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What is a D-Sub Connector?

John Lister
John Lister

A D-sub connector is a type of electrical connector that is used mainly in computing. It is most commonly used for video connections, such as those between a monitor and computer. The D-sub connector uses a series of pins that slot into a socket, with the plug usually screwed into place to prevent it coming loose.

D-sub is short for D-subminiature. This form is no longer used, as these connectors are no longer considered miniature in computing terms; indeed they are among the largest plugs used in computing. The D does not stand for digital. Instead, it comes from the connector's creators, ITT Cannon, who used the D to indicate that the pins are housed in a D-shaped shell. This D is then followed by another letter denote the size of the plug and socket in terms of the capacity of pins that can be housed, then a number showing the number of pins used.

There are a wide range of past and present uses for D-sub connectors. These include printer cables, computer game joysticks and external floppy disk drives. They are also used in some multi-channel audio recording systems.

The most common use of the D-sub connector is as a video connector. This is in a plug and socket known as DE15, meaning it is D-shaped, size E in ITT Cannon's system, and has 15 pins. These are arranged in three rows of five.

A D-sub connector may be used to connect a gaming joystick to a computer.
A D-sub connector may be used to connect a gaming joystick to a computer.

The DE15 is better known as a VGA connector. It is for analog video connections between computers and monitors, but is also used on some television sets as a way to display a computer image. There is a mini version of this socket, which is used on some laptop computers.

The D-sub connector is becoming much less popular in general computing. This is partly because it is comparatively bulky and thus unsuitable for portable devices. It also requires some system for locking into place, usually through adjustable screws. This makes it more expensive than other plug types.

There are a wide range of past and present uses for D-sub connectors, such as external floppy disk drives.
There are a wide range of past and present uses for D-sub connectors, such as external floppy disk drives.

The specific use of a D-sub connector for monitors is also falling from favor. It is being replaced with the DVI and HDMI systems. HDMI has the advantage of being a simple flat plug with no pins. DVI is physically more similar to D-sub but is less bulky and has 24 pins. Both DVI and HDMI carry digital signals, which a D-sub connector cannot do. HDMI is also able to carry audio signals as well as video.

Discussion Comments

MrMoody

@miriam98 - I agree that the RCA cables do well as all around Swiss army knives for a lot of your old equipment.

But in terms of reliability, nothing beats coaxial cables. They are shielded and so are protected from a lot of interference.

You may not notice a difference in short connections, but if you’re stringing out your connections over a much longer distance coaxial cables are the way to go in my opinion.

miriam98

I have two devices in my house that use the D sub connector still. One is an old Pentium computer with a standard VGA monitor and which is attached to my video card using the D sub connector.

The other is an old PlayStation console which uses the same connector as well. As the article says, the newer systems come with HDMI, and I do have a newer computer with HDMI connections.

The D sub connector is a fairly reliable and universal old standard however, by which I can connect any number of traditional devices that don’t have ports for the newer types of cables.

Another reliable standby is the RCA connector, which I have on many of my old audio visual devices. It doesn’t deliver the same video quality that the newer HDMI cables do, but again, it’s an old standby, and it makes it possible to connect a lot of old devices together when nothing else will do.

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    • A D-sub connector may be used to connect a gaming joystick to a computer.
      By: rosasto
      A D-sub connector may be used to connect a gaming joystick to a computer.
    • There are a wide range of past and present uses for D-sub connectors, such as external floppy disk drives.
      By: Iakov Kalinin
      There are a wide range of past and present uses for D-sub connectors, such as external floppy disk drives.