Applies To

• Elo displays and touchmonitors with VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort video inputs
• Computer video outputs using VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort
• Customer questions about passive adapters, active converters, directionality, audio, and resolution limits

Key Concepts

• Passive adapter: cable or connector-only signal routing. Passive adapters work only when the source device can already output the needed signal type.
• Active converter: signal routing plus electronics that convert one signal format to another. Active converters may need USB or external power.
• Direction matters: many products convert in one direction only. Confirm that the source output and monitor input match the direction listed by the manufacturer.
• Connector gender matters: extra cables may be required depending on male/female connector combinations.
• Resolution matters: many converters are limited to 1920 x 1200 or lower.

Video Connector Reference

Composite, component, and S-Video are analog television-oriented formats and generally do not apply to Elo products. VGA is analog. DisplayPort and HDMI are digital and can carry audio as well as video. DVI varies by connector type.

For DVI, single-link supports up to 1920 x 1200 and dual-link supports up to 2560 x 1600 at 60 Hz. DVI does not carry audio.

Converter Summary Matrix

DVI and VGA

DVI output to VGA input when analog DVI is present

If the computer DVI output includes analog signals, such as DVI-A or DVI-I, a passive bidirectional adapter can be used between DVI and VGA.

• Passive and bidirectional
• Plentiful, inexpensive, and compact
• Often supplied as a small connector block
• Connector gender varies; an additional cable may be required

DVI-D output to VGA input

DVI-D is digital only, so VGA requires active digital-to-analog conversion. Compact active DVI-D to VGA converters are available, including some based on CH7010-style conversion chips. Some models do not require an external power supply.

VGA output to DVI input

VGA to DVI requires active powered circuitry. These converters are uncommon, larger, and more expensive than simple adapters. Example product reference from the bulletin: Monoprice VD-101W brochure.

• Active conversion required
• Powered circuitry required
• Example: Monoprice VD-101W, approximately 5 in. x 3 in. x 1+ in.
• Example specification: 1920 x 1200 maximum resolution
• Example power: 9 VDC wall power supply

DisplayPort and DVI

DisplayPort output to DVI input

Some DisplayPort outputs are internally compatible with DVI and can use passive adapters. In these cases, the hardware is outputting a DVI-compatible signal through a DisplayPort connector.

• If a passive DisplayPort-to-DVI cable does not work, use an active converter.
• Search for active DP to DVI or similar wording.
• Look for the word active in the product description.
• Capabilities vary; higher-quality products are usually safer for business use.
• DVI does not carry audio.

DVI output to DisplayPort input

DVI to DisplayPort requires an active, direction-specific converter. Example from the bulletin: StarTech DVI to DisplayPort converter, listed at $32 as of July 30, 2026, with a 1920 x 1200 maximum resolution.

DisplayPort and HDMI

DisplayPort output to HDMI input

This direction is simple. DisplayPort output to HDMI input is typically passive signal routing.

• Passive adapter or cable
• Very common and easy to find
• Generally inexpensive; the bulletin notes $2 to $16 depending on length and cable style

HDMI output to DisplayPort input

HDMI output to DisplayPort input is not a simple passive adapter path. It requires an active converter.

• Active conversion required
• Less common and more expensive than DisplayPort-to-HDMI
• May be powered through USB rather than an included power supply
• Requires a DisplayPort cable on some models
• Confirm HDCP support if protected content is involved

Example from the bulletin: StarTech HD2DP HDMI to DisplayPort converter, listed at $56 as of July 30, 2026. Example supported modes include 1280 x 720, 1920 x 1080, 1920 x 1200, and 4K x 2K Ultra HD at 30 Hz. The bulletin notes that this example supports audio and does not support HDCP 2.2.

HDMI and VGA

HDMI output to VGA input

HDMI output to VGA input requires active conversion. These converters are common and inexpensive.

VGA output to HDMI input

VGA output to HDMI input also requires active conversion. These products are less common than HDMI-to-VGA converters, but they remain affordable.

Example from the bulletin: Cable Matters 103070 VGA to HDMI converter, listed at $20 as of July 30, 2026.

• Direction-specific: converts VGA to HDMI only
• Example supported VGA resolutions include 1024 x 768, 1280 x 720, 1280 x 768, 1280 x 960, 1280 x 1024, 1600 x 1200, and 1080p
• USB can provide audio on supported models

Alternate example from the bulletin: SIIG CE-VG0U11-S1 VGA to HDMI converter, listed at $40 as of July 30, 2026. The bulletin notes similar behavior and support for 1080p and PC resolutions up to 1280 x 1024 at 60 Hz.

HDMI and DVI

HDMI and DVI conversion is generally passive and bidirectional when video-only DVI compatibility is sufficient.

• Passive and bidirectional
• Plentiful, inexpensive, and compact
• Often supplied as a small connector block
• Connector gender can vary; one or both cables may be required
• DVI does not carry audio, even when the HDMI side supports audio

DisplayPort and VGA

DisplayPort output to VGA input

DisplayPort output to VGA input uses an active, self-powered converter. This path is very common, easy to find, and inexpensive. Search for DP to VGA.

Example from the bulletin: DisplayPort to VGA converter sample, referenced as of July 30, 2026.

VGA output to DisplayPort input

Support Checklist

• Identify the computer output and the monitor input. The direction determines whether a product will work.
• Confirm whether the adapter is passive or active.
• Check the maximum supported resolution and refresh rate.
• Check whether audio is required. DVI does not carry audio.
• Check whether the converter requires USB or external power.
• Verify connector gender and whether additional cables are needed.
• Avoid the VGA-output-to-DisplayPort-input path; select a different connection method instead.