Video Conversion: Converters vs Adapters Explained

Video Conversion: Converters vs Adapters Explained

Date: January 22

If you're connecting older equipment to newer devices — or vice versa — you'll likely need to convert the video signal from one connection type to another. Here's what you need to know before buying.

Why would I need to convert video?

The most common reason is bridging legacy and modern equipment — for example, connecting a modern laptop's HDMI output to an older projector with only a VGA input, or vice versa. Common conversions include:

  • HDMI to VGA
  • VGA to HDMI
  • DisplayPort to HDMI
  • DisplayPort to DVI

Understanding direction: source vs destination

Conversion is always described from source to destination — the device outputting the signal, followed by the device receiving it. For example:

  • PC (HDMI) → Projector (VGA) needs an HDMI to VGA converter
  • Old PC (VGA) → Modern TV (HDMI) needs a VGA to HDMI converter

This matters because converters only work in one direction — an HDMI to VGA converter cannot be reversed to work as a VGA to HDMI converter. The direction is fixed by the electronics inside, so you need to know your source and destination before buying.

Converter vs adapter — what's the difference?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there's a meaningful distinction:

  • A converter is a powered device using active electronics to convert one video signal type to another (e.g. analogue to digital)
  • An adapter is a simpler, unpowered device that changes the physical connector shape only, without needing electronics

Whether you need one or the other depends on what you're converting between:

  • VGA to HDMI always requires a powered converter, because you're converting an analogue signal to digital
  • DVI to HDMI only requires a passive adapter, because both use the same underlying digital signal — the conversion is purely a change in connector shape

How do I convert video in practice?

A video converter or adapter is usually a small inline box, or a cable with the conversion hardware built into one end. Match the device to your specific source and destination connector types, and confirm whether your setup needs active conversion (VGA, analogue sources) or a passive adapter (same-signal-type conversions like DVI to HDMI).

LINDY's recommendation

Always identify your source device and destination device first, and check whether the connection types involved are the same signal type (digital-to-digital, like DVI/HDMI) or different (analogue-to-digital, like VGA/HDMI) — this determines whether you need a simple adapter or a powered converter.

Need help finding the right converter or adapter for your setup? Contact our team on 1300 888 095 or browse our video conversion range.