HDMI cable wiring schematic (what colors go where)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the wiring of an HDMI to VGA cable, specifically addressing the color coding of the wires and the feasibility of using such a cable to connect a laptop with VGA output to a TV with HDMI input. Participants explore the technical challenges and potential solutions related to this setup.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to solder the wires of a broken HDMI to VGA cable but lacks information on the correct color coding for the HDMI connector.
  • Another participant suggests that HDMI and VGA are fundamentally different technologies, with HDMI being digital and VGA being analog, implying that a direct cable connection without a converter is unlikely to work.
  • A third participant clarifies that if the connection is from VGA (out) to HDMI (in), it should be referred to as a VGA to HDMI converter, not a cable.
  • Participants discuss the necessity of a converter circuit for proper signal conversion between VGA and HDMI, indicating that a simple cable will not suffice.
  • Links to HDMI pin-out diagrams and converter products are provided, although one participant notes they are not endorsing those products.
  • There is mention of a requirement for the video card to support digital signal output through the VGA port, highlighting the need for specific hardware capabilities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that a simple HDMI to VGA cable is unlikely to work without a converter, but there is no consensus on the specifics of the wiring or the best solution for the original poster's situation.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the capabilities of the laptop's video card and the specific requirements for successful signal conversion between VGA and HDMI.

jaybird81
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Hi, I was hoping someone on this forum could help me out. I am not an engineer (although I wish I was). I am just DBA that is dealing with a wiring nightmare. My boss bought an HDMI to VGA cable from some guy on line for hooking up a laptop to a TV. The cable comes in and of course is no good, the HDMI connector basically fell apart when I plugged it in. So I am going to try and make it work, by sodering the cables to the conector. My problem is I don't know which color goes where on the actual HDMI connector. There are 8 wires (Black, Blue, Red, Brown, White, Pink, Dark Green and Light Green). Does anyone have a diagram or a schematic so I can try and fix it.
 
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I'd be surprised if it works. It seems that HDMI has only digital data lines whereas vga has almost only analog ones. If there is no logic circuit in between you have probably been scammed. Cable colors can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer... and the pinning can be found online, but unless your graphics card does some very funny things it will not work.
 
jaybird81 said:
Hi, I was hoping someone on this forum could help me out. I am not an engineer (although I wish I was). I am just DBA that is dealing with a wiring nightmare. My boss bought an HDMI to VGA cable from some guy on line for hooking up a laptop to a TV. The cable comes in and of course is no good, the HDMI connector basically fell apart when I plugged it in. So I am going to try and make it work, by sodering the cables to the conector. My problem is I don't know which color goes where on the actual HDMI connector. There are 8 wires (Black, Blue, Red, Brown, White, Pink, Dark Green and Light Green). Does anyone have a diagram or a schematic so I can try and fix it.

First off, if it goes from VGA(out) to HDMI(in) then it would be a VGA to HDMI cable (converter) not the other way around that you stated.

Second there is no direct cable connection possible, it needs an actual converter circuit to achieve that.

So why don't you just tell us exactly what outputs are availaible on the laptop and what inputs are available on the TV and we can suggest the best option.
 
The laptop has VGA out and the tv has HDMI in.My boss said this cable was practically impossible to find. I appreciate all the help, like I said I am just a DBA, this stuff really isn't my thing.
 
Here is the HDMI pin-out: http://www.hi-fi-cables.com/hdmicomponentcables.php

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=VGA+to+HDMI" , $6.
The product description states, "Your Video card must support digital signal output through VGA port function. Please consult with your VGA card's user manual for more information."
 
Last edited by a moderator:
pantaz said:
The product description states, "Your Video card must support digital signal output through VGA port function. Please consult with your VGA card's user manual for more information."

Good catch pantaz. So this confirms what we suspected that a simple cable is not likely to work in most instances. (I've never even seen a video card that passes DVI through the VGA connector, though I guess some newer laptops might do it to save connector space).

More likely the OP will need something like a converter box such as :

http://www.zantech.com.au/converter/format/cp261h.html

or

http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20081219_vga_to_hdmi_adapter.html

BTW. I'm not recommending the linked products or the stores selling them - I've never used either. Just pointing out the type of thing OP probably really needs.
 
Last edited:

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