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A VGA feature connector is a legacy internal header that carries digital pixel data and video timing signals between a graphics card and auxiliary video hardware. It is not the socket for a monitor: Compaq documentation identifies the feature connector as a 26-pin header and lists the display monitor connection separately as a DB-15.
What the VGA feature connector does
Also called a VGA passthrough connector or VESA Standard Feature Connector (VSFC), this header exposes signals from the graphics subsystem so an auxiliary device can work with the video stream. The IBM VGA/XGA technical-reference preview describes the auxiliary video extension as a way for an adapter to access resources of the base video subsystem. A pinout reference describes the broader feature-connector concept as a digital bus in the graphics-card video path, where auxiliary hardware could intercept or supply data before it reached the DAC.
These descriptions explain the interface’s role, but they do not establish that every graphics card supports every auxiliary device or use.
What signals it carries
Compaq’s Deskpro 2000 Technical Reference Guide (1996) documents a specific 26-position VSFC header. Its signal table lists eight pixel-data lines, P0–P7, along with a pixel clock, blanking, horizontal and vertical sync, and control signals for overlay, external sync, and external clock.
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That is a documented Compaq implementation, not a universal pinout. Other references use labels such as PD0–PD7, and signal assignments or directions can differ by implementation. The connector’s appearance alone does not establish that two pieces of hardware are compatible.
How it differs from the external VGA monitor connector
| Interface | Location and role | Signals or connection |
|---|---|---|
| VGA feature connector (VSFC) | Internal auxiliary header on supported legacy graphics hardware | Digital pixel data and video timing/control signals |
| Monitor connector | External connection for a display | Compaq documents a separate DB-15 monitor connector |
“VGA” can refer to the display standard or its familiar external monitor connection. In “VGA feature connector,” it refers to a different, internal interface. Compaq’s guide explicitly distinguishes the display monitor connector from the VGA passthrough/VSFC header.
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What it was used for
Historical references describe feature-connector applications including video overlay, capture, MPEG decoding, and TV-tuner functions. These examples reflect the role of specialized multimedia hardware in older PC systems; they are not a guarantee that a particular card or header supports those functions.
Check the exact pinout before connecting hardware
For the documented Compaq VSFC, the guide assigns pins 14–21 to P0–P7, pin 22 to DCLK, pin 23 to BLANK, pin 24 to HSYNC, and pin 25 to VSYNC. Pins 4–6 are EVIDEO-, ESYNC-, and EDCLK; pin 13 is keyed; pins 7 and 12 are listed as not connected; and several pins are ground. Use the Compaq table only for the system it documents.
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- 【10 Feet VGA Cable】VGA male to VGA male cable connects a VGA (Video Graphic Array) equipped computer to a monitor or projector with 15-pin VGA port (also known as RGB, DB-15, DE-15, HD-15, HDB-15 or D-sub 15) for video editing, gaming, or video projection.
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Before wiring a card to an auxiliary board, confirm the exact graphics-card and board documentation, including connector orientation, keying, signal names, and signal direction. An IBM-style P0–P7 label and a VESA-style PD0–PD7 label are not enough, by themselves, to establish a matching pinout.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why you may encounter one today
The feature connector is mainly relevant when identifying, repairing, or restoring older graphics cards and their auxiliary multimedia boards. Its historical function is documented; the cited references do not establish current availability of compatible parts.
Quick Recap
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- Compatibility Note: This is a VGA extension cable with 15-pin DB-15 Male to Female connectors, designed for extending analog video signals. Not a VGA Male-to-Male cable (not for direct PC-to-monitor connections) — a VGA male-to-male cable is needed (sold separately). Not compatible with DB9 serial ports.
- VGA video extension cable extends the length of an existing HD15 VGA cord; Connect to a monitor across the room or attach to an existing male to male VGA cable in a hard-to-reach location behind a desk with this VGA monitor cord extender; Extend a KVM switch VGA monitor cable with this convenient computer extension cord for VGA
- Monitor cable extension cord supports video resolutions up to full HD 1080p, including 800x600 (SVGA), 1024x768 (XGA), 1600x1200 (UXGA), and 1920x1200 (WUXGA); Connect to an LED-lit and LCD HD monitor with this SVGA extension cable
- Integrated ferrite cores on this male to female VGA cable minimize crosstalk, suppress noise, and protect against radio frequency interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI)
- Hex nuts on the VGA male to female extension cable mate with the thumb screws on the existing VGA cable to provide a secure connection; Flexible VGA extender cord extends an RGB cord from a monitor or projector in seconds
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- Screw-in VGA cable with 15-pin male input and output
- Supports resolutions at 800x600 (SVGA), 1024x768 (XGA), 1600x1200 (UXGA), 1920x1080P and up for high resolution LCD and LED monitors
- The VGA cord engineered with molded strain relief connectors for durability, grip treads for easy plugging and unplugging, and finger-tightened screws for a secure connection
- Links VGA-equipped computer to any display with 15-pin VGA port
- Cable Length : 1.8M/ 6Ft;Jacket Material : PVC
References
- Compaq, Deskpro 2000 Technical Reference Guide (1996) — the VSFC name, separate monitor connection, and a system-specific pin table.
- IBM VGA/XGA technical-reference preview — context on the auxiliary video extension.
- AllPinouts VFC reference — a related feature-connector mapping; consult hardware-maker documentation for a specific card.
- ePanorama VFC reference — additional pin-mapping context, not a substitute for a manufacturer pinout.
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