HDMI = consumer standard, audio included, up to 8K. DisplayPort = pro/gaming, higher bandwidth at 1.4. VGA = analogue, max 1080p, no audio.
HDMI to DP between modern devices = passive is enough. HDMI to VGA and DP to VGA = always active. USB-C to HDMI = passive if the host has DP Alt Mode.
Yes, if source and target speak at least HDMI 2.0 or DP 1.2 and the adapter explicitly lists 4K@60Hz on the data sheet.
No — VGA only carries video. Audio must come separately via a 3.5 mm jack.
Yes, via USB-C to HDMI/DP/VGA. MacBook M-series supports DP Alt Mode on all USB-C ports.
Guide & know-how
Video adapters for any source-to-display combination — HDMI to DisplayPort for gaming monitors, HDMI to VGA for old school and meeting-room projectors, USB-C to HDMI 4K@60Hz for MacBook and iPad Pro, plus DisplayPort to VGA for workstation setups. Active converter chips for clean signal conversion, gold-plated connectors for corrosion-free contacts and aluminium housings for good heat dissipation. Shipped from Basel — same day by 4 pm, free above CHF 15, 2-year Swiss warranty. Invoice payment available (credit check by Powerpay).
First clarify source, then target. Sources: HDMI (TV stick, laptop, camera), DisplayPort (gaming PC, workstation), USB-C/Thunderbolt (MacBook M-series, iPad Pro, Surface), Mini DisplayPort (older MacBooks 2009–2016). Targets: HDMI (TV, modern monitor, projector), DisplayPort (gaming monitor 4K@120Hz+), VGA (school/conference projectors before 2015). Digital-to-digital combinations (HDMI to DP) work passively — for VGA you need an active converter with a DAC.
HDMI 1.4 = up to 4K@30Hz or 1080p@120Hz. HDMI 2.0 = 4K@60Hz — the standard for modern TVs and office monitors. HDMI 2.1 = 4K@120Hz or 8K@60Hz, important for PS5, Xbox Series X, Apple TV 4K. DisplayPort 1.2 = 4K@60Hz, DP 1.4 = 4K@120Hz or 8K@60Hz with DSC. For HDMI to DP converters the source must speak HDMI 2.0+ to deliver 4K@60Hz to the target.
HDMI to VGA adapters are active converters — the source must output HDMI (TV stick, laptop). VGA outputs are analogue, the converter does Digital to Analogue. DP to HDMI is usually passive because modern GPUs speak DP++ (Dual-Mode) — old DP 1.2 cards need active. USB-C to HDMI 4K requires DisplayPort Alt Mode on the host. Audio rides along on HDMI — on VGA it needs a separate 3.5 mm jack.
Aluminium housings with passive cooling — important for active 4K converters (1–2 W dissipation). Gold-plated connectors prevent oxidation and image dropouts after 1–2 years. Passive HDMI to DP adapters draw 0 W, active converters need USB power (often built into the plug or via a separate mini USB cable). Aluminium fully recyclable — take-back via the RPD recycling programme.
Shipped from our Basel warehouse — A-Post 1–2 working days, express next business day or free pickup in Basel, Aarau or Olten. 2 years Swiss warranty on all products, 14-day returns. Invoice payment available (credit check by Powerpay), best-price guarantee CH. Aluminium housings are fully recyclable — return old adapters, hubs and storage media via our RPD recycling programme. Visit one of our stores for personal advice — bring your laptop or iPad and we will find the right accessory together.
