Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1-3:
he silver HDMI
connector, for
high-deinition
video output
If your monitor has a VGA input—a D-shaped connector with 15 pins, typically coloured silver
and blue—the Raspberry Pi can't connect to it. Adapters are available that will take in a digital
DVI signal and convert it to an analogue VGA signal, but these are expensive and bulky. he
best option here is simply to buy a more-modern monitor with a DVI or HDMI input.
DSI Video
he inal video output on the Pi can be found above the SD card slot on the top of the printed
circuit board—it's a small ribbon connector protected by a layer of plastic. his is for a video
standard known as
Display Serial Interface (DSI)
, which is used in the lat-panel displays of
tablets and smartphones. Displays with a DSI connector are rarely available for retail pur-
chase, and are typically reserved for engineers looking to create a compact, self-contained
system. A DSI display can be connected by inserting a ribbon cable into the matched connec-
tor on the Pi, but for beginners, the use of a composite or HDMI display is recommended.
Connecting Audio
If you're using the Raspberry Pi's HDMI port, audio is simple: when properly conigured, the
HDMI port carries both the video signal and a digital audio signal. his means that you can
connect a single cable to your display device to enjoy both sound and pictures.
