Alt Mode are digital. When a question asks for the analog option, VGA is almost always the intended answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can DVI ever carry an analog signal like VGA does?
Only DVI-I and DVI-A connectors can pass an analog signal as a compatibility feature. DVI is still classified as a digital interface, so VGA remains the correct analog answer.
Why can't HDMI or USB-C be considered analog video cables?
HDMI uses digital TMDS signaling and USB-C carries video via digital DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt, so neither transmits analog video.
Related Analysis
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