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Cables, Adapters, & Switching: What Creators Need to Know

  • Writer: Nick Gran
    Nick Gran
  • Aug 18
  • 2 min read
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HDMI

  • Digital. Carries video AND audio.

  • Easy: One cable for your screen and your speakers (if your monitor has built-in audio).

  • If you adapt HDMI to something else, audio might not follow!


DVI

  • Can be digital, analog, or both—confusing!

    • DVI-D: Digital only (no audio).

    • DVI-A: Analog only (no audio).

    • DVI-I: Both analog + digital (still no audio).

  • No DVI cable carries sound. If you adapt HDMI to DVI, you’ll lose audio—plan for a separate audio cable.


VGA

  • Old, all analog. Only carries video.

  • Fuzzy at high resolutions, no audio, prone to interference.

  • Only use if you have to connect to very old gear.


Adapters & What To Watch For

  • HDMI ↔ DVI:

    • Video is easy, but no sound over DVI.

    • Use a separate audio cable if you need sound.

  • HDMI ↔ VGA:

    • Needs an active adapter (digital-to-analog conversion).

    • No audio—again, separate cable.

  • DVI ↔ VGA:

    • Only works if your DVI port supports analog (DVI-A or DVI-I), and even then, no audio.

  • Mini HDMI/Mini DisplayPort:

    • Just smaller plugs, but otherwise same signal as full-size.

    • Adapters are cheap and easy.


Key Points

  • If you’re using adapters to connect older gear, always double-check what signals (digital/analog, audio/video) actually pass through.

  • Many “universal” adapters only do part of the job—read the details!


KVM Switches: One Set, Multiple Devices

  • KVM = Keyboard, Video, Mouse.

  • Lets you control 2+ computers with a single set of gear—great if you have a studio PC, a laptop, and a server (or just hate cable clutter).

  • Make sure your KVM supports the right video/audio standards (HDMI, DisplayPort, etc).

  • Some KVMs only support up to 1080p; others do 4K.

  • Audio is often not included unless the KVM specifically says so—plan accordingly!


Echo’s Take:Adapters can save your build (and your wallet), but they’re not magic. Always check if you’ll need extra audio cables, or if you need a special “active” adapter for digital ↔ analog. KVM switches are a game-changer if you run multiple rigs—just match your needs to the specs.


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